Shohin Port Jackson Fig

[PeterW]

This one was purchased in July 2007, i didnt take any pictures of it initially. The earliest picture is March 2008. It was $10 nursery material in a 3 or 4 inch pot. After getting it out of the nursery mix and into some better soil, i cut it back to a trunk (or at least back to the two heavy branches). Its not compliying with the guidelines at all and will never be a good quality bonsai but i still like it. It reminds me of the big figs in North Queensland. I am leaving it in this pot for now but next year i am going to take it out of there and pot it in a screen sided pot for 12 months or so and work on the nabari (or lack of it). It has been defoliated twice this year and is just comming back into leaf now. The tree is 22cm high and 24cm wide. This species is in my opinion,is one of the best for Bonsai out of the ficus family. It is a vigourous grower, the leaf size will reduce to a perfect size, they are very hardy and easy to maintain. Every branch on this tree has been grown in about 12 months, it needs to fill out more yet but i will revisit that after it has come out of the colander. As always, your comments/thoughts are appreciated.
Regards
Peter

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Peter,

This is a lovely species, my favourite ficus species too. My dad keeps
many types. I keep only this one.

I love what you have done with the branches. I think they look very balanced,
and in harmony with the movement of the main body.

For me, I prefer the first pot. I personally think that Port Jackson Fig is
a masculine species, so I prefer strong "pots" for them. But this is just my
opinion.

I think in the last picture, the leaves get sun burnt a little? During
Victorian summer, for my small figs, I dump them into a water container.

I have posted three:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=132
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=122
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=187

Regards,

Viet.

[Jon Chown]

Hi Peter, It sure looks good in profile, but double apices always seem to present a problem for me. Have you considered reducing the height of the RH trunk down to the first branch and promoting more branches on the RH side of the remaining trunk?

Just a suggestion mate.

Jon

[stymie]

I have always been advised to avoid the catapult or sling-shot look but this tree has a definate presence.
Figs are of a genus which is popular on both sides of the world. I have F. benjamina and F. retusa in my collection. =Don

[PeterW]

Hi Peter, It sure looks good in profile, but double apices always seem to present a problem for me. Have you considered reducing the height of the RH trunk down to the first branch and promoting more branches on the RH side of the remaining trunk?

Just a suggestion mate.

Jon

Yes, they are difficult to make a tree out of thats for sure! I have a Trident Maple with the same issue. I hadnt really considered much else for this tree other then what you see, but will have another look in 1 or 2 years and probably do a restyle then.
Which image are you refering to, to reduce the right hand trunk, i just realized that two of the images are taken from the front and one is from the back. I should have noted that on the pics Point out the branch and i will try to do a vertual on it. Thanks for the comments all.
Regards
Peter

[Jon Chown]

Yes, I noticed that after I had posted, but was too lazy to go back and edit.

The middle photo is the one I was referring to.

Jon

[PeterW]

Yes Jon that may be an option. Essentially it would only take the heavy look away from it. Most of those two trunks/branches i will be able to hide with more foliage.
I will post another pic in a month or two when it fills out a bit more.
Regards,
Peter.

[Jon Chown]

Peter, This is what I had in mind - please excuse the poor paint job. It will end up with the same result.

Peters Fig.jpg

Jon

[Marc]

Nice mod Jon, I think I agree.

[PeterW]

Thanks for your vert Jon. That may be an option down the track a bit.
Peter

[anttal63]

nice one peter i really like this tree as it is, great work!

[PeterW]

Peter, This is what I had in mind - please excuse the poor paint job. It will end up with the same result.

Peters Fig.jpg

Jon

Even take out the left side, there is some nice movement when rotated about 60 degrees clockwise. What do you think?

[Jon Chown]

Losing so much of the tree is a big call. It works, but I don't think it is the way to go.

Jon

[aaron_tas]

another option...

give the front a bit of a tilt and give the curve of the trunk to the first branch,
keeping the overall foiage mass as much as possible, but taking a little of the straight up growth from the branch.
i've taken the liberty of repositioning the tree in the pot a little too

theportjfigedited.jpg

[PeterW]

Thanks for your time and comments on this tree everybody. I think next repot i will put it into a colander and work on the roots and after that i will focus on the restyling.
Regards
Peter