2026 contest ideas?

[The Barber]

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.

I was really excited that this contest would take off, my hornbeam collecting was great this year dammit.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

How about a contest where each contestant gets their specific challenge by another contestant to do a particular style with a particular species.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Collected invasive. Im in.

 

[PA_Penjing]

years ago someone floated an idea "cheap as chips" contest where you'd fix up a cheap mallsai. To keep it fair or controlled we could insist it has to be an S-curve Chinese elm purchased online. That should be a pretty good control, and since it's purchased without being able to hand pick it adds another layer. plus Chinese elm is pretty adaptable to a lot of climates.
collected invasive is cool too. I've got Amur honeysuckle out my ears

 

[PA_Penjing]

though... a contest from seed does kind of keep everyone at the same starting line...

 

[Ruddigger]

Anything that says “from seed” makes my eyes glaze over.

 

[Lara_Ericacious]

This thread has had me thinking about non-native invasive kusamono, panic sets in as I've got to time removing the flowers before they go to seed...

...and then there is trying to cram giant hogweed into a pot.

 

[BobbyLane]

though... a contest from seed does kind of keep everyone at the same starting line...

Then you could just keep it at nursery material, pricepoint under a 100, show a receipt for entry.

I also like the raft idea.

 

[Potawatomi13]

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?

Who will tackle the rarest tree in bonsai(or in the world)?

 

[hsaintandre]

I'd love a raft contest!

I also like the yamadori idea, but in France it's cumbersome when done legally.

 

[Gabler]

Who will tackle the rarest tree in bonsai(or in the world)?

Paulownia contest!

 

[minkes]

I am in!

 

[SFDrake]

I like the forest, raft idea......of invasive

 

[BrightsideB]

I like the raft as well.

 

[Gabler]

Invasive raft contest?

 

[BobbyLane]

I am in!

View attachment 615519

My raft is better than yours!

 

[BrightsideB]

Invasive raft contest?

Why does it have to be invasive?

 

[Gabler]

Why does it have to be invasive?

Why does it have to be a raft?

 

[Jrmcmich]

Why does it have to be invasive?

Agree could be difficult for some to collect “invasive”. Could a nursery start work for raft? Never tried one so not sure

 

[jszg]

A Chinese Elm contest could be fun.