Bonsai Hai! — June 2026 Newsletter
The June 2026 issue of Bonsai Hai!, the Prairie State Bonsai Society newsletter, is now available. Download the June 2026 Newsletter (PDF)
In Memory of Richard “Dick” Anderson — Lifetime Member
It is with sadness that we share the news that longtime Prairie State Bonsai Society member Richard "Dick" Anderson passed away on March 19, 2026. Dick was a lifetime member of the club and leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service and friendship. Former PSBS President Phil Malhiot shared this remembrance: "When I came on as president in 1998, Dick Anderson was the treasurer for Prairie State Bonsai Society. He was a very active member for the next 12 years and served as treasurer for 10 of those years.…
Midwest Bonsai Society 20th Annual May Exhibit — This Weekend!
Our friends at the Midwest Bonsai Society are hosting their 20th Annual May Exhibit this weekend, May 16–17, 2026, at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This is one of the premier bonsai events in our region, and we always love supporting our sister club! The exhibit runs 9 AM to 5 PM both days in Burnstein Hall at the Regenstein Center. Admission to the exhibit is free (regular Garden parking and admission fees apply). You'll find a wonderful display of trees in various stages of training, live demonstrations, and multiple…
Peter Chan Announced as 2026 Guest Artist
The Prairie State Bonsai Society is proud to announce Peter Chan is coming to Chicago. Peter Chan will be judging our show August 1 & 2, 2026, at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.Peter Chan is known world wide as a master bonsai artist and has been in bonsai since l967. He is also an author, speaker, teacher and YouTube personality. He owns Herons Nursery, the premier bonsai nursery in the UK. He is well known for his record tally of 21 Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals. Mr. Chan…
Message from the President – February 2026
Dear Members,As we look back on 2025, we closed the year with a wonderful holiday celebration at Larry Magee’s home in Wayne, Illinois, on Wednesday, December 12. We are truly grateful to Larry for generously hosting this festive gathering for the second year in a row. It was a pleasure to spend time together over good food and conversation, and the White Elephant gift exchange, as always, brought plenty of laughs and surprises. Larry also donated a beautifully crafted bonsai turntable as a door prize, which I was fortunate…
Wigert’s Bonsai Nursery Review
https://www.wigertsbonsai.com/Fort Myers, FL I will review some different bonsai nurseries outside the Chicago land area for something new. I have been to this nursery several times, and club member Jennifer Price apprenticed with Eric at Wigerts. The nursery is only open during weekdays but is a must-stop if you are in Southern FL. Wigert specializes in tropical trees. They offer everything from large quantities of starter material to high-quality large show-ready trees. Their website also has a wide offering and an excellent virtual tour of their impressive show-ready trees. Wigerts also…
Things to do – February 2026
Indoor: The mid-winter time period can be a crucial time for your indoor bonsai. This is often a period when there are many more cloudy days than sunny ones and trees at windows are receiving very low light levels. These trees will be doing little, if any, growing. There also may be some yellowing or dropping of leaves due to the low light. Do not fertilize trees that are placed at windows. Also be aware that there can be cold drafts through the glass itself. You may need to…
