818-343-4090
Robert Pressler BYOT Classes
Classes meet from September to June on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month in 2 sessions; morning from 9:30am to 12 noon and afternoon from 1pm to 3:30. Each session is 2 1/2 hours and registration fee of $30 covers class materials, including the use of tools, soil, wire. Students can bring their own tree or use a tree from us.
Students will receive expert instruction on whatever seasonally appropriate techniques each tree requires. As each student brings different trees at different stages development, there is always a variety of skills being discussed, and students have the opportunity to learn from the class as a whole.
Due to the popularity of these classes and size restrictions, reservations must be made in advance by calling 818 343-4090, or emailing kimurabonsai64@gmail.com. Classes are limited to 8 participants so please sign up ahead of time.
Remember to keep an eye on our website and socials for info on Visiting Artist workshops, in which students will have an opportunity to learn from the finest bonsai from all around the world!
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We are always available for private one on one or small group sessions, corporate events and bonsai birthday parties for kids and adults! Contact us via phone or email for more details and to book your lesson or event!
Visiting Artist Michael Roberts Workshops and BYOT:
Visiting artist Michael Roberts holds monthly
workshops and BYOT classes .Focus on taking your bonsai
knowledge and trees to the next level these seasonally
appropriate techniques and processes, are scheduled on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (unless
otherwisenoted). Class sizes are limited to 8 participants and
require an advance reservation.
BYOT, (Bring Your Own Tree) sessions with Michael are scheduled on the 2nd Saturday of each month (unless otherwise noted *) following the morning workshop from 1-4. Participants will be limited to one or two trees depending on size of the tree and the work to be performed. Email vallecitohouse@me.com for more information.
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Workshop Descriptions
We open our facility throughout the year for visiting bonsai artists from all over the world who conduct often once-in-a-lifetime classes to bonsai students, as well as intensive study groups.
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​​​​December 14th – Michael Roberts ​ Silverberry
5 gal. size with 1” + trunks repotted into custom 12”x12” grow box. Help with initial design, branch selections and rough wire into shape. Workshop includes tree, grow box, soil, and wire. Bring your own tools​
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9:00 am – 12pm
$145 per person
limit 8
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January 11th – Michael Roberts Dwarf Pomegranate
5 gal. size with ¾” trunks 18” tall. Repotting into custom 12”x12” grow box. Help with initial design, branch selections and rough wire into shape. Workshop includes tree, grow box, soil, and wire. Bring your own tools​
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9:00 am – 12pm
$160 per person
limit 8
January 30th – Young Choe Kusamono Workshop
Learn to make beautiful kusamono for display with bonsai or their own with with internationally renowned expert Young Choe. This is a rare opportunity to study with the foremost kusamono artist in the nation! The workshop is open to anyone interested in learning the art.
Kusamono are elegant potted arrangements of wild grasses and flowers in unique pots or trays selected to suggest a season or place. Originally, kusamono were small potted grasses displayed next to bonsai as accent plants. More recently, creating Kusamono has developed into an art form of its own.
Class registration of $100 includes soil, muck, moss and wire.
A selection of individual plants and kusamono pots will be available for purchase on the day of the class, and students can bring their own plants and pots.
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9:00 am – 2pm
$100 per person
limit 8
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February 8th – Michael Roberts Hornbeam Workshop
5 gal size, ½”+ trunks 15” tall. Workshop will include help with initial design, branch selections and rough wire into shape-includes tree, 12”x12” grow box, soil, and wire. Bring your own tools.
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9:00 am – 12pm
$200 per person
limit 8
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March 8th – Michael Roberts Crepe Myrtle
5 gal size, 3/4”+ trunks 18” tall. – Workshop will include help with initial design, branch selections and rough wire into shape-includes tree, 12”x12” grow box, soil, and wire. Bring your own tools.​
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9:00 am – 12pm
$155 per person
limit 8
March 15th – Will Baddeley Carving Workshop WORKSHOP FULL
Learn from one of the most renowned bonsai carving masters in the world Bring your own trees, and, if you have one, bring your own Dremel or rotary tool.​
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9:00 am – 4pm
$200 per person
limit 6
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April 12th – Michael Roberts Natal Plum
5 gal size, 1”+ trunks 16” tall – Workshop will include help with initial design, branch selections and rough wire into shape-includes tree, 12”x12” grow box, soil, and wire. Bring your own tools.​
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9:00 am – 12pm
$165 per person
limit 8
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April 17th & 18th Seth Nelson Intensive Workshop Part 1FULL
Part one of a two day intensive session with Seth Nelson, recently certified after his five-year apprenticeship at Aichi-en Bonsai in Nagoya, Japan! Bring your own trees and, if possible, tools! Part two will take place in November, on the 13th and 14th, spaces for those sessions will be available closer to that month.​
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9:00 am – 4pm
$300 per person
limit 4 WORKSHOP FULL
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April 19th Seth Nelson BYOT
Bring your own tree and work under visiting artist Seth Nelson, recently certified after his five-year apprenticeship at Aichi-en Bonsai in Nagoya, Japan! Bring your own trees and, if possible, tools!​
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9:00 am – 3pm
$100 per person
limit 8
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May 11th – Michael Roberts Procumbens Nana Juniper
18” tall with ¾” trunks Workshop will include help with initial design, branch selections and rough wire into shape-includes tree, 12”x12” grow box, soil, and wire. Bring your own tools​
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9:00 am – 12pm
$155 per person
limit 8
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June 14th – Michael Roberts Willow Leaf Ficus
repotted into a 12”x12” deep grow box. Workshop will include help with initial design, branch selections and rough wire into shape-includes tree, 12”x12” grow box, soil, and wire. Bring your own tool​
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9:00 am – 12pm
$175 per person
limit 8
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June 20th – Jonas Dupius Black Pine Study Group
Jonas returns to lead students through Spring maintenance on their Japanese black pines.​
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9:00 am – 3pm
$150 per person
limit 8
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July 10th – Michael Roberts Clump Style Black Olive
6-8-year-old 7" clump. Workshop will include help with initial design, branch selections and rough wire into shape-includes tree, 10”x10” grow box, soil, and wire. Bring your own tools​
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9:00 am – 12pm
$145 per person
limit 8
All class sizes are limited! To best serve you, please contact Kimura “Kashi No ki-en” to reserve your time in advance. (818) 343-4090 or email kimurabonsai64@gmail.com