First Ficus

[Starfox]

Hi all,

Today I acquired my first Ficus, it's labelled as a Ficus Retusa and 10 y.o.
Sorry about the pic, I can upload more and better ones tomorrow if needed but on first impressions that is the most aesthetically pleasing angle to me at least.

Anyway as it is winter here I guess there is not a lot to be done just yet but any advice for now or the future would be greatly appreciated. My plan is to bring it in at night as long as it is dropping below 10°c and put back out in the day and other than that just keep an eye on watering and misting the air roots(whole plant really) as needed.
Does that sound about right or is there much else I could be doing?

d.jpg

Thanks for looking.

[Rintar]

You could wire as you see fit.

[Starfox]

That is my thoughts, it will be my first wiring job too.
The more I look at it the more I want to wire it and I have some wire ordered and on the way.

Also want to re-orientate it in the pot too when I re-pot it but not sure if I should do that this year

[shibui]

Hi Starfox. You need to know that it is best to repot ficus in summer. Tropical plants don't like having roots cut when it is cold.

You can start feeding it a little now, especially if you are taking it inside at night. Ficus love fertiliser.

Pruning is also important but it is probably not growing too fast at the moment. Ficus shoots just get longer and longer and do not branch out unless you cut them. Let shoots grow to 3-5 leaves then cut back to 2 or 3 leaves and you will get new buds from each leaf that is left. More buds = better ramification = better bonsai.

[Starfox]

Hi Shibui,
Thanks for the reply and advice.

I do know winter isn't the time to do any repotting and that suits me fine, I like to give the tree some time to acclimatise as it is plus it gives me some time to ponder it over.

I did give it a touch of fertiliser, not much but I'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the pruning tips too, again I'll give it a bit of time and work out just what my approach will be.

[Starfox]

I had almost forgot about this, anyway an update of sorts.

This Ficus is the sole survivor from my first lot of trees. I think mainly because I did very little to it aside from a repot and then pretty much left it alone for the next year.

Anyway this is what it was like last week.



Not a fan of the terracotta pot myself but the tree seems to like it, I will repot it into something nicer next year.

I never really had an idea going forward with this so I defoliated it to take a better look, trimmed it back and put a bit of wire on it.





At the same time I took some cuttings so am hoping they will strike and then maybe when I repot next year I can try and attach a couple to fuse to the trunk and give more root structure and cover up a bit of that mess.

[Andreas]

Nice tree, looking forward to the progression.

[melbrackstone]

It's had a couple of easy years, here's what I'd do to it....

33685187904_.jpg

[Andreas]

Unexpected for sure, thought you where on a good way, well your choice, let see where you go.

[Starfox]

It's had a couple of easy years, here's what I'd do to it....

33685187904_.jpg

It's a snail!

I did consider a big cut back like that and I know it isn't the purtiest of mallsai around, I may even cut it back in a couple of years and say why didn't i do that sooner but as it is my first one I'm going to use it as a practice tree and see how it responds, apply some of the pruning Shibui mentioned and watch and learn.

[Jdceng]

Hi Starfox

I just sent you a PM.

[Tambrand]

Starfox,

don't chop ------------ re-arrange.

Will send an image via Anthony [ Bnut ]
Laters.
Tambrand [K ]

[melbrackstone]

It's a snail!

[Bonsai_creations]

wow that is one major cut back.

[Bonsai_creations]

Hows the tree going mate