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 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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By jenjo on November 1, 2017
Gary Wood, long time bonsai teacher from Alabama, announced his retirement recently. For those who do not know Gary, he has been a nursery man, a potter, a revered bonsai teacher, the key figure in planting and growing 12000 top notch bonsai trees at Telperion Farms in Oregon, a cook, a character, a philosopher, and […]
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By jenjo on October 4, 2017
The IBA Fall show was held on September 30 and October 1 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both days. The Iowa Bonsai Association Fall Show at Reimen Gardens in Ames, Iowa is always a great show.
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By jenjo on October 1, 2017
There are times when putting a tired old tree or a damaged tree (due to loss of limbs or foliage from accident or disease) in the ground or into a large growing container and letting it grow wild is the best thing to do. I have an Ume that I can’t seem to get going. […]
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