February 2025 - 29

CONSUMER TRENDS
Branching Out
Into Bonsai
Fossil Creek Nursery
marketing coordinator Paige
McGowan said the Fort Collins,
Colorado-based retailer has
been hosting Bonsai Basics
classes for many years. In early
2024, it reached out to local
breweries with the idea to host bonsai class offsite
at their establishments, with the goal of reaching a
broader audience than the one they currently serviced.
" Many local breweries in our area host mindfulness
seminars or yoga classes, so we felt that our bonsai
classes would fit right in, " she said. " Partnering with
other local businesses, especially one as beloved as Odell
Brewing Co., shows that we are active in our community. "
A recent class had 50 participants, held on the outdoor
patio at OBC Wine Co. by Odell Brewing Co. - the largest
independently owned brewery/winery in Fort Collins.
The classes are led by Donald " Doc " Ritterbusch,
a formally trained bonsai specialist on staff at the
garden retailer who has led classes for Fossil Creek.
He said interest in the classes has grown since their
first, 20-person class (sold out due to the size of the
building) five years ago.
For classes held at Fossil Creek, Ritterbusch tries
to keep attendance to no more than about 16 people,
allowing him to interact with all attendees.
" Although they have a great time either way, I get
way more repeat people coming in regularly to buy
different bonsai products, talk to me, get my advice,
bring in their bonsai, so we develop a real strong
community connection, " he said.
McGowan said the bonsai events have been an
effective way to bring in new customers; many class
attendees who visited the store for the first time are
now repeat customers for outdoor landscape goods.
" Being able to get our team out there in front of them,
showing their expertise and their friendly faces, has been
our biggest asset, " she said. " Moving into next season, I
plan to expand this project into different venues, including
our local art museum. "
Stocking the Basics
Fossil Creek Nursery's bonsai
assortment includes pottery,
dowels, wire and pruners and
other tools at different price
points that fit the needs of bonsai.
Ritterbusch said the store also
sells a variety of bonsai-suitable
plants - about 30 different
species of plants in varying sizes. " Some of them are a
little larger, generally not bigger than a 6-inch plant. We
are a full-service nursery, one of the largest in northern
Colorado, and we have thousands of trucks come in.
LGRMAG.COM | 29

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February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025

Editor's Letter
TOC
Headlines
Calendar
Innovative Ideas: Growing Plantopia
Green Goods: Houseplant Honors
Showcase: Indoor Gardening
Green Goods: New Edible Varieties for 2025
Showcase: Birding & Wildlife
Consumer Trends: Bonsai is Back
Eco-Friendly: Green Gifts
Showcase: Holiday
Pohmer On ...: The Many Layers of Sustainability
Marketplace
Ad Index
5 Minutes with ...: Graham Hill
February 2025 - 1
February 2025 - 2
February 2025 - 3
February 2025 - Editor's Letter
February 2025 - 5
February 2025 - TOC
February 2025 - 7
February 2025 - Headlines
February 2025 - 9
February 2025 - 10
February 2025 - 11
February 2025 - Calendar
February 2025 - 13
February 2025 - Innovative Ideas: Growing Plantopia
February 2025 - 15
February 2025 - 16
February 2025 - 17
February 2025 - Green Goods: Houseplant Honors
February 2025 - 19
February 2025 - Showcase: Indoor Gardening
February 2025 - 21
February 2025 - Green Goods: New Edible Varieties for 2025
February 2025 - 23
February 2025 - 24
February 2025 - 25
February 2025 - Showcase: Birding & Wildlife
February 2025 - 27
February 2025 - Consumer Trends: Bonsai is Back
February 2025 - 29
February 2025 - 30
February 2025 - 31
February 2025 - Eco-Friendly: Green Gifts
February 2025 - 33
February 2025 - 34
February 2025 - 35
February 2025 - Showcase: Holiday
February 2025 - 37
February 2025 - Pohmer On ...: The Many Layers of Sustainability
February 2025 - 39
February 2025 - Marketplace
February 2025 - 41
February 2025 - 42
February 2025 - 43
February 2025 - 44
February 2025 - 45
February 2025 - 46
February 2025 - 47
February 2025 - Ad Index
February 2025 - 49
February 2025 - 5 Minutes with ...: Graham Hill
February 2025 - 51
February 2025 - 52
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