Welcome to the Iowa Bonsai Association's website. IBA was founded in 1979 to promote appreciation and development of bonsai. Meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. You may come and go as your time permits and work on trees or just socialize and observe. See the calendar page for details! We meet at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
Join us! Members will enjoy a helpful, supportive atmosphere no matter what your experience level, opportunity to participate in workshops, bonsai shows and collecting trips, access to the association's library of books and a monthly newsletter. If you are interested in becoming a member or would like to get to know more about bonsai, please attend one of our meetings or contact us.
By jenjo on April 21, 2018
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden hosted the Earth Day Spring Bonsai Exhibit, Saturday April 21st. Our Earth Day hands-on participation activity this year featured vote for your favorite Bonsai trees. There were 5 different categories for voting.
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By jenjo on April 17, 2018
Here is a slick way to tie in a tree that has a very solid root pad. I was first taught this technique by Michael Hagedorn at a Seasonal several years ago. Once you remove some soil and roots from the top and bottom surfaces and the sides, you can take a chopstick and drive it […]
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By jenjo on March 9, 2018
It is February 25, 2018, and I am moving north-northwest deep into a ravine to visit some of my favorite trees. This is a regular activity. I visit them through the year. Through the years. And as I progress in my thinking, I notice things I never noticed before – so that, Always, the Woods […]
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By jenjo on March 1, 2018
Todd Schlafer workshop, at the Magruder’s Bonsai Studio.
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By jenjo on February 1, 2018
When repotting, make sure you tie your tree in so it is very solid in the pot. It should not wiggle. If it does, then the wind will move the tree and tear up the tender new roots just as they are trying to be established. February– 2017 DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER
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By jenjo on January 1, 2018
When your tree grows you will often have a long trunk and then a nice mess of broom style branching. In this situation, you can air layer the tree at an appropriate point below the branching. January – 2018 DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER
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Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
909 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA