New and looking for local Bonsai friends

[InTheMeantime]

Hi!
I'm a plant guy who's only just realized that bonsai isn't as inaccessible as he always thought - and now I'm wishing I'd started years ago. I just recently got my first Chinese Elm bonsai, potted (hopefully to acceptable standards) a Sago Palm, and have started 3-4 future projects.
I am desperately in search of any Bonsai folks in the Malden Massachusetts area that I can learn from. If I could drive out to NE Bonsai Gardens every weekend, I would, but that's just not happening, so....help!!!

 

[Carol 83]

Welcome to B-nut! You'll find lots of good folks and helpful advice here.

 

[Paradox]

There must be a local club that you can join?
Have you tried searching for one? I know there is one that meets in Topsfield which is even further from you.
Clubs usually meet once a month during the growing season (March - Octotber/November). There are two that meet at NEBG.
NEBG is a great place to learn. They have workshops for all levels and run a school there that Ive done and was well worth it
If an hour is too much for you once a month, I dont know what to tell you.

 

[InTheMeantime]

There must be a local club that you can join?
Have you tried searching for one? I know there is one that meets in Topsfield which is even further from you.
Clubs usually meet once a month during the growing season (March - Octotber/November). There are two that meet at NEBG.
NEBG is a great place to learn. They have workshops for all levels and run a school there that Ive done and was well worth it
If an hour is too much for you once a month, I dont know what to tell you

 

[InTheMeantime]

There must be a local club that you can join?
Have you tried searching for one? I know there is one that meets in Topsfield which is even further from you.
Clubs usually meet once a month during the growing season (March - Octotber/November). There are two that meet at NEBG.
NEBG is a great place to learn. They have workshops for all levels and run a school there that Ive done and was well worth it
If an hour is too much for you once a month, I dont know what to tell you.

No one ever said anything was "too much for me"
I'm simply hoping that I can find other bonsai enthusiasts in the greater Boston metropolitan area, where I would NOT have to put regular abuse and expense into my old Jeep.
I need it for it to LIKE me in the winter months...
Thanks though, I'll look into that club...

 

[Paradox]

No one ever said anything was "too much for me"
I'm simply hoping that I can find other bonsai enthusiasts in the greater Boston metropolitan area, where I would NOT have to put regular abuse and expense into my old Jeep.
I need it for it to LIKE me in the winter months...
Thanks though, I'll look into that club...

As Carol mentioned, there are lots of knowledgeable people and good info here.
Do some reading and ask questions while you try to find folks near you that can give you more hands on, in person help. That kind of experience can't be replicated here.

 

[NateMcFly3]

In addition to NEBG, there is Bonsai West in Littleton (40 minutes for you?), and Northeast Bonsai is a great club and we’d love to have you

Northeast Bonsai Association

Growing and Teaching the Art of Bonsai in the Northeast

northeastbonsai.wordpress.com

 

[Paradox]

In addition to NEBG, there is Bonsai West in Littleton (40 minutes for you?), and Northeast Bonsai is a great club and we’d love to have you

Northeast Bonsai Association

Growing and Teaching the Art of Bonsai in the Northeast

northeastbonsai.wordpress.com

I think I googled the wrong town earlier. This is the club I found with a google search. I think they meet about half an hour north of you which isn't bad at all

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

I’m in the greater Boston area as is @Mikea454. The closest club would probably be Northeast Bonsai Association which meets at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. They have a FB group you could join for more info.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

I’m realizing I was late in posting . Seconding Northeast Bonsai

 

[pandacular]

I think it’s GREAT to look for people more local to you. Driving an hour for a club meeting is one thing, but having folks much more local is huge. You can get together to work on trees together more often, cover each other on watering when out of town, and just make more local friends. Joining a club in Boston is great, but if I were you, I’d use that as a springboard to find more local folks.

Some things I would try would include asking around at clubs, shops, and online, like you’re doing. Facebook might be good. Changing the title to something including your area (ask @ Bonsai Nut to do it) or just posting a new thread could help get attention. DMing some greater Boston locals could lead to some leads or connections.

In most dense cities, most of the practitioners will be outside of the urban core due to desire for more land, so I have no doubt your search will pay off!

oh and welcome to the forum. It’s a nice place, but nothing beats help from an experienced practitioner in person. Knowledge without practice is a burden as often as it is a tool.

 

[InTheMeantime]

In addition to NEBG, there is Bonsai West in Littleton (40 minutes for you?), and Northeast Bonsai is a great club and we’d love to have you

Northeast Bonsai Association

Growing and Teaching the Art of Bonsai in the Northeast

northeastbonsai.wordpress.com

Yes! I meant to ask about Bonsai West - I only just found out about it recently, and I intend to get out there asap. That's actually a much easier drive for me...and I'm very interested in hearing from anyone who's taken classes there. I only gave their class listings a quick glance (their website moves a bit slow on mobile), but it looked like they have more classes/openings than NEBG?

 

[InTheMeantime]

I think it’s GREAT to look for people more local to you. Driving an hour for a club meeting is one thing, but having folks much more local is huge. You can get together to work on trees together more often, cover each other on watering when out of town, and just make more local friends. Joining a club in Boston is great, but if I were you, I’d use that as a springboard to find more local folks.

Some things I would try would include asking around at clubs, shops, and online, like you’re doing. Facebook might be good. Changing the title to something including your area (ask @ Bonsai Nut to do it) or just posting a new thread could help get attention. DMing some greater Boston locals could lead to some leads or connections.

In most dense cities, most of the practitioners will be outside of the urban core due to desire for more land, so I have no doubt your search will pay off!

oh and welcome to the forum. It’s a nice place, but nothing beats help from an experienced practitioner in person. Knowledge without practice is a burden as often as it is a tool.

Thank you so much - everything you said is exactly what I'm trying to express.
Professionally, I work with designers and engineers, and yes, books and videos and seminars are wonderful - but absolutely nothing beats working side by side with a mentor, or even just someone who's learning the same thing!
I also have to confess that this IS something I'm very excited about, and it's very frustrating that I have no one to be excited with!!

 

[InTheMeantime]

I think I googled the wrong town earlier. This is the club I found with a google search. I think they meet about half an hour north of you which isn't bad at all

Thanks!
It's amazing how many times I've done Google searches for anything "Bonsai" in my area - and yet somehow there always things I haven't found .
I don't know how I never spotted that, but I'm definitely checking it out. Thanks!