2026 contest ideas?

leatherback said:
Can I say I find it a little odd that I start a thread about starting a new contest and then even, as I am developing the set of rule, you just take over and start it ?
Click to expand...
I think the word I would use is "uncharacteristic," as @KateM is not, from my observations in the site, a pirate. I have seen zeal, though, and it appears to be the case here. I've seen her generosity, but never have I known her to take credit or claim other work as her own, and I don't think this was the intent here.

I plan to join the contest, regardless of who moderates it. I've not studied rafts much, and it seems possible the style is underrepresented, at least from what I've seen.
 
Desert O'Piñon said:
I think the word I would use is "uncharacteristic," as @KateM is not, from my observations in the site, a pirate. I have seen zeal, though, and it appears to be the case here. I've seen her generosity, but never have I known her to take credit or claim other work as her own, and I don't think this was the intent here.

I plan to join the contest, regardless of who moderates it. I've not studied rafts much, and it seems possible the style is underrepresented, at least from what I've seen.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
A bit of overzeal, but no ill intent.
 
leatherback said:
Raft context then?

Once we agree on the details I will ask @Bonsai Nut to set up a contest section and we can publish the rules there. Once the rules are published the contest opens.

How about these basic participation rules:

  • To keep it accessable to all: Any starter material / species / origin allowed, including seed, airlayer purchased and collected material, as long as it is not clearly set up as raft bonsai.
    • aim is to show what can be done with normally sub-part trees
    • Special focus on being creative and original
  • Keep it fun: no trees of over 100 USD
  • Aim is to learn together, so document the key steps as much as wanted but as a minimum the material at the start, with annual updates
  • Start anywhere between October 2025/2026
  • Tally at the end of the 2030 growing season in northern hemisphere [does this do justice to Southern hemisphere growers or Is the growing season there too far to start?]
  • For fun and virtual stickers of accomplisment, and who knows whether we decide upon an additional price for the winner in 2030.
  • Thread naming convention [username] [species] Raft contest
What do we understand when we say raft:
  • A main trunk has fallen over, and may sits on the ground, and may have rooted in multiple spots
  • Multiple trunks come up from the one fallen over, each developed as a small tree
  • Crowns may have fused into one canopy, like a forest-style
As an example:

View attachment 615613
Beech raft by Tony Tickle

View attachment 615614
Creative interpretation. Unknown owner / artist
Click to expand...
I assume I can use yamadori material for this? Since it falls into the under $100 range?
 
I'd like to join the join the party with a crab apple x 'seiboldii' I sourced from Brent at Evergreen Gardenworks. Here's the thing... I purchased it as 1 gal stock 4-5 years ago for around $40 and have been growing it out in a large mica pot as a slant style. Let me know if it passes muster for the contest. If it doesn't, I'm gonna make it into a raft, anyway 🤷‍♂️:).
 
Potawatomi13 said:
Either or both. But in the end the best styled of the tree whatever it be. I happen to have a Pawlonia that sprouted in an empty pot last year but don't know what to do with it. Surely not Bonsai. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
🤣

Ok so maybe the best example of an atypical or rare species made into bonsai?

It may be hard to get permission to get cuttings, propagate, or dig the rarest trees. 😊
IMG_4670.png
A raft contest sounds good though.
 
Eckhoffw said:
🤣

Ok so maybe the best example of an atypical or rare species made into bonsai?

It may be hard to get permission to get cuttings, propagate, or dig the rarest trees. 😊
View attachment 615743
A raft contest sounds good though.
Click to expand...
Manzanita would be a good one so rare in bonsai. There is a Mongolian(I think) Ground hugging pine similar to Mugo but has been said would be better for bonsai, Torrey pine the insularis subspecies, Foxtail pine northern or southern subs. So many rare in bonsai but not unobtainable. Abrahams Oak, Daimyo Oak, Canary Island pine, Chir pine, etc, etc. ☺️
 
anybody has link to raft contest than? Seems a lot of confusion around this one…
 
So, lets get this back on the road. I had proposed some guidelines. I think some questions are left open to be clarified; Any thoughts so we can finalize things and get it going? @KateM any thoughts on duration (see bullet 5) and how we deal with people that want to adjust existing trees?

Personally.. I feel these contests should be to inspire people and not about "who has the best outcome" (Although there one can even look at the biggest transformation, best material sourced etcetc).
In any case, I feel we are nearly there.

==

How about these basic participation rules:
  • To keep it accessable to all: Any starter material / species / origin allowed, including seed, airlayer purchased and collected material, as long as it is not clearly set up as raft bonsai.
    • aim is to show what can be done with normally sub-part trees
    • Special focus on being creative and original
  • Keep it fun: no trees of over 100 USD
  • Aim is to learn together, so document the key steps as much as wanted but as a minimum the material at the start, with annual updates
  • Start anywhere between October 2025/2026
  • Tally at the end of the 2030 growing season in northern hemisphere [does this do justice to Southern hemisphere growers or Is the growing season there too far to start?]
  • For fun and virtual stickers of accomplisment, and who knows whether we decide upon an additional price for the winner in 2030.
  • Thread naming convention [username] [species] Raft contest
What do we understand when we say raft:
  • A main trunk has fallen over, and may sits on the ground, and may have rooted in multiple spots
  • Multiple trunks come up from the one fallen over, each developed as a small tree
  • Crowns may have fused into one canopy, like a forest-style
As an example:


1759130188083.webp


Beech raft by Tony Tickle


1759130270403.jpeg


Creative interpretation. Unknown owner / artist
 
I think we can keep 2030 end date with the possibility of reassessing how many people are still in at that time and if extended time is needed.

As to southern hemisphere people, it is spring there now, right? Doesn't it mean they would be ahead of northern hemisphere people? I am not sure...
I have a couple trees, one collected and one bought, that I won't be doing much with until the spring of 2026. I would like SH people to contribute to this point.

And when you say "adjust existing trees", do you mean like an upright tree being laid on its side and converted into raft? I think it should be fine. it seems like a radical change with a lot of challenge to it.

And another idea. In the other contests here people are allowed multiple entries, but only one to be entered for the final judgement. Should we allow it here, too?

And when I say judgement, I really don't care about prizes or winning. I think context gives me more incentive and discipline to work on said trees and learn and grow. Atta girl is enough for me. :)
 
KateM said:
And another idea. In the other contests here people are allowed multiple entries, but only one to be entered for the final judgement. Should we allow it here, too?

And when I say judgement, I really don't care about prizes or winning
Click to expand...
would say that sais it already. Not important whether a single person adds more than one tree right?
 
I really like the idea of @Orion_metalhead in the celtis contest, instead of an end date just call it the 5 year raft challenge, maybe include the start year in the thread title. Of course, for a proper winner/ prize a timeline would be needed, a proper goal and finish of my own is satisfactory for myself...

Thread 'The Celtis (Hackberry) Scored Progression Contest' https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/the-celtis-hackberry-scored-progression-contest.67563/
 
I've been waiting for you guys to start a contest that I could give a whack at with my limited experience. Ive got some starter projects that might work. Lets have at it, I'm game!
 
leatherback said:
What do we understand when we say raft:
  • A main trunk has fallen over, and may sits on the ground, and may have rooted in multiple spots
  • Multiple trunks come up from the one fallen over, each developed as a small tree
  • Crowns may have fused into one canopy, like a forest-style
Click to expand...
Just to clarify for those of us who have never done a raft, does the main trunk have to remain visible? Are there some kinds of trees that don't form rafts? This looks like an interesting contest. It would be nice to get some pointers from BNut raft experts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Jason’s Little Christmas Tree Entry #2 (2023-2026 Contest)
Replies
1
Views
476
Deleted member 47471
D
FreshAirSunshine
FreshAirSunshine's 2023-2026 ROR Contest Apple Submission
Replies
7
Views
950
FreshAirSunshine
FreshAirSunshine
D
Jason’s Little Christmas Tree Entry (2023-2026 Contest)
Replies
3
Views
712
Deleted member 47471
D
Eckhoffw
  • Sticky
Little Christmas tree contest? 2023 to 2026.
4 5 6
Replies
106
Views
15K
Eckhoffw
Eckhoffw
Rutger78
Rutger78 2023-2026 Root over Rock Contest
Replies
4
Views
1K
Rutger78
Rutger78
Back
Top Bottom