AusBonsai

Hello all
I was recently gifted this ficus retusa and have had it since the start of winter. Have finally had some time to look at it and really not sure what to do with it and its..... lets say "different" root structure. I was just going to let it grow for now and let the canopy fill in more, but thought i would share and get some opinions if i can.

Thanks in advance
Chris



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G'day Chris,

If it were mine I'd be layering it to remove the exposed roots and give it a nice stable looking base. I'd then trunk chop to grow a new leader with better taper and a new apex with more branching options. See the yellow lines on picture for where I would layer/chop.
That will give you a good material to build a tree from over the coming years.
Regards,
Steven

Thanks steven.
I figured if i was gonna do something it would have to be drastic. Still a bit torn though as it was a gift. Might just get out the saw and deal with that conversation when it happens Haha thanks for the advice. Appreciate it
Chris

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Agree with Steve infect you can end up with two Bonsai's from the one gift of you get the top cut to root

I would do the layer at the point where Steven recommended to do the chop. You could put that on now and have roots by early summer. Then remove that and then chop at the his lower line and plant. Two trees then.

Ι believe that if you cut and plant the tree down to the first line it will root easily..it dosnt need layering...i did this to 3 of my ex ginseng ficuses to get rid of the roots and they are goind really well.the air leyering thow is much more safe for the tree.you could also correct the taper by curving the swallowed point (where steven put the upper line) and then bring down the branches with wire.

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Thanks for the replies. I am familiar with layering but how would i go about doing that along bottom line ( there's alot happening there lol)
Cheers
Chris

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Well after much thought i decided to chop it. Hope i have made the right decision. Actually has a bit of movement in the trunk which was impossible to see before.
Just need to finish it off now and will be goin into the greenhouse
Thanks for all the help
Chris

P.s i still haveto smooth out that lump on the left side but for now I'll leave it be

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New growth already everywhere. Has just about filledcontainer with roots

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Finally getting some good growth happening. Will wire when growth is more workable i think

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Looks like a healthy, happy tree. Do you know what is happening below ground? Are you getting fibrous roots where you reduced the nebari?

Yea i had it in a clear container for a while before i chucked it back in its original pot. The root system was massive considering it wasnt there for long. Seasol and a bit of worm juice seemed to work wonders

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Amazing how brutal we can be with Ficus, and they shoot back and give us much love for it!
Nice work and good recovery.

Ken

First style. Any thoughts or opinions would be a great help. Thanks
Chris
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Long way in such a short time!

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