AusBonsai

Hi Guys
Here is a fig I picked up this year,put at 40 years old.

Time to revamp it with de-leaf,root work and style...this figs roots had not been touched for years with a tangled mess of big un-usable roots with fine hairs attached,very,very poor underneath so i would flat bottom alot of it and remove a couple of the looping surface roots for now and will address the the remaining looping roots later as I need what is attached underneath basically to keep the fig going.

As you can see from the first pics the previous owner was going for more height,after a good study of it,I would go his way but would compress and tilt forward to viewer so all good there.

Now for a new front as I seen this to suit my eye and branching stacking up to my thinking so all good there,with 90 degree turn.

The new low profile pot was to used but didn't fit...bugger, so alternate pot used, not ideal but a slight improvement.

Cheers Anthony
Old front
New front

Nice work and looking better already

Ken

Cheers Ken appreciate the feed back.
Anthony

Update of progress
Six weeks after defoliation the tree has come back strong.
As it is today,the tree has/is growing at a furious pace with its new/fresh medium and two feeds a week.

The next steps in the seasons ahead is to tidy and refine the ramification in the pads and with subtle lines between the branches

The trunk is powerful so the youthful conical structure at the top is slowly being rounded as we speak to show more muscular in fitting with bottom.

Five curling surface roots now have been removed with the right hand side to be addressed with some ground layers for visual and flair(hence the flooding of pot for in readiness)

cheers

What a transformation! You're making a huge difference to that fig's life!

Thanks Mel,yes this guy and his mates are keeping me on my toes

Hopefully if the weather is kind next season we just might see it in the right pot.

cheers Anthony

Little clip to put back in silhouette and severed three ground layer shoots for now, unfortunately my dodgy phone camera 2d image shot doesn't quite define the padding as in the flesh never mind but overall very pleased with the progress!...cheers

Great progression, thanks for the update. This should be a lesson to all of us to to keep records and to persevere.

Cheers Watto

PS.. I m enjoying your blog site btw...great work there mate

cheers Anthony

Little update with it coming back strong from its defoliation and some wiring and the leaf getting to a nice size.

And a Aussie pot coming ....cheers

Not for you MJL, trunk way too fat for you mate

Wow, impressive foliage density Anthony!!! Beaut job.

Thanks Mel, appreciate the feed back.

cheers Anthony

anthonyW wrote:Little update with it coming back strong from its defoliation and some wiring and the leaf getting to a nice size.

And a Aussie pot coming ....cheers

Not for you MJL, trunk way too fat for you mate

Hi AnthonyW,
Ha! Fair call ... but I am learning that different species have different design norms and perhaps because I have seen so many ‘Jabba the Hutt’ type ficus that I am used to them. Perhaps also because of your skills you have struck a pleasing balance.

In truth, I seem to be drawn to ficus with a really broad canopy, aerial roots dropping down but this is only because it’s what I am drawn when I am lucky enough to be on holiday in warmer climes ... I really don’t know much about the species.

For what it’s worth, my amateur eyes reckon this tree is miles ahead in your care. Looks good.



Bonsai teaches me patience.
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Nice fig! very dense foilage looking good

All good Mark only playing mate, always find your comments interesting and appreciative..cheers.

Cheers Jake.. the ramification is very tight and strong which sets me up for heavy set pads, of course ultimate health with technique and consistent feeding is a must to achieve this, nothing new there,...but talking to many and looking, they all under feed, cannot stipulate enough, you must be consistent, figs are ferocious eaters, just thinking out aloud for some Jake. might help...thanks for your comments

cheers Anthony