AusBonsai

• Species name: Ficus nerifolia
• Current height: 290mm
• Origin: Cutting taken from a rubbish tree
• Cost: Original tree was about $10. Cutting was free.
This one and my other Nerifolia were both taken as cuttings last September. It was cut off at the widest part of the tree as can be seen in the first picture.
Although the trunk is pretty straight I'll hopefully still create something pleasing.

Regards,
Steven

Off with its head...

This one wasn't repotted when my other nerifolia was done and has grown a bit through winter

This one has also been growing but again, no work to show

G'day,

I selected branches, wired and shaped this one yesterday and because the pot was really swelling from the root growth so I slip potted it into this larger orchid pot.

It's looking a bit boring and pine tree like but hopefully I'll be able to correct this over the remaining time of the competition.
Regards,
Steven

Fantastic transformation Steven.

G'day,

The foliage is filling in thanks to the rapid growth of these Willow Leaf ficus. I've been tip pinching regularly which has caused the secondary and tertiary branches to really take off.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the root spread of this when I repot it.

The twigs are really growing well on the branches and the base is swelling nicely. I wish I had this in a wider, shallow pot to really let the base grow.
At the rate that it is ramifying, I think it might present well defoliated for the final pictures. Time will tell.
Regards,
Steven

excellent development over the time frame of the comp

Ken

G'day,

Even though I really like natives, I'm developing a soft spot for nerifolia. Easy to work with, bullet proof, develop great bases and good sized foliage.
I was waiting for the warmer weather before repotting this guy and didn't get around to it until last night. I've had this marble dish for about 10 years without ever planting in it so I guess it was time. The rocks were found by the Turon River and the moss was collected under the cover of darkness last night from a commercial building where I had been keeping me eye on it.
I'm really surprised that the exposed wood hasn't rotted and has remained so firm. I actually got the Dremel onto it last week and carved it a bit.
Future development will be on the foliage pads and secondary branching. I'd love to have really tight ramification like you see on some of the tropicals displayed defoliated in Indonesia, Taiwan etc.

Height: 245mm
Pot: Marble tray - China

This one is currently 250mm tall. I'll be working on making the canopy rounder over the next 18 months. Not sure if I'll change it to a bonsai pot or leave it in the tray.

Wow that's filled out heaps, lovely tiny leaves!

Vote #1 for it getting its own pot

Lovely progression. Love the way you have transformed that stomp into this work of art

Hi Steven, better late than never.Just been going through your nerifolia article,and you did not discuss too much, about what you did to the roots.The important thing about nerifolia's,is to work on the roots first.Then you can turn the skinny tree in 2yrs to a very pleasing bonsai. 1st. remove soil from the roots, spread them out, and wire the roots,spreadeagled around the base of the tree. Repot in a very shallow tray,ie 3in deep,wire into the tray, cover with very coarse potting mix ,and let grow.[In spring now of coarse]Feed heavily.In summer you can redo the roots again.This stimulates very quick activity to the roots.Let the top part grow feral for the 1st year,before you decide on which branches you want to use.More choice of branches, and stronger branches, so you get to the tertiary branches much sooner.This will then give you a much more tree like specimen ,good nebari,and good root structure.In it's infancy, you can prune it every year at least once.Roots and branches.In late Aug, Sept,you can defoliate too.This technique makes you more aware of the nebari,and gives you the opportunity to correct any errors very early on,in it's life.[particularly suitable for all figs, most conifers,and most deciduous tree's.A way to 'age' your tree's quickly.

Thanks for the advice Lee

Regards,
Steven