Category: Education

Bonsai Class at Woods Beer & Wine Company

Bonsai Class at Woods Beer & Wine Company

Authored by George Haas

In great anticipation the scheduled Woods Beer & Wine Company beginners’ bonsai class and special wine release occurred on August 29, 2026, from 12:00 – 2:00 PM, at the Woods Beer & Wine Company Cole Valley Taproom, 848 Cole Street, San Francisco, California.

Dory Schrader Co-Founder of Bonsaify <Bonsaify> led the class for create your own bonsai with assistance by Nikki Davidson. The class promised:

  • Your own bonsai tree to take home.
  • Bonsai pot, soil, wire, and all materials.
  • Step-by-step instruction.
  • Individual guidance throughout the workshop.
  • Special wine releases from the Woods Beer & Wine Company.
  • No previous experience was required.

 

You might recognize Woods Beer & Wine Company from the blog article titled: Bonsai and Wine – Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt <Bonsai and Wine – Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt/>

On November 23, 2025, professional photographer JJ Ignotz photographed 19 bonsai garden collection trees for the purpose of labeling the 2026 wine releases by wine maker Kyle Jeffrey of the Woods Beer & Wine Company.

Woods Beer & Wine Company’s 2026 wine releases feature labels inspired by the bonsai collection at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM), Oakland, California.

Exclusive BGLM bonsai note cards featuring JJ Ignotz’ photographs were on sale at the event and available in the BGLM gift shop — a perfect keepsake or gift for any bonsai enthusiast.

Kyle Jeffrey and JJ Ignotz were in fact participants in the beginners’ bonsai class. The class held 20 individuals interested in creating their own bonsai.

Each participant was given a Dwarf Jade plant, pot, and materials to create their bonsai.

Dwarf Jade is considered an indoor tree in most temperate zones, although it can be grown outdoors in full sun and hot temperatures. It requires substantial light, full sun, if possible, especially when kept indoors.

Before and during the class, Kyle Jeffrey served everyone the newly released wine, a total of seven varieties (red, white, rose, and sparkling), all featuring different bonsai photograph labels.

Also, Suzanne Muller, Director of BGLM, was a participant in the class.

Dory Schrader’s strong teaching presence and ability to manage a group of up to 20 or more people.

Nikki Davidson’s warm, helpful instruction alongside Dory Schrader.

Clear explanations of bonsai tie‑down methods, root handling, and shaping basics.

Bonsaify | Dwarf Jade Bonsai Care Guide

Bonsaify – YouTube

Woods Beer & Wine Company Cole Valley Taproom
Suzanne Muller viewed the newly released wine varieties.
Two of the bonsai photographed wine labels.
Dory Schrader and Nikki Davidson in the background and the bonsai materials
Suzanne Muller and Dory Schrader are opening the bonsai class.
Dory Schrader providing information on the bonsai pots.
Nikki Davidson demonstrating wiring the plastic screen in the pot.
Dory Schrader assisting in removing soil from the root ball.
Suzanne Muller removing soil from the root ball of the dwarf Jade plant.
JJ Ignotz and Kyle Jeffrey shared creating the dwarf Jade bonsai.
Exclusive BGLM bonsai note cards.

Repotting, Styling and Wiring Workshop

Repotting, Styling and Wiring Workshop

Written by George Haas
January 7, 2026

On January 3 and 4, 2026, at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM) professional artist and instructor Sam Tan and Addison Galambos of East Bay Bonsai Society (EBBS) facilitated a bonsai workshop for repotting, styling and wiring of bonsai trees from the bonsai garden collection. Mike Roberto and Nick Vargas Vila assisted in the workshop. The following individuals were present: Ashley Pouliot, Michal Tiede, Yuri Aono, Adam Kleinberg, Mark Walker, Megan Swift, Katie Bauer, and Walker Schlott of Pasa Robles.

Sam Tan and Addison Galambos served as the lead bonsai practitioners and artists, guiding the participants through the finer points of design, shape, and wiring techniques. With calm, practiced rhythm, the two demonstrated how subtle adjustments in angle, tension, and branch selection can completely transform a tree’s character. Attendees gathered closely together, watching as Sam emphasized structural balance and Addison highlighted the expressive possibilities of movement and flow. Their combined expertise created an atmosphere that was both instructional and inspiring, giving everyone a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind bonsai.

The hands‑on sessions focused on Item 140, a Monterey cypress; Item 146, The John Naka California juniper; Item 447, a Sierra juniper grafted with Kishu foliage; and Item 478, a California juniper.

The iconic John Naka California juniper was ready for styling after a year of recovery since its February 8, 2025, repotting. This session marked a major step in its ongoing development. The re‑styling allowed volunteers to gain firsthand knowledge of pruning and wiring techniques.

Item #140 Monterey Cypress

Monterey cypress Item #140, re-styling and wiring. Photo depicts Mark Walker, Mike Roberto, Ashley Pouliot and Megan Swift.
Photo depicts Yuri Aono and Walker Schlott.
Photo depicts Yuri Aono and Walker Schlott.
Mike Roberto wired the Monterey cypress lower branch.
Creating branch pad. Photo depicts Nick Vargas Vila, Mike Roberto and Sam Tan.
Mike Roberto and Sam Tan made final styling adjustments.

Item #447 Sierra Juniper with Kishu foliage

Sierra juniper grafted with Kishu foliage Item #447, before repotting.
Start of repotting by Sam Tan.
Sierra juniper grafted with Kishu foliage, repotting. Photo depicts Walker Schlott, Mark Walker, and Ashley Pouliot.
Sierra juniper grafted with Kishu foliage, removing air pockets. Photo depicts Yuri Aono, Adam Kleinberg, and Mark Walker.
Photo depicts Addison Galambos.
Sierra juniper with grafted Kishu foliage, after repotting.

Item #478 California Juniper

California juniper Item #478. New to bonsai, Katie Bauer was learning to wire branches.

Item #146 John Naka California Juniper

John Naka California juniper Item #146, before re-styling.
Photo depicts Sam Tan and Michal Tiede.
Sam Tan wired a lower branch.
Photo depicts Addison Galambos and San Tan.
Photo depicts Sam Tan and Ashley Pouliot.
Sam Tan made one last view of the re-styling.
Mike Roberto, Sam Tan and Ashley Pouliot replaced the juniper on its pedestal.
John Naka California juniper, after re-styling.

Bonsai Health and Basic Care Workshop for Curators, Jonas Dupuich, Part 2

Bonsai Health and Basic Care Workshop for Curators, Jonas Dupuich, Part 2

By Janet Nelson and George Haas
Photos by George Haas
May 22, 2025

This is a follow-up to Jonas Dupuich providing professional training for volunteers who care for and maintain the bonsai trees in the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt collection.

On May 13, 2025, Jonas Dupuich continued to provide professional training to volunteers who are responsible for caring for and maintaining the bonsai trees in the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt.

As a follow-up to Bonsai Health and Basic Care Workshop for Curators Part I, Jonas led the discussion on Pests, Diseases and Fertilization. Jonas presented a process to identify a tree’s condition in order to decide what treatment would be appropriate. The process can then be used for other trees as well, rather than merely recommending treatment for an individual tree.

Garden curators are expected to recognize abiotic problems, diseases and pests during their routine observations of the collection trees, and then take steps to resolve the health problems.

Abiotic Problems

Abiotic deficiencies are caused by something that is not a living thing, e.g., water, exposure, temperature, physical damage (hail, sun, wind).

Slides were used to show anemic (pale) leaves suggesting specific deficiencies.

Yellow leaves with green veins suggest an iron deficiency, too wet, bad soil, or poor water quality. The pH can affect nutrient absorption. One can send leaf samples to a private lab for analysis for a fee; one old leaf and one new leaf from the same tree to analyze the progress and plan treatment for that specific plant (not just that species). Some county agriculture departments and universities also do tests, but their results may be less specific.

Brown or “shady” leaf tip pattern indicates nutrient deficiency. Brown leaf margins can indicate extreme nutrient deficiency plus multiple problems, e.g., poor soil. Recommended organic fertilizers include fish emulsion, with or without kelp. Recommended chemical fertilizers include liquid Miracle Gro.

Pine needles that are yellow on the inside at the base with creamy transition to green tips indicate too much water; nitrogen deficiency can be caused by too much water washing it away.

Tip wilt or margin burn on leaves can be caused by insufficient water or by sun and wind.

Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases have biotic causes.

Jonas went through the list of pests and diseases as described during Part 1.

The ability to identify specific pests and diseases lends itself towards finding solutions to eradicate pests and eliminate or control diseases.

Insecticidal soap is a great all-purpose treatment for virtually all pests. Its use can lead to degradation of the cuticle making it susceptible to burn.

A new product is now available for year-round usage “All Seasons” Bionide Horticultural and Dormant Spray Oil.

Resources

Jonas recommends using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles for treatments that are effective and environmentally safe. They can be researched online by searching “IPM” with the name of the condition you want to treat, for example “IPM scale.”

Predatory insects can also be used.

Do-My-Own Pest Control website (https://www.domyown.com) is useful to search by product or insect. It can be expensive. Forest Distributing website (https://www.forestrydistributing.com) may have cheaper prices. The JC Chang newsletter “Pest Talks” is useful. Arbico Organics (https://www.arbico-organics.com) is another resource for IPM. Waypoint Analytical testing lab handles foliage and roots in a single sample for $130.

Fertilizer

Basic Protocol – put a ring of mild fertilizer around every tree (granular or liquid) between January 1 and May 1 when you see signs of new growth. But not on trees where you want to limit leaf size or internode length such as Japanese maples, white pines.

Defer fertilizing deciduous trees until the first flush of new growth has hardened off, then put fertilizer, more on plums, wisteria. Wait at least one month if the tree has been re-potted. Less fertilizer on junipers, Rocky Mountain species; more on pines.

Tour of the BGLM Garden (Observations/Recommendations)

 Upon completion of the lecture, Jonas led the group on a tour of the bonsai garden, pointing out various observations and recommendations based on the aforementioned topics.

1 Jonas lectured on pests, diseases and fertilization for volunteers who care for and maintain the bonsai garden collection

2 The use of slides to show the effects of abiotic deficiencies

3 Jonas points out possible signs of abiotic deficiencies on a California juniper

4 Here Jonas determines insufficient watering problems

5 Jonas considers weakness in growth for this Ponderosa pine