Page 37 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q4

Judging Bonsai

The Criteria

By Kath and Malcolm Hughes, UK
Photos by Malcolm Hughes
Part Three.
Part One was published in Q2, 2014 and Part Two was published in Q3, 2014;

ur challenge now is to try and produce guidelines that will be accepted and used by most (I
would not dare to suggest all). If we can provide a universal set of criteria/guidelines and the
means of using them at ground level i.e. at Clubs and local Shows, and if it is seen to work and be
treated with respect, then hopefully we can move on to getting the method accepted at National
Oor International level.
When we are judging bonsai, we first must scru-
These images show trees exhibited at European exhibitions; some attained tinise all the trees; we then can make a choice as to
awards, some did not. The comments accompanying each tree reflect which ones will receive an award. It can seemingly be
strengths and weaknesses of each indicating how the decision -making pro- so easy to shortlist a number that stand out above the
cess came about. remainder. Or should I say we can disregard some as
not being up to the standard required for awards. If
you cannot select to this point, then you should not
have been asked to judge at a show. If however you
envisage this as a training exercise then what do you
look for?
Weeds, dirty pots, unsuitable pots, shaggy and over-
grown foliage, dead and damaged leaves, discolored
and dead needles, jin and shari that have gone green,
pests or pest damage, bad and crossing wiring, poor
shape, lack of nebari, general ill health and bad color,
inverted taper, poor branch positioning (including T
branches), heavy branches at the top, lack of apex or
too many apexes; there are so many factors by which
you can reject trees and this is what you must do be-
fore stating to select the good or even excellent.
Having rejected all trees totally unsuitable for show-
ing, and let’s hope that are not too many in this cat-
egory, you can move on to the positive judging for the
best. In some instances, the decision can be a rela-
tively straightforward exercise, however at the end of
the day, a decision must be reached, a decision where
certain trees attain the status of being among the most
impressive of all those on display. Their owners can be
justifiably proud; conversely, those whose trees did not
qualify for judgement beyond initial rejection may be
left disappointed yet asking the question, what’s wrong
Larix decidua: Height (max) - 61 cms. with my tree?
This larch group was considered to have potential in the long term. However, there This can be difficult to accept, these owners have
is no primary tree and no obvious apex—there is too great a uniformity in terms of put so much effort into getting their trees to what they
height. Also no dominant tree; a small sapling has been planted at the front of the considered a high standard, worthy of their bonsai be-
group rather than toward the back giving no clear impression of depth. ing exhibited. Perhaps a little basic training by the club
The surface dressing was poor, with a covering of fine dead foliage together with is required for members before they even consider ex-
patchy clumps of moss. Pot is OK, Health good, no sign of disease, has potential, hibiting, even at beginner level. Have you ever ques-
needs time and refinement. tioned why many beginners consider entering starter

October/November/December 2014 | BCI | 35