AusBonsai

Hi all,

It was news to me but this year at the convention in the Gold Coast there was an award called the Ryuga Dragon Trophy.

It was judged by Budi Sulistyo from Indonesia and he was given the brief to choose his favourite tree in the exhibition.

The prize consisted of an engraved plaque, a cheque for $300(from Bonsai Environment the distributor), an 11 piece Stainless Steel set of Ryuga tools and a custom made carry box for the set.

Well, blow me down, I won!

I would like to publicly thank Robert Stevens (International Demonstrator and principal of Ryuga Tools) and Kingston Wang for their generosity.

Attached are photos.

Grant

Congratulations Grant

Lovely tree too

Ken

Well done Grant! Well deserved

Congratulations! Beautiful tree, I can see why it won

Hi Grant,
Well done. What a fabulous set of tools.

Well done Grant. Just for my interest, how old is your tree? You must be smiling but what a tribute to the hobby too, and you personally. XXXX

Congratulations Grant, nice to see support from Ryuga they make good tools.
Can you tell us something about the tree, it appears to have some changes evolving. The first branch is extending and the branches are more sparse. Perhaps it is simply the dormant season or is there a plan to extend the primary branch?

Bush bunny wrote:Well done Grant. Just for my interest, how old is your tree? You must be smiling but what a tribute to the hobby too, and you personally. XXXX

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=812&hilit=Banksia+integrifolia

The tree and its recent overhaul is covered towards the end of this thread on Banksia. I purchased the tree as 10" nursery stock in the 90s.

The tree is still raw and partway through its overhaul so I certainly did not expect an award for it.

The very low right hand branch will be allowed to extend further to the right eventually but will be cut back in a few months time to introduce a sharp upwards movement and then a gradual down movement again.

Grant

It's lovely, and he/she must respond well to its carer.

Gerard wrote:Congratulations Grant, nice to see support from Ryuga they make good tools.
Can you tell us something about the tree, it appears to have some changes evolving. The first branch is extending and the branches are more sparse. Perhaps it is simply the dormant season or is there a plan to extend the primary branch?

When I came back from China I decided to overhaul the tree; giving it more movement, less foliage and lots of serendipity.

It is the dormant season now here in Canberra and it will soon fill out a lot if I let it but intend to keep it sparse.

I have decided to offer the tree to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia as a donation; so if it is accepted by the national selection panel, it will be on display soon at the collection.

I still volunteer one day a week there even though I am very busy now.

Grant

Congratulations Grant - well deserved and I know you will be happy with the tools

Fantastic Grant, well deserved!

Well done Grant. Budi has chosen well I know this tree is a great Australian bonsai.

even though I am very busy now.

Retirement seems to do that

Congratulations, what a stunning tree.

J

Well done Grant, you have done a beautiful job on this bonsai, a lovely prize as well.