Hi all, just a few lines to catch you up on the weekend show at Exmouth and how the Society exhibit went down.
After a delayed start due to Exmouth Pavilion’s mix up and not having the show logged down on their events calendar we eventually were allowed entry into the hall. But this delay meant we all had to hurriedly erect our displays before the public turned up, but due to the expertise of the two Alans and Roy it was quickly built just in time.
The selections of table coverings were nicely coordinated and the choice of trees made a quality exhibit. We had a good mix of tree species, styles and sizes placed on some artistic plinths/tables to show them off to their best. We finished the exhibit off with the simple white on black labels which blended nicely into the table covering without distracting from the beauty of the trees and accents.
The show was busy particularly up to 1pm and lots of favourable comments were made about our display. Overall the balance was about right, enough trees to keep the public happy and promote conversation but space enough to present them at their best.
I remember having a great conversation with Jon as he was worried his large slanting larch would not be accented by the bonsai enthusiasts as it was a little against convention and broke the typical rules. But after I reassured him that “Bonsai Styles” and the conventional rules are being challenged and boundaries pushed year by year he shouldn’t worry too much, but I did offer some advice on pot choice and branch placement suggestions to him. As we met each other around the show and discussed pot choices and other trees, it began obvious that Jon likes to think of styles and pot choices a little out the box so to speak, so maybe he will be a new trend setter for the future and there’s nothing wrong in that. Once upon time the Japanese masters thought Kimura was mad to do such heavy Shari trunk carving, now it’s the norm and we see it on most Junipers that are exhibited.
At 2pm Roy and Chis Thompson tackled a tall hybrid (Dunkeld) larch which at first didn’t look like a great option and didn’t have much promise but they eventually unravelled it and wire shaped it into a “mother and daughter” style twin trunked tree with good potential. Chris explained the thought process and techniques used along the way and Roy was busy wiring and trimming. This tree was already purchased and was destined to be added to a Japanese garden in Bristol I believe.
The quality of the South west trees improve year on year and also injected with odd or quirky ideas so always a pleasure to visit Exmouth.
There wasn’t any critique or judging this year but I’m sure we would have done well if there was. So thanks to all that helped out on the day and offered trees to exhibit it was a great show.