Bonsai Notebook
Next Meeting:
March 14, 2026
at the LA Arboretum- Palm Room
at 6pm: May Show planning meeting all members interested in helping to plan the 2026 annual show are invited to attend.
If you can’t make this meeting but would like to help, please contact Mike Kelly at [email protected]
at 7pm: Accent Plants & Display Tables
Our guests will be Debra Mauzy-Melitz & Ken Bross
Debra will talk about accent plants to go with your tree displays at our upcoming SABS Annual May Show.
She will be providing an interactive study group on pairing and best practices.
It will include sharing ideas on how to select plants, and pots for proper paring with your main tree including things to consider such as, styling, storytelling, shred habitat, after care, placement and more.
Debra has kindly offered to provide critique and help to members who would like to bring their own Kusomono to this meeting.
(we will not be able to help create a Kusomono on this evening)
Ken will be providing an accompanying study group on stands which will include, pairing trees with individual stands, placement, alternatives, design intricacies, scaling and more.
He will also have examples of trees and accent display stands.
We encourage everyone to bring an accent plant or a photo of an accent plant you would like to use in the show and get ideas and suggestions from Debra and Ken.
If you have already decided on your tree or display table, bring it or a picture along to help plan & visualize your best display.
Explanation: An accent plant is a small potted plant displayed alongside a bonsai tree to enhance its beauty.
These companions, such as mosses, grasses, or flowering plants, complement the tree without overpowering it.
Join us at this meeting and take another step towards our show preparations.
Meeting Refreshments: Hungry???
Please bring your favorite appetizers and snacks to share
water provided by SABS
We’re hoping for a Large Raffle Table
Bring a bonsai related item to donate
Your donations to the raffle at the meetings are a BIG help to support the club
Please keep them coming
Upcoming Meetings:
SABS meetings are always on the 2nd Saturday monthly January-November 2026
April 11,2026
Demo by: Daniel Deephouse
Workshop- Bring your Show Tree
May 9, 2026 TBA
The Annual Memorial Weekend Show and Members Sale will be May 23-25
We are looking forward to an exciting year of programs aimed at helping our members of all experience levels continue to grow and enjoy the bonsai artform.
Membership
Our 2026 Annual membership drive is now ongoing
Single memberships continue to be $20 and Family/Couple Memberships are $25
Cash, Check or Zelle payment options are available
Feb Meeting Highlights
The February meeting featured Bill Ward, who shared his secrets to finding affordable bonsai material.
He brought examples of trees and products he found at many different nurseries for very low prices.
Members were surprised at the low prices Bill paid for the trees he found.
Everyone seemed motivated to now explore nurseries, especially out-of-the-way areas that might have hidden gems.
Thanks again to Bill for sharing his insight with us.
Bill Ward and Ray Blasingame donated awesome trees for 2 special raffles.
Congratulations to Patty for winning the “Blasingame Fig” and to Peter who won Bill Ward’s Juniper
The Raffle table was filled with a wide variety of interesting items.
“Thank you” once again to all of our members who donated so generously this month
It’s going to be a “Growing Year”
Come join us to watch and learn- Everyone welcome
If you need directions or have questions contact us at [email protected]