AusBonsai

Hi all,

This is an old Willow Leaf Fig that I got in '96. Somehow it has managed to survive till now.

I need to dig up an old photo and scan it from back then, but the first photo is from 2012 in a very sad and sorry state.
I had visions of grandeur and looking back, it would have been a 'Pom Pom on a stick...' and now its a...

I lost the top, bit the bullet and cut it back in 2015, chose a few shoots and this was the result before any further work. Then forgot about it till Nov 2016
A couple of days later, a new front, some wire and a new pot...
Since then I have trimmed it a couple of times, but apart from that, letting it have its head so it can build strength ahead of refining it this spring.
* a couple of days ago

It has responded well so far and I am looking forward to defoliating it in spring to see what is there.

Any thoughts, ideas and comments are welcomed.

Cheers

David

That is a neat tree. Well done. How do you find they take to wire, well?

You've certainly got yourself a much healthier and happier looking tree now, David!

I think the main thing I've learned about Willow Leaf Figs is that they usually have way too much foliage...so I'm constantly cleaning out all the excess leaves and shoots along the branches I plan on keeping. Not sure if I should be, but it certainly makes for easier wiring, and helps me keep an eye on the lines I want to create.

I'm sure you'll work your magic with it.

melbrackstone wrote:You've certainly got yourself a much healthier and happier looking tree now, David!

I think the main thing I've learned about Willow Leaf Figs is that they usually have way too much foliage...so I'm constantly cleaning out all the excess leaves and shoots along the branches I plan on keeping. Not sure if I should be, but it certainly makes for easier wiring, and helps me keep an eye on the lines I want to create.

I'm sure you'll work your magic with it.

I agree on this one. I have two willow leaf figs & keeping the foliage under control seems to be the trick - they shoot new growth so well too.

looks great, just show the trunk off a little more. not much.

Hi all,

Over the last few days I got stuck into this little fig and managed to finish off wiring it up this afternoon.
*before
*defoliated
*wired up

Happy how it sits and will now feed it strongly when it starts to leaf out with the intention of a second defoliation mid to late December, depending on growth.

Thoughts and comments are welcomed.

Cheers

Willow

David
The two I have are defoliated but not by my hand . One -8 this year and 10 or so -5+ did the trick even in a fully sealed hot house . The large willow of mine has got damaged quite bad Sydney obviousally dosent have this issue and it seems you can get away with 2-3 defols a year . Here I get one around mid January . Very nice tree that base is fantastic