Cast your votes for the Five-Year, Native Tree, Native Pot Challenge!

[Orion_metalhead]

We can always redo the voting using some other poll option.

That said, Id like to see another 5years added to this contest so we can see how these trees look in 5 more years.

Thanks for those who voted for me - it means a lot! I felt that those I voted for made the biggest progress in the 5year timespan.

 

[Gabler]

We can always redo the voting using some other poll option.

That said, Id like to see another 5years added to this contest so we can see how these trees look in 5 more years.

Thanks for those who voted for me - it means a lot! I felt that those I voted for made the biggest progress in the 5year timespan.

I would also open it up to new entries that have been worked five or fewer years. We could run it in a manner similar to your Celtis contest.

 

[Ozz80]

This whole affair has been informal, and I thought that holding multiple rounds of eliminations would needlessly complicate things. Plus, how would you decide the matchups? If there were prize money involved, it might have been be worth it. As it stands, the prize for the winner is the winning tree. If you think your tree is the best, and you should have won, then I have good news for you. You won.

I think it is misunderstood, I was suggesting two simultaneous polls, not an elimination system. (i.e. 5 people in the first poll, remaining 6 in the second, sorted alphabetically by nickname, whoever gets the most votes in any of these polls wins). I was thinking that it would be a simple solution to a trivial problem. If you still think that it complicates matters though, forget it.

That being said, I also do not think winning or losing matters much. Feedback during the progress and objective and open criticism from other members about what is missing or could be improved, submitted at the contest entry post would be much more beneficial, rather than a "you win or lose" or" you got X points" result.

 

[DeepSouth]

There are many nice trees here, but Jelle's (@leatherback ) prunus really speaks to me. The entire composition goes together perfectly, in my opinion.

May have to try my hand at the DIY slabs/pots.

 

[Gabler]

There are many nice trees here, but Jelle's (@leatherback ) prunus really speaks to me. The entire composition goes together perfectly, in my opinion.

May have to try my hand at the DIY slabs/pots.

I was actually surprised he chose that one. I thought the beech was better. Maybe that's just because I like beech.

 

[Erika_Leaman]

I would also open it up to new entries

Sad i wasn't around to take part in this contest. So I would quite happily get involved if the contest is extended.

 

[The Barber]

That's actually what we originally did. The result was that the first couple of posts had the most likes, and it steadily declined from there. It appeared that the earlier you posted, the more eyes you had on your tree, and the more likes you got. Thus, after everyone had already voted by number of likes, we decided not to declare a winner and instead to hold a second round of voting to level the playing field, so to speak. However, when I made the poll, I found I could include only ten candidates. I used the original voting method to decide the ten finalists, and then I released the poll.



Not a bad idea, but I have a very busy week and weekend ahead of me, and I probably won't have time to manually tally up votes. Had I organized the contest, I would have had time to plan ahead. Zanduh is gone, and I stepped in just to get this wrapped up.



Great suggestion. I'm not familiar with the whole Google suite of applications. I'll remember that for my Acorn to Oak contest.

Can the max number of poll options be edited by admin?

 

[leatherback]

I thought the beech was better.

it has a sacrifice on top, and is in a plastic tub. Neither I was willing to change for the sake of an online venture

 

[Wulfskaar]

No problem, I'm not just a little bit hurt to work on my tree for five years and be one day late because of the site being down, so I'm bumped out. This site used to be inclusive, not so much anymore.

It does suck, and you should have been in the poll, along with anyone who got this far (Woocash included). Your trees have NOT gone unseen! I think having 2 simultaneous polls would have been the right option.

But... as stated by Gabler, there's no real prize other than knowing you were challenged and you met the challenge like a champ, considering the large number of entries that never finished. I give all of you a big !!!

 

[SgtPilko]

Well done everyone, some random thoughts!

Looking tight between Jelle and Gabler! Props to both of you, they've come a very long way from quite humble beginnings, a strong final image as well as a big transformation with good technique applied. They are close for me, with Jelle shading it due to the level of development, creative container and good root spread.

Orion I like the bunjin design, but feel as though a less imposing pot, smaller lip and feet, maybe drum or nanban would have improved the presentation? (Though not like we have tons of native pots laying around usually )

Esolin your piece is really interesting and that trunk is worth persevering with now you've taken it from troubled landscape tree, but feels like those branches need more movement put in them, and there are thick pieces in the apex but thinner branches down low. Could maybe try some carving to make a feature of the deadwood, make an uro.or something.

Fonz yours has come on really well, branching especially in the past year, the nebari probably needs more time. it might be the 2D but perhaps leans away from the viewer.

Woocash I think your acer will look really nice with a few more years on the clock, some more judicious cuts, healing and ramification.

Also fwiw i'd be happy to come back again in 3-5 yrs, my entries are still going well just a bit slow and in the wrong pots

Chapeau everyone

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Well done everyone, some random thoughts!

Orion I like the bunjin design, but feel as though a less imposing pot, smaller lip and feet, maybe drum or nanban would have improved the presentation? (Though not like we have tons of native pots laying around usually )

Thanks so much! I completely understand the critique. I feel like a drum or nanban is just too traditional and predictable and "Japanese" for a Native contest.

I think as the tree grows and the pads develop the pot will look less immense.

 

[SgtPilko]

Thanks so much! I completely understand the critique. I feel like a drum or nanban is just too traditional and predictable and "Japanese" for a Native contest.

I think as the tree grows and the pads develop the pot will look less immense.

You are totally right, something with similar dimensions though. Interesting point, do domestic i.e. western potters err on the side of the 'different' and the novel rather than the muted and traditional styles, i guess they do. At least here in the UK most domestic ceramicists seem to focus on glazed rounds and ovals or weirder shapes, not so much unglazed functional stuff. Another discussion for another thread

 

[Gabler]

You are totally right, something with similar dimensions though. Interesting point, do domestic i.e. western potters err on the side of the 'different' and the novel rather than the muted and traditional styles, i guess they do. At least here in the UK most domestic ceramicists seem to focus on glazed rounds and ovals or weirder shapes, not so much unglazed functional stuff. Another discussion for another thread

It certainly seems that way. In American bonsai, there is considerable room for flexibility in designing pots, but most contest-winning trees seem to have extremely conservative designs—even where the pot design is unusual.

 

[Gabler]

I saw this tree at MABS, and I seem to recall seeing it in a picture from the National Show. It's a fairly conservative tree in a very unusual pot, and to me it seems to exemplify the trend.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I saw this tree at MABS, and I seem to recall seeing it in a picture from the National Show. It's a fairly conservative tree in a very unusual pot, and to me it seems to exemplify the trend.

Bob Hunter has a handful of wacky pots. I really like them.