A Display to Remember

Our annual display at the Masonic Memorial Centre was a tremendous success. More than 150 bonsai and nearly 40 viewing stones filled the bright, spacious venue, delighting more than 1,500 visitors over the course of the event.

The new venue proved to be an excellent choice. Its central location was appreciated by visitors, while the open, calming space gave the display room to breathe. Even the Masons who attended gave us the thumbs up!

Clearly marked sections, identified with new pop-up banners, helped visitors navigate the exhibition. A brand-new Creative Display section was a particular highlight, pushing the boundaries of traditional bonsai display in some spectacular and imaginative ways. Trading cards were also available, giving visitors another fun way to take home a little piece of the event.

An exhibition of this size doesn't happen without a lot of people behind the scenes. Members came out in force to set up the display, present their trees and stones, talk with visitors, answer questions, and finally take everything down. Kathy, Lori, Shannon, Paul, Sharon, Don, and many others kept things running smoothly at reception, while Jamey engaged visitors with demonstrations throughout the event.

Joe helped organize the viewing stone display and was especially humbled by the enthusiastic participation of so many club members. The quality and variety of the stone section were a wonderful reflection of the growing interest in viewing stones within the club. Thank you Matt for helping out.

And, as usual, our president Scott went above and beyond. From promoting the event to designing the posters, signs, tags, banners, and countless other pieces of collateral, his work was instrumental in bringing the entire exhibition together.

With more than 150 trees, almost 40 viewing stones, hundreds of visitors, and scores of volunteers, this year's display set a new standard for quality, quantity, creativity, and—perhaps most importantly—camaraderie.

It was a lot of work. It was a lot of fun. And it was definitely an event to remember!

Video Feature:

Trees Are Even More Amazing Than We Think! 

We spend our bonsai lives studying trunks, branches, leaves and roots—but how much do we really understand about what is happening beneath the soil?

This fascinating and beautifully animated video from Kurzgesagt takes us into the hidden world of trees, exploring how roots grow, how they interact with soil and rock, and the astonishing underground networks of fungi that connect trees to the living world around them.

Some of the science may make you look at your bonsai—and especially its roots—in a completely different way. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking and packed with those wonderful “I never knew that!” moments.

Only about 12 minutes long, it’s well worth a look. You may never look at a tree quite the same way again!

Bring a tree for Show & Tell or for advice

Didn't make into the show? Need advice? Bring your trees and we'll share them with the group.

Fall Dig Day – Save the Date!

Our bi-annual tree hunt is planned for Sunday, October 18 or 25

We’ll visit our usual, easily accessible sites just east of Winnipeg or go on a Nursery Crawl.

Mark your calendars and email Jamey with your preference!

Zoom Participation

Aaron will host the meeting on Zoom for:

• Members joining from afar,
• New members, and
• Anyone who prefers to attend from the comfort of home (yes, even in your pyjamas!).
• A Zoom invitation will be sent a few days before the meeting.

Membership Cards

If you just renewed your membership, ask for a new card at our reception desk. Keep them handy for the Fall sales at local nurseries and get 10% off. (Most nurseries will do this on plants only)

Reminder of club programs and services

Bonsai Winnipeg offers a wide range of programs and services to help members learn, practice, and enjoy bonsai throughout the year. Members can take part in workshops, demonstrations, club meetings, seasonal activities, group orders for bonsai supplies, a lending library, and our annual display.

Preview of things to come in October, November and December

There’s lots to look forward to as we head into fall! October brings our popular Swap & Sell, a great opportunity to find new trees, pots, tools, and bonsai treasures while passing along things you no longer need. We’ll also hold a practical forum on siting your trees for winter, covering both indoor and outdoor winter arrangements and how to give your bonsai the best chance of coming through our Manitoba winter in good shape. Looking ahead, we have more informative lectures and programs planned to keep the learning going as the growing season winds down. And, of course, we’ll wrap up the year in style with our Holiday Party and Fundraiser in the private Piedmont Room at Piazza di Nardi—a festive evening of good food, good company, bonsai camaraderie, and a few surprises. Don’t miss it!