Alabama Bonsai Society 50th Anniversary Best of Show

This year, I was tasked with arranging the displays and judging the show. It was a tremendous honor to be asked, since Kathy Shaner had been the show’s judge for quite a few years up through last year.

I had the pleasure of working with Kathy as she set up the displays, and walked with her as she judged the show for many years. It was quality one-on-one time with the Master as she talked her way through the otherwise vacant exhibition, listening to her thought process for selecting and eliminating trees in a myriad of categories, compounded by several experience levels for each category. She was constantly adjusting, swapping accents, straightening the felts, and getting everything just-so…right up to the opening, each year.

This year was different. She was missed and I tried to work as if she was just around the corner ready to adjust whatever I had just done. In all, the show looked good because we had quality trees and a lot of people working hard and with pride to put together a great show.

While the big trees grab attention and have important presence in a large auditorium, I felt it was equally important to look to the quality and even the degree of difficulty involved in everything leading up to the moment the tree is placed on its stand.

This year’s Best In Show award went to a fairly unassuming Chinese Quince. At around 20” tall, and in maybe a 14” wide pot, it wasn’t the largest tree, and surprisingly it was one of 3 Chinese Quince bonsai in this year’s show.

Why did it win? Because it represented near-flawless execution of everything that is hard about bonsai. What does that mean?

Impressive nebari spreading across the width of the pot. This takes years to develop.

Properly-sized pot for an exhibition, and frankly, under potted for ease of daily care. Meaning this tree requires regular attention, especially in fruit. Based on the shape and character of the glaze, I would guess it to be an Ikkou pot.

The trunks showed good age, and taper all the way to the top. This is also something that takes time to develop.

Ramification was good for the species.

The tree was in fruit, appropriately representing the season. It also represents age and good care.

All leaves were perfect, and this species is prone to every pest and disease out there. To get to this point in the year and still have perfect leaves is hard to do, especially as early as these trees begin to grow.

Fruiting trees are often shown with a lighter wood stand, as this was. This is a subtle detail that was not overlooked.

The accent was appropriately contrasting in textures and colors, and also depicts the season.

Any criticisms? Yes.

Pot color is selected to compliment the spring flowers, fall foliage and yellow fruits. It is a bit monochromatic for this season.

It would have been good to trim away just enough foliage to offer the observer a view into the tree. It would also expose the nebari, highlight the trunk and reveal structure.

Accent was slightly tall, and it’s ji-ita board felt too large and formal.

The display with awards and tags,

Close up shot showing the beautiful pot and incredible nebari spreading across the front.

An attempt to peek into the canopy. If a few of the front branches were trimmed back, it would offer an impressive view of the structure

Clean view, as set up

Close-up of the accent planting, the tallest is a type of pitcher plant.