2025 Contest

[19Mateo83]

Since we already have an oak contest, how about a Celtis contest? There are both temperate and tropical species.

Celtis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I would be in on that one. Are we talking a celits from seed or collected material?

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I'm thinking collected material (cuttings, layers, yamadori, etc).

 

[Gabler]

I would be in on that one. Are we talking a celits from seed or collected material?

We have some people saying, "Let's all start with identical material," and others saying, "Let's not waste time growing our trees from seed." I understand both arguments, but I lean toward growing from seed. Growing from seed has the added benefit of a low cost. Nursery trees are more expensive, and they don't save as much time as you would think because you need to chop off most of the roots and trunk anyway.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

From seed gives full control over the whole development. Anybody have a seed source?

 

[Gabler]

I'm thinking collected material (cuttings, layers, yamadori, etc).

We could open the contests to both seeds and cuttings. That would still put everyone on roughly equal footing at the start.

 

[Gabler]

From seed gives full control over the whole development. Anybody have a seed source?

I buy seeds from Sheffield's.

Sheffield's Seed Company

For over 30 years we've supplied the BEST seed available in the World for our customers. We guarantee that all the seed we sell has been collected from the named mother plant. In most cases this means it will produce seedlings that are true to name.

sheffields.com

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

They have a good selection of Hackberry species. I might try a couple different ones. And ginkgo. I really want to try ginkgo. I think I can grow it here.
So, a Celtis contest. We just need to agree on the parameters. From seed, cutting, layer, nursery stock, yamadori...? I'm leaning towards cuttings or layers, assuming anyone who wants to participate has access to mature/full-size trees. Otherwise, I think the best option is from seed.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I kinda like the idea of an air layer contest, perhaps with native wild trees?

This is a cool idea... like a Shohin from Air Layer contest.

 

[KateM]

How about species inappropriate for bonsai?
Just kidding.
Shohin from air layer sounds good.

 

[minkes]

Interesting and beautiful tree to consider is also burning bush. Easy to propagate from cuttings.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

How about species inappropriate for bonsai?

Actually, an "Unsuitable for Bonsai" challenge sounds like fun. Or maybe Unusual or uncommon species for bonsai. But I'm not ready for anything like that yet. I still have too much to learn.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I'll suggest and would participate in a contest from cutting, any species. 5 yr ish? Required to take Pic of mother plant before cutting, cutting w/dimensions and post potting. Must be potted before end of contest?

Any interest?


2025 - 2030 Cutting to Bonsai Contest

 

[Gabler]

I'll suggest and would participate in a contest from cutting, any species. 5 yr ish? Required to take Pic of mother plant before cutting, cutting w/dimensions and post potting. Must be potted before end of contest?

Any interest?


2025 - 2030 Cutting to Bonsai Contest

That seems to fit the theme of the Celtis contest. Start with seeds or cuttings, and see what you can produce after five, nine, and thirteen years.

 

[BrightsideB]

Only hobby/profession were we discuss parameters of a 5 year contest that is still pushing limits I’ll be following.

I have kingsville cuttings from last spring they rooted during late summer early fall. Put on a whole 3” of growth because our fall was extended last year.

Doing rootings will most likely put you a year behind in comparison to seeds since they don’t really grow the whole first year.

 

[ShadyStump]

Scrolled past someone's pic of their forest planting.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

That seems to fit the theme of the Celtis contest. Start with seeds or cuttings, and see what you can produce after five, nine, and thirteen years.

I agree, it fits minus the seedlings. I would think expanding the contest to cuttings of any species might promote participation and make it a little more fun.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I still like @Gabler 's suggestion for a  Celtis from seed contest. But if not, I'll toss out my second choice. Edible and/or medicinal bonsai. Why not get healthy while practicing our craft, and learn something new while we're at it? I've never seen or heard of a Cinnamomum bonsai, but it might be fun to try.

 

[Gabler]

I agree, it fits minus the seedlings. I would think expanding the contest to cuttings of any species might promote participation and make it a little more fun.

Also for me it is more educational to see more examples in contest from same specie. Like there was contest from Japanese Black Pine. If it will be allowed for all kinds of trees with “fruit” there will be very little knowledge to extract and to learn what worked and what not.

I like minkes' goal of creating a resource by using similar plants and comparing notes. The original idea was a single-species contest, and we already expanded that idea to the whole genus of Celtis to encourage both tropical and temperate participation.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I agree and admit i didn't read the entire thread. I'll likely participate if possible in any contest!

 

[Gabler]

Like this post if you would join a Celtis from seed contest.