San Diego Bonsai Club March Newsletter Spotlights Spring Events, Study Groups and Show Prep

The San Diego Bonsai Club's March 2026 edition of The Bonsai Wire, Volume 54, arrives with the club's calendar hitting full stride: a demo meeting today and the Spring Show closing in fast.

John Jackson takes the floor at today's March 15 meeting with a demonstration on the exposed root over rock technique applied to chrysanthemums, one of the more visually striking approaches in the bonsai repertoire and a fitting choice as spring growth kicks into gear. The demo gives members a hands-on look at how chrysanthemum material responds to the rock-planting method, where root placement and rock selection shape the composition from the ground up.

Six weeks from now, the 2026 Spring Show opens at Casa del Prado in Balboa Park, room 101, running Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26. The club has flagged the show as "rapidly approaching," and with setup, selection, and finishing work all ahead, members working toward exhibition entries have little runway left. Bonsai Show Maps are listed among the club's resources for those navigating the Balboa Park venue.

The March issue of The Bonsai Wire is available as a full PDF through the club's website, covering club business and educational opportunities. SDBC, one of the larger and long-running bonsai clubs in the United States, publishes the newsletter monthly as its primary channel for keeping members current on programming and club news.

On the education side, the club runs three dedicated study groups: the Shohin Study Group, the All About Bonsai Study Group, and the Ficus Study Group. Those represent just a slice of what's on offer. Beginners can access both an overview and a structured class schedule, while more experienced practitioners can pursue Workshops and Skills Classes or arrange Private Lessons. The Larry Ragle Scholarship rounds out the education listings for members seeking additional support.

Members who haven't yet sorted their 2026 renewal can do so online or in person at any club meeting. The club is also active on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for members following programming between meetings. The 2026 Bonsai-A-Thon remains listed on the activities calendar as a separate event later in the year.