2026 contest ideas?

[leatherback]

Just checked the contests on the site, and a few of them will end in the next year or so. So I was wondering.. What type of contest would be next to start?

-> in my club we just started a 5-year trident seedling development contest. As I have already started, that would not be my preference
-> 5 year Nebari & trunk-development contest?
-> ..?

Any thoughts?

 

[Maiden69]

5 year Nebari & trunk-development contest?

This would be interesting, but it could be slightly unfair depending on the species used. A trident could probably outdo most species in that 5 year period.

A trident contest interests me, JM as well, but they don't grow that fast for me because I have to keep them under shade cloth almost all the growing season.

 

[stubmle]

How about something with invasive species? The list would have to vary by area, but on the plus side most invasives grow really well and are hard to kill. They're also pretty easy to find and are often exempt from protection in wild areas.
For example, I could probably find and collect a decent burning bush with a day or two without travelling very far.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Artsify your bonsai contest?
Like do something Lenz style or out of the box thinking. Upside down trees?

 

[minkes]

What about new root over rock projects - but only with starterst like max 3 yr. old seedlings / cuttings. I have few 1 - 3yr. old maples, zelkovas, pines.. Other interesting ideas could be forest, neagari.. but condition to max ~3yr old seedligs should give this fair starting point for all.

 

[Ozz80]

An ugly duckling contest maybe? Participants will try to improve a flawed material (can be a mallsai, something with a bad taper or an ugly scar etc.) into a decent bonsai.

 

[cishepard]

What about new root over rock projects - but only with starterst like max 3 yr. old seedlings / cuttings. I have few 1 - 3yr. old maples, zelkovas, pines.. Other interesting ideas could be forest, neagari.. but condition to max ~3yr old seedligs should give this fair starting point for all.

We have a root over rock contest going that ends in 2026.

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/2023-2026-ror-contest-rules.58832/

 

[Jsokolski]

What about a Penjing/Saikei contest? I don't think we've done one before and due to use of smaller plants usually, you can probably create a good planting in 5 years.

Maybe we have to start from seed and up to the person on when during those 5 years they want to put it in the final composition.

 

[Ruddigger]

How about a “make a raft” contest? Could be done with a wide variety of species.

 

[stewarjm192]

Following as I want in on a BNut contest as I always miss them. I like tridents!

 

[Lara_Ericacious]

How about something with invasive species?

Some of the Rhododendron ponticum I've removed in the past couple months would make incredible trunks if only their leaves miniaturised.

 

[JoeWilson]

How about something with invasive species? The list would have to vary by area, but on the plus side most invasives grow really well and are hard to kill. They're also pretty easy to find and are often exempt from protection in wild areas.
For example, I could probably find and collect a decent burning bush with a day or two without travelling very far.

I think this is a great idea. I've got an unlimited supply of buckthorn and Siberian elm. It would be interesting to see what species people can work with in different areas.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Both forest and raft are good ideas.

 

[stubmle]

I do like the raft idea, always wanted to try making one.

 

[Gabler]

I like the idea of an ugly duckling contest, but it would be hard to define what counts as ugly. In other words, how do we enforce an ugliness standard?

 

[Gabler]

A raft contest would be neat. There are two ongoing forest contests, however.

 

[Ozz80]

I like the idea of an ugly duckling contest, but it would be hard to define what counts as ugly. In other words, how do we enforce an ugliness standard?

You are correct that it may be difficult to put a standard and things can be as simple as a single airlayer to get rid of bad taper and nebari. Besides @leatherback seems to have already made a similiar challenge in his channel for mallsai, so no need to hijack his idea and I guess anyone interested can join that challenge.

.

So I'll say +1 for the raft contest.

 

[Gabler]

Also, we almost had a yamadori/yardadori contest, but the member who planned to start the contest got busy and never got it going. That's still a viable contest idea.

 

[Gabler]

Thread 'Yamadori Spring Natives Contest **idea**'

Mar 12, 2025

Since people love hunting yamadori in springtime, either in their backyard or somewhere nearby where they live (I know yamadori's come from the mountains ). I was thinking about a contest that shines a light on native trees throughout the world/in your area. I hope this is not too bold of a suggestion as a newbie to this forum. People on this forum live all over the world, so the native species will vary. I love the notion of growing native trees that get the extra boost from the synergy they have with their environment. I think it will be super interesting to get a diverse taste of...

• kbonsai8
• contest native yamadori
• Replies: 84
• Forum: Contests

• 

 

[Gabler]

I like the idea of combining a yamadori contest with an invasive species contest.