All FAQs (Helpie FAQ)

Before March 31st 2024, registrations less than 120 days old can be cancelled and refunded in full using the web site.  Please contact us for help if needed.   Registrations more than 120 days old can be cancelled by contacting the event organizers.  Because of the advanced age of the registration, these cannot be cancelled using the web site.  Credit card and ticket service fees associated with the purchase price cannot be refunded.

After March 31st 2024, cancellations can only be made by contacting the event organizers.  The amount refunded will be calculated to exclude credit card processing and ticket service fees, a $100 service charge, and 50% of the remainder.

No refunds after May 1st 2024.

High quality clear photos taken from multiple angles that help highlight the unique or outstanding attributes of your tree are paramount to a successful entry.  

We are aware that photographs may not depict the entire story of your tree.  If there is an aspect of the cultivation, development, seasonal appearance, or history of the tree that you would like to share, please include this in your email submission. 

The final format for the judging process is still being developed. The 6 guest artists in attendance, along with the board of the Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis, will be involved in the judging process. 

For full consideration, please ensure your submissions are received before January 1, 2024.  We will begin our acceptance process on this date. 

After January 1st, 2024, we will continue to accept submissions until the show is filled. However, there is a greater chance of rejection as we approach the date of the convention.

Beginning in early January 2024, the jurying committee is scheduled to hold bimonthly meetings to review submissions. Entries will be accepted on a rolling basis, similar to college admissions, and submitters will be notified ASAP as to the outcome (accepted, rejected, wait-listed).  

Bonsai Central is being put on by the Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis.  The club board has hand-selected a jurying committee made up of 5 highly qualified (non-board) club-members.  They will be responsible for selecting the trees accepted into the show.

Yes, once your submission is accepted into the show, we will contact you with instructions on how to pay for your entry.  For exhibition trees, the fee is $75.  For kusamono and suisek,  $30.

Prize money of at least $7500 will be awarded to the top displays in several categories, including $2500 for the “Best in Show”.  There will be several other categories of prizes as well.  A full breakdown of the prize pools will be provided once the jurying process is complete.

A tentative list of the award categories include: 

Joshua Roth Best in Show award $2500
Best Pine
Best Juniper
Best Other Conifer
Best Deciduous
Best Kusamono
Best Shohin
Best North American Native

There is no limit to the number of tree you may enter for consideration, and no limit to how many of your trees may be accepted by the jury.