AusBonsai Shohin Progressive Styling Competition 2011/2012

[Handy Mick]

Steven,

I know you state,

The objective of the AusBonsai Shohin Progressive Styling Competition is to create the best possible Shohin sized bonsai from raw, untrained stock over a period of 14 months.
This competition is open to all members of AusBonsai residing in Australia provided they abide by and agree with the rules of the contest.

But is there an element of the most changed over that same period, not just the best possible shohin.

Thanks
Mick

[Craig]

But is there an element of the most changed over that same period, not just the best possible shohin.

I would say that depends on the poll Mick. There's no prize for most changed..

[Craig]

Please excuse my ignorance but is the height from the base of the tree or from the bottom of the pot it’s in?

Thanks
Matt

Busta, the tree is measured from the lip/rim of the pot

[busta]

thanks Craig

[nealweb]

Steven,

I know you state,

The objective of the AusBonsai Shohin Progressive Styling Competition is to create the best possible Shohin sized bonsai from raw, untrained stock over a period of 14 months.
This competition is open to all members of AusBonsai residing in Australia provided they abide by and agree with the rules of the contest.

But is there an element of the most changed over that same period, not just the best possible shohin.

Thanks
Mick

Hmm Mick has a point, its pretty hard to create a 'finished' bonsai in such a short time, unless you find great stock that is virtually there anyway. So the best looking shohin in a year is a nice idea but also the most improvement to the stock with the greatest potential created to become a really good shohin with a little more time...is a nice idea too

[Craig]

Hmm Mick has a point, its pretty hard to create a 'finished' bonsai in such a short time, unless you find great stock that is virtually there anyway. So the best looking shohin in a year is a nice idea but also the most improvement to the stock with the greatest potential created to become a really good shohin with a little more time...is a nice idea too

So you want a Runner up prize for best Shohin Potensai ? sounds interesting..

If we are to set a lower limit for height,to stay within the parameters of Shohin, i believe it should be about 12 or 13 centimeters ?//

[Bougy Fan]

We have a maximum height, what is the minimum you will allow before it is called Mame?. Just so we can clarify.

Thank you Pup

The minimum dimension is 4" or 10cm, Pup and of course the maximum is 10" or 25cm


Tony

[Handy Mick]

I have butterflies

[Jamie]

I beleive that a tree can be developed over a year into a quality bonsai. it all depends on what species is used and the way you train it. figs are one that can power on over a full 12 months and you can have a fairly ramified tree. take a look at my qld small leaf. over a year it went from a bare tree to a nice branched little style. clerodendrum are powerful growers too. my triple trunk went from a bare trunk to a nearly complete tree and came second in the native comp for the under twelve month category.

there are other species out there that are capable of this too. so I beleive its a very feasable concept

also as for a lower limit, personally I would say 10cm. most books state mame are up to 10cm and shohin to between 20 and 25cm. in saying that the japanese actually use the idea of if it fits in the palm of your hand it is considered shohin.

[nealweb]

Ah I see, judging is done by us the members via an online poll. So maybe we just need a few parameters or guidlines as to how we are meant to be judging them ie the very best looking shohin bonsai at the end of the alloted time (that is what the comp is i guess!) or the tree that has come the furthest from the starting material and has got the greatest potential to be a stunning, world class shohin of the future. Maybe we could have both!!! two classes, any nice potters out there want to donate three more pots
or else we may have less variety as we will all be running out to find the best figs and clero's in town - hey Jamie
cheers!
n.

[Craig]

Maybe we could have both!!! two classes, any nice potters out there want to donate three more pots

great idea

[Pup]

I
also as for a lower limit, personally I would say 10cm. most books state Mame are up to 10cm and shohin to between 20 and 25cm. in saying that the Japanese actually use the idea of if it fits in the palm of your hand it is considered shohin.

The sizes are all ambiguous as they start and finish where one starts. As for fitting in the hand Who's, my mates hand is 5cm bigger than mine. Also some say 5 must fit in the hand.

One thing that has changed in Bonsai over the years, and can be claimed as new, is the size Shito, which is the smallest of the sizes.
Which were incorporated in with the Mame. Because of the effort of some growers to get them smaller it was then thought to classify them as a separate size classification. That size finishes at 7cm where Mame can start at 5cm. So you can see the reason for asking as Mame start at 5cm and finish at 15cm, which in the past was a Shohin size. Where we have a Japanese teacher saying, Mame will fit in the palm of the hand ( again Arron Sandilands that plays for the shockers in the AFL has a hand that makes a footy look like a tennis ball)

Then we have Shohin under 20cm and Chuhin at around 45cm. So we need clarification from the adjudicator's, as there is going to be a ruler used to determine the right size of entrants. We have to get it right now.
Jamie is right, with the right stock you can get them, I have proven it here with my Posts on getting them quick time. I have used Chinese elm, Juniperus procumbens, and Syzgium species.
Cheers Pup

[Watto]

I think who ever runs the competition sets the "rules" and the size has been set as under 250mm. For the term of the comp my definition of shohin will be any tree "under 250mm" and I'm looking forward to it. Get your trees polished up Pup, us amateurs are after you crown as best shohin grower down under!
Just joking, don't get angry with me.
Watto

[Chris Di Nola]

Great Idea Steve

Just been out to see what stock I have to use I have way too many trees

So 3 is the limit

This is gonna be great

[Bretts]

Here is an example of what can be acomplished
http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t7369 ... ure-shohin

I was looking around today for something to use and didn't come up with anything. Then when you mentioned figs Jamie I rememberd a seedling that I flat chopped a couple of years ago. Can't remember if I chopped the top or not but definatly no wire so should be a great candidate. Get out the DL