The Five Year "Native Tree, Native Pot" Challenge!

[Crawforde]

I appear to be fashionably late to this event. I wasn't even digging up little trees when this thread was started so everything I have is within the time frame.

If no one minds I might start some threads in the appropriate subforum. I have a few non native trees but the majority of what I have is locally collected native species and that's what I'm most interested in. Don't expect much though, I'm inexperienced, started late and have an extremely short growing season. This seems like a good excuse to document a few trees progression from the beginning and learn how much I don't know.

Here are a few candidates.
Little red alder clump right after collection 9/11/21.
View attachment 439158
Kind of funky tall and lanky birch, but it looks like a smaller version of the big ones we have up here. 5/23/22
View attachment 439159
Little bushy roadside larch. I can't even go on a bike ride without coming home with a tree or three. 5/23/22
View attachment 439160
This aspen also hitched a ride up front with the larch. There is probably a good reason why I've never seen an aspen bonsai, oh well.
View attachment 439161

Nice trees
Sweet bike.
welcome to madness.

 

[HorseloverFat]

The implication that a hidden truth may be associated with the illusion of events is possible! Or not.
This definitely calls for a picture or it didn't happen.
A picture? wait I have one of those.
Or one could compare writing style with previous challenge posts? Ah too easy lets do something else!

Ooooh Writing style and word choice comparison would be an AWESOME assessment!

Kudos to you for INSTANTLY seeing through my "Double juke"... self-defeating "Humorous Distraction".
Psycholinguistics is a FUN avenue!
I have a feeling I'd really enjoy your company for tea and philosophical delving/debates.

 

[Gabler]

It’s not been my experience that western bonsai practitioners are a competitive lot. At least not amongst hobbyists. The “competition” to me seems more like a great opportunity for everyone involved to get feedback on their trees and improve their skills.

 

[LittleDingus]

It's not a competition anyway: "5 year native tree native pot _challenge_"

 

[River's Edge]

It’s not been my experience that western bonsai practitioners are a competitive lot. At least not amongst hobbyists. The “competition” to me seems more like a great opportunity for everyone involved to get feedback on their trees and improve their skills.

" Challenge" ? Since when does the word challenge not imply a competition? If there is no desire to strive for excellence what is the point? mediocrity?

 

[LittleDingus]

" Challenge" ? Since when does the word challenge not imply a competition? If there is no desire to strive for excellence what is the point? mediocrity?

I mean I consider it a challenge to get out of bed in the morning...but there are no medals involved if I do it.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I mean I consider it a challenge to get out of bed in the morning...but there are no medals involved if I do it.

But you definitely cant win any medals staying IN bed so... think of getting out of bed as a form of prophylaxis.

 

[COclimber89]

But you definitely cant win any medals staying IN bed so... think of getting out of bed as a form of prophylaxis.

I'll definitely say that, entering this challenge a year and a half late as a relative bonsai noob, I have no expectations of winning or even coming close. But do I like the challenge of the time frame and sharing my experience with others while maybe getting some useful advice and doing the best that I can? Absolutely!

 

[River's Edge]

I mean I consider it a challenge to get out of bed in the morning...but there are no medals involved if I do it.

True, just the satisfaction of having met the challenge.

 

[Keithconn]

I was literally SO psyched when I just found this thread, and then realized it was original from 2020!!!

If it’s ok, I would love to throw my hat in the ring and start with some local trees that I’m working on just this spring??

 

[Mikecheck123]

It's not a competition anyway: "5 year native tree native pot _challenge_"

So I just have to keep myself and one tree alive for five years?

 

[Mikecheck123]

Lets start a few conspiracy theories. Multi-personality with progressive memory issues.
Let's add the observation that the person assumed a new personality one month before the posting and switched again a month later!
Accuracy is not important here, its the thought that counts!

Wait are you guys telling me you don't have multiple alts on this site?

How do you get compliments then??

 

[River's Edge]

Wait are you guys telling me you don't have multiple alts on this site?

How do you get compliments then??

Truth is stranger than fiction.
No idea!

 

[Keithconn]

So I just have to keep myself and one tree alive for five years?

ME!!

 

[Keithconn]

Submitting my locus from this spring in the running. Starting thread now. These are the weeds of LI. Not sure if three years is enough but it will give me a goal!

 

[Crawforde]

So I just have to keep myself and one tree alive for five years?

For some of that is setting the bar high and having unreasonable expectations.
I’ll try it.

 

[Crawforde]

Submitting my locus from this spring in the running. Starting thread now. These are the weeds of LI. Not sure if three years is enough but it will give me a goal! View attachment 439494

I have a beauty berry that looks just like that.
actually, many of my trees look just like that.

 

[Brim Gribley]

Im in

 

[Potawatomi13]

But you definitely cant win any medals staying IN bed so...

Well, with suitable females of competitive and cooperative spirit......... Ever hear the one about the drunken Scotsman?

 

[RJG2]

So it looks like @zanduh has abandoned us (prove me wrong!).

Anyone else want to manage this challenge?!