Tom Duong’s juniper (prostrata?) was a very close second in our Bonsai from Scratch contest.
Second place prize
Congratulations to Tom Duong, our Bonsai from Scratch contest second place winner. Tom’s juniper gave Aaron Klalid’s juniper a real run. Tom’s second place prize is a $250 gift certificate from Stone Lantern.
Judges comments
“Strong entrant. Using a branch to cover the abrupt bend on the main trunk is a good choice. Nicely wired crown.” “Great performance; some of the larger foliage masses lack clarity and definition, such as the large low branch to the left, and the smaller trunk is one single dome – try to make these areas modular.” “It is really well wired, looks like a long term project.” “Good choice of stock to start with and a well-thought out result.”
My comments
Several things stand out about Tom’s bonsai. First, his choice of stock was excellent. Good stock is half the battle. Second, Tom’s skill in shaping with wire is undeniable. I am particularly impressed with the crown, where this skill (and a high degree of patience with a somewhat tedious job) shines through. I also like the way the movement of the two trunks flows together (particularly the crowns). It’s unfortunate we can’t see the tree in a bonsai pot, though not potting it may have been the right choice (health-wise) on Tom’s part. We’ll just have to use our imaginations (mine shows an unglazed light-grey medium-depth oval). It’s also unfortunate that more care wasn’t put into the photos.
Stay posted for the rest of the prizes
Please accept my apologies. I know I promised we’d post the rest of the winners today, but in order to do them justice, we need just a little more time. Thanks for you patience and understanding.
The back. Interesting how the flow of the tree seems to change some when viewed from this side (aside from the obvious point that it is a reverse view). It would have been a better shot with less background noise (clutter). I wonder if the quality of the photos was the difference between first and second place.
Before. There’s a bonsai in here somewhere.
I would love to see these in a year follow up article to see how they are doing. This styling was some severe cutting and for me, keeping them alive is more important than a finished demo tree. Tthat said, WOW! nice job.
Wow, what a transformation! Zack has a good point though. The winning tree – will it survive. When I started with bonsai about ten years ago, nearly every tree I plopped into a bonsai pot without proper time for adjustment have died within one or two growing seasons. This second place one I think will more likely survive because it did not have root and branch work done simultaneously. Branch work and wiring in my personal experience seems to be the most benign combination.
I prefer this tree to the winner. This tree is going to be a stunner. I agree, too, that it was a good decision not to pot it now. Creating a bonsai is not the two hour ‘magic trick’ it used to be 20 years ago.
Congratulations Tom! Looks like your move from Knoxville to California to improve your bonsai skills has paid off big time. Very impressive results, especially considering the before picture. Even more important is the knowledge you’ve gained to give the tree time to recuperate after styling before potting. As the old TV advertisement goes, smart, very smart.
Hi Zack, Owen, Ann
Junipers are notoriously tough, so I’m not too worried about Aaron’s tree. The biggest danger could be if it’s too cold too soon after potting. Maybe we can prevail upon him to send another photo in the spring.
Hi Ann,
I know what you mean. If it were just the tree, then Tom would have won. But the judges scored two separate categories, the first being the finished tree and the second being the improvement from stock to finished. Tom’s score was slightly higher in the first and just enough lower in the second for Aaron to win by the narrowest of margins.
(btw; the judges saw more photos than you see to better inform their decisions).
Congratulation Tom.
Hello everyone!
First, thanks for all your comments! Second, I would like to say that this tree wasn’t bought for the contest but it was bought because it represented father and son, teacher and student. The main tree, who lean away at first and then comes back to show the smaller tree the way. It reminds me of my father, Don and as well as my sensi, David Nguy. Who both can agree I’m stubborn and hard head most of the time but I always go back to the right path. This was the emotions I tried to reflect in this composition. It just happen that I got this tree in time for the contest. So I didn’t repot it because I wanted to be extra careful with this one, even though, like what Wayne said it’s a tough grower, especially here in So. Cal! Third, getting placed in this contest was just the cherry on top! I’m just honored to be part of this contest win or no win…
Mr. T. Bjorholm,
HOWDY stranger!?! I’m thinking about moving back to Knoxville soon but nothing in stone yet. I can’t wait to show you guys back at home what I learn here! I still have yet to meet your son Bjorn in person and talk to him about going to Japan to study bonsai seriously…
Tom
GREAT JOB.
Tom
Proud of you man. Great job.
congrats to all winners…..
I’d have liked it more without the first branch on the left. Look carefully and you’ll see that if you remove it the rest of the pieces match.
Whether I’d choose this one rather than the other as 1st prize: Maybe this one because even though there are two so-called categories in which they were judged, this one shows what can be done with in one session.
A very nice design. Congratulations.
HI again Pieter,
Agreed. A very nice design. I think with a better photo it could have won. Taking nothing away from Aaron’s tree, of course.