AusBonsai

G'day,

Here is my 3rd entry, a Ficus rubiginosa or Port Jackson Fig.
It was collected 2 years ago and has been in this pot ever since.
I chopped the top off last year and left it as a branchless stump. The current growth is from the last 12 months.

Species: Ficus rubiginosa
Height: 350mm from top of pot
Origin: Collected from a drain in Rosehill in 2009
Price: $0.00
Regards,
Steven

G'day,

We have received a report about this (my) entry stating that it does not comply with the rules for the following reasons.

...the competition rules were that no Bonsai work was to be carried out prior to the 1st of September. I see this entry as having be worked as it has been shaped and put into a Bonsai pot.

I have answered questions regarding the rules and had the final decision on all discrepancies so far. However, as this is regarding my entry it best for you, the members, decide if it qualifies or not.

The rules regarding the above concerns state;

Steven wrote: The objective of the AusBonsai Shohin Progressive Styling Competition is to create the best possible Shohin sized bonsai from raw, untrained stock over a period of 14 months.
Stock can be obtained from anywhere provided NO PRIOR STYLING has been done other than trunk chopping and root work.
Work can be done between 1st September 2011 and 31st October 2012.

My side of the story is that the only work done so far is a trunk chop which left no foliage or branches and I clearly show a picture above of the chop mark. The branches and foliage that can be seen in the first 4 pictures have all grown since it was trunk chopped and I haven't even tip pruned as is evident by the long, straight branches and lack of secondary branches. There hasn't even been any work on the roots as it was placed in this pot when collected and hasn't been repotted since.

So, you have the facts now please have your say if you believe that this entry is eligible to remain in the comp. I promise that there will be no hard feelings or resentment!

Regards,
Steven

Stephen the only possible breach I can see is that its in a bonsai pot & some more pedantic would argue that is training. As the rules specified that root work could be done prior & at the end of the day the pot is just that.. a recepticle for soil... adding that it is way oversized to be considered a final pot....I have no issue....If I did a couple of my own would have to be withdrawn.

Hi Steven, no need to defend your entry, I think it qualifies just fine

... and with that much DL you'll be lucky to keep it to Shohin size

I have no issue with this. I don't see the different between putting it in a bonsai pot or in a small plastic bag or small grow box. In my opinion there is no reason to disqualify this entry.

The container it is in is not relevant to the comp. All of our trees need to grown in something
This is just a larger grow pot that what it would be finally shown in anyway.

Ken

I don't see any problem with this entry as long as it is in a grow pot, which it looks like to me.

chris

Thanks for your input guys. I guess that means this one is still in

I got the cutters out this morning and...
You will note that I have removed the decorative layer of Dynamic Lifter from the surface as fertilising with no foliage could be detrimental. When the new growth starts I'll put some back on.

Regards,
Steven

4 weeks on and there are buds bursting open and starting to elongate.

After another 5 and a bit weeks there was lots of new growth...
I have a substantial layer of Osmocote under the layer of Dynamic lifter

12 months to go...

Regards,
Steven

I repotted this PJF into a larger container and will let it stretch it's roots while it grows some branches and a canopy.
Regards,
Steven

Hey Steven,

look like it is coming along nicely. Was going to ask you a question about your leaf size. I also have the same fig in the shohin comp and was wondering what your plans were to get better Ramification before the entry date. I was thining of defoliating my tree at the end of september alowing 6 weeks of growth? Not sure if this will be pushing it since it might not be warm enough and I don't want to stress the tree to much.

A bit early to do a defoliate, but keep it somewhere where it gets reflected heat ( Northern facing wall), and you probably would be ok

Ken

Ryan1979b wrote:was wondering what your plans were to get better Ramification before the entry date. I was thining of defoliating my tree at the end of september alowing 6 weeks of growth?

G'day Ryan,

I'm just going to continually tip prune mine which will increase the branching. I'll selectively remove the ones I don't want and let the rest grow to the desired length. I won't be defoliating while I am encouraging it to grow. Defoliation is great for refining trees and reducing leaf size but not when you are striving for the most amount of growth possible. We only have 9 months left in this comp and defoliation would stop growth for 4 to 6 weeks. I may defoliate for the final photograph

Regards,
Steven

Same Steven, I'm currently tip prunning and will continu to do so until growth slows right down. I guess I will just wait and see what this spring brings us, Like Ken sugested I will move it to a full north facing wall. Hopefully september will bring early warm weather so I might have a chance to defoliate. But I'm not going to compromise the health of the tree and defoliate before the closing date if conditions are against it.