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 June 24, 2015
After the tree was completely wired, it still did not look like much. Then in about 10 minutes of setting the branches into place, the tree exploded to life as a beautiful, exciting bonsai. The guy is a marvel. The scruffy looking tree was transformed into a specimen. You could hear audible sounds of amazement […]
MORE >>Posted in News & Misc, Newsletter Archive
By jenjo on June 24, 2015
The caption indicates that this installation is in the Hotel Daitokan of Sladzuoka. The modern spelling of the prefecture is Shizuoka, a very popular and historical area of Japan, where the Hotel Daitokan is still present. It provides natural hot spring baths as part of the services in booking a traditional Japanese style room. […]
MORE >>Posted in News & Misc, Newsletter Archive
By jenjo on April 19, 2015
A bonsai tree has been launched into space – really. Here are the details. Azuma Makoto, a 38-year-old artist based in Tokyo, launched two botanical arrangements into orbit: “Shiki 1,” a Japanese white pine bonsai tree suspended from a metal frame, and an untitled arrangement of orchids, lilies, hydrangeas, and irises. April -15 DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER
MORE >>Posted in News & Misc, Newsletter Archive
By jenjo on March 15, 2015
My folks came to the U.S. as immigrants, aliens, and became citizens. I was born in Boston, a citizen, went to Hollywood and became an alien. Leonard Nimoy March Newsletter- DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER
MORE >>Posted in News & Misc, Newsletter Archive
By jenjo on February 15, 2015
There are so many factors involved in deciding whether a tree needs repotting. Do not expect a simple straight forward definitive answer from me. I will, however, offer help with the thought process required to answer the question for you and your tree. Februray-15 DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER
MORE >>Posted in News & Misc, Newsletter Archive
By jenjo on February 8, 2015
Gary Wood performed a major restyling of a Garden Juniper belonging to the Des Moines Botanical Garden. The tree is 59 years old basis DMBG records. Observing the tree showed it had a long straight section of deadwood with a live vein alongside it. Junipers are known for movement of their trunks and limbs, so […]
MORE >>Posted in News & Misc, Newsletter Archive