AusBonsai

I’m interested in joining a Bonsai contest and was wondering if there was any plan for a new one here anytime soon.?

Me too. I missed the last one. I realise it’s a lot of effort but it is very appreciated!

+1 .... I'd have a crack, if it involved something reasonably immature...I don't have much mature stock and if I did, I would be reasonably careful with it.

Regardless - I'll watch any comp with interest, even If I don't participate.

Steven, Squizz and I were talking about another over the last few months re this.
Still trying to work out what form and when so stay tuned.

Ken

Are you open to suggestions? If so, Christmas is coming up so maybe an Aussie Christmas Theme Comp? Not necessarily an Aussie Native (but great if they did - not everyone has one) but incorporating an Aussie theme so maybe some imaginative entries? Might create a bit of interest.
Jan

I have HEAPS of untouched shohin prebonsai pre-bonsai.....
Just sayin'........

It is all well and good to wait and moan about other people getting a competition started. Why not start your own? It does not always have to be left to the site managers. If you have a good idea for a comp, set of rules and who wins what (prizes or just kudos) then put it forward. You even have the chance to skew the rules in your favour if you run it

shibui wrote:It is all well and good to wait and moan about other people getting a competition started. Why not start your own? It does not always have to be left to the site managers. If you have a good idea for a comp, set of rules and who wins what (prizes or just kudos) then put it forward. You even have the chance to skew the rules in your favour if you run it

Hey
Well here’s an idea I was thinking. A comp that might put people on an even starting point. Firstly it would involve a buy in. This will be for the purchase of stock and delivery. That’s where someone like Neil might be able to help. I’m not sure how hard it would be to get enough similar stock for people interested. Perhaps the length of comp depends on if it has to start at seedlings ect.
Just an idea. Maybe a starting point for better ideas.
Thoughts?

Kieran

The shogun competition is well established and because of the rules people can start with similar level stock. I’d love a competition but I don’t want to run it. Hopefully someone will start something up.

I'm happy to start a competition, not sure if the Mods are okay with that though. I guess they can chime in and comment. I have extra hand-made pots that I'm happy to put up as prizes.

My thought would be a 2 or 3 year competition to create the most natural looking Australian native tree that you can.
To make it a fair comp, material would be no wider than 1cm in diameter at the base of the trunk.
You could do group plantings or clumps, but to make sure each trunk is equal or less than 1cm in diamater.
Material would not have been worked on previously, apart from a trunk chop or repot.
Maximum 3 entries per person and only Australian native material.
The final result could be as big or as little as you want.

Prizes:
3 hand-made Bonsai pots as prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd
I might be able to get a cool Lego printed award tag for each winner which you could insert into the soil.
Voting would be a poll for Ausbonsai users

1 Grand Prize would be awarded by a select group of experienced users (if they are happy to contribute) on this forum hopefully with comments as to why the tree looks so natural.
Grand prize would be an $$$ handmade pot.

So as not to conflict with any official Ausbonsai comps, the timeframes on photo updates wouldn't be a strict deadline.
To make it easier for people and myself, I presume you could just start threads with the heading :

[NATURAL] Casuarina cunninghamiana - Rory
[NATURAL] Leptospermum squarossa - Sno
[NATURAL] Casuarina glauca - Treeman

Then just update the thread every 6 months. As the comp comes to a close just update your final pic, and I can start a competition final thread putting the 'before and after pics' for each entry into a poll for voting.

I’m keen. Been wanting to get some native trees into my collection too. Happy to contribute to the funding of the prizes too. Maybe donate a wooden spoon that I’ll probably get back at the end

Rory wrote: [NATURAL] Casuarina glauca - Treeman

I see what you’re doing there... subtle...

I love a goal to work to as much as the next person, so I’d be up for it I think. I don’t have anything in mind so I guess that means a stock hunt!
It’s a fun idea Rory, thanks for suggesting it.

Sounds cool to me Rory, I'd have a crack at it.
I can rustle up 3 entries now. 1cm isn't much wriggle room though, I got a few that are just over that but at least it is a fair starting point.

If it isn't stepping on anyone's toes then count me in.

I’ll have a go too. I currently have some Red box seeds, lol, so less than 1cm. Will have to look around for stock.

Thanks Rory!