Open Workbench: Repotting Workshop (Instructional)
Need help repotting your bonsai—without handing it off? Open Workbench is a repotting-focused, instructional session where you do the work with expert guidance. If you’re looking for a styling workshop, please register for Bonsai Basics II: Styling & Design instead.
What This Workshop Is (and Isn’t)
- Repotting only. We focus on soil work, root work, pot fit, tie-down, top-dress, and aftercare.
- Instructional, hands-on. You’ll repot your own tree with coaching; the instructor will not repot or fully “do it for you.”
- One-tree focus. You may bring a couple of trees, but the instructor will generally guide you through one tree in depth.
Seasonal & Health Requirements
- Species & weather dependent. We can only repot healthy trees and only when timing is appropriate for that species.
- Cold-hardy window: typically ends late March. The April Open Workbench may be too late for many conifers and deciduous species. And it may be too early for Tropicals. From May to October, it should be all tropical repotting.
- Unsure if your tree is in season? Email us beforehand and we’ll confirm.
What to Bring
- Your healthy bonsai (preferably the one most in need of repotting now).
- Your tools and supplies if you have them (shears, root rake, wire, mesh, soil, pot). Don’t have something? We’ll help you choose the right items to purchase on site.
What’s Included
- Professional guidance from our working-nursery team in the greenhouse.
- Bench space and a supportive, step-by-step learning environment.
What’s Not Included
- Tools & Supplies (available for purchase if you don’t have them).
- Bonsai Tree (bring your own; trees available for purchase if needed).
- Ceramic Pot (optional; shop from 1,000+ pots starting around $15).
- Soil (bonsai soil available for purchase).
Workshop Details
- Cost: $45 per student
- Duration: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (arrive a few minutes early to explore the nursery)
- Class Size: Limited to 8 students
- Location: 914 S. Main Street, Bellingham, MA 02019 (Workshops are held in the greenhouse behind our retail store.)
- Amenities: Refreshments for purchase (soda, water, snacks).
Policy: All sales are final. No refunds will be issued for workshops.
We ship thousands of bonsai trees and supplies each year, and every order is packed with care by our team. Live trees are watered, secured, and packaged to help them arrive safely and ready for their new home.
Live bonsai trees generally ship early in the week, Monday and Tuesday, to reduce time in transit. Tools, pots, soil, fertilizer, and other non-living items usually ship throughout the week.
Bonsai Outlet is a licensed nursery, not just a warehouse. We follow the proper inspection and certification requirements for shipping live plants across state lines. When a state requires additional documentation, such as a nematode certificate or nursery inspection certificate, we work to ensure the proper requirements are met before shipping.
For complete shipping and return details, please visit: Shipping & Returns
