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The thermometer on my patio says it is 8 degrees Fahrenheit this morning as a very cold stretch of weather is finally about to let up here in Northern Virginia. With all my trees in deep freeze, I was glad to get a question that could break my bonsai boredom. From a person with a new found interest I was asked, “Is there a class I could take?” Well, yes and no.

There are certainly a variety of bonsai classes available, including online (although this person was really looking for a face-to-face class). The real problem with this question is that there seemed to be an assumption that ONE class might get her started, and that is where directing this person to a particular class just seemed the wrong and irresponsible way to answer.

I have been keeping trees for over twenty years now and I am just starting to figure out what I need to know. Could I have gotten a quicker start? Absolutely! But “a class” would not have made much difference. (You can read about how I started in bonsai on the About page.)

My short answer for this new enthusiast was to join the local bonsai club, but it got me thinking from my professional perspective as an educator. What would I include in an introductory class on bonsai? (Check out my other blog WhatItMeansForArt if you want to know more about my background in education.)

Topic number one would have to be: One class will never teach you what you need to know. I tried to explain in answering the original question — and this is still over simplified — what you need to know is different in every month of the year, and even if there were twelve monthly classes, the curriculum for these classes would be drastically different depending on the species of tree you are working with.

I didn’t go further to make it overly complicated — after all, I welcome new interest in bonsai. I don’t want to kill that interest by saying it is far too difficult. Nevertheless, the content of these classes would be different again based on you experience level, and again based on specific needs and condition of your tree. In fact, these variations betray an assumption that the classes are focused on the care and styling of a particular tree when bonsai practice can extend far beyond that to include propagation, collection, grafting, pottery, woodworking, display, and so much more. So what was, in its simplest form, a year’s worth of classes is now many years’ worth.

So for new enthusiasts out there, don’t get scared, but don’t think that learning about bonsai is going to happen in a single class. By all means, take a class, but then take another, and read a book, and learn what you can online, and join your local bonsai club, and find a knowledgeable mentor. Bonsai is a long, but incredibly rewarding road. I’m happy to have you on the road with me!