2026 contest ideas?

[Michael P]

Thanks, I saw that post but wasn't sure if it was "official".

 

[KateM]

The 2025/26 Raft 5 Year Contest

The most popular Bonsai Community in the WORLD!

www.bonsainut.com

I would like for @leatherback get back to me and approve or veto it.
I got excited and jumped the gun...

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

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 ?

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.

 

[KateM]

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.

Thank you.
A bit of overzeal, but no ill intent.

 

[The Barber]

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

I assume I can use yamadori material for this? Since it falls into the under $100 range?

 

[Jrmcmich]

I assume I can use yamadori material for this? Since it falls into the under $100 range?

Says collected material as long as not “clearly set up as raft” so seems it would meet rules but assume @leatherback would need to confirm that.

 

[The Barber]

Says collected material as long as not “clearly set up as raft” so seems it would meet rules but assume @leatherback would need to confirm that.

My bad, missed that tidbits, thanks!

 

[Dav4]

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 .

 

[Eckhoffw]

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.

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.

A raft contest sounds good though.

 

[Potawatomi13]

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.

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.