The Little Christmas Tree Contest (2020 - 2023)

[B.uneasy]

Merry Early Christmas Everyone!

Welcome to the most practical, ironic contest of the holiday season. "The Little Christmas Tree Contest."
Because of Christmas coming up, you will see plenty of mini Christmas trees still sucking up nutrients in their jolly little pots all along the sidewalks of Lowes, Home Depot, and practically any hardware store including Walmart. I know many of you, including myself, have at least stopped once to check out one or two of these trees. This is a contest you will have fun participating in. If you are able, I suggest entering multiple because things happen.

Although Christmas themed, the contest will officially start on New Years Day of 2020 in order to give everyone a fair amount of time.

Official Rules of "The Little Christmas Tree Contest" -

Enter your name into this thread by January 1st, 2020 in order to enter

Contest ends on January 1st, 2023

Start your own thread named "__(Blanks)__ Little Christmas Tree Entry" where you will post an original photo of the tree's you will be working on throughout the next three years, including pictures and updates on what you have been doing with your entries over the course of the next three years

Use untouched trees starting off

Must resemble a Christmas tree when purchased: Any type of Conifer, Rosemary tree, etc

No Deciduous entries

At the end of the contest, you will choose the favorite one of your trees you have been working on (Must have entered each one on your thread by January 1st, 2020)


Good Luck Everyone! If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

 

[KHarris]

Looks like another excuse to buy a plant. Huzzah! I'll see if I can find a little tree to give it a whirl. I need practice trees!

 

[Dan92119]

I saw some Italian stone pines at Home Depot. They were 14-16 tall, they were already producing their adult needles. I know some people have used them for bonsai. If I try this contest I am going to have to find something better. (I will probably kill it anyway)

 

[cishepard]

I’m in and I will start my thread right away, as I already purchased my tree (s). One of them is a Christmas decorated Japanese Holly (I think) - evergreen. Will this tree count? Can we enter two trees, and if so should we start two different threads or combine them into one?

 

[Warpig]

I saw some Italian stone pines at Home Depot. They were 14-16 tall, they were already producing their adult needles. I know some people have used them for bonsai. If I try this contest I am going to have to find something better. (I will probably kill it anyway)

Given the small price for the cheap material and good practice, it would be a shame to pass up. With some fun on the side.

 

[Warpig]

I’m in and I will start my thread right away, as I already purchased my tree (s). One of them is a Christmas decorated Japanese Holly (I think) - evergreen. Will this tree count? Can we enter two trees, and if so should we start two different threads or combine them into one?

I have a rosemary that I plan to enter that consists of four trucks. I plan to separate them in the spring but will keep all four in the one topic for now. Then, later if one or two of them really starts to come together, it might get its own then. It's really about what works for you.

 

[DayDrunk]

I had no intentions of joining this contest until this afternoon. While at Kroger getting the “essentials” I saw a guy knock this little dude off a shelf and casually kick it under the table before walking away. I picked it up, looked it over and thought “why not” so I brought it home. After doing 10 minutes of research on the species when I got home I know this one is going to be interesting.
One question, I’m guessing these are supposed to look like Christmas trees in 3 years for the judging?

Here it is after going full ham on it

 

[Warpig]

I had no intentions of joining this contest until this afternoon. While at Kroger getting the “essentials” I saw a guy knock this little dude off a shelf and casually kick it under the table before walking away. I picked it up, looked it over and thought “why not” so I brought it home. After doing 10 minutes of research on the species when I got home I know this one is going to be interesting.
One question, I’m guessing these are supposed to look like Christmas trees in 3 years for the judging?
View attachment 273433View attachment 273434
Here it is after going full ham on it
View attachment 273435

You say you did some research but you didn't say what it was. I ask because i fear you might have brought a little to much ham.

 

[PABonsai]

View attachment 273433

Beer, dog food and a tree. Looks like someone is getting ready for a fun weekend.

 

[DayDrunk]

It’s a Norfolk Island Pine. 3 years isn’t much time for slow development so I figured I’d give it hell from get go and see if it lives instead of babying it for 3 years and ending up with something I’m not happy with.

 

[TyroTinker]

I had no intentions of joining this contest until this afternoon. While at Kroger getting the “essentials” I saw a guy knock this little dude off a shelf and casually kick it under the table before walking away. I picked it up, looked it over and thought “why not” so I brought it home. After doing 10 minutes of research on the species when I got home I know this one is going to be interesting.
One question, I’m guessing these are supposed to look like Christmas trees in 3 years for the judging?
View attachment 273433View attachment 273434
Here it is after going full ham on it
View attachment 273435

From Christmas tree into bonsai

 

[B.uneasy]

I’m in and I will start my thread right away, as I already purchased my tree (s). One of them is a Christmas decorated Japanese Holly (I think) - evergreen. Will this tree count? Can we enter two trees, and if so should we start two different threads or combine them into one?

You can work on as many trees as you'd like for the competition, and I'd like to see all your progress on them. I'd prefer you used one forum for all your trees. Just know you will have to pick your favorite tree to enter in the end. And yeah, you're fine to use it! Just have fun man!

 

[Woocash]

Phew, I reread above thankfully. Enter name into THIS thread and open up a separate one.

Name. Luke
Age. Old enough to know better than to get excited about silly online competitions
Specialist subject. Over enthusiasm
Occupation. Christmas tree wrangler

 

[TyroTinker]

From Christmas tree into bonsai

I forgot to put my name in! Thank @Woocash for your last post!

TyroTinker-Carl

 

[B.uneasy]

I had no intentions of joining this contest until this afternoon. While at Kroger getting the “essentials” I saw a guy knock this little dude off a shelf and casually kick it under the table before walking away. I picked it up, looked it over and thought “why not” so I brought it home. After doing 10 minutes of research on the species when I got home I know this one is going to be interesting.
One question, I’m guessing these are supposed to look like Christmas trees in 3 years for the judging?
View attachment 273433View attachment 273434
Here it is after going full ham on it
View attachment 273435

They've got to look like Christmas trees when you purchase them! Once they are in your possession, they are aloud to look like whatever you want. We'd like to see photos!

 

[B.uneasy]

Phew, I reread above thankfully. Enter name into THIS thread and open up a separate one.

Name. Luke
Age. Old enough to know better than to get excited about silly online competitions
Specialist subject. Over enthusiasm
Occupation. Christmas tree wrangler

You sound like a professional

 

[DayDrunk]

Beer, dog food and a tree. Looks like someone is getting ready for a fun weekend.

Upon further review I should have put the tree back on the table and gone back for more beer.......

 

[Silentrunning]

I’m in. I have 2 already

 

[Colorado]

@Colorado is in.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Did a little shopping around yesterday.
didn’t bring anything home yet as I was just scouting for possible recruits.
I think this type of size/scale tree would be a little much for this competition. Also I don’t have an extra 100$
Alberta spruces at Home Depot.


ugly sweater cypress at Cub foods grocery. Norfolk’s. At Cub Foods

Italian stone pines at Fresh Thyme farmers market. Precious.

More NIPs at Menards.
Today maybe I choose my contender!

Cheers!!!