Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society
Dedicated to the art of bonsaiArchive for Events
New Open Workshops at PFM Bonsai
Meet club members, wander the nursery and discover the world of bonsai at the latest PFM Bonsai open house weekend, May 18-19. It’s a great way to dip a toe into this fascinating hobby. Bonsai master Pauline Muth will be on hand to answer your questions, and you can view some of her beautiful specimen trees, purchase a nursery tree of your own, peruse the pots, tools, supplies and books, and learn about the benefits of club membership. See you there, Saturday from 10 to 5 and Sunday from 1 to 5.
Spring events
John Romano
While the big April event for many club members is MABS, April 19-21 in Grantville, PA, there are a couple of great home base MHBS activities to look forward to this spring.
On May 12, Ted Matson will come to hold a demo and lecture, followed by a workshop using some great trees the club obtained from a southern nursery. May 25-27 is the PFM Bonsai summer open house weekend, always a fun time. Coming up in June is a John Romano Workshop.
Spring is a great time for beginners to explore bonsai, and guests are always welcome at club meetings.
Upcoming MHBS events
Ted Matson styles a Black Pine.
Some great events are coming up at MHBS, below are a few highlights. Guests are welcome at club meetings so if you’re not a member, these are great opportunities to see what our club is all about. For more information or to sign up for a workshop, get in touch.
March 24 – Poo Balls
Poo Balls are a natural, slow release fertilizer for containerized trees and plants. We make our own at this workshop. Messy but fun and no actual poo is used. We’ll also be repotting trees.
May 12 – Ted Matson Workshop
A bonsai instructor for 25 years, Ted Matson is an award-winning bonsai master. We are lucky to have him for this morning lecture and demonstration, followed by an afternoon workshop by reservation where he’ll help us style selected material.
June 30 – John Romano Workshop
John Romano learned Bonsai from masters including Kenji Miyata at New England Bonsai Gardens and Nobuichi Urushibata at Taisho en in Shizuoka, Japan. This is a great opportunity to work with a master. Workshop by reservation.
August 25 – Rock Collecting
Find your own slabs and rocks at a great secret club location. It’s a stream bed so bring your boots.
Sept. 12-15 – ABS Learning seminars
Our most exciting club event of the year. MHBS is the local host club for the national American Bonsai Society event, which will be held this year in Saratoga Springs, New York. Sign up for classes or just come and browse. If you are curious about bonsai, you will not want to miss this rare opportunity to see national level bonsai tree displays, shop vendors, or learn from bonsai’s top masters. Learn more at For the Love of Bonsai.
Sketch Your Trees on Feb. 24
Sketching our future tree is a vital part of bonsai development, and one we often skip because we don’t like our drawings. Even if you’re all thumbs with a pencil, join MHBS for a lesson in tree sketching by Dorothy Raymond that will have you drawing in no time.
At our February 24 meeting at Voorheesville Cooperative Extension, Dorothy will share a method specifically designed for bonsai that is quick to master. Guests are welcome to stop by for this fun session. Bring a sketch pad, pencils and drawing materials, and a ruler.
The club will meet at Albany County Cooperative Extension on Martin Road in Voorheesville, NY. If the weather is bad, call Tom Kiszkiel at 845-687-9115 before heading out.
Schmalenberg Study Group Update
The first Marty Schmalenberg study group was a big success with attendees, and many trees came away with a solidly improved design path. Now we’re seeking increased club participation to ensure that we can continue with these monthly design immersion workshops.
February’s dates are still to be determined so contact Pauline immediately at 518-882-1039 or pauline@pfmbonsai.com if you’re interested. You may sign up for the two-day weekend or just one day. Bring as many trees as you wish as we discuss and study member trees, followed by a hands-on design workshop with Marty.
If you are ready to take your design to the next level, this workshop with one of the discipline’s top designers is a fantastic opportunity to make the leap from pretty trees to specimen trees.
Martin Schmalenberg Study Group Forming
Here’s a rare opportunity for serious students to study with a bonsai master on a monthly basis. Beginning January 19-20, Martin Schmalenberg will conduct comprehensive weekend workshops in our newest study group.
Each monthly two-day workshop will include an immersive study of a season-sensitive topic, with a heavy emphasis on design aesthetics and styling. The fee will be $100 per person for each weekend. Subsequent study group meeting dates will be determined at the January 19-20 session
If you’re ready to take the next step in bonsai development, learn more before this study group is filled, and watch your trees become specimens.
Jan. 27 – Wiring Deciduous Bonsai
Join MHBS at the Voorheesville Cooperative Extension and learn how to wire your deciduous trees. It’s a great time of year to do it without all that pesky foliage, and senior club members will be there to offer help. Bring your trees, wire and tools, or just come to observe. Visitors are always welcome. Bring a lunch, we start at noon. The Albany County Cooperative Extension is located on Martin Road in Voorheesville, NY.
December TWIG
The December TWIG, official newsletter of the Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society, contains photos from our group design session at November’s meeting, news about upcoming events and next spring’s Mid Atlantic Bonsai Society event, and great info from Pauline on wintering trees.
Group Design Workshop Nov. 18
A Bonsai Accident
If a camel is a horse designed by a committee, wait till you see what MHBS members come up with on November 18 as we split into groups to style trees donated by club members, including azaleas and a small-leafed rhododendron. Trees will be raffled. The fun starts after lunch at PFM Bonsai. Bring wire, tools, lunch and perhaps a goodie to share.
Martin Schmalenburg Does Pines
A packed house last weekend at PFM Bonsai for Martin Schmalenburg’s Pine Immersion Workshop wherein we learned the zen of pines from a recognized master. A thorough lesson on both the practical and spiritual sides of the species was followed by hands-on styling that went the whole day. Much lively discussion and debate. If you weren’t there, you missed it.
