Fig Cuttings

[Asus101]

I have a better idea if your willing to hear it....

Take long lanky cuttings from that and graft them back onto the trunk. I think its this edition of bonsai focus with the article on how to do it.

[pasquale]

Hi Deemon,
Striking fig cuttings is one of the easiest things to do in bonsai, especially if you live in Sydney. All the above is good advice. Summarising what has already been said: keep them moist and keep them warm. Sydney cold won't kill them but it will slow them down. Superthrive, rooting hormone, honey etc may help but aren't essential. I agree with Anttal about removing most of the foilage (to reduce water loss from transpiration) and there is no need to fertilise yet. I have had success with rubiginosa, nerifolia, benjamina and microcarpa; and I ain't the most skillful nor the most attentive (part of my success lies in taking more cuttings than I need).
Having said all that, the piece you plan to take (if you are going for the largish trunk) is bigger than what I usually go for. You would need to optimise conditions, there is a good chance you would loose some branches but they can be regrown. I would be inclined to go for an airlayer, which is also pretty simple.
There are a couple of excellent reference books covering just about all there is to know about propagating and growing ficus bonsai in Sydney:- Leong Kwong's book available from his Bonsai South nursery http://bonsaisouth.com.au and Len Webber's classic "From Rainforest to Bonsai". I think the Webber book is out of print but you should be able to find it in a library or get a second-hand copy on-line. It has a wealth of knowledge about propagation, amongst other things. Jerry Meislik's website http://www.bonsaihunk.us also has a heap of information and ideas, even if it focuses more on indoor growing in cooler climes.
Cheers.

[anttal63]

leongs book is perfect for sydney grower's. he grows some of the best figs in this country!

[Deemon]

Wow thanks guys, great info and ideas. Asus, I will go check out the mag you suggest.
I do have Leongs Book and this is one of his Figs Picked it up last friday.
A bit unsure on what to do with it but have some more ideas now.
This is the most expensive tree i've got not and don't want to stuff it up. Thanks.

[Psymo]

Show us ya nebari, i can see a nice flair poking out a lil', c'mon dont be shy.

[Psymo]

Nice

[Psymo]

Is that a Ficus Retusa?

[Deemon]

Microcarpa Fomosana

[Chris H]

Id probably try the layer rather than cutting.
Id only do the cutting if the tree was in someone elses backyard or a park.
I have two trees similar and was planning on the layer in a month or two.
But Im no expert on this topic, perhaps someone with more failures ..... I mean experience......... could advise on which is best.
Cutting or air layer?

[bonscythe]

On the subject of Leong's book - 'Ficus Bonsai in the Temperate Climate' offers a wealth of knowledge and techniques on growing figs in Sydney it has very little (if any) information on ficus cuttings. This site has a great deal of info and I would not recommend buying this book solely for the pupose of gaining info on taking cuttings. Buy it for everything else it offers the beginner at bonsai!

[Pup]

I do speak from experience.

Some people don't know it, but pup is a national demonstrator and has been featured in Craig Coussin's book Masterclass.
He maybe old (and a self claimed "ugly bugger" ) but he knows his stuff.

Thanks for the boost mate but it aint going to get you a discount