AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Create the best possible shohin sized bonsai over an 18 month period between 1st June 2016 and 30th November 2017. There are 2 categories;
Category 1. REFINE - A continuation of entries in the 2013-2014 competition.
Category 2. CREATE - To create the best possible Shohin sized bonsai from raw, untrained stock.
Entry posts must be made no later than Midnight AEST on 31st May 2016.

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by kcpoole »

dansai wrote:And what about stock bought from a Bonsai nursery that had early wiring of the trunk and then left to grow?

Here's one example of what I mean. It came from a Bonsai Nursery and was obviously wired early. It has also been trunked chopped and I have trimmed the new leader too. No other work has been done. Is this eligible?
You are correct in saying that it is a blurry line, but we figured that buy allowing the purchase of stock from a bonsai nursery, that said stock will potentially have been developed from a young age to be a bonsai.
The imposition of the $50 limit was hopefully going to limit that work on them to a prune or trunk chop or 2. Collectively we have not seen many trees that have much wire work and styling treatment to them, but there are always exceptions.

Ultimately it comes down to your own judgement to apply the rules of the comp, in the Spirit of the comp. If you think an individual tree has been worked before you purchased it that might give it an unfair advantage, then I suggest that you might not enter it :yes:

I have some stock in that category, that has been trunk chopped a few times to generate taper and movement but potentially woudl qualify otherwise, that I will not enter because I think they would not be fair in the spirit of the comp.
If anyone were to put a tree that they knew broke the rules but never admitted, then you are really only cheating on yourself :imo:

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by Dibbo »

Do these trees qualify in "Create"
I have acquired 3 or 4 Buxus from a friend who wanted to rip out their hedge. I think they may be English Box as they have a very dark green leaf. I have had these guys in a box for 12 months not sure what to do with them. When the competition was posted I thought I would have a go with one of them. But, as they have been trimmed at some stage I am not sure they qualify in the create category. Can you tell me if they qualify and, if so, happy to have anyone's thoughts on where to start.
Three Box.jpg
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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by kcpoole »

Dibbo wrote:Do these trees qualify in "Create"
I have acquired 3 or 4 Buxus from a friend who wanted to rip out their hedge. I think they may be English Box as they have a very dark green leaf. I have had these guys in a box for 12 months not sure what to do with them. When the competition was posted I thought I would have a go with one of them. But, as they have been trimmed at some stage I am not sure they qualify in the create category. Can you tell me if they qualify and, if so, happy to have anyone's thoughts on where to start.
Three Box.jpg
They look fine to me, Hep they will have been hacked back as part of the recovery, buit do not look like they have styled or shaped in any form.

My Pyracantha in the Refine comp is similar in that it was planted in a grow box to recover with a few others and I separated it out at the start of the comp.
Identify the one you want to usefor the comp and cover the rest over to take the Initial shots. Then you can style and wire as you like and separate out when you are ready.

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by Steven »

Dibbo wrote:Do these trees qualify in "Create"
Hi Dibbo,

Can you confidently say that they are RAW, UNTRAINED and no prior STYLING has been done other than ROOT WORK. If so, then they qualify :tu:

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by Jarad »

That one on the right looks like a beast Dibbo.
-Jarad

I don't trust Bonsai, they are a little shady.
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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by Dibbo »

OK: Good news, thanks for your advice.
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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by Steven »

2 weeks to go to get your entries in :aussie:

If you haven't yet, please go through the entries in the REFINE category to see if there are any of yours in there that you have forgotten about. If you find any that you know are dead or otherwise disposed of please make a most alerting us to this so we can remove them.

If you want to continue with your tree simply post 2 current pictures and the current height of stock (from top of pot to tip of tree).

If you have something to enter in the CREATE category, you must start a "new topic" in the Shohin Styling Competition forum and make the "title" your name and the species of your stock, in this format, e.g.- [Your Username] Species name.
Your first post must contain the following;
• At least 2 photos of your chosen stock before any work commences.
• Species name (any species is allowed)
• Original height of stock (from top of pot to tip of tree)
• Where you obtained it from
• Cost of stock

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by Lane »

I bought a tree from a member which I notice was in the last create category, can I take over the title and enter it in the refine comp?
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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by Steven »

MacGuyver wrote:I bought a tree from a member which I notice was in the last create category, can I take over the title and enter it in the refine comp?
Sure can Mr. MacGuyver!

Just remind us of it in when you post in the thread and one of us will update the subject with your name.

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by kcpoole »

Steven wrote:
MacGuyver wrote:I bought a tree from a member which I notice was in the last create category, can I take over the title and enter it in the refine comp?
Sure can Mr. MacGuyver!

Just remind us of it in when you post in the thread and one of us will update the subject with your name.

Regards,
Steven
Either that or send me a PM with a Link to the tree and I will fix before then :-) :yes:

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by Rory »

Thanks Steven / Mods for the work in setting this up. :clap: It will be fun. :yes:

Most of my stock is being grown into large trees, so trying shohin has never been my height of choice. Nevertheless it will be a fun endeavor.
I had to head over to Bonsai World to acquire 3 new trees to use. As usual I ended up coming home with more than I intended. :shock:
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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by zimzallabim »

I have a small fig that I cut back a couple of weeks ago but otherwise "raw" stock. Will this be okay to enter?

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by kcpoole »

zimzallabim wrote:I have a small fig that I cut back a couple of weeks ago but otherwise "raw" stock. Will this be okay to enter?

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If you have done nothing else to it then should be fine.
many trees are trunk chopped as part of their early growth and if all were disqualified because of that then we would not have much stock to use :-)
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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by zimzallabim »

Awesome thanks :)

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Re: AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competition 2016-2017

Post by kcpoole »

Ahh Decisions Decisions!
I just returned from a shopping trip to get some trees for the comp and I came home with 6 to choose from :palm:
Added to the 1 I already have here, and the 2 that hopefully Squizzy might bring on tuesday for me :fc: , I have plethora of choices to pick from :crybye: !

What idiot limited the comp to only 3 trees!!!! .... Ahhh actually that was my suggestion to the competition committee to avoid the farce of last time of people entering 40 trees and never updating any of them when the comp kicked off :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Just some shots of the trees for you to enjoy and get the excitement levels rising. I cannot wait till the start.
Just have to remember to NOT reduce rootballs too much just to fit in the final Bonsai pot for the finish! the can and should be reduced over time if needed).

Hint to all, if you cannot easily get your tree into it final pot, then pick an intermediate sized one for the final photos and then reduce again later to get into the final pot. ( have lost 2 entries in previous comps trying to push them too hard to pot them up)

PS. Note only 8 more days after today to get your entries in!!! Midnight 31st is the deadline :yes:

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