AusBonsai

G'day,

2013 Was a busy year and unfortunately we didn't hold the Australian Native Bonsai Awards but I'm pleased to announce that they will be held in March or April this year.

The reason for the advanced notice is so that interested members can start preparing and photographing their trees for entry. We have already secured some awesome prizes and have some very high caliber judges lined up.

This year the awards will be run by AusBonsai member Ash. Dr Ashley Field is a systematic botanist at the joint Australian Tropical Herbarium and Queensland Herbarium and an associate lecturer at James Cook University in north Queensland. He undertook his PhD studies at James Cook University and has published research on tassel-ferns, plant taxonomy, fig genetics, plant physiology and phytochemistry and plant and animal coevolution. Ashley started bonsai twenty years ago as a twelve year old boy and became apprentice to Mary Brisbane, one of tropical Australia's bonsai pioneers. Ashley specialises in growing Australian native bonsai and his main interest are figs, ti-trees and lilli-pillis. He has previously been awarded the Australian Native Bonsai Award Peoples choice award for one of his Leptospermum bonsai.

As in previous years, entries must meet the following 3 requirements:
• The bonsai must be an Australian native
• The bonsai must be part of the submitting artists personal collection
• Trees entered in previous years are eligible for entry again however a new and updated picture must be submitted

Full terms and conditions etc will be posted by Ash in a couple of months but please feel free to post your comments, questions or suggestions in this thread.

Regards,
Steven

Thankyou for the introduction Steven. Our judges and our prizes will be announced closer to the formal dates for the competition. So you can start choosing what trees you would like to enter and grooming them up for the comp. I am looking forward to seeing the great quality and diversity of entries that we have had in the past.

all the best.

Ash

Very exciting stuff! Can't wait to see the entries

Is it OK to photograph the trees now or should we wait till closer to the date?

Grant

G'day Grant. You are most welcome to photograph now.

Regards,
Steven

Steven wrote:G'day Grant. You are most welcome to photograph now.

Regards,
Steven

Thanks,

I've got the scissors out trimming numerous natives now getting them ready for the comp.

Grant

Hi Steven,
I am the administrator for thebonsaipot.com and I was wondering am I able to Promote The Australian Native Bonsai Awards 2014 on my website ? Just thought I would ask.
Thanks

Are you ready? Are you REALLY ready?

Australian Native Bonsai Awards 2014 is just around the corner. It is a great time to photograph trees and get them ready for the competition.

TODAYS TIP: Photograph trees when the soil mix is relatively dry. This shows the nebari better because it is lighter when it is dry and it will stand out better in the photo.

Ash

TODAYS TIP: Remove old senescing leaves. In some plants used for bonsai, especially Ficus and Banksia, the old senescing leaves remain attached and the plant gradually reabsorbs nutrients from the leaves. The old leaves gradually become sclerotic with dull green veins and yellow areoles (the area between the veins) and sometimes brown tips and margins. Simply removing these leaves before you photograph your tree for ANBA 2014 will make the tree feel fresher and healthier.

Ash

I just joined the club and would like to enter this comp.
Please advise closing date for photo submission ?
Thanks

I don't have any bonsai worth entering as yet however I am looking forward to see what other people have grown.

Rhett H wrote:I just joined the club and would like to enter this comp.
Please advise closing date for photo submission ?
Thanks

G'day Rhett, the dates haven't been announced yet but will be very soon.

Regards,
Steven

In "Current Contests", the heading says that submissions close May 31, 2014 - where do you post submissions?

Jan.

I think you might b looking at the ongoing Shohin competition Jan. It is focused on bonsai under 20 cm? tall from any material and is about developing something over the trial period. We are halfway through an 18 month comp with that one so closed to new entrants.

The native bonsai awards are only for bonsai from Australian Natives and dates have not yet been set.

Jan is right. It does say May 31st 2014 under the heading. See here. However I don't think any announcement has been made regarding dates