Winter Exhibitions

[maple]

I have only ever exhibited trees in Spring and Autumn but this year Bonsai Northwest have a July Exhibition that I was considering putting trees in. Most of my trees are maples so May and June is when I do my wiring once the leaves have dropped so I can view the "tidy" Winter silhouttes. I couldn't have not wired for the Show because they would not have been acceptable to me with out the tidy up.
So here is my problem .... I was always told to remove wire before exhibiting and I reckon the branches will not have set by July 20. The wire is tidy enough imo but just about every branch is wired so there's a lot.
I am interested to get opinions from other people who have exhibited and if they have had the same concerns and what they decided to do.

[DavidN]

Hey Maple,
I have two trident's I will be putting in the display and they are wired, very neatly wired with quality wire, not the cheap Chinese stuff that turns white. I also have a pine that will be in the show and that is neatly wired also.

I personally believe a neatly and properly wired tree is definitely acceptable and as president of Bonsai Northwest I would definitely be highly encouraging you to display your trees at the exhibition.

Thanks
David

[bonsaibruce]

Greetings,
The usual convention is that the wire should not be on the main trunk.
No wire into the soil and around the trunk to support a wired branch.
Wire from branch to branch should be at the back of the trunk.
Know the rules and break them.
Sorry I will miss your show.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce.

[Isitangus]

Perhaps they could have a section for wired trees??? Would be good for beginners or public to see how and when it's done?

[kcpoole]

I believe that wire on branches is OK for display, but on the trunk is a NoNo.
Any on else have views or thoughts:-)

Interesting discussion

[shibui]

At the convention Ryan Neil stressed the need to learn to wire properly. The reason he gave - that wire will be on the tree for a long time and is an integral part of the bonsai. Each year some of the wire is removed when it has achieved the desired result but some will remain (or be replaced) because it may take years to set the branches properly.

wire is a part of bonsai and trees with minimal, well applied wire should be exhibited.

The wire is tidy enough imo but just about every branch is wired so there's a lot.

This sounds like the trees are still in the early stages of training and maybe not yet ready for exhibition? It is a bit hard to give an individual opinion when we have not seen the trees in question.

[Graeme]

I believe that wire on branches is OK for display, but on the trunk is a NoNo.
Any on else have views or thoughts:-)

Interesting discussion

Well, since you asked . I have never placed a wired tree, other than in Novice Class, at any show I have ever judged. It has always been my belief that if a tree needs wire to be shown, it isn't ready for the Show Bench. In the Novice Class it is a totally different kettle of fish and I would never expect a Novice to have a Bench ready tree in the first place, but believe they should be encouraged all the same. I have never willingly put a tree in a Show when it had wire on any part of it either, but then the standard of my wiring probably explains that.

Don't agree, re-read my signature.

[Andrew Legg]

I believe that wire on branches is OK for display, but on the trunk is a NoNo.
Any on else have views or thoughts:-)

Interesting discussion

Well, since you asked . I have never placed a wired tree, other than in Novice Class, at any show I have ever judged. It has always been my belief that if a tree needs wire to be shown, it isn't ready for the Show Bench. In the Novice Class it is a totally different kettle of fish and I would never expect a Novice to have a Bench ready tree in the first place, but believe they should be encouraged all the same. I have never willingly put a tree in a Show when it had wire on any part of it either, but then the standard of my wiring probably explains that.

Don't agree, re-read my signature.

I kinda agree Graeme. If a tree is to go on show, I'd prefer to see less wire than more. If you do a winter display after doing your winter pruning, even less need to have a lot of wire. For me, wire is a means to an end, and not part of what we should be displaying. A tree being judged should be "finished". That said, I'm not one for hard and fast rules, so if you do have wire on the tree, ensure it is nice and neat!

[Gerard]

I was watching one of the Bjorne Bjorholm series of videos today. They were explaining the difference between wiring to improve the health and structure of the tree and wiring the tree in preparation for exhibition. (This was a highly ramified and manicured Japanese tree)

[Graeme]

Nice wiring on a show ready tree,

http://ken-to.com/

[Andrew Legg]

Nice wiring on a show ready tree,

http://ken-to.com/

I wonder if those trees suffer from rust?

[Pup]

Nice wiring on a show ready tree,

http://ken-to.com/

I wonder if those trees suffer from rust?

They have been treated with WD40.

[Pup]

Mr Kimura was the designated person to wire many of the Masterpiece trees entered in the Kokufu ten exhibits. So it is acceptable to have wired trees, in exhibitions.
However it has to be just about perfect, I must admit to seeing a tree wired at the AABC convention in Melbourne last year. It was well done my only critique of that tree was it was not on any form of stand.

Just like leaning a good picture against the wall instead of mounting it. When trees are judged, the one on the stand will win out.
So if you do put one in the show try to get a stand, or a bamboo place mat type thing to lift it from the table top, and show them you are proud of your tree.

Cheers Pup

Ps when I asked one of the Judges of that show about stands, they did not worry till it came to trying to seperate two, then the one on the stand wins out.

[bodhidharma]

I personally dont mind a tree in wire as long as the wiring is good. I dont think we have been in the Bonsai game long enough to display trees that dont NEED wire but, sure, we can display them without wire. That doesnt mean that they dont NEED wire though I think i said that how i wanted it to come out.

[Graeme]

I think I understand what it was you were trying to say Bodi, possibly.

Was it something like, "Some trees on display should have been wired first?"