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 February 2, 2023
It’s almost February and I can feel this tension – the suspension of breath – as the beginning of our active bonsai season approaches. November seems a long time ago, but we were busy setting our trees up for a successful 2023 growing season, making thoughtful pruning and wiring decisions and necessary adjustments to winter […]
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By jenjo on November 2, 2022
What a great October. If you don’t think about those three night-mare days in the middle of the month when the weather suddenly decided to go on to late December! That was scary, but boy did the fall color come on. In this issue, we have a rundown on the Reiman Garden Show (THANK YOU, […]
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By jenjo on November 2, 2022
Hey, IBA and EIBA Members! I hope you are all well and enjoying your trees. This month we have pictures of ALL of the Iowa State Fair trees – a number of you who couldn’t make it have been asking, so here they are. There’s also an article about the Julian Tsai Demos at the […]
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By jenjo on September 1, 2022
BEST IN SHOW Cat Nelson – Portulacaria (First Branch Bonsai Award of Excellence) BLUE RIBBONS (first place) Scott Allen – Shimpaku Juniper (George Rupe Award); Bristlecone Pine; Chinese Elm Daufeldts – Trident Maple Zoe Nady – Chinese Elm (Hellen Fagen Award); Double Flowering Pomegranate RED RIBBONS (second place) Scott Allen – Colorado Blue Spruce Daufeldts – Colorado […]
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By jenjo on September 1, 2022
FIRST AND FOREMOST – A HUGE THANK YOU to IBA President Scott Allen for his tireless (and utterly exhausting) exertions before, after and throughout the weekend of the Iowa State Bonsai Fair. Scott’s weekend included hosting Julian Tsai (And yours truly), a workshop, demos at the Des Moines Botanical Garden, Show set up, tear-down AND exhibiting his trees. Wow. Thank you SO Much, Scott for […]
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By jenjo on August 8, 2022
Hey There, Bonsai Enthusiasts! August is a busy month for the clubs – The IBA has a workshop with Julian Tsai and demos at the Des Moines Botanical Garden, followed immediately by the Iowa State Fair show. The EIBA has an exhibition at the Newbo Market in Cedar Rapids. And then, of course, there are regular club meetings. Check out the Calendar of Events […]
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