Science Café: The Science of Bonsai & Penjing at the U.S. National Arboretum
Also called: FONA Science Café; National Bonsai & Penjing Museum 50th-anniversary Science Café; Friends of the National Arboretum
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Last checked
- 2026-10-23
Science Café: The Science of Bonsai & Penjing at the U.S. National Arboretum
Category: Learning Also called: FONA Science Café; National Bonsai & Penjing Museum 50th-anniversary Science Café; Friends of the National Arboretum
What it is
The Science Café on Saturday, November 7, 2026, is an evening talk program about the biology behind bonsai and penjing. It is run by Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC, to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. The registration page says “expert speakers studying different soil properties as well how plants respond to growth in containers” will look at how pruning, wiring, watering, pot size and soil shape a tree’s response.
Official URL
FONA events and calendar: https://www.fona.org/events_programs/
- Calendar section: https://www.fona.org/events_programs/#Calendar
- Registration (FONA’s Eventbrite page, linked from the FONA calendar): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/science-cafe-registration-2002464221391
- FONA home: https://www.fona.org/
Last checked
2026-10-23.
Who it’s for
Adults (18+) who grow or admire bonsai and want the horticultural science behind it: soils, containers and how trees respond to pruning and wiring. It is a talk and tasting evening, not a hands-on styling workshop.
Why it’s listed
It is a dated, upcoming, paid learning program from the nonprofit partner of the museum that holds the national bonsai collection. Checked on 2026-10-23:
- Date and time: Saturday, November 7, 2026. The FONA calendar lists 6–8 PM. The registration page lists 6–9 PM, with doors at 5:45 PM.
- Content: a bonsai-themed Science Café with presentations on bonsai science and horticulture, plus themed cocktails and food.
- Price: $47.19 per ticket on the registration page (the amount shown, fees included). Refunds up to 3 days before the event.
- Details: ages 18+, in person, free parking.
- Same day: FONA’s 50th Anniversary Celebration for the museum runs 10 AM–4 PM, with museum tours, family activities and more.
Location
U.S. National Arboretum, 2400 R Street NE, Washington, DC 20002.
Notes
- DC is new: Bonsai Plaza had no Washington, DC listing before. CO, NC and UT (yesterday’s states) were avoided.
- The National Bonsai Foundation (bonsai-nbf.org) ended operations at the end of 2025. FONA is now the Arboretum’s only nonprofit partner and supports the museum.
- This is a one-evening event. After November 7, 2026, check FONA’s calendar for future bonsai programs.
- Listing image: FONA’s own site icon (
cropped-FONA_Greens_RGB-200x200.png, 200×200 PNG with transparency), saved asfona-science-cafe-science-of-bonsai-logo.png. The events page’s og:image is a 5K race banner, so it wasn’t used. - Not affiliated with Bonsai Plaza. No ticket, form or contact was made.
FAQ
Q: When is the bonsai Science Café? A: Saturday, November 7, 2026, starting at 6 PM (doors at 5:45 PM).
Q: Where is it? A: At the U.S. National Arboretum, 2400 R Street NE, Washington, DC.
Q: How much does it cost? A: $47.19 per ticket as shown on the registration page. Ages 18+.
Q: Is it hands-on? A: No. It’s a set of talks on bonsai science with food and drinks, not a styling workshop.
Q: Who runs it? A: Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA), the Arboretum’s nonprofit partner, for the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s 50th anniversary.