what to do with gifted 30 year old ficus?

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Pat3222
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what to do with gifted 30 year old ficus?

Post by Pat3222 »

Arvo, so this old ficus benjamina has just landed with me. I'm told it's been in a pot at least 30 years. The trunk is 10cm wide and the root flare 30cm. Any suggestions for what to do with it? Baobab style or a fantasy Faraway tree for my daughter were my first ideas.. It was free and not going to make a traditional bonsai so open to anything. Cheers
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zen
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Re: what to do with gifted 30 year old ficus?

Post by zen »

Hey Pat, this is just my own opinion that you don't need to follow. But if it were my tree, I would consider airlaying the trunk about 10 to 15cm below where the branches broom out. I would also take cuttings as well for future side grafts or thread grafts. I think that is a ficus benjamina which I have never worked on before. Perhaps someone with experience can chime in.
Pat3222
Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Posts: 84
Joined: April 16th, 2018, 12:13 am
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Location: Geelong
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Re: what to do with gifted 30 year old ficus?

Post by Pat3222 »

G'day Zen, thanks for your suggestions. I fear a bit beyond my current skill level though, I just wired my first tree in August 2021.
If anyone else has any ideas I would appreciate it. Aware it's hard to offer styling advice from 4 pics, more looking for inspiration than anything else.
Cheers
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