Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society Hosts Bonsai Talk by John Nielsen

John Nielsen, a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture, delivered a practical "Bonsai Tree Cultivation" program for the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society at the Church of the Nazarene, 1307 E. Citrus Avenue, during the society’s general meeting that began at 7:00 p.m. The RHIS posted the event on its Facebook page on Jan. 29 and the community news item scheduled the talk for Thursday evening, Feb. 19, 2026.

The program emphasized hands-on technique and audience participation. Redlands Daily Facts described the session this way: "Nielsen’s presentation will include a hands-on demonstration on creating a bonsai tree, from planting to fertilizing and watering." RHIS’s social post invited attendees to "bring your tree care questions" and said the session "will be a little different because there will be audience participation. It will be a lot of fun."

Nielsen’s presentation paired demonstration with fielded questions. The RHIS Facebook post contained Nielsen’s line about the practice: "The peace which a graceful garden full of miniature trees provides is priceless. After years of caring for trees, you know them well. They become a part of your family!" RHIS member George Nash responded in the event thread to an attendee question about registration, writing, "Juliana Faux no sign up. This is our regular mo meeting and visitors are always welcome [...]", indicating the meeting was open to visitors without pre-registration.

Biographical context anchored the talk in decades of practice. RHIS and community sites note Nielsen’s bonsai interest began in 1985, describing "over forty years" of experience. Facebook and RHIS materials list study with bonsai masters John Naka, Harry Hirao and Tak Shimazu, classes taught in Southern California, maintenance of privately owned collections under Shimazu’s direction, and exhibitions at the Huntington Library. Redlands Daily Facts added that one of Nielsen’s preferred forms is the forest and that he enjoys creating trees in the informal upright style.

Organizers, timing and a calendar discrepancy were all documented in published notices. RHIS’s website and Facebook post, plus the Redlands Community News announcement published Feb. 14, 2026, list the meeting for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Church of the Nazarene. A separate Redlands Daily Facts staff item listed the meeting for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16; that differing calendar entry appears to be a conflicting report in local listings.

RHIS posted the event information on its website and Facebook page (the Jan. 29 Facebook post registered four reactions, four comments and two shares), and community readers were pointed to RHIS materials for more details. The local bonsai scene remains active: the Redlands Bonsai Society calendar shows additional area events later in February, underlining continued opportunities for hands-on bonsai learning in Redlands.