Vintage Article on Ficus. 25 yrs old

[Hackimoto]

Here is copy of an article that I wrote in 1987 for the Koreshoff magazine "Bonsai Australia" which was the magazine for the "Bonsai Society of Australia" back in the 70s and 80s. Hope a few of the tips on developing buttresses and banyan style are of use to some of the forum members. Looks a bit blurry when I view it on "preview" If you can't read it I can email it or maybe someone who knows how can make the print bigger as I can't because of the size restrictions on this forum.

[xtolord]

WOW!!
Thanks for sharing it!
Might be an old story for some veterans, but its a gold mine for me
So big thnkies!!

If you have more... feel free to send them

[Hackimoto]

I'm surprised that you could read it as I can barely read it on my screen. Please let me know if you can't read it and would like to.
Thanks for your feedback, xtolord.

[Handy Mick]

Thanks for the info
Have you got any examples of work that you have done back then in the binding method?

Regards
Mick

[Rintar]

perfect for me been looking at a massive "park Fig" that is actually 4 or 5 trees in one and could easily lake cuttings and do this in October was thinking about it now definitely doing it Cheers

[xtolord]

I'm surprised that you could read it as I can barely read it on my screen. Please let me know if you can't read it and would like to.
Thanks for your feedback, xtolord.

Well the default image when you click is not very readable, but there is a "full image" option or just press 'f' when viewing an image to get it to its full size.
I doupt people with the latest techs should complain, because those new touchscreen smartphone are as small visually sometimes.

[xtolord]

Thanks for the info
Have you got any examples of work that you have done back then in the binding method?

Regards
Mick

I'd be really interested in some pics too - or even a progression series if you have them.
1 picture is worth a 1000 words

[MattA]

Hey Hackimoto,

Great article for beginner & not so alike, had a little smile to myself, I got addicted to bonsai in 1987

I am not a huge fan of figs but have a couple in development and was particularly interested in your method for developing buttressing as it is what I would like to achieve with a Moreton Bay, I am aiming for a big tree 3-4' & wider than tall just like the many park trees around Sydney. It is already underway with a couple of years growing been done. Are there other ways that you know of to encourage good surface roots & buttressing?

Matt

PS: Wouldnt mind seeing some pics of your work, as Xtolord says 1 picture is worth a thousand words.

[Brad75]

Hi hackimoto,

Thanks for the article.

Cheers,

Brad75.

[Jester]

TOP Artcile mate. This adds a whole new dimension to the way I deal with figs. Thanks for going to the trouble of posting this article.

John

[boom64]

Hi Hackimoto,
Thanks for a great post. Looks like another project coming up once it warms up.
Cheers John,

[Jason.S]

Informative and interesting article, top work.

[BonsaiElmo]

Cheers for the article Hackimoto, great stuff.

Curious what you used to hold the trees together? I tried something similar using wire, and with grafting tape. Whilst the trees bonded initially they have started to come apart since I removed the tape and or wire. It was digging into the trees.

I have now decided to try and encourage aerial roots to shoot on the trunks to better bond the trees. I put a mix perlite and spag moss round the trunks. Though not sure it is a good idea to have so much moisture up the trunks at this time of year...

Any suggestions for what else might work to keep the trees together?

A few pics below.

2012-02-25 Fused Ficus.jpg

2012-01-08 ficus fused (1).jpg

2012-05-26 Ficus Multi Fused (4).jpg

Cheers
Elmo

[Hackimoto]

The best way to keep the trunks together is to scrape or de bark the inner surface of each trunk and bind them all together with grafting tape. After a year only a strong band at the top of the trunks will be necessary until they graft themselves tightly together.

[Luke308]

Thanks for the article!! The older generation at my club must have read this back in 1987 as they have been fusing figs together for years. cable ties, and paper tape (first aid stuff), and graft tape seem to be the tools of choice. There was a demonstration at a meeting recently where a tray of 1 year old seedlings were fused to make a super fig including branches!! Eg each branch was the top of a seedling left free from the tape/cable ties. I think there was around 50 or so seedlings used. Within 3-5 years it should be looking good. Great in theory and for a bit of fun, but not as rewarding as a monster fig from seed (Im still going to be making one myself in spring )