Are there any new contests on the horizon?

[melbrackstone]

you can do groups in shohin.

[Rory]

Awesome, thanks Steven.

I’ll start a separate thread soon with the details of the ‘natural comp’
I’ve found some $$$ nice tokoname pots for prizes and Pat Kennedy pots and others, so more people can win prizes too and increase the fun.
I appreciate the offer of help from others, but the pots are just gathering dust so it’s all good. I’d much rather them go to good use with others.

[Rory]

Anyway - in a comp like being proposed, would I just split one of two of these out perhaps?

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Hi MJL,

Sorry I don’t quite follow your question, but as long as the base of each seedling is thinner than 1cm where it enters the soil then it’s fine.

[gnichols]

id probably have a go too.. have nothing suitable at the moment, but any excuse to go out for a shop..

only suggestion i have is to keep it as 3 month updates instead of 6.
To me one of the best parts about the shohin comp entries is the ability to go back and see exactly what everyone did and when. and i think with updates only every 6 months the detail and accuracy (time wise) could be greatly reduced...

I very much see your point. One of the greatest assets this site has is progression threads. It gives others a timeline perspective and realistic goals of how big a bonsai gets, patience, the process of branch ramification and what to expect over the years. I also find it wonderful because it shows that everyone is human and even people who can produce great bonsai have often made great mistakes.

My only concern would be that if there is an official comp in the next year or so, I wouldn't want people to feel overwhelmed or obligated to updating this one 3-monthly.
If people wanted to update their threads 3-monthly that would be cool and I agree it would be quite helpful for new enthusiasts to learn from.

I'm interested. Not having worked with Australian natives & being a novice in general, can anybody recommend an easy species to work on?

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If the comp is allowed, there are a lot. Any council or native nursery should be able to recommend hardy material.

Most of the commonly grown Casuarina and Melaleuca are fairly hardy.
Banksia integrifolia is a great candidate.

Just remember... For Canberra winters, don't repot or heavily work them in the colder months or leading up to it.

Thanks for the tip. I remembered I had a couple of potted natives in the garden. One looks like a decent candidate. It is a callistemon citrinus. A second one is a callistemon linearis which looks maybe a little too stringy?

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[Rustyck]

Looking forward to both! Will be a great learning experience!


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