The 17^th Biannual California Shohin Bonsai Seminar was held on January 31-February 2, 2020 in beautiful downtown Santa Nella California. Actually, Santa Nella is not much more than a truck stop on I-5, but about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco to make it convenient for people to attend, actually, a bit closer to San Francisco. The affordable hotel has been renovated and is quite nice now.

This event is a closely guarded secret event not advertised, only by word of mouth, because the venue can only accommodate about 200 people. It is very reasonably priced because NOBODY gets paid. All demonstrators, workshop instructors and people running the event pay for everything as everyone volunteers their talents and expenses. Any proceeds from the vending and auction/raffle go directly to the three Golden State Bonsai Federation bonsai collections. All everyone pays for are the meals and the many workshops with excellent material.

I’ve been fortunate to attend and teach at all of the seminars except two. I have attended with my removable boot cast and scooter, however.

This year was the finest display of shohin bonsai ever presented to the 200 odd registrants. So here are a few photos of some of my favorite trees and also of my program and workshops.

Hope you enjoy the photos and perhaps you might learn about the next event in 2022.