The Any Maple, Progressive~Progressive Bonsai Contest

ahh my bad I was viewing those pics on my phone- they look like good candidates!
 
ghues said:
Hey Smoke,
Like others I think the idea is great and will be watching from the sidelines. QUESTION - how will the judge weigh up the fact that some folks have a much longer growing season and thus an advantage in improving the tree? Then there is also the fact that one of the better maples (trident) does not grow well up here (and in other climes) unless one has a greenhouse for winter protection...just curious of the "judging parameters" in this only one year of development contest?:confused:
Cheers Graham
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Progressive~progressive, Read the rules at the beginning of this post, it is all explained. Like I say, some may require ten years to do it. We will continue year to year with the same before tree each year, ofcousre the tree is going to progress also, people will fall away thru attrition, death, sex change, marriage to a grumpy wife you know. If you stick with it anyone can finally show an admirable tree, even if we have to help with that year by year.
 
One thing you guys have to remember is bonsai is a 'have or havenot" deal. Some will have great material available, some will have long growing seasons, some will have money to spend on a tree, and others well not any of those things. You can't hold the organizer responsible for the shortcomings of a nation the size of a third of the earth. The judge will judge on what you start with and what you end with. Trust me he works all over the USA so he knows exactly what is doable for any region when it comes to bonsai. Besides that even I can tell when someone knows what they are doing and when they have no clue about how to develop material, I don't mean that in a derogatory sense, its just a fact. The judge will know, that you can bet on.
 
I won't be able to do it and I am absolutely not begrudging anyone who can. My biggest maple is about 1.5 and no way can I get a better one for a while. However, like BVF said I am totally excited for the "progression threads" it has been one of the best sources of the little skill and education that I possess. Smoke's right it's a have or have not art and I have made peace with it and do the best with what I have. I wish people would not whine all the time. Do it or don't but either way, have fun.
 
Brian Van Fleet said:
Some of the most-appreciated threads here are those that show development of material over the course of years.

I see no offense in encouraging this type of participation. Everyone wins; we see how trees develop (or don't) each year in different climates and under different growing conditions. Those who do it well can get a "nice tree"; literally and actually. Those who just read along can learn plenty from watching on the sidelines.

And if Walter (or anyone else) wants to be the checkbook champion, we get to see a nice tree...it may or not say anything about the owner's ability like a true progression thread does.

My dad has been a pro golfer, and usually he bombs one on the first tee and says something like, "alright boys, you're all playing for second!"
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There's two kinds of golfers one steps in the T box and grips it and rips it. The other guy steps up and first picks up all the slightly cracked tees. One of them is a whiner. Guess which.
 
Smoke said:
There's two kinds of golfers one steps in the T box and grips it and rips it. The other guy steps up and first picks up all the slightly cracked tees. One of them is a whiner. Guess which.
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The one who jerked it into the trees.
 
The one who gets the bill from the country club for pulling the cart out of the hazard.
 
coh said:
They're golfers...they're both whiners.
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I looked for a "love button" or a "can't agree more button".....

I love the golf course....









at night with a fishing pole!

Shhhhorce

Tiger or Happy?
 
Smoke said:
The one who gets the bill from the country club for pulling the cart out of the hazard.
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True story. My step mom dumped one into a stream along the 9th hole. Not sure how they got it out, but I'm pretty sure The Pro got the bill!
 
Brian Van Fleet said:
True story. My step mom dumped one into a stream along the 9th hole. Not sure how they got it out, but I'm pretty sure The Pro got the bill!
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The guy on the right was a little brother of one of my best friends when I was a kid. He ended up working for the company. The guy on the far left, another best friend at work hung himself two years ago. What a way to go. I got so drunk on tequila at this tournament those two told me I played the last two holes with no shoes on. They were tied dragging behind the cart like just married tin cans. We didn't even turn our cart in at the end of the tournament, they had to go find it and bring it back. I called my wife to come get me, I couldn't think about driving. Still went to the banquet that night and had greasy taco's and danced till 12....2007, the good ole days.
DSC_00200001.JPG
 
On topic - If those are average West Coast prices for Maples the fall within the range required the North East should have a lot less expensive stock available if the point of purchase bothers to stock them at all. Might even suggest that West coast peeps look into that with Distributors and Friends in the North East. The more the merrier and I am pretty certain a lot more will participate if they can get in for well under 75USD. The whole idea is very good and would encourage many to develop good methods/practices on their Journey.

Grimmy
 
::steps into the tee box::

I picked this old stag up for 12 dollars along with 2 others that I'll be air layering some 2-3" suckers from. It is an ugly beast but I'm in for a ten year contest :)
 

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vaibatron said:
::steps into the tee box::

I picked this old stag up for 12 dollars along with 2 others that I'll be air layering some 2-3" suckers from. It is an ugly beast but I'm in for a ten year contest :)
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Wow! What kind of maple?
 
Cinderella meets Medusa!
 
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