Page 41 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q4

Clearly, there is always the subjective element that
could have impact on your decision making. You
look at one particular tree that immediately evokes
the thought “I really like that, it’s superb, it has got
to be the best!” But then you have to ask why? What
has given us the impression that one bonsai (or even
a handful of bonsai) stand out above all the others?
In the end there is very little likelihood that when
the judging decisions have been made and awards
have been presented, that there will be a 100% con-
sensus that the decisions were the right ones. Every-
one has their own perception of what is good or not
so good. But as long as our judgements are based on
We have here 3 trees, a Crataegus, an a comprehensive knowledge and appreciation of the
Ulmus parvifolia and a Juniperus chi- factors that constitute the criteria of assessing bonsai,
nensis that I dismissed on my first stage of you can justify your decision and allow for people’s
selection. differences of opinion.
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, our hobby is
Apart a lack of a complete lack of styling an art form and not an exact science; hence opinion
to the branches, the Crataegus was will always be an important part of decision making
dismissed immediately on the condition and judgement. Would we truly want it any other way?
of presentation; algae on both trunk and Can you imagine a world where every bonsai was an
pot, heavy overgrowth of moss, possibly exact replica of another and there was no scope for
trying to mask the extraordinary over- artistry and personal flair? Preferably not!
hanging root. Take it home, do a lot of
work and you could have a nice tree.
The Ulmus is far too immature for show-
ing. The branch structure has yet to develop, the branches all starting from the same
point are all of equal thickness and choices need to be made on how many you
require. A nice pot, a healthy tree but it needs time and development
Oh dear, what happened to the apex on the Chinese
juniper? You refined all the lower branches quite
successfully but did you get tired before you reached the
top. Take it home and thin out and shape the apex and
then we will look again.
The adjacent images are of the same Juniperus chinen-
sis. Left; Initially, the tree was rejected for award winning
at exhibition as the foliage mass needed to be opened
more and refined.
Right; A few years later, the whole image was clearer, the
foliage pads were better defined and tidier resulting in
an award for its quality.

Pinus pentaphylla: Height - 58 cms.
Left; A superb example of a semi-cascade style with a well
developed trunk, neatly positioned branches and well
developed foliage pads. Good healthy color of the needles.
The whole image is of a tree, groomed and superbly styled,
complimented by a rugged pot which reflects the contours
of the tree. Needless to say, this specimen was one of the top
award winning trees in a recent British bonsai exhibition.

October/November/December 2014 | BCI | 39