Willow leaf ficus

[melbrackstone]

First lot....my goodness I didn't realise how many I had....I think these are all of the ones I have in bonsai pots #1

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[melbrackstone]

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[MJL]

Fairdinkum MelB, when we caught up at the conference recently, you didn't come across as a show off! But look at you and your ficus fetish!

Now being serious... excellent and thanks for taking the time to post the photos. So many different and exciting styles.

[anthonyW]

Hi Mel, some very good bones here, let me have a play with them and gather some thoughts, if I can say one thing, most are desperately under potted for trees in training if I can be frank....which can cause starving plants to under perform.

Remember if I may say we bring pot size down not up in training.....check my two out again..they have room to move and to hold that moisture and fert

Anthony

[melbrackstone]

Lol, sorry Mark, I have to hide my fetishes....haha

Thanks Anthony, I underpot to try and hold them back, haha! I see what you're saying though, and will definitely consider your thoughts on this!!!

Cheers

[Tambrand]

Mel,

I thought I might pass on a few bits of my experiments.
Our local willow leaf ficus is Ficus priminoides [ found in Vemezuela as well ].

Original problem was how fast it could trunk thicken.

So to slow it down I created a soil that vwas 90 % inorganic to 10 % organic.
In my case it was 5 mm silica based gravel and home made compost.
The gravel is what we use for casting concrete.

The pots used are also 2.5 cm deep.

A branch from side or top at around 1 m will thicken the trunk by 2.5 cm.
See results below.
Laters,
Tambrand


First try around 1989 or so was a pencil thick foumd plant.
Got out of hand and only now doing a retry.

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an example of a branch extension

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As it is today and now being trained for branchlets.

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[melbrackstone]

Thanks for your input Tambrand. I have mostly been using a similar composition of organic and non organic, but it seems they thrive no matter what I do!. (Except for that one tree in the very shallow pot.)

They are rewarding in the way they thicken their trunks, I'll give you that!

I definitely need to rethink my techniques!

[anthonyW]

Here we go Mel, firstly just my thoughts what I have learned over time and learn t from the big guys (experience).
Obviously if your happy with what you have keep going by all means.

Okay thinking that you can keep a fig under 10 inches/Shohin for ever or long time.....well thats first mistake...
Lets enjoy them at many sizes and lets move on when that rootball says enough is enough..yeah, I think so..we can still call them little trees haha

Second mistake....slowing figs down with some concocted pot potions and under size pots...really..wow interesting reading but lol,.

Try this formula healthy tree in healthy pot (fit)..works for me

Of course there is different ways to curtail rapid growth by cutting back as in thicker branches, too many branches/secondaries and so on but never at the expense of horticulture (health).
...For example you might have a nicely placed branch for the integrity/structure of your tree but too vigorous...well we could over come that by simply going back a bit on it and spuring off to a shoot to once again to come forward with it...there are many ways.

Okay bit fun there just purely thoughts..hmmm
Another thing that alot of us do is too many branches, yep they look good naked but when growth comes back we lose our lines or negative space whether if only slight.

I feel most times 1 to 3 branches easily suffices on these size trees and stops clutter and inverse taper and unwanted growth especially around the neck of the tree...see what you think, simple lines makes beauty I think.

So having a bit of fun here Mel with your very nice trunks...

Love the character of the tree and the pot... the middle branch slighly at the back

Can put some more up later if wish you have some fantastic trunks there Mel

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[melbrackstone]

Thanks for your input Anthony, that's great! I can definitely see your vision for this, and will go out and give that one a bit of a prune when it's growing strongly again!

It's only when it's photographed that I tend to be able to "see" the shapes, so with your extra illustration I should be able to give it a good shape. Thanks!

[anthonyW]

And thank you Mel for letting me having a play, I actually learn from your trees and photos too, taking into account flat 2d photos can be deceiving.

The orange part shows a lot going on for small tree especially around that neck again, must watch that...and here just the two branches and trunk, how much you flow the branches (length) is entirely to your eye.

From this side I like very much and again a wonderful trunk using simple lines.

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Would Like to put one more up if you don t mind...cheers Anthony

[melbrackstone]

Thanks again Anthony, yes I've fallen victim to the multiple branches from all very close together syndrome! Will store these images so I can come back to them when it warms up.

Really appreciate your help here!

Go for it with the third one.

[anthonyW]

Thanks Mel.

Same deal in orange, we do not want bulk here.

one branch this time, gee wiz another fantastic trunk-line and so much potential.

If something else is irking you on others just yell out, would be very happy to help ...cheers Anthony

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[melbrackstone]

Thanks again, Anthony. The trunks are clip and grow as GavinG mentioned on another thread....I did some really big cuts in Spring 2017, so at least you know I'm not averse to starting again.

This one definitely needs a repot as well.

Cheers!

Will share the progress as they're done.

[MJL]

Thanks both Mel and Anthony - this is a really informative thread.


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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