[Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

To create the best possible Shohin sized bonsai from raw, untrained stock over a period of 18 months.
Locked
User avatar
Steven
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3408
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 11:21 am
Favorite Species: [color=green]Casuarina[/color]
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: AusBonsai & The School of Bonsai
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 60 times
Contact:

[Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by Steven »

• Species name: Ficus nerifolia
• Current height: 290mm
• Origin: Cutting taken from a rubbish tree
• Cost: Original tree was about $10. Cutting was free.
2012 September (a).jpg
2013 March (a).jpg
2013 March (b).jpg
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
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out the AusBonsai Store ǀ Wiki ǀ Blogs ǀ Gallery ǀ 360˚ ǀ
Remember to be polite and abide by the Spirit and Intent of AusBonsai
User avatar
Steven
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3408
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 11:21 am
Favorite Species: [color=green]Casuarina[/color]
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: AusBonsai & The School of Bonsai
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 60 times
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by Steven »

Off with its head...
2013 April (a).jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out the AusBonsai Store ǀ Wiki ǀ Blogs ǀ Gallery ǀ 360˚ ǀ
Remember to be polite and abide by the Spirit and Intent of AusBonsai
User avatar
Steven
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3408
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 11:21 am
Favorite Species: [color=green]Casuarina[/color]
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: AusBonsai & The School of Bonsai
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 60 times
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by Steven »

This one wasn't repotted when my other nerifolia was done and has grown a bit through winter :lost:
2013 September (a).JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out the AusBonsai Store ǀ Wiki ǀ Blogs ǀ Gallery ǀ 360˚ ǀ
Remember to be polite and abide by the Spirit and Intent of AusBonsai
User avatar
Steven
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3408
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 11:21 am
Favorite Species: [color=green]Casuarina[/color]
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: AusBonsai & The School of Bonsai
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 60 times
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by Steven »

This one has also been growing but again, no work to show :palm:
2013 December (a).JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out the AusBonsai Store ǀ Wiki ǀ Blogs ǀ Gallery ǀ 360˚ ǀ
Remember to be polite and abide by the Spirit and Intent of AusBonsai
User avatar
Steven
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3408
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 11:21 am
Favorite Species: [color=green]Casuarina[/color]
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: AusBonsai & The School of Bonsai
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 60 times
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by Steven »

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.
2014 January (a).JPG
Regards,
Steven
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out the AusBonsai Store ǀ Wiki ǀ Blogs ǀ Gallery ǀ 360˚ ǀ
Remember to be polite and abide by the Spirit and Intent of AusBonsai
Neli
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1404
Joined: April 27th, 2012, 3:17 am
Favorite Species: Tropical
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Bonsai alaminutte
Location: Lusaka
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by Neli »

Fantastic transformation Steven.
I ask lots of questions that sound like suggestions. Please remember I am a inquisitive newbie trying to figure out why You made a particular decision, in order to learn.
I started a blog:http://nelibonsai.wordpress.com/2013/07 ... a-nursery/
User avatar
Steven
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3408
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 11:21 am
Favorite Species: [color=green]Casuarina[/color]
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: AusBonsai & The School of Bonsai
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 60 times
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by 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.
2014 March (a).JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out the AusBonsai Store ǀ Wiki ǀ Blogs ǀ Gallery ǀ 360˚ ǀ
Remember to be polite and abide by the Spirit and Intent of AusBonsai
User avatar
Steven
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3408
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 11:21 am
Favorite Species: [color=green]Casuarina[/color]
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: AusBonsai & The School of Bonsai
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 60 times
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by Steven »

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.
2014 June (1).JPG
Regards,
Steven
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out the AusBonsai Store ǀ Wiki ǀ Blogs ǀ Gallery ǀ 360˚ ǀ
Remember to be polite and abide by the Spirit and Intent of AusBonsai
User avatar
kcpoole
Perpetual Learner
Perpetual Learner
Posts: 12272
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 4:02 pm
Favorite Species: Maple
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: the School Of Bonsai
Location: Western Sydney, NSW, Australia
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 84 times
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by kcpoole »

excellent development over the time frame of the comp :yes:

Ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
User avatar
Steven
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 3408
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 11:21 am
Favorite Species: [color=green]Casuarina[/color]
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: AusBonsai & The School of Bonsai
Location: Sydney
Has thanked: 43 times
Been thanked: 60 times
Contact:

Re: [Steven] Ficus nerifolia 1

Post by Steven »

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
2014 October (a).JPG
2014 October (b).JPG
2014 October (c).JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out the AusBonsai Store ǀ Wiki ǀ Blogs ǀ Gallery ǀ 360˚ ǀ
Remember to be polite and abide by the Spirit and Intent of AusBonsai
Locked

Return to “Category 2. CREATE”