2025 MMBC Meeting Topics

January 16, 2025 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm, Foster Community Center, room 213 (NOTE:  Room change)

Photographing Bonsai - presented by Tim Priest

Tim Priest is a professional photographer and will be presenting to MMBC on the best ways to photograph your bonsai trees/rocks.  Tim uses professional equipment, but will be providing information on how best to photograph bonsai using standard equipment,.....your cell phone.  Emphasis will be placed upon lighting, position, background and other elements to capture the best of what your bonsai can offer.  

You are strongly encouraged to bring a tree(s) to this meeting to be photographed.  You will end up with a digital photo of your tree!  

Realizing that many of us have trees in hibernation may pose challenges for several reasons. For me, getting them off the frozen ground may be the biggest challenge.  Also, you may think that a deciduous tree without its foliage would be inappropriate for this photo session, but this may be one of the best times to photograph those species.  Also consider your tropical trees!

Photographing trees is a fantastic way to track the progress of your bonsais over the years.

Even if you do not want to get a photo of your bonsai, you may find this a very helpful presentation in just improving your own photographic skills.

(NOTE: This meeting is in the "large" room on the 2nd floor.  More space was required for the amount of equipment that Tim is setting up and for trees that will be brought in for photographing.) 

February 20, 2025 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm, Foster Community Center, room 211

South Korean Bonsai Tour - presented by Mike Simmons

Mike Simmons will be presenting on his recent travels to South Korea.  Learn about bonsai (bunjae) in South Korea with photos and discussion.  See and learn about the South Korean approach to bonsai as presented at the Sejong National Arboretum, growing greenhouses of Kim Sae-won (Chair, WBFF), Cheonsaseom Bonsai Park in Shinan, Sejong Bear Tree Park, Spirited Garden on Jeju Island, and much more.

March 20^th , Thursday - Carmen Leskoviansky Presentation - Foster Community Center, Room 211, 6:30pm (socializing/setup), 7:00pm - 9:00pm (meeting/program).

Carmen Leskoviansky, Curator of the Matthaei Bonsai Garden, has recently returned from the Northwest following her apprenticeship with Michael Hagedorn.  She will be presenting on that experience and sharing developments at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.  If you have not been to those gardens, you should definitely make an effort to do so this year.  Highly recommend that you time your visit to see the azalea bonsai collection in bloom.  Nothing short of spectacular. 

March 22nd, Saturday - MMBC Spring Workshop, Van Attas Greenhouse & Flower Shop, 10am - 2pm.  This will be an open session with the opportunity to work with other MMBC members in preparation for the upcoming growing season.  Emphasis will be on repotting, styling & design, & any other spring-related bonsai issues.  An informal gathering to get assistance and have your questions answered.  Bring trees, tools, supplies, & accessories.  Van Attas is providing space so that we have more time and a place where we can "make a mess" and expand our bonsai knowledge and skills.  This is will be a great time to repot your bonsai! (Note: lunch/snacks will NOT be provided, please feel free to bring your own food/beverage).  Please RSVP to Mike Simmons (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

April 17^th - Kurt Smith Lecture on Bonsai Forest Design, Foster Community Center, Room 211, 6:30pm (socializing/setup), 7:00pm - 9:00pm (meeting/program).  Kurt Smith, former owner of the Flower Market (now the Green Witch Gardens) in Dundee, MI, will present on bonsai forest design.  Bonsai forests are always a popular style of bonsai and are among the most popular designs.  Kurt will take us through the concepts of a forest design and prepare those who register for the bonsai forest workshop the following Saturday (see below).

April 19^th - Dawn Redwood Bonsai Forest Design Workshop, Van Attas Greenhouse & Flower Shop, 10am - 2pm.  Kurt Smith will lead a workshop on designing and implementing a bonsai forest using Dawn Redwoods (Metasequoia glyptostroboides).  Trees (5 trees of various sizes), forest training pot (13"x9"x2.5"), soil, wire, & drain hole screens all included.  This workshop has a limited registration of 12 and a registration fee of $125.00.  You can register now by sending an email response to Mike Simmons (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and/or to Kim Wiljanen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) .  Email notification will earn you a spot in the workshop, but payment will secure your registration.  A sign-up sheet will be available at the March 22nd meeting.  This is the same workshop that was previously at the All-State Show last May in Grand Rapids at Meijer Botanic Gardens at a $50 savings!  That workshop received excellent reviews.  (Note: lunch is NOT included in the workshop costs.  It is recommended you bring your own lunch, or arrangements can be made to have food brought in.....McDonalds).

Kusamono/Shitakusa/Accent plants - Presentation

May 15th, 2025, 7pm-9pm (social gathering begins at 6:30pm) at the Foster Community Center, Rm. 211

Discussion led by Mike and Sandy Simmons.  Examples of plantings from the Simmons' collection will be provided.  Others who attended last years kusamono workshop are encouraged to bring their kusamono/shitakusa plantings.  Also planned is a slide show of the 2025 All-State show with emphasis on accent plants.  This presentation is in conjunction with a kusamono/shitakusa workshop at Van Attas on the following Saturday,

Kusamono/Shitakusa - Workshop

May 17th, 2025, 10am-2pm., at Van Attas Greenhouse in the training instruction room.

This will be a fun workshop where participants will explore the Van Attas greenhouse spring offerings.  With guidance from Sandy and Mike Simmons you will select plants for creating your own kusamono/shitakusa.  There is no fee to attend this workshop; however all supplies....plants,  pottery, will be purchased by the attendees from Van Attas. Soil and instruction will be provided.   Not only will you gain experience with creating kusamono/shitakusa, but you will also learn about the various plant types, their care and over-wintering needs from two people who spend way too much time on plants and in greenhouses!  This should be a fun one!  Please bring your tools...chopsticks and scissors will be used most for this workshop.

BYOT Critique with Jack Sustic

June 19th, 2025, 7pm-9pm (social gathering begins at 6:30pm) at the Foster Community Center, Rm. 109

Back by popular demand, Jack Sustic will provide advice and insight into the trees you bring to this meeting-workshop.  This typically consists of members brining in a tree or two for review and design assistance.  Jack will provide the critique, provide advice and set you on a path of improving your tree.  There is usually time for a second go around to further develop your tree.  Be sure to bring your tools and wire.

Portulacaria afra Workshop

July 17th, 2025.  TBD -  More details forthcoming soon!

This is a very fun little plant, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulacaria_afra)  Some call it a dwarf jade, but it is an entirely different species.  These plants grow fast and are fun work with as you can quickly create mame or shohin sized bonsai.  Something to keep you busy during the winter months!  Kurt and Lita Smith will be leading this workshop for MMBC. Costs and  location will be provided as soon as details are squared away.

Andy Smith Yamadori Demonstration (Black Hills Spruce)

August 22nd, 2025. TBD - More details forthcoming soon!

Andy Smith of Golden Arrow Bonsai out of South Dakota will be making the rounds in August in Michigan.  He has graciously agreed to provide a demonstration using a wild-collected Black Hills Spruce.  MMBC will be purchasing the tree and providing it during the club's auction in October.