Prairie State Bonsai Society

April Member Meeting: Repotting Workshop
2026-04-01 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
A hands-on repotting workshop. Members are encouraged to bring trees that need repotting and put into practice the soil preparation and techniques discussed at the February meeting. This is a staple of the PSBS spring calendar — an opportunity for members of all skill levels to get guidance on root work, soil selection, and pot fitting from experienced club members.

May Meeting: Mauro Stemberger Demonstration
2026-05-20 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Guest Artist: Mauro Stemberger
Mauro Stemberger is one of the most sought-after bonsai artists in the world. Born in 1978 in Feltre, Italy, he trained under masters including Hotsumi Terakawa, Marc Noelanders, and Salvatore Liporace. An architect by profession, Mauro founded the Italian Bonsai Dream in 2005 and the Italian Bonsai Dream School in 2011. He has been a BCI-certified bonsai instructor since 2008 and served as president of UBI (Italian Bonsai Association) from 2008-2010.
Mauro specializes in conifers — Pines, Junipers (Itoigawa, Sabina), and especially Larch — and is known for his unique styling approach and engaging teaching style. His accolades include a Gold Medal at the Noelanders Trophy, multiple international photo competition wins, and demonstrations at the most prestigious bonsai shows worldwide. He has over 105,000 followers on Instagram (@bonsaidream).

June Member Meeting: Satsuki Azalea Demonstration
2026-06-03 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Guest Artist: Dave Kreutz
Wednesday, June 3 • 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Also available on Zoom
Dave Kreutz operates Satsuki Bonsai-en in the St. Louis metro area and is one of the country’s foremost specialists in satsuki azalea bonsai. He completed formal training under Tatemori Gondo at the El Dorado Bonsai School in California during the 1990s, graduating from a rigorous three-year program to become a certified satsuki bonsai instructor.
Dave grows and imports a wide variety of satsuki cultivars and supplies, with much of his inventory sourced directly from Japanese nurseries. He regularly leads tours to Japan and conducts workshops at bonsai societies across the Midwest and beyond.
What to Expect

Live demonstration of styling and care techniques for satsuki azalea bonsai
Dave typically brings trees and supplies for sale — a great opportunity to add a flowering species to your collection
Raffle with trees and bonsai supplies
Bring your own tree for advice from Dave and other experienced members

About Satsuki Azaleas
Satsuki azaleas have been hybridized in Japan for over 500 years, with more than 300 named varieties producing flowers in white, pink, red, reddish-orange, and purple. They are prized as bonsai for their spectacular blooms and distinctive smooth, muscular-looking trunks. Satsuki can tolerate cold down to 0°F (some varieties to −10°F) and handle hard pruning well, making them an excellent choice for bonsai enthusiasts in the Chicago area.

Annual Club Picnic
2026-06-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, IL, US
Guest Artist: Chris Baker, Curator of Bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Sunday, June 14 • 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
North Pavilion, Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, IL
Join us for the annual PSBS summer picnic at the beautiful Blackwell Forest Preserve! Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of great food, conversation, and camaraderie with fellow bonsai enthusiasts and their families.

Chris Baker

This year we’ll be joined by Chris Baker, Curator of Bonsai at the Chicago Botanic Garden, as our guest artist. Chris has been the first full-time Curator of Bonsai at the Garden since 2014, and under his stewardship the bonsai collection has more than doubled its display of quality trees. He trained under bonsai master Toru Suzuki at the Diajuen Nursery in Japan in 2012 and currently serves as President of the North American Bonsai Federation and a board member of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. Bring a tree and your tools — Chris and other experienced members will be happy to offer advice and guidance.

What the Club Provides

Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, buns, and condiments
Drinks (soda and water) and ice
Plates, plasticware, and napkins
Bonsai wire

What to Bring

Your family — everyone is welcome!
A dish to share
Lawn chairs
A bonsai tree and your tools (for advice from Chris and others)

Directions to the North Pavilion
Enter Blackwell Forest Preserve from the north side of Butterfield Road (IL Route 56), just west of Winfield Road. After the first stop sign, continue 0.8 miles. You’ll pass two stop signs, the South Shelter sign, Boat Launch sign, West Shelter sign, and West Division Ranger Office sign. After the road curves right around the lake, you will see the North Shelter sign on your right. The North Pavilion has bathrooms with flush toilets, running water, and a built-in barbecue grill.
Please note: Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in DuPage County Forest Preserve District facilities. There is no admission fee to enter the preserve.

July Member Meeting: Show Prep for August Exhibition
2026-07-08 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Prepare your trees for our August Exhibition!
This will be a working session, so please bring your trees, tools, and wire. The first half of the meeting will cover the basics of show prep and displaying trees. For the rest of the meeting, experienced members will be available to evaluate your trees and help you work on them.

Destination Asia Festival
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-02 | The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL, US
Saturday, August 1: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PMSunday, August 2: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Guest Judge: Peter Chan
The premier bonsai exhibition of the year at the Morton Arboretum, featuring bonsai displays from across the Midwest, vendor sales, and workshops led by world-class artists.
Peter Chan is the doyen of bonsai in the United Kingdom. He is a self-taught bonsai artist whose journey began on a London balcony in the late 1960s. In 1986, he and his wife Dawn founded Herons Bonsai, which became Britain’s premier bonsai nursery. Peter holds the extraordinary record of 21 Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals — a feat unmatched by any other bonsai specialist. He served as Chairman of the British Bonsai Association (1980-1987) and is a founding member of the Federation of British Bonsai Societies. His first book, Bonsai: The Art of Growing and Keeping Miniature Trees (1985), remains a world bestseller still in print. His YouTube channel has over 500,000 subscribers and 70 million views.
Peter will conduct 4 workshops (2 per day) and serve as judge for the exhibition. 8 workshops are planned across the weekend, running 9 AM–noon and 1:30–4:30 PM.

🎟️ Workshop Registration
We are offering eight hands-on bonsai workshops across both days of the festival, including four led by guest artist Peter Chan. Workshops range from beginner intro sessions to advanced guest artist experiences — plus kids’ workshops!
View Workshops & Register →

August Member Meeting: Shimpaku Bonsai Workshop by BC Bonsai
2026-08-05 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Join us for a Shimpaku Bonsai Workshop led by BC Bonsai!
This hands-on workshop will cover the proper use of wires and the art of bending — essential techniques for the health and development of your bonsai. Whether you’re new to wiring or looking to refine your skills, this is a great opportunity to learn from an expert.

September Member Meeting: Garage Sale & Kokufu Presentation
2026-09-09 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Moved to the second Wednesday due to the Labor Day holiday.
A double-feature evening! The September meeting combines two great events:
Bonsai Garage Sale: Do you have something bonsai-related to sell, or are you looking for some deals? Members will have items to sell — pots, plants, tools, anything bonsai-related.
Kokufu-Ten Trip Presentation: Larry Magee and Badar Zulqarni will present on their trip to the Kokufu-Ten, Japan’s most prestigious bonsai exhibition. See world-class trees and hear about the experience firsthand.

October Member Meeting: Iron Bonsai Competition
2026-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
The annual Iron Bonsai event — one of the most entertaining meetings of the year! Inspired by the TV cooking show format, experienced bonsai artists compete head-to-head, each styling raw material into a finished bonsai within a limited time while the audience watches. Come watch the drama unfold and vote for your favorite creation.

November Member Meeting: Winter Prep and Deciduous Tree Work
2026-11-04 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Get your trees ready for winter! Linda will present on deciduous tree care and winter preparation, covering topics like defoliation timing, protecting roots, winter storage options, and dormancy management.
This meeting will also include a quick refresher session for newer members on the fundamentals of winter bonsai care — perfect for anyone who joined the club this year.

December Member Meeting: Holiday Club Party
2026-12-02 19:00 - 21:00 | College of DuPage (TEC1038B), 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL
Join us for the annual PSBS holiday club party! Larry Magee will be hosting once again. Celebrate another great year of bonsai with your fellow club members. Details on food, drinks, and location will be shared closer to the date.
This is a social event — no formal program. Come enjoy good company and good cheer as we wrap up 2026!
