OPEN WORKSHOPS are FREE of charge! Each class will be task-specific, and you now have a four-hour window (11:00 am - 3:00 pm) in which you can receive instruction. We want to make this as easy as possible for you to keep your own bonsai healthy! Open Classes also give you the freedom to receive instruction without the restriction of a rigid start time, or if you only have a limited time to spend at Garland you are still welcome to come and learn. These free classes include instruction and guidance only; you will need to provide or purchase your own supplies such as plants, pots, soil, wire, and tools. Or, you can just observe if you want to.
On January 26, 2008 Alan will be available to help you with repotting your bonsai. Bring your bonsai between the hours of 11am and 3pm. Alan will assist/instruct you on how to root prune and repot. You need to bring your own tools. We do have for sale bonsai soil, bonsai pottery, drainage screen, and other supplies you may need. It is not necessary to sign up, there is no fee for Alan's service. We want to teach you how to properly care for your bonsai and keep it as healthy as possible.
On February 9th, from 11am to 3pm, Alan is doing a Beginner Deciduous free open workshop. Bring your own bonsai, purchase one to work on, or come observe.
On March 8th, from 11am to 3pm, Alan is doing a Beginner Conifer free open workshop. Bring your own bonsai, purchase one to work on, or come observe others.
On April 13th, from 11am to 3pm, Alan is conducting a Root over Rock free open workshop. We've grown Trident Maple in tall pots to grow extra long roots for this style. They will be for sale in addition to rocks, pots, and soil. Alan's instruction is FREE. If you want to make one bring your own tools. You are also welcome to come and observe.
On May 3rd, from 11am to 3pm, Alan is teaching Pruning & Wiring: No Fear free open workshop.
On May 31th, from 11am to 3pm, Alan is offering a Japanese Black Pine Training free open workshop. Bring your pine, or purchase one, and get instruction from Alan on pine bonsai training.
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Alan Taft started collecting books and killing trees in 1970. He has learned (and discarded) much about bonsai since then. Alan is a popular instructor of bonsai, teaching regularly at Garland Nursery and Wee Tree Farm for over ten years. His teaching experience includes classes for deciduous, conifer, and evergreen bonsai, forests, saikei, phoenix graft, root over rock, literati, shohin, accent plants, windswept, cascade, wiring, repotting, styling, just to name a FEW!
A student sums it up by saying Alan is a true master of bonsai, serious about what he does, making it obvious that he knows about the science/horticulture of this art form. Another student says Alan makes a class fun along with passing on unlimited bonsai knowledge and hands on help with their bonsai.
In 2003 he began to study with Boon Manakitivipart and Joe Harris and looks forward to sharing what he’s learned.
To contact Alan for classes or tuturing call him at 503-245-1927