Training bonsai trees is a fascinating art form that combines horticultural techniques and Japanese aesthetics in a unique way. The word “Bonsai” means a pot (bon) that holds a plant (sai), however, bonsai are not simply potted plants! They are a miniaturized, realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree.

Most bonsai trees are commonly kept under four feet in height through techniques such as pinching buds, pruning, and wiring branches, and the fertilizers used are carefully restricted to limit and direct growth. These special techniques have been around for well over a thousand years.

In this lecture for beginners, you will learn all aspects of the art of bonsai including its history, techniques, how to choose a plant and pot, as well as all the keys to basic maintenance for desert climate. At the end, we will hold a lively Q & A session, so you will…