01/09/2026
Kia Ora
As A club it is always tricky timewise during our monthly meets to go indepth in the development of individuals skills towards intermediate and advanced level practices with regards to different aspects of bonsai.
With that in mind we have asked our club president to formulate courses to address this, it is a user pays scenario at $80 per course with ABS members receiving discounts so please do get in contact for information on those or to either book or express interest in the courses.
The following is from Brendon Covich - club president:
My name is Brendon Covich & I run “Kinben Bonsai Adventures”. I’m also President at the Auckland Bonsai Society.
Want to learn about microbiology in ph levels, trichoderma fungal organisms, bonsai politics and Bureaucracy?
Then these aren’t the course’s for you!
I’m not here to wow you with a load of scientific mumbo jumbo.
I’m here to incorporate and teach you at both an intermediate and advanced level, tasks that can be carried out with ease.
Tasks which I’ve learned over three decades through both my own mistakes, successes, and practical information. And from those who’ve been humble & generous enough, to teach and present their knowledge to me also.
In an age where internet exaggerations and misinformation reign supreme, I’m here to teach you how to action tasks that will lift the level of your precious bonsai both health wise and aesthetically for both enjoyment, and home and show display.
This will be presented & shared without overwhelming the process with unnecessary detail that you’ll forget and will also likely never use or need to keep your trees to the highest standards of health and wellbeing.
I’m here to answer all questions should you choose to share them, but more importantly you will learn not only the “how”, but the “why” when undertaking these tasks.
Courses will be run at Kinben gardens in Waimauku where the atmosphere is relaxed. And teaching is presented in a manor where all can understand & absorb the information, both practically and theoretically.
You’ll learn the correct ways to successfully complete all required tasks on your trees for maximum efficiency, success & the overall health of your trees.
These courses start at the beginning of your bonsais journey. Not at a seed as such, but from where your bonsai currently is in its journey.
You’ll be required to bring your own healthy established (or semi established) trees to the courses as required, and where we can, we will be undertaking the required works on everyone’s own bonsai’s where appropriate.
Once you’ve been shown these tasks, the knowledge will be yours to do with as you choose.
Should you choose to absorb the knowledge, you’ll never have to learn how to action these tasks again, and will be self sufficient to take total care of your bonsai’s.
I don’t claim to know the only way to action these tasks successfully, but I teach what I’ve learned through many aspects of the art form including the process of elimination, leading me to what I consider to be some of the best methods for bonsai success & display, in Aotearoa & beyond.
Some of these tasks may seem like basic steps and you’ll think you’re doing them the correct way, but could be doing irreversible damage to your trees unintentionally.
I’m here to help stop that from happening, and elevate your skill levels to a place of greater benefit and confidence. Your trees will grow healthier, and will advance faster. I’d be honoured for you to join me in this journey of sharing and learning.
Course details :
You’ll be required to bring a list of tools & materials for each session. This isn’t included in the course fee.
Tea and coffee provided, but please bring your own lunch and snacks.
Courses will be run at Kinben bonsai gardens in Auckland, Waimauku. Full details will be provided upon acceptance of courses.
A full list of requirements will be provided with each course summary.
If you have any issues securing materials, we have members who supply all wire, tools, pots, cut putty, and associated items at great prices. Please feel free to contact us to secure these contacts if required.
*Sessions will commence on October 3rd from 9.30am-3.30pm, and will be on the first Saturday of every month following excluding January.
The following includes courses to December 2026.
February onwards in 2027 will be released by November 2026.
*Monthly courses will be as follows :
*Courses are limited to 10 persons per month.
*Please submit your interest to [email protected] with reference “Kinben courses”.
Please confirm courses you’re signing up for, with payment to be made to ABS, with reference “Kinben”
& your name, when depositing funds.
See bank details below.
Auckland bonsai society
Kiwibank
38-9017-0149363-03
*October 3rd:
“ Wiring your bonsai the correct way. Important do’s and dont’s”.
-Materials required:
-Two bonsai that are ready to be wired.
One deciduous & one coniferous (Not essential to have one of both only preferably, otherwise coniferous /evergreen x 2 if deciduous unavailable).
-Bonsai tools including wire cutters, pliers, assortment of aluminium wire rolls including 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm.
-Roll of black tubing for guy wiring. Fish aquarium tubing acceptable.
Alternately, slightly thicker tubing available from Bunnings for irrigation systems (5-6mm wide max ideally).
-Turntable.
*November 7th, “Air layering”
-Materials required:
-One or two bonsai or stock that you’d like to air layer a certain section off. Look for something with character.
-Sharp pocket knife / Stanley knife.
-Block of sphagnum moss.
-One empty bucket.
-One roll glad wrap.
-Piece of black plastic sheet (approx 500x500 ample).
- Rooting hormone gel or powder (not essential, but beneficial).
-Packet of Plastic cable ties. 300x4.8mm.
-Pair of latex surgical gloves.
-Bonsai tools including pliers etc.
-2mm aluminium wire.
*December 5th, “Grafting techniques “ Learn approach grafting, thread grafting. Scion and associated.
-Materials required:
-Two bonsai / stock trees with branches that haven’t been pruned in six months or more. The longer and more flexible the better! Deciduous, evergreen or conifers ok.
-Sharp knife. Preferably Stanley knife with new and extra blades, or sharp pocket knife with surgical steel.
-Roll of grafting tape.
-Cut putty (not paste).
-Assortment of aluminium wire, gauges 1-5mm.
-Bonsai tools including scissors, concave cutters, pliers etc.
-Turn table.
-Two packets of plastic cable ties. 150x3.6mm & 300x4.8mm.
*February 2027, “Ramification techniques, creating compact growth, leaf and needle reduction, defoliation and its benefits”.
-Materials required:
-One bonsai (or two), that haven’t had branches cut for at least 3 months. One ever green/deciduous & one coniferous. (One of either is ok if that’s all you have available).
-Bonsai tools including sharp pruning scissors, tweezers and Concave cutters etc.
-One empty bucket and one rubbish bag to remove your waste upon completion of the day.
-Turntable.
-Cut putty / paste.
-Assortment of aluminium wire. 1-5mm gauges.
*December 5th, “Grafting techniques”.
Learn approach grafting, thread grafting, scion and associated.
March - May 2027 will include :
“Heavy branch bending techniques”.
“Advanced deadwood techniques”.
“Carving”.
Nga Mihi
Brendon Covich
