Watering at bonsai shows?

[Ply]

Silly questions perhaps, but how are bonsai watered at exhibitions? Especially those lasting multiple days and with a formal display setup?

 

[Sansokuu]

I see people use little tank sprayers that they pump and spray. That way they can control where the water spray goes and the volume (not enough to come pouring out the bottom). it helps refresh the moss too.

 

[jradics]

Silly questions perhaps, but how are bonsai watered at exhibitions? Especially those lasting multiple days and with a formal display setup?

At nursery shows I have set up and attended, we would put a handfull of ice in each container once a day. But, these were just nursery plants not crazy expensive and rare works of art that have taken years and decades to develop

 

[TomB]

For multiday shows I (and most people I know) take the trees off the stands, put them on a waterproof surface (e.g. plastic bag), and water carefully with a pressurised sprayer.

 

[Perplexody]

My clubs open house show every year just waters them like normal, right on the display tables. No real need for us to stress the trees just so they aren't wet during the show, a little water won't hurt the spectators

 

[Nybonsai12]

They pull the fire alarm at night so everything gets sprinkled.

 

[Paradox]

All the shows I have been to, I've seen people use small tank sprayers like the ones used for applying insecticides.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I had a beautiful old carved Chinese stand, at least 50 years old, maybe much older, have its finish destroyed by a show chairperson who watered trees without removing the trees from the stands. The stand was worth roughly $500 when I bought it in the 1990's. The worst part is the tree did not need water that day, it would have been fine all weekend.

One MUST remove the tree from the stand when you water the tree. Water the tree, allow it to drain, then dry the bottom of the pot with a towel, return the tree to the stand.

You can NOT assume the finish on a stand is waterproof. Please, if you are ever involved in a bonsai show, do not assume all the stands are water proof. Remove the tree, water it, dry the pot with a towel, replace the tree.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I keep my Chinese elms outside year round and place them on the ground once freezing temps hit.

 

[Perplexody]

I had a beautiful old carved Chinese stand, at least 50 years old, maybe much older, have its finish destroyed by a show chairperson who watered trees without removing the trees from the stands. The stand was worth roughly $500 when I bought it in the 1990's. The worst part is the tree did not need water that day, it would have been fine all weekend.

One MUST remove the tree from the stand when you water the tree. Water the tree, allow it to drain, then dry the bottom of the pot with a towel, return the tree to the stand.

You can NOT assume the finish on a stand is waterproof. Please, if you are ever involved in a bonsai show, do not assume all the stands are water proof. Remove the tree, water it, dry the pot with a towel, replace the tree.

I, of course would never water someone else's tree on display unless I asked permission and took all precautions not to damage anything. Our small show usually doesn't have many nice stands much more of a focus on the trees and getting the public involved and asking questions

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I'm midway between Chicago and Milwaukee and belong to both societies, though I usually just attend the Milwaukee meetings. Both these clubs will have larger shows with more than 100 trees on display. The Chicago show can have over 300 trees on display. They have "designated watering staff" because due to crowds it is not practical to allow individual tree owners to bang around trying to water their trees as hoards of people shuffle through. So one just has to relax and deal with the fact that you might have no control over who waters your tree. I have taken to using only more modern stands with more water proof finishes. I also try to help out with the show and remind members of the watering crew to do the " remove the tree, water, drain, dry off the pot, return to the display" routine.