James W.
Chumono
Yes, I'll take care of it.
I think maybe the only limit to starter material will be no ground or air layers. The advantages of older, bigger material should be offset by the disadvantages of older, bigger roots.
Discussion of rules for 2023 ROR contest
- Thread starter James W.
- Start date
I think maybe the only limit to starter material will be no ground or air layers. The advantages of older, bigger material should be offset by the disadvantages of older, bigger roots.
Kanorin
Omono
Something to think about: If someone were to start an airlayer in 2023, they would be starting quite a bit behind because they wouldn't really be able to get it onto a rock until late summer at the earliest. If someone did this and then still was able to surpass everyone else as far as root quality, that would be fabulous information (including a play by play guide) for the community to have.
I can see how something that I began a layer on last year or maybe even the year before could be an unfair leg up.
August
Chumono
That would be neat but once again keeping the rules simple comes to mind. No layers benefits the majority of us and detracts from very few. And is the easiest way to say no to people starting with 1-2" caliper trunks with perfect radial root systems.
RJG2
Omono
I don't think perfectly radial is super important for RoR. I'd vote for air layers to be allowed as long as the "starting trunk diameter" fits the rules.
Kievnstavick
Chumono
I agree with allowing airlayers so long as it matches the trunk diameter.
My reasoning is if they already happen to have one going or get lucky with an early strong roots, then they might as well use it for the contest. I don't see it as an "unfair advantage" with a radial root system or age. It would also come with their own set of problems to get sorted out in the five years.
As RJG2 mentions, radial root systems are not important to a ROR as interesting mature roots encapsulating the rock as the roots search for soil and water. A radial root system in this case would look too artificial to the point it detracts from the overall image (unless that is specifically what they are going for with their "rock")
My reasoning is if they already happen to have one going or get lucky with an early strong roots, then they might as well use it for the contest. I don't see it as an "unfair advantage" with a radial root system or age. It would also come with their own set of problems to get sorted out in the five years.
As RJG2 mentions, radial root systems are not important to a ROR as interesting mature roots encapsulating the rock as the roots search for soil and water. A radial root system in this case would look too artificial to the point it detracts from the overall image (unless that is specifically what they are going for with their "rock")
August
Chumono
I'm by far the most inexperienced artist in this thread so I'll default to @James W. here. I do see everyone's point about airlayers. I think I'd rather everyone start with young stock; saplings or seedlings. Availability and price are obstacles many of us face; if everyone starts with the cheapest material available (young saplings and seedlings) individual technique and design will be easier to judge and young folks like me won't spend 5 years working diligently on a young piece of material to be overshadowed by somebody's ridiculous monster air layer that they tied to a rock and watered for 5 years.
Edit: I'm not coming after any of you specifically; just wanted to elaborate why the starting material is important to me. You don't start a race with runners already across the line. This is part of why "from seed" contests interest me so much.
Edit: I'm not coming after any of you specifically; just wanted to elaborate why the starting material is important to me. You don't start a race with runners already across the line. This is part of why "from seed" contests interest me so much.
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
Wow. I’m game. Get on with it. 
Kievnstavick
Chumono
No hard feelings. I just wanted to put my two cents out there for the discussion of it as well as to show James that RJG2 wasn't the only one with this opinion.
If the restriction is still there for the official posting then it is no sweat off my back as I am probably not going to go with an airlayer (maybe) myself.
August
Chumono
@Kievnstavick same goes to you 
this is democracy at work. We're talking and thinking about the contest, which is great!
this is democracy at work. We're talking and thinking about the contest, which is great!
RJG2
Omono
Same. In my mind, I feel like starting an air layer this spring of the same diameter would set you back a few months, not give you a head start.
Gabler
Masterpiece
If you want to keep the rules simple, adding more of them is counterproductive. We already have a trunk caliper limit. Why complicate it by getting hung up on propagation method?
LuZiKui
Shohin
Found my inspiration for the ROR contest (although Oaks aren't allowed)...
I figure get an acorn in a tall anderson band container this year to get some long roots, put it over a rock next year, and by 2026 I'll have something like this right
I figure get an acorn in a tall anderson band container this year to get some long roots, put it over a rock next year, and by 2026 I'll have something like this right
James W.
Chumono
Gert
Mame
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