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The Complete Bonsai Experience · 2027 Sessions

Bonsai Basics: Create Your Own Bonsai

Duration
Approximately 2½ hours
Class size
8 students maximum
Location
Bellingham, MA
Bonsai Basics workshop at Bonsai Outlet: create your own Dwarf Jade bonsai

Photos show examples of workshop trees and finished bonsai. Individual trees and pots will vary.

Ever wanted to create your own bonsai? Spend a couple of hours at our working nursery, get your hands a little dirty, and leave with a tree that's truly yours.

  • No experience needed
  • Everything included
  • Take your bonsai home
$125.00
· All-Inclusive per person

Everything included! Take home your own bonsai in a Japanese ceramic pot, plus shears and essential care supplies.

1 Choose your workshop date

2 Reserve your seat

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Nonrefundable. Date transfers are possible with at least 4 days’ notice. Cancellation policy

Small classes. Personal guidance. No extra purchases.

Giving this as a gift? Purchase a Bonsai Basics gift certificate and let the recipient choose their workshop date.

Not your typical workshop.

You’ll create your bonsai in a working nursery, surrounded by trees of every age and guided by people who care for them every day. With only eight students per class, there’s plenty of room to ask questions and work at your own pace.

Your tree, your creation

Here’s how your workshop unfolds

  1. Florida-grown Dwarf Jade pre-bonsai on a nursery bench 1

    Find your tree

    Choose a premium Dwarf Jade pre-bonsai grown at our Florida nursery, with a real trunk and plenty of branching to work with.

  2. Hands potting a Dwarf Jade bonsai during the workshop 2

    Shape it together

    Prune, shape, and pot your tree in a Japanese ceramic pot with an instructor beside you the whole way.

  3. A finished Dwarf Jade bonsai in a glazed pot 3

    Take it home

    Leave with your finished bonsai, a pair of red-handled bonsai shears, a humidity tray with river rocks, fertilizer with baskets, a chopstick, and a printed care guide.

What You’ll Learn

Every class starts with a selection of premium Dwarf Jade pre-bonsai grown at our Florida nursery. These aren’t ordinary (or small) plants: we’ve grown them to develop substantial trunks and plenty of branching, giving you a great starting point. You’ll choose the tree that catches your eye, and we’ll help you discover its potential.

During the workshop, you’ll learn how to:

  • Find the natural shape and character of your tree.
  • Prune and shape branches to create your own design.
  • Select a Japanese ceramic bonsai pot that complements your tree.
  • Properly pot your bonsai using professional bonsai soil.
  • Keep your tree healthy with the right watering, lighting, and ongoing care.

No two trees are exactly alike, and that’s part of the fun. Everyone starts with the same basic instruction, but each finished bonsai will be a little different. And if you catch the bonsai bug, we’re always here with more workshops, supplies, and advice for your next project.

Everything You Need Is Included

Your $125 workshop registration includes:

  • Premium Dwarf Jade pre-bonsai: Grown at our Florida nursery, ready for you to shape and style.
  • Japanese ceramic bonsai pot: Choose from our included workshop selection, or receive a $15 credit toward another pot from our retail collection.
  • Professional bonsai soil: Everything you need to pot your tree.
  • Bonsai shears: Your own pair to use during class and take home.
  • Humidity tray and river rocks: To display your finished bonsai and catch excess water.
  • Bonsai fertilizer and fertilizer baskets: To support healthy growth at home.
  • Wooden chopstick: A simple but useful tool for checking soil moisture.
  • Printed Dwarf Jade care guide: Helpful instructions to refer to long after the workshop.
  • Bottled water: We’ll keep you hydrated while you work!

We also provide all the additional tools you’ll need during class. No hidden costs, no required purchases.

Who you’ll learn from

Meet your instructors

Bonsai Basics is taught by Manny and Eduardo.

  • Manny Ortiz

    Manny Ortiz

    Around 5 years in bonsai · Shohin & medium-sized trees

    Manny loves showing people that bonsai is possible and achievable. Expect a fun, informative, and energetic class.

    Read Manny’s bio →
  • Eduardo

    Eduardo

    Kaikou School of Bonsai graduate · 3 years in bonsai

    A student of John Romano, Eduardo teaches with patience and a genuine passion for the art, and loves watching students’ confidence grow.

    Read Eduardo’s bio →

Before you book

Location & policies

Where and when

Location
Bonsai Outlet, 914 South Main Street, Bellingham, MA 02019. Workshops are held in the greenhouse behind our retail store.
Date & time
Pick any open session above. Each class runs about 2½ hours; the time is shown with each date.
What to bring
Just yourself. Dress comfortably and be ready to get your hands a little dirty.

Cancellation & transfers

Workshop registrations are nonrefundable, as each class is limited to eight students and your seat is reserved specifically for you.

Plans change. If you let us know at least four days before your workshop, we’ll do our best to fill your seat, and if we can, we’ll transfer your registration to another available date.

If we can’t fill your seat, or you give less than four days’ notice, we can’t offer a transfer or refund.

Good to know

Do I need any bonsai experience?

No. Bonsai Basics is designed for complete beginners. We guide you through every step, from choosing your tree to potting it.

Is there anything I need to buy?

No. Your $125 seat includes the tree, a Japanese ceramic pot (or a $15 credit toward another pot), soil, shears to take home, a humidity tray and river rocks, fertilizer, a chopstick, a printed care guide, and bottled water. We supply every other tool you’ll use in class.

Do I get to choose my own tree and pot?

Yes. You’ll pick the Dwarf Jade that catches your eye from our workshop selection, then choose a pot that complements it. Trees and pots vary from class to class.

Can I reserve more than one seat?

Yes. Set the quantity to the number of seats you need for your chosen date. Every seat includes its own tree, pot, and supplies.

Will I know how to care for my bonsai afterwards?

Yes. Care is part of the class, you’ll go home with a printed Dwarf Jade care guide, and our team is always here with advice if you have questions later.

Ready to create your first bonsai?

Come spend a little time with us, learn something new, and leave with a bonsai that’s truly your own.

Choose a workshop date
!