Bonsai 100 Hours Course

There are 8 lessons:

1. Introduction
   • Plant Taxonomy Botanical/Horticultural Nomenclature, The Binomial System, Botanical Classification, Plant Families and Species, Hybrids, Varieties and Cultivars
   • Pronunciation of Plant Names
   • Groups of Plants
   • Resources reference books, organisations, magazines and journals, nurseries, bonsai shops, seed suppliers and the internet.
2. Propagation
   • Introduction
   • Methods of Propagating Plants sexual propagation, asexual propagation
   • Seed Propagation collecting seed, storing seed and sowing seed
   • Cutting Propagation stem cuttings, hardwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings, leaf cuttings, leaf bud cuttings, root cuttings, factors affecting rooting of cuttings, striking cuttings, after care.
   • Propagating Mixes and potting mixes
   • Other Propagation Methods layering, air layering and grafting.
3. Plants for Bonsai
   • Introduction
   • History of Bonsai
   • Types of plants suited for use as Bonsai sourcing Bonsai material
   • Some plant choices
4. Bonsai Styles and Techniques
   • Classification of styles of Bonsai eg. formal upright, informal upright, slanting or leaning, semi cascade, cascade
   • Other styles of classification eg. sakei
   • Japanese classification
   • Bonsai Techniques
   • Bonsai Containers preparing the container
   • Wire wiring a bonsai
   • Pruning
   • Tools needed for Bonsai work pruning tools, potting tools and wiring tools.
5. Creating Bonsai
   • Principles of Design roots, trunk and branches.
   • Evaluating the Bonsai and assessing additional features
   • Pruning and shaping the bonsai plant prune and grow techniques
   • Wiring wiring techniques and grooming
   • Branch Patterns in Bonsai jins, shari and driftwood
   • Root Evaluation in the Initial Stages of Bonsai potting the Bonsai, rock planting, clasped to rock design and root over rock.
6. Bonsai Culture and Maintenance
   • Soils Soil composition, colloids, structure, texture, chemical properties, improving soils, improving texture, improving structure, improving fertility.
   • Soil for potted bonsai principle components
   • Particle characteristics particle size, sorting, particle shape, particle surface texture
   • Growing Medium Mixture functions of a growing medium, properties of a growing medium, drainage, water retention and colour and appearance.
   • The Nutrient Elements macronutrients and micronutrients
   • Common Pest Problems on Bonsai eg. aphids, borers, caterpillars, scale and thrips.
   • Common Fungal Diseases of Plants eg. Anthracnose, Powdery Mildew and Rust
   • Watering and Fertilising Bonsai symptoms of water deficiency, symptoms of excess water and fertilising.
   • Repotting and Root Pruning the Bonsai
   • Maintenance Pruning for Bonsai removing dead/diseased wood, controlling the type of growth, controlling shape and size, rejuvenating, leaf cutting, basic rules of pruning, points to consider when pruning.
   • Placing the Bonsai
7. Landscaping Principles for Bonsai
   • Principles of Landscape Design Unity, Balance, Proportion, Harmony, Contrast and Rhythm
   • Qualities of Landscape Components line, form, mass, space, texture, colour and tone
   • Creating Landscape Effects
   • Landscape Applications for Using Bonsai group plantings, ssaikei, bonseki, bonkei, miniature gardens, rock gardens, water gardens.
   • Bonsai in Tubs and Landscape Features
8. Special Assignment
   • Research a particular aspect of bonsai of interest.