The 2025/26 Raft 5 Year Contest

[doc spring _work]

I suggest leaving the comp as it is. This is an international forum nowadays so someone is always going to have less time. Eg Im in Australia.

Ive got a zelkova airlayer i think ill use as my entry. Still on the tree developing roots.

In this note I do also have to say some places in the world have much smaller growing seasons all together.... I don't think it's a serious competition, simply a great way to engage with our community and to receive critique some of us (me) desperately needs.

Also... I really just wanna have an excuse for another tree popping up in my yard

(Edit to include some frost free comparisons)

In my area I have around 5 months to grow (mid-may to October)

While the very common Louisianan will have anywhere from January to March or March to December roughly,

Disadvantages are natural and working hard in spite of them shows courage, resilience and best of all immense pride in doing your damnedest to ignore nature

 

[KateM]

Please do not sign up for this contest at this time.

 

[KateM]

Dear all,
In my enthusiasm to start a raft context I highjacked another memebr’s idea.
Though it was done with no ill intent, I admit, it is inappropriate.
I would like to terminate this contest.
I am very sorry for the inconvenience I caused.
Thanks, Kate.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

As requested, I have deleted the contest forum, and returned this thread to the general "contests" area. You can discuss here further, and if you would like me to create a new contest forum I can do so.

 

[KateM]

As requested, I have deleted the contest forum, and returned this thread to the general "contests" area. You can discuss here further, and if you would like me to create a new contest forum I can do so.

Thank you.

 

[Carol 83]

In retrospect, I think my actions were tactless and disrespectful, though it was not my intention.

No one thinks that you were tactless or disrespectful, or that you intended to be so. You were just being enthusiastic.

 

[KateM]

No one thinks that you were tactless or disrespectful, or that you intended to be so. You were just being enthusiastic.

Thank you so much.

 

[Dav4]

Frankly, I think it's a shame that the raft contest, which many members here were excited to enter, was scrapped over minor miscommunication and over-enthusiasm? I hope I'm not the only one who feels that way. With that being said, life is too short, and I'm planning on moving forward with creating a cool (hopefully) raft bonsai with my crab-apple that I previously entered in the now shelved contest. The next month is quite busy for me but, in a few weeks, I'm planning on starting a progression thread documenting my effort. I hope others do the same.

 

[Ozz80]

Frankly, I think it's a shame that the raft contest, which many members here were excited to enter, was scrapped over minor miscommunication and over-enthusiasm? I hope I'm not the only one who feels that way. With that being said, life is too short, and I'm planning on moving forward with creating a cool (hopefully) raft bonsai with my crab-apple that I previously entered in the now shelved contest. The next month is quite busy for me but, in a few weeks, I'm planning on starting a progression thread documenting my effort. I hope others do the same.

Well said. UnintentionaI mistake, apology declared, we should move on. I was planning to search nurseries this weekend for possible candidates and I will do it, whether there will be a contest or not

 

[Jrmcmich]

I was Looking forward to try and find a possible candidate as well

 

[Hartinez]

Frankly, I think it's a shame that the raft contest, which many members here were excited to enter, was scrapped over minor miscommunication and over-enthusiasm? I hope I'm not the only one who feels that way. With that being said, life is too short, and I'm planning on moving forward with creating a cool (hopefully) raft bonsai with my crab-apple that I previously entered in the now shelved contest. The next month is quite busy for me but, in a few weeks, I'm planning on starting a progression thread documenting my effort. I hope others do the same.

 

[Wulfskaar]

@KateM Pure class. I hope you start another one at some point soon.

 

[KateM]

Thank you everybody for your support in my recovery from this blunder.
Sometimes internet interactions are much more perirous as without personal interaction you can come off as somebody you are not - I mean a big jerk.
I am going to continue with my juniper to make it into a raft, too.

 

[Adamski77]

Frankly, I think it's a shame that the raft contest, which many members here were excited to enter, was scrapped over minor miscommunication and over-enthusiasm? I hope I'm not the only one who feels that way. With that being said, life is too short, and I'm planning on moving forward with creating a cool (hopefully) raft bonsai with my crab-apple that I previously entered in the now shelved contest. The next month is quite busy for me but, in a few weeks, I'm planning on starting a progression thread documenting my effort. I hope others do the same.

Very well said… miscommunication… that’s all and it happens in life. I got excited too… can we somehow restore the idea before it dies off? I have some material that is purely laughable but I think I also have an idea how to go about it…

 

[Hartinez]

Thank you everybody for your support in my recovery from this blunder.
Sometimes internet interactions are much more perirous as without personal interaction you can come off as somebody you are not - I mean a big jerk.
I am going to continue with my juniper to make it into a raft, too.

I think you need to give yourself some grace here. I would hardly call what you did, being a mean jerk, or excessively out of line. An honest mistake and should only require one apology. At this point also with all the radio silence otherwise, you should just start the darn thread and contest.

 

[KateM]

I think you need to give yourself some grace here. I would hardly call what you did, being a mean jerk, or excessively out of line. An honest mistake and should only require one apology. At this point also with all the radio silence otherwise, you should just start the darn thread and contest.

I lost my nerve

 

[Hartinez]

I lost my nerve

Nah. Your fine. Such a simple, very understandable and honest “mistake” (though I don’t even wanna call that)

 

[littletreefarmer]

If everyone is in agreement that the contest should be valid with the proposed timeline and rules, does it really matter who's name is attached to the original post? Are we that concerned for internet popularity points that we're going to go through all of this to get them? Is the purpose to start more communal contests or to elevate our own egos here? And all the hurt feelings in the meantime.. Isn't this supposed to be fun?

Kate, I think you should just go ahead with it.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

This whole situation seems to be much ado about nothing. The idea of a raft contest has a lot of support. I haven't been haunting these halls very long, but I certainly haven't seen this much excitement about a contest in my time here. I'm not familiar with the how to moderate a contest, but with the momentum this had, it would be a real shame to see it just die. I'll be attempting to create my own raft style, since I was just starting to research it when the discussion for a 2026 contest popped up. Raft was suggested before I could mention it, so even without a competition, I'll be giving it a go.
It would be a travesty for something so trivial to cause any kind of division among members

 

[Ozz80]

If everyone is in agreement that the contest should be valid with the proposed timeline and rules, does it really matter who's name is attached to the original post? Are we that concerned for internet popularity points that we're going to go through all of this to get them? Is the purpose to start more communal contests or to elevate our own egos here? And all the hurt feelings in the meantime.. Isn't this supposed to be fun?

Kate, I think you should just go ahead with it.

I don't think that OP is looking for or in need of popularity points or is trying to elevate his ego here. Actually there is no argument that @leatherback has contributed quite a lot not only to this forum but to all bonsai community. I was watching his videos before I was involved actively on this forum and his videos might be the reason that I happened to cling on this hobby after many failed attempts. His objection to this event is not unvalidated and I believe that we have to respect it. He also has the right to accept the apology or not. But meanwhile, I also believe that @KateM has no intention to hijack the work of other people and that was only an honest mistake.

The problem with online forums or social media or anything going on the internet is, there is no humanly connection and as a result small things get elevated easily. Again I suggest we move on and get over it.