2021 Challenge?

[zanduh]

With 2020 being the “lost year” for so many I think it would be great to have 2021 be the year of new beginnings.

To that end it would be great to have a new challenge to start next year.

My Challenge Ideas:
5 Year No-Trunk-Cut Shohin
5 Year Mixed Forest
3 Year Mame
5 Year Penjing
10 Year Fruiting Bonsai

Any other fun ideas are gladly welcome!

 

[zanduh]

Some More Ideas:
10 Year “Native Tree, Native Pot”
10 Year “Bonsai from Picture of a Tree”
10 Year Log-style bonsai
5 Year Citizen Science! (plan and test a new bonsai theory or practice)

 

[zanduh]

Any thoughts? I'm happy to do a challenge alone but it's more fun to do in a group I think.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I'll participate, provided a category available. Mixed forest is on my list of things to try

 

[Carol 83]

Any thoughts? I'm happy to do a challenge alone but it's more fun to do in a group I think.

I think a 2021 contest is a good idea, but people may lose interest in the 10 year ones.

 

[zanduh]

I think a 2021 contest is a good idea, but people may lose interest in the 10 year ones.

Yeah that's entirely fair - Any kind of contest you'd prefer?

 

[Carol 83]

Yeah that's entirely fair - Any kind of contest you'd prefer?

Nah, I like watching the contests more than participating in them.

 

[zanduh]

Well I hope not to disappoint if I can get some interested people!

 

[amcoffeegirl]

5 year no trunk cut shohin

 

[ShadyStump]

2021 will be the year I don't kill a pine! Only been doing this a little over a year, so seems like it'd be an easy one to start with.
Also...
2: start a tree from seed.
3: successfully air layer at least one tree- which means not only a working air layer, but a tree that lives into 2022.
4: see above, plus if more than one are a success one will be a fruiting tree.

 

[zanduh]

5 year no trunk cut shohin

This was one of my favorite ideas from the list and I may do this regardless

 

[Jzack605]

Bad bonsai- pick a tree often scoffed at for bonsai

 

[Potsofgreen]

2021 will be the year I don't kill a pine! Only been doing this a little over a year, so seems like it'd be an easy one to start with.
Also...
2: start a tree from seed.
3: successfully air layer at least one tree- which means not only a working air layer, but a tree that lives into 2022.
4: see above, plus if more than one are a success one will be a fruiting tree.

oh that’s a good idea for a contest 5 year from air layer any tree any size any style, most refined tree takes the win

 

[Beanwagon]

5 year ROR challenge with a species not known for ROR.

 

[Potawatomi13]

5 year no profanity on website.

 

[YAN]

2021?...... stay alive to kill a tree.

 

[leatherback]

Sorry people. News just in. 2021 will be cancelled too

 

[leatherback]

5 year no trunk cut shohin

This was one of my favorite ideas from the list and I may do this regardless

I am really not sure what you mean here. How do you create a bonsai without cutting the plant at some point. This feels like one of those.. When is a bunch of rocks a pile. When is an extension a trunk. Completely arbitrary and differs from person to person.

 

[erich_raudebaugh]

Some More Ideas:
10 Year “Native Tree, Native Pot”
10 Year “Bonsai from Picture of a Tree”
10 Year Log-style bonsai
5 Year Citizen Science! (plan and test a new bonsai theory or practice)

I like the 10 year native tree native pot. I just need a pot!

I also like to do challenges like these for myself, and I'll start posting some progressions probably in the dormant season.

Here's some I'm doing already: 5 year hedgehog chojubai, I'm 3 years in so far
10 year trident from field grown lump (7 years in)
lots of 5 year shohin from seed
10 year forest from seed- I have several at 6 years, and started more again this year, I like your mixed forest idea
5 year maple clump and 10 year maple clump (I have several going, plus more to come)
30 year shimpaku from seedling- just need to post my progression at the end of the year (early years photos are lost though)
Already have a 3 year mame from nursery stock going
10 year ficus from crappy hardware store seedling, on year 7 (this could be any awful ficus to begin with, like ginsengs)
10 year Japanese maple from nursery seedling, only growing in pots
three different 5 year from nursery material hinoki projects

 

[James W.]

5 year air layer
7 year ROR
5 year from starter plant from same grower (Mark Comstock?)