OK, here is a draft of the new plan.
Please include some feedback!
Hopefully we can finalize this by next week or so.
2021 Forest From Seed(ling) 6 Year Contest
This will be a contest with two independent divisions - a "from seed" division and a "sapling" division.
Common Guidelines applying to both divisions
- Contestants may participate in one or both divisions, but each planting may only belong to a single division
- Contestants may start as many plantings as they like, but must choose one to submit for final judging per division
- Any species of plant are allowed
- You can mix species within a single planting if you like
- There must be at least four individual plants in the final planting. A clump (one plant with multiple trunks) is ok to include within your planting, but each clump only counts as one plant. There is no maximum number of individuals per planting
- You may move, add, or subtract trees to your planting at any time, but they must comply with the rules of the division (see more in division specific rules below)
- You must document the forest at least yearly and also after any re-arrangements or major work.
- Between 2021 and 2027, plants may be grown however you please (in ground, in pots, whatever). By December 31st, 2027, you must submit up to three photographs (could be different angles or differently zoomed or even different seasons) of your forest in some form of container/slab/rock/pot.
- Stands, companion plants, and/or moss are not necessary to include in the final pictures, but are encouraged.
- "Most pleasing forest" winner (1 per division) will be determined by popular vote. I will try to source some prizes.
- There will also be a vote for "Most pleasing unconventional forest" (1 per division), but there might not be prizes for the winners here. "Most pleasing unconventional forest" is up to the voter to decide what that means...but some things that might qualify include mixed-species plantings, uncommon species for forest plantings, a unique use of a container.
- There will also be a vote for "Best documentation of their forest's progression" (1 per division), but there might not be prizes for the winners here.
- It is possible to win 2 or all of "Most pleasing forest," "Most pleasing unconventional forest," and "Best documentation of their forest's progression" within a division.
From Seed Division
1. You must take a picture of your future forest in seed form or seeds in tray form on January 1st, 2021 (or later) (if you already sew them in the ground or a flat, that's ok, but include a photo of that space pre-germination).
2. You may begin the process of germinating your seeds on January 1st, 2021 or thereafter -after you have completed #1. This is defined as bringing the seeds up to germination temperature AND putting them into some kind of moist substrate that they can grow in.
3. You may add additional seedlings to your forest at future timepoints, but these seedlings must have been either germinated from seed in 2021 or later -OR- you may also use cuttings/layers from a parent tree that was germinated in year 2021 or later.
4. You may begin multiple forests and document them all within a single thread, but must choose one planting to submit for the final judging.
5. Entitle your thread, "From Seed Division: _________" (include your username and whatever else you want to title your thread)
6. Judging of compositions from this division will have a greater focus on the arrangement and potential of the forest rather than maturity.
Sapling Division
1. You may not use a forest that you have already assembled prior to January 1, 2021.
2. You may use trees that you already own or that you collect, but they must comply with the other guidelines
3. In 2021 (or at the point that that particular plant enters the contest), all plants used must be less than 10 years old (to the best of your knowledge) and with a maximum trunk caliper (per individual plant or clump) of 2.5 inches (6.35 cm)
4. You must take a picture of your saplings un-assembled (either in separate containers or bare-rooted or separately growing in the ground) at some point on or after January 1, 2021.
5. You may add additional saplings to your forest at future timepoints, but these must comply with guideline #3.
6. You may begin multiple forests and document them all within a single thread, but must choose one planting to submit for the final judging.
7. Entitle your thread, "Sapling Division: _________" (include your username and whatever else you want to title your thread)
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