Contest Rules

[Bilbo_Baggins]

how awesome would it be if we could get everyone together for a showing in 6 years!!

Perhaps a display booth setup at the National Convention in 2024?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I understand the picture in the article is of a 6 year old shohin, but you would mind please elaborating on your thoughts about why these contest rules would seem to dictate a shohin result?

Methods to increase trunk caliper fastest are usually directly contrary to methods to develop refinement.

That is why I assume shohin. But shohin is not a requirement by any means. Note the two judging criteria - quality and caliper - say nothing about height of the tree.

 

[Bilbo_Baggins]

Will you start other seeds? Difficult to compare growth rates but might be interesting nonetheless.

I've started 15 total varieties of Cedrus, Larix, Picea, and Pinus (but understand the contest is for JBP only).

 

[plant_dr]

Methods to increase trunk caliper fastest are usually directly contrary to methods to develop refinement.

That is why I assume shohin. But shohin is not a requirement by any means. Note the two judging criteria - quality and caliper - say nothing about height of the tree.

Except that one point of having the contest is to try to imitate/replicate or reproduce the results of growing a JBP from seed like in the article which is a shohin sized tree.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Except that one point of having the contest is to try to imitate/replicate or reproduce the results of growing a JBP from seed like in the article which is a shohin sized tree.

I don't think anyone would say that tree is the perfect shohin, or that it has the fattest nebari in a 6 year-old JBP. It is the balance of the two that is remarkable.

 

[Bilbo_Baggins]

Except that one point of having the contest is to try to imitate/replicate or reproduce the results of growing a JBP from seed like in the article which is a shohin sized tree.

"Judging Criteria
Trees will be judged on quality and trunk caliper at the highest surface roots. The fattest tree will not necessarily win, but the contest focus is on getting maximum growth and development out of JBP in 6 years, so no skinny literati trees (for example)."

It seems clear the article, and the posted picture of the tree from the article, are the inspiration for the contest, but as Bonsai Nut stated, "Quality and caliper say nothing about height of the tree."

 

[Bilbo_Baggins]

I don't think anyone would say that tree is the perfect shohin, or that it has the fattest nebari in a 6 year-old JBP. It is the balance of the two that is remarkable.

It would seem similar to many things in life, the quest for the balancing point of diminishing return.
At what point does quest for development hinder refinement, and at what point does the quest for refinement hinder development.
That is the point of diminishing return.

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

On my opinion it is easy to cultivate a big trunk on a jbp in 6 years. It is difficult however to produce a rootbase that fits a small pot and primary branches at the best places at the same time. For me there needs to be a good base, some taper and branches so to see a refined tree can be made with the structure set by the initial years of growing. But that is my interpretation.

 

[Ryceman3]

Because we have just announced the contest, I think we will have to start the southern participants next July.

I’m new here so forgive my “newness” and probably stupid question that has already been answered somewhere but wanted to confirm the quote above....

Is the start date for those below the equator going to be July 1st, and therefore ending June 30th, 2024 (6 years)?
I’m keen to be involved in this so I’m looking to get organised and ready to go in July. I am enjoying reading through the progressions from those already involved. It’s an awesome competition idea!

 

[Clicio]

Special Considerations
If we have friends in the Southern Hemisphere who wish to participate, we can run a second wave from July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2024. I will create a second contest thread if there is interest.

Yes, I am interested and I live in the Southern Hemisphere.

 

[PKB55]

Yes, I too would be interested from down under thanks

 

[PKB55]

To Admin, do us from the Southern Hemisphere just join in or will there be a separate section? Thanks Peter

 

[Aaron S.]

I will participate ONLY if someone would please tell me what JBP means? Is it something like Just Butchering Pines? Just kidding. I have an 15 year old high functioning autistic kid (the brat is a freaking genius lol) that saw some pictures of some Japanese Black Pine bonsai trees on the internet and told me that he wants to grow one as a bonsai. So I promptly ordered some seeds (hey anything that I can do with the kids is great, this Saturday my daughter is getting her ham radio license). I recently joined this forum and today just saw this contest. So I think it will be fun. I will probably be starting a year late, I have no experience with JBP. So what could be the harm.

 

[Dav4]

I will participate ONLY if someone would please tell me what JBP means? Is it something like Just Butchering Pines? Just kidding. I have an 15 year old high functioning autistic kid (the brat is a freaking genius lol) that saw some pictures of some Japanese Black Pine bonsai trees on the internet and told me that he wants to grow one as a bonsai. So I promptly ordered some seeds (hey anything that I can do with the kids is great, this Saturday my daughter is getting her ham radio license). I recently joined this forum and today just saw this contest. So I think it will be fun. I will probably be starting a year late, I have no experience with JBP. So what could be the harm.

Sow some seeds now. They germinate in a few weeks and you still will have the rest of the summer and early fall to play with them.

 

[Aaron S.]

Like I said, I'm losing most of a year, but I ordered some seeds. Once I get them will marinate them in miracle grow, compost tea and sake to catch up with the others

 

[moke]

@K5ATG
I hope you grow the baddest JBP for that kid of yours, I myself have a daughter with severe autism she is my biggest fan, she loves when I play guitar for her and watches over me while I work on my trees.
What an awesome adventure this will be for the both of you, Good luck ??

 

[Cypress187]

Man.., I guess I'm too late now.., I will have a 5 year old JBP (And still going to win ofcourse!)

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Is a plant consisting of fused trunks from multiple plants considered as 1 tree?
I felt a brainfart coming up and I need to give it a place before it stinks up the brain.

 

[Aaron S.]

Man.., I guess I'm too late now.., I will have a 5 year old JBP (And still going to win ofcourse!)

I just got my seeds in the ground myself last week.

 

[milehigh_7]

I will participate ONLY if someone would please tell me what JBP means? Is it something like Just Butchering Pines? Just kidding. I have an 15 year old high functioning autistic kid (the brat is a freaking genius lol) that saw some pictures of some Japanese Black Pine bonsai trees on the internet and told me that he wants to grow one as a bonsai. So I promptly ordered some seeds (hey anything that I can do with the kids is great, this Saturday my daughter is getting her ham radio license). I recently joined this forum and today just saw this contest. So I think it will be fun. I will probably be starting a year late, I have no experience with JBP. So what could be the harm.

I for one have already been butchering my pines! BTW My youngest (just turned 21) also has high functioning autism. He's the best!