Bonsai Club Talk, Demos, and Workshops

 

Ryan Huston / In Vivo Bonsai based in Columbus, OH

invivobonsai@gmail.com

www.invivobonsai.com

Background:

I’m Ryan Huston and I have been practicing bonsai from a young age. In 2016 I started a 4-year part time apprenticeship under Dan Robinson at Elandan Gardens in Bremerton, WA. From that time on I have been increasingly involved in the leadership of the Puget Sound Bonsai Association and since a move in 2020 in the leadership of the Columbus Bonsai Society. Since 2020 I have also been engaged in teaching biology at the Ohio State University professionally so I bring that experience and modern teaching methods into my bonsai pursuits both in club talks and workshops on behalf of my nursery In Vivo Bonsai.

Purpose of this document:

After giving multiple club talks to the Columbus Bonsai Society, I am seeking other local clubs to present for in 2025 for a modest fee, or for negotiated reduced vendor fee to participate in your club show, or for a potential speaker exchange between our clubs. CBS has already planned our schedule for 2025 so any speaker exchange will have to be for our club show or for 2026.

Potential Club talks…

Club Talk Topic	Previously Given For…	Ideal Time of year	Example Recording Available?
Time-Saving Tools for Healthier Indoor Bonsai	Columbus Bonsai Society (CBS), Central Ohio Cactus and Succulent Society (COCSS), Ann Arbor Bonsai Society (ABS)	Anytime, especially fall-spring.	Yes
Bonsai From Seed: Essential Steps for Success	Columbus Bonsai Society	Anytime	Yes
Intro to Formal Bonsai Displays – Traditional and Modern Takes	Columbus Bonsai Society	Anytime but ideally in the few months before your local show	No
Intro to Yamadori (Wild Bonsai) Collecting in Ohio and Beyond (can adapt for your local area)	Columbus Bonsai Society	Anytime (late winter or early fall preferred)	Yes
Bonsai Judging Fundamentals	Ohio Master Gardeners	Anytime (good for winter filler)	No
Bonsai Styling Techniques and Philosophies	Columbus Bonsai Society	Anytime (good filler for winter)	No
Experiments in Bonsai	In Progress	Anytime (good winter filler)
Repots and Slab Plantings - Demo and Talk	In Progress for CBS 2025	Spring or summer for tropicals
Others can be created if requested.

Suggested speaking fee is $225/day for weekend, $275/day for weekday. Every time I give a talk, I update it to improve the flow and communication of ideas. No two talks are identical even if previously recorded.

Gas reimbursement, meal per diem, and lodging per diem expected but I would prefer to stay with club members if possible to save your club money! Also within a 3 hour radius of Columbus I can drive back the same day so no hotel needed.

 

Potential Accompanying Workshops

Club Workshop Topic	Previously Given For…	Ideal Time of year	Included Materials	Raw Materials cost/Student
Intro to Indoor Bonsai Styling and Care	COCSS, CBS, In Vivo Bonsai (IVB) + multiple Columbus local partners	Anytime	Propagated ficus, jade, dwarf jade, etc., Locally hand-made pot, secondary plastic bonsai pot for cuttings, bonsai soil, wire, wire activity, print out of advice.	~$30/student
Intro to Outdoor Bonsai Styling and Care	IVB + Columbus local partners	Spring-Fall	As above, but with flexible young yew or similar material.	~$30/student
Intro to Slab Plantings	CBS	Early spring if using temperate material, anytime if using tropical ficus	Rock slab + ficus + muck and moss for tropical version. Rock slab + muck + moss + optional plant material for non-tropical workshop	Varies by ideal rock slab size and plant size. Or students could bring their own plants.
Dig your own Yamadori	CBS x 6	Early spring. Fall is also possible but less ideal. Winter has less reliable weather,	I can bring materials for bagging trees. Students would be better off bringing their own pruners, shovels, flagging tape, etc.	Near 0. Only minor cost for the material to bag the trees like black contractor bags, electric tape.
Naturalistic Deadwood / Deciduous Styling	CBS	Styling period – late spring to early fall	Loaner trunk splitters, carving knives, etc. and recycled bonsai wire to those who need it to get students comfortable with creating deadwood via manual tools and in bending branches	Varies by size/age of trees. Students may also bring their own trees.
Bonsai From Seed Through the Ages (featuring Japanese Black Pines of 3 different ages)	I have material but not yet offered anywhere previously	Growing season spring-fall	We can do pruning, styling, and possible slip-potting of trees. I will supply trees, soil, pots, if needed.	Varies by size/age of trees. Students may also bring their own trees.
Boxwood Bonsai Styling	I have material but not yet offered anywhere previously	Growing season spring-fall	Collected yamadori boxwoods. We will prune, wire, or possibly repot depending on the timing of the workshop.	Varies by size/age of tree. Students may also bring their own trees.

Ideally any workshop bookings have 3 months of lead time from the start of discussions. 1 month for planning and 2 months for marketing especially if targeting the general public locally.

If the club wants to market the workshop to the general public (ie local beginners) I can help reach out to potential hosts or set up marketing channels as I have done in Columbus, but may ask for extra cost per student to account for this / social media ads.

Workshops in which I bring plant materials are only possible for places within driving distance of Columbus, OH. Otherwise we will need to think of other possibilities.

My availability in 2025

·       Jan-May:

o   My weekday availability will become clear in the first week of January when I get my professional non-bonsai) teaching schedule for this semester.

o   3/8-3/15 may be in Seattle, WA

o   3/16 or 4/20 will be talking/workshopping/demonstrating for the Columbus Bonsai Society

o   3/26 or 4/23 may be presenting for AABS

·       June – August:

o   May be unavailable due to an internship (TBD)

·       Sept – Dec: 

o   My weekday availability will become clear in August when I get my (professional, non-bonsai) teaching schedule for this semester.