Monthy study groups begin in January
1st Saturday – Randy Bennett, 2nd Saturday – Kathy Barbazon
(Dawn Koetting will be doing a quarterly group and Dennis Burke is doing a Black Pine group as needed)

January Meeting cancelled due to snow

Tuesday, February 14, 2025
Program: Jennifer Price Demo/Lecture Shimpaku Juniper 7:00pm
One of the new rising stars in bonsai, Jennifer Price discovered bonsai after retiring from the stage as a professional ballerina. For the last several years she has been involved in an intensive study program with Walter Pall from Germany and Jim Doyle from Pennsylvania as well as Ryan Neil. She has taught workshops and given demonstrations worldwide and was in Germany to be a part of Generation Bonsai and went on to represent America at an international bonsai convention in Shanghai, China. Jennifer was our guest previously for demos and workshops and she is both talented and an excellent teacher!

Saturday, February 15, 2025
Program: Gardenia Radicans Workshop with Jennifer Price 8:00am
The club is acquiring some large trunk Dwarf Gardenias (Radicans). An example was at the last meeting. Cost of the workshop (including tree) is $100. Sign up sheets will be available at the meetings or contact Carl Gilbert to check on availablility and sign up at (985) 346-2974 or divercg33@gmail.com

Saturday, February 15, 2025
Program: Trident Maple Workshop with Jennifer Price 1:00pm
For the past 2 years, Jennifer conducted a workshop on some large trident maples. Attendees of those workshops are invited to bring their maples back to continue their styling with Jennifer for a cost of $55. For any spots still available, the club can acquire some nice medium size tridents for an additional cost. Carl has purchased a couple of nice Tridents for anyone that needs to purchase one. Contact Carl Gilbert to check on availablility and sign up at (985) 346-2974 or divercg33@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Program: Wiring Presentation and Workshop by Randy Bennett 7:00pm
Randy will do a comprehensive presention on wiring. In addition to Randy’s own vast experience, he also recently attended an intensive class with the Italian bonsai artist Mauro Stemberger focused on wiring and can discuss some of Mauro’s impressive techniques, After the presentation, members are invited to bring their trees to wire or bring in any trees where you need wiring advice (ex. complex wiring, heavy branches etc).

Fri., Sat., Sun., March 28-30, 2025
C’est Bonsai Show at Underhill Bonsai Nursery
80272 LA-25, Folsom, LA
– A weekend of displays, workshops (not included in GA tickets), and demonstrations! Guest Artists are Sylvia Smith, Guy Guidry, Julian Tsai, Carmen Leskoviansky, Mike Lane, Dawn Koetting, Evan Pardue, Randy Bennett. For more information on this great event and to register to attend or sign up for a workshop go to their website at underhillbonsaistore.com. If you would like to show a bonsai at C’est Bonsai 2025 (multiple awards), email Evan evan@underhillbonsai with photos of the your tree(s) and info. I will also be emailing out a link to a form to submit.

Saturday & Sunday April 5 & 6, 2024
City Park Garden Show
Set up is on Friday, March 31 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Show hours Sat and Sun are 9-4
CANCELLED due to extreme weather warnings

Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Program: Open Workshop 7:00pm
Bring your own tree to work on. Club will provide wire. (Bring your own tools). Catch up on styling and maintenance or seek the advice and opinions of other experienced members. This is a good opportunity to bring in any of your trees in any stage to receive some help and advice. The club is attempting to buy some raw material for purchase for any new members from the garden show.

Tuesday, May 20 2025 (Note change in date due to hall scheduling)
Program: Deciduous lecture by Dawn Koetting 7:00pm
Dawn Koetting, award winning member of GNOBS, will be doing a lecture on the care and styling of deciduous species. (She recently won Best in Show at C’est Bonsai for her beautiful sea hibiscus.) Members are requested to bring in some of their deciduous trees for display, questions and critique.

Friday, June 13, 2025
Program: Premna lecture/demo by Rob Kempinski 7:00pm
Rob, a past President of Bonsai Clubs International, has more than 20 years bonsai experience. He has given demonstrations nationally and internationally. Rob has published a book as well as numerous articles in various bonsai publications. He has displayed trees at many regional and national shows.

Saturday, June 14, 2025
Program: Premna workshop by Rob Kempinski 9:00am
Rob, based in Florida, is very experienced in tropicals. We will have some of the trees available for you to look at at the next meeting as well as and sign-up sheets. 2 sizes availabe!!! Smaller size approx 2” caliper, 8”-10” height – Cost of the workshop is $100. Larger size approx 2.5” – 3” caliper, 9”-12” height – Cost of the workshop is $150. You can sign up at the May meeting or Contact Carl Gilbert to check on availablility and sign up at (985) 346-2974 or divercg33@gmail.com
For those not familiar with them, Premna makes a great bonsai tree with its naturally small leaves! This tropical bonsai is used a lot in Bonsai in Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. It grows very fast and will thicken up quickly. The leaves also reduce well. It is very resilient and has few pest problem.

Friday, July 11, 2025
Program 1: Johnny Martinez Competition 7:00pm
NEW THIS YEAR – 3 Divisions (Novice 1-5 years) (Intermediate 6-14 years) (Advanced 15+ years) All members are asked to bring in their best trees (limit 2) for a friendly competition. (Note: Only SINGLE trees – NO GROUPS) All members present will get a vote in each Division for their favorite trees. Winners in the 3 categories will be displayed at the Auction. We ask that you not bring in a tree from a workshop done in the past year. Time permitting, Abner/our experienced members will provide a constructive critique with suggestions for further development of the trees.
Program 2: Lecture/presentation on Exposed Root Trees by Abner Cruz 7:00pm
Abner Cruz, an up and coming young bonsai artist based in Florida, comes highly recommended by Jennifer Price. We have not really covered exposed root style as long as I can remember, so this will be an interesting topic where we can all learn something.

Saturday, July 12, 2025
Program 1: Green Island Ficus workshop by Abner Cruz 8:00am
The club has obtained some nice Green Island Ficus from Underhill. Cost of the workshop is $65. Sign up at the meetings or contact Carl Gilbert divercg33@gmail.com
Program 2: Bring your own tropical workshop by Abner Cruz 1:00pm
Bring your own tropical and get styling help from a Florida artist well versed in tropicals. Cost of the workshop is $50. Sign up at the meetings or contact Carl Gilbert divercg33@gmail.com

Saturday, August 9, 2025
2024 Annual GNOBS Auction & Plant Sale
VFW Hall – 1133 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123
Now is the time to go through that overcrowded bench and decide which of your trees should go to the auction for a new home. If you are a beginner, make cuttings now for the bargain table or buy an inexpensive garden center plant and gain some practice by styling it for the auction. All donations contribute to the operating budget of the club and we hope to bring you even better programs next year. Besides, you’ll need the space for the fabulous new bonsai that you just can’t live without and bring home from the auction.

Auction Pre-setup (Kathy,Carl,Felix) – 10:00 am
Auction Setup and Donations Accepted – 12 Noon – 4:00pm
Viewing of trees and plant sale begins at 4:00pm
Auction – 6:00pm – 9:00pm

September Meeting to be announced

October to be announced

November Meeting to be announced

December Meeting to be announced