2024 PBE: Submissions are open

If you’re thinking about submitting to the 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo, now’s the time!

We’re accepting submissions through April 30 so the deadline’s a ways off, but now is a good time to take pictures of any deciduous bonsai you’re thinking of submitting as we’ll need photos of these trees without leaves. Maples, plums, ume, and elms are already leafing out in Northern California so time is limited.

Beautiful bonsai from the 2022 Expo

Here’s what you need to know about submitting to the Expo.

• We’ve expanded the jury this year to include five outstanding jurors: Bjorn Bjorholm, Dave De Groot, Michael Hagedorn, Todd Schlafer, and Expo board member Eric Schrader. These jurors will evaluate all submitted trees and provide their scores to the organizers who will tally the results and notify the submitters. We expect to announce the results in May or June.

• The Expo will feature the same judging categories as last year plus three new categories: XL conifers, XL broadleaf evergreens, and XL deciduous bonsai. The line between the large and extra large categories will be trees with a combined height and width of approximately 64″. Trees smaller than a combined 64″ will be shown on 6′ tables in the large category. Trees larger than a combined 64″ will be displayed on 8′ tables in the extra large category.

• The jury showed a strong preference last time for trees that were wired and/or styled beautifully (they didn’t opt for shaggy trees), and trees that were photographed well (good lighting, clean background). Help your submissions stand out by following these two tips!

If you have questions about your submission, feel free to write the organizers. You can find complete instructions for submitting at the Call for Entries page on the Expo website.

News & Updates

One of the most exciting bonsai events of the year is coming up fast – Bonsai Central in Collinsville, Illinois! The event will feature a great array of vendors, a top notch exhibit, and the strongest lineup of international headliners I’ve seen in years: Bjorn Bjorholm, Young Choe, Marija Hajdic, Andew Robson, Tyler Sherrod, and Mauro Stemberger.

The event is scheduled for May 3-5, 2024, at the Gateway Convention Center near St. Louis. You can register, check out the awesome workshop material, and learn more about the event at bonsai-central.com.