The 2026 Michiana (Michigan & Indiana) Bonsai Show was sponsored by the Michiana Bonsai Study on September 19 & 20, 2026 at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart, Indiana. The garden has just added many new features, 20 gardens and a large woodland pavilion in addition to a modern visitors center on their 36 acre botanical garden and a working source of hydropower and drinking water.

The new visitors center was a perfect location to hold the show. Due to the rain, most of the event was held indoors next to a large wooden pavilion where many vendors survived the rain under the covered roof. Professional bonsai artists Mark Fields, Jennifer Price and William Valavanis led and conducted critiques, workshops, judging and demonstrations in addition exhibition a few trees from their personal bonsai collections which were for exhibit only.

The Michiana Bonsai Study members hosted the event and were very helpful welcoming the public, answering the usual questions from visitors and even provided a delicious luncheon feast for their member and staff and guest bonsai artists.

There were a large variety of different species in all stages of training from beginners to advanced skilled members. In addition to the cold-hardy collected Larch and Eastern white cedars there were tropical species like Ficus and a flowering Bougainvillea. Each of the displays featured a main bonsai and an accessory which helped viewers have a complete view of idealized nature. About a dozen vendors brought everything needed to create, maintain and appreciate bonsai art display, including stunning hanging scrolls. They offered young seedlings, pre-bonsai, bonsai and masterpiece gems for sale.

I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this show, was made welcome by their members and look forward to their 2028 show. It was a beautiful, well-organized event for bonsai hobbyists as well as the public.