8th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, Rochester, NY, USA, September 9-10, 2023

[coh]

Wow. I did not know that.

Someone had a poison ivy on display. It was inside a metal cage, like it was Hannibal Lecter or something.

That was Bill's tree. I remember him posting on facebook earlier in the year about the terrible rash he had developed after working on it.

 

[Shogun610]

That Lantana is a mess. How did it got in there? I might have some trees that can go National show next time.
I need to find a 🛡 before people start throwing rocks at me.

This tree too


I could be a hater but I digress.. the guy sells polished turds on the auctions

 

[Shogun610]

Well I’m sure we can be a good influence on the 2025 if we work together in here to help progress it

 

[rockm]

I’m with you brother. It seems theres a lot of favoritism going on. One of the judges actually told me that for the awards, they knew which trees they wanted to win, they just had to find a category to match with them.

 

[shohin_branches]

This tree too

View attachment 508330
I could be a hater but I digress.. the guy sells polished turds on the auctions

Oh boy, I keep butting heads with that guy in whatever online bonsai space he shows up.

 

[Wood]

This tree too...

 

[Ruddigger]

This tree too

View attachment 508330
I could be a hater but I digress.. the guy sells polished turds on the auctions

I dont know the guy. The tree leaned way back, we were wondering if it was placed backwards on the stand. I know I looked at that one for a long time.

 

[chicago1980]

BTW, everyone should read the ABS article you attached (for the 1969 pic of Bill V. with Yuki Yoshimura alone ) to get some perspective on where American bonsai came from and to familiarize themselves with some of the names involved in its journey

I hope most will take the time to enjoy the article.

 

[rockm]

I hope most will take the time to enjoy the article.

The mention of Bonsai Monks was interesting. Didn't know that business went that far back. Back in late 80's and early 90's it was the container "candy store" for a while, just like Matt Ouwinga is now, but everything was much harder to get and more expensive back then.

 

[roberthu]

I’m with you brother. It seems theres a lot of favoritism going on. One of the judges actually told me that for the awards, they knew which trees they wanted to win, they just had to find a category to match with them.

Just like how they roll in Japan

 

[badatusernames]

Oh boy, I keep butting heads with that guy in whatever online bonsai space he shows up.

Interested to know who

 

[Ruddigger]

Me too.

 

[Shogun610]

Me too.

Nick Sebesta pretty much a prodigy .. when you see his stuff you’ll be super discouraged

 

[pandacular]

that name turned up a reddit account...for those who miss the old school of slinging fire on bonsai forums, make no mistake, the next generation has a hope of keeping that alive! anyway, probably not the place...

 

[Kanorin]

More than one person has said that there are multiple "heirs" who are wanting/willing to take over the role. Personally, I'd love to pilot a midwestern event; would just need enough partners.

Midwestern event? We are working on one!
Check out Bonsai Central next May.

 

[Sansokuu]

Midwestern event? We are working on one!
Check out Bonsai Central next May.

We’ll be there as a vendor! Well, Nao will be, not sure how up for traveling I’ll be with a 7 month old.

 

[Carol 83]

Wow. I did not know that.

Me either. I've had a Lantana from Zach Smith for a few years and always have some others on the patio in the summer that I bring in for the flowers in the winter. Good thing I never thought to taste one....

 

[mwkohler]

That Lantana is a mess. How did it got in there? I might have some trees that can go National show next time.
I need to find a 🛡 before people start throwing rocks at me.

Turns out that Lantana is Mark Fields' and it's on his Facebook page.

 

[namnhi]

Turns out that Lantana is Mark Fields' and it's on his Facebook page.

Is he new to bonsai? LOL

 

[Ruddigger]

Did anybody watch the Mirai Live stream last night? Ryan went on a rant about the nationals. I wonder if that will be edited out for the uploaded version.