[Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

A continuation of entries in the 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 competition. To take your existing shohin and refine them further over 18 months.
Forum rules
This category is only open to previous entries in the AusBonsai Shohin Progression Competitions from 2011-2012 and 2013-2014. You will not be able to post a new topic or enter unless you were in the last competition. Please use the CREATE category for new entries.
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

[Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

Ficus benjamina
Height 300mm
Air layered from a stock tree
Cost = $0.00
DSCF0682(resized).jpg
DSCF0676(resized).jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

I have repotted at a different angle, fed and chopped off some extra bits. Not sure if it will stay at this angle atm - just thinking about it still. I have taken a knob cutter to the branches I cut off - I really like the way benjis callous over wounds even though it takes a while :palm:
1st update 3.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

I have been feeding this fig and it is showing

2nd update3.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

OK this is starting to take shape now - will leave it to grow on a little while longer before repotting into a bonsai pot
3rd update3.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

A bit happier with this one - will let it grow until August then I will cut it back and put it into a bonsai pot
4th update3.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

Still haven't got as much growth as I had planned. It may do better once it goes into a bonsai pot in a diatomite/zeolite mix. That will be in about 6 weeks I think - depending on the weather.

5th update3.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

Still no going as well as I would expect from a fig . . . . . . .
6th update3.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

This fig is finally starting to do something - this afternoon I will pot it into a bonsai pot and give it a good trim :tu:
7th update3.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

This fig looked very poor at the end of the comp.

Current height is 250mm
Benji 1st Update 1.jpg
Benji 1st Update.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

I am finding while I love Benji's they are very slow growers and reluctant back budders. I love the leaves and the texture of the bark so I will persevere. There doesn't seem to be much progress over the last update.
Benji 2nd Update.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

Very disappointing growth from this one - I know it's in a bonsai pot but I still feel it should be doing better :palm:
Benji 3rd Update.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
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: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by kcpoole »

Still a year to go, I assume a recent repot? if so it will start to move soon. Mine are growing well here

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
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

Not much movement on this one - I may have put it into a bonsai pot a little early. It suffered from a little rot on the trunk - I sealed it with some acrylic wound sealant.
8th Update 3.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
User avatar
Bougy Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2597
Joined: February 9th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Favorite Species: Bougainvillea, Ficus and Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 4
Bonsai Club: Bimer
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Bougy Fan »

Not sure what is happening with this one - it just doesn't seem to be acting very fig like :lost:
9th Update Benji 1.jpg
9th Update Benji 2.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards Tony

"The problem with quotes found on the Internet is that it's hard to be sure of their authenticity." Abraham Lincoln
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: [Bougy Fan] Ficus benjamina

Post by Neli »

Knowing that ficus B does not like to be left without a leaf at the end, I just pinch at the end after 1-2 internodes...the branches thicken and it ramifys fast and very well.
Some time I let it grow a bit long and cut the branches to 1-2 internodes. I had very good results with this technique.
Just to show you a year progression of FB with this method...and the leaves reduce tremendously. Trunk chopped 4 times in one year. Hope it helps, since the most important part of this competition for me is to learn.
Oct 2012
DSC00215 (480x640).jpg
DSC00432 (2) (640x480).jpg
Dec 2012
DSC02163 (338x450).jpg
October 2013 before and after.
DSC00600 (550x413).jpg
DSC00616 (413x550).jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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/
Post Reply

Return to “Category 1. REFINE”