Open Workbench: Repotting Workshop (Instructional)
Need help repotting your bonsai—without handing it off? Open Workbench is a repotting-focused, instructional session where you do the work with expert guidance. If you’re looking for a styling workshop, please register for Bonsai Basics II: Styling & Design instead.
What This Workshop Is (and Isn’t)
- Repotting only. We focus on soil work, root work, pot fit, tie-down, top-dress, and aftercare.
- Instructional, hands-on. You’ll repot your own tree with coaching; the instructor will not repot or fully “do it for you.”
- One-tree focus. You may bring a couple of trees, but the instructor will generally guide you through one tree in depth.
Seasonal & Health Requirements
- Species & weather dependent. We can only repot healthy trees and only when timing is appropriate for that species.
- Cold-hardy window: typically ends late March. The April Open Workbench may be too late for many conifers and deciduous species. And it may be too early for Tropicals. From May to October, it should be all tropical repotting.
- Unsure if your tree is in season? Email us beforehand and we’ll confirm.
What to Bring
- Your healthy bonsai (preferably the one most in need of repotting now).
- Your tools and supplies if you have them (shears, root rake, wire, mesh, soil, pot). Don’t have something? We’ll help you choose the right items to purchase on site.
What’s Included
- Professional guidance from our working-nursery team in the greenhouse.
- Bench space and a supportive, step-by-step learning environment.
What’s Not Included
- Tools & Supplies (available for purchase if you don’t have them).
- Bonsai Tree (bring your own; trees available for purchase if needed).
- Ceramic Pot (optional; shop from 1,000+ pots starting around $15).
- Soil (bonsai soil available for purchase).
Workshop Details
- Cost: $45 per student
- Duration: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (arrive a few minutes early to explore the nursery)
- Class Size: Limited to 8 students
- Location: 914 S. Main Street, Bellingham, MA 02019 (Workshops are held in the greenhouse behind our retail store.)
- Amenities: Refreshments for purchase (soda, water, snacks).
Policy: All sales are final. No refunds will be issued for workshops.
Learning Resources and Bonsai Tree Care Guides:
Bonsai trees are not all the same - and neither is their care. Read our specific care sheets for individual bonsai species. Read the Bonsai Care Guides
Shipping Bonsai Trees:
Bonsai trees are generally shipped on Mondays & Tuesdays to avoid having them stay in the boxes for any extra time over the weekends.
Shipping Non-Tree Items
All non-bonsai items such as bonsai pots and bonsai supplies are shipped within 48 hours of receiving payment. Most orders are shipped either the same day or the next day, depending on the time of day the order is received.
Important Guidelines:
** We cannot ship to a FPO, APO, P.O. Box or to locations in Alaska, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii or anywhere internationally.
** All Bonsai are shipped direct from the nursery and may ship separately from other items purchased via the Bonsai Outlet.
** If extreme weather is expected, we may delay shipping your Bonsai tree to guarantee a healthy arrival; in such a case we will contact you. We are shipping living trees and must be conscious of the temperature conditions to the delivery address, as well as, while in transit. That said, we reserve the right to hold the tree(s) to guarantee a healthy delivery. We will Hold Your Tree Until It is Safe to Ship.
