I booked a Saturday class in Wynwood because my porch needed a bit of calm. Also, I kept seeing tiny trees on my feed. I gave in. You know what? I’m glad I did. For a sneak peek of what I was walking into, I read this earlier hands-on bonsai workshop story and instantly hit the “book” button.
If you want to turn the workshop into part of a bigger day out, the neighborhood rundown on Miami For Visitors lists nearby cafés, street art spots, and parking hacks that make planning a breeze.
First Impressions: Heat, Fans, and Friendly Faces
Miami was muggy. No shock there. The studio doors were open, and two big fans hummed. It smelled like wet soil and pine bark. I liked it.
The host, Marco, waved me in. He wore a sun-faded cap and a smile that said, “Don’t worry, you won’t kill it.” The room held ten of us at long benches. Elbow room was a little tight, but it felt cozy. Kinda like a plant club.
I paid $85. That covered a small tree, a clay pot, wire, and shared tools. Not bad for a three-hour class.
The Tree I Worked On
They let me pick between a juniper and a tropical ficus. I chose a little ficus retusa. Thick base. Chunky roots. Leaves like shiny ovals. Good starter tree for Miami’s heat.
The pot was a simple brown oval. No glaze. A bit chipped on the rim. It gave it character, I told myself. Later I learned the chip would snag my towel. Not a huge deal, just a heads-up.
What We Actually Did (This Part Was Fun)
- We talked about “front” and “planting angle.” Easy idea: where the tree looks best from, and how it leans.
- Marco showed us how to comb roots with a chopstick. Slow and gentle. It felt like brushing a tiny dog.
- We mixed soil. It was a pre-bagged blend—akadama, pumice, and lava rock. Little crunchy bits that drain well.
- We wired branches with 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm aluminum wire. Left to right, right to left, nice and snug. Not too tight, or you’ll scar the bark.
- We used concave cutters (Ryuga brand) to clean cuts. He showed the difference from regular snips. The wounds heal flatter. Neat and tidy.
I tilted my ficus a little to the left to show off the base. The trunk made a soft S-shape. Not too dramatic, but it felt calm. Like a tree in a sea breeze.
The Vibe: Chill but Busy
Music played low—bossa nova covers. Scissors clicked. Soil pattered on the table. Someone asked, “Can I bend this much?” Marco said, “Try half that.” We all laughed. The class moved fast, but I never felt lost. I did wish we had five more minutes on wiring. My first wrap near the trunk looked clumsy. He fixed it with one clean move. Watching him helped more than any YouTube clip I’ve seen.
What I Loved
- Real hands-on time. I touched roots, shaped branches, and made choices.
- Clear tips for our climate. He said, “Ficus loves bright shade in summer. Morning sun is fine. Save harsh noon sun for winter.”
- Tool demo was simple. He even showed how to sharpen without being scary about it.
- No pressure. My tree didn’t need to look like a museum piece. “Healthy first, pretty second,” he kept saying.
What Bugged Me (Not Deal Breakers)
- It was warm. The fans worked, but August is August. Bring water. Wear comfy clothes.
- Tool sharing meant waiting a bit for the concave cutters. Maybe bring your own if you have them.
- Parking was street meters. The app glitched on my phone. I had to jog back out for coins. That part was annoying.
Need a different kind of post-class unwind? Check out this unabashedly honest rundown of Miami body rubs for a totally chill way to loosen up any wire-induced wrist cramps.
If a quick massage still leaves you craving a wilder release, remember that Miami’s after-dark scene has its own underground shortcuts—this candid guide to using Craigslist for sex explains how to steer through modern personals safely, spot genuine local hookups, and dodge spam so you can connect with real people who share your vibe.
Little Details That Stuck With Me
He pinched a leaf and said, “See that milky sap? That’s why we don’t over-prune ficus all at once.” Later, he tapped the pot and I heard a hollow ring. “Good drainage sound,” he said. We watered until it ran clear. It felt like rinsing rice—steady, calm, no rush.
Also, he warned about fertilizer. “Wait three to four weeks. Then a mild feed. You can use BioGold or fish emulsion. Don’t overdo it.” I wrote that down twice because I know myself.
I bookmarked the Bonsai Society of Miami’s blog for ongoing tips on pruning and watering straight through hurricane season.
Aftercare They Gave Me (And I Followed)
- Keep it in bright shade for two weeks. Morning sun after that.
- Water when the top half inch of soil feels dry. In Miami summer, that can be daily. In winter, less.
- Watch the wire. If it starts to bite, take it off. Don’t wait.
- No repotting until spring unless the tree begs for it. Mine doesn’t.
I put my tree on a strip of cedar near the porch rail. It gets morning light and a bit of breeze. So far, new buds are popping. That tiny green tells you a lot.
Who Should Go
- First-timers who want real help, not just a demo.
- Folks with south Florida patios. Ficus and buttonwood love it here.
- Kids over ten could handle it. It needs focus, but it’s not scary.
Traveling north and want to swap miniature-tree talk for rapid-fire conversation with other hobby-loving singles? A quick evening at Speed Dating Haverhill can introduce you to a circle of friendly Massachusetts locals in just one night, giving you fresh connections and maybe a new audience for your bonsai photos.
Want to build on the basics? The Bonsai 101 Series Introduction at Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers a deeper dive into soil mixes, wiring, and seasonal care.
If you’re a bonsai pro, you might wish for deeper styling time. But even then, a local climate talk is worth the price. On the flip side, if you’d rather trade quiet contemplation for strobe lights once class is out, booking a rollicking Miami party bus makes for a wild nightcap only this city can deliver.
Quick Tips I Wish I Knew
- Bring water and a small towel. You’ll get sandy hands.
- Wear a hat if you run hot. Studio doors stay open.
- Snap “before” photos. You’ll want to see your progress.
- Ask about pests. We talked scale and mealybugs. Neem oil came up a lot.
- If you can, bring a small brush and your own wire cutters. Cuts wait for no one.
Final Take
I walked in nervous. I left with a tree that felt like mine. Simple, a little wobbly, but full of life. The class wasn’t fancy. It was better—friendly, useful, and local. My porch feels calmer now. Funny how a little tree can do that, right?
Would I go back? Yeah. I want to try a buttonwood next time. Coastal shape. Chunky bark. Miami all the way.
—Kayla Sox