PJ Fig (Little Champ)

[Jarad]

I bought this little PJ fig starter from the big green shed back when I was just starting out. I threw it in a little cheap pot, then a month later decided it needed to grow.

January:

FR01 - 2015-01-17.jpg

Time + water + Sun + lots of fertilizer + neglect =

FR01 - 2015-09-21.jpg

I stuffed it in that same little pot for scale. The amount of growth on this little champ is amazing!

(I just relized the leaves are covering the trunk, I'll have to get another photo.)

[Jarad]

Found a picture from June too.

FR01 - 2015-06-27 - Side 02.jpg

[legoman_iac]

Hey Jarad, any updates or current pics?

[Jarad]

Sure do, took a couple last night. I think I need to dig it up and use that same little pot for the size comparison because they I cant really see a difference in the photos...

FR01 - 2015-11-24 - Full Tree.jpg

FR01 - 2015-11-24 - Trunk.jpg

::EDIT::
This guy is half the reason I'm running low on fertilizer. The other half of the reason is my 10 or so other trees and saplings...

[MOGGINATOR]

hey loving the little fig

what sort of fert regime are u doing? i have a couple like this and would love that sorta growth

[Jarad]

Thanks mate.

Nothing fancy or even all that regular to be honest. I bought a bucket of Osmocote All Purpose (got regular fertilizer mixed with chook poo) and I throw half a scoop every couple of weeks(ish) and now I'm going to be throwing Charlie Carp liquid fert every other week.

Got any photos of yours?

[Jarad]

Decided it was time to give this guy a trim and wire on the weekend, unfortunately I hadn't finished wiring when I took the post trim photo.

Before:

FR01 - 2015-12-12 - Pre Trim.jpg

After (it's a little dark...):

FR01 - 2015-12-12 - Post Trim.jpg

For those interested in leaf size variation:

FR01 - 2015-12-12 - Leaf Size Variation.jpg

[kvan64]

Yep, bigger pot for growth...that's the way!

[Kevin]

Hello Jarad,

Love it, including all your photos and especially your maths.

I have had several of those over the years, unfortunately my maths had extra + neglects and one mishap + aerial roots ring barked by the whipper sniper. I was very upset about that one as my + neglects were working a treat, his aerial roots had managed to grow in excess of one metre and unbeknown to me were well established into the ground. Also, I had finally found an appropriate hollowed log for him and about to transplant high up into the log with much + TLC's.

As for ID, before reading Rory's post I would have said yours was MB.

I have + neglected one very similar and about to repot, it's a mess and no aerial roots either. I took a photo the other night which would have 2 figs displayed (I hope), battery went flat and haven't looked to check. I was going to post for ID soon. In the background is that hollow log. The log was + 10 years at least in the garden before I came across a plant with it's own aerials and about to get another dose of roundup from the gardener. Someone else did the + neglects for me. He's high on the + TLC's now and about to be pruned too, soon as I learn some + best methods.

Thanks Jarad, good story to start the day.

[Jarad]

Thanks for your post Kevin.

I'm looking forward to seeing your Figs.

This guy has been an excellent learning tree. It is growing with me on my journey through bonsai. This months lesson: Check the wire every few days (not 3 weeks later) and don't wrap the wire too tight..

FR01 - 2016-01-09.jpg

[Jarad]

Say I was letting this guy thicken up. Then I decided to cut it back and trim the roots a touch. How long would it take to show signs that I've killed it?

[kcpoole]

Say I was letting this guy thicken up. Then I decided to cut it back and trim the roots a touch. How long would it take to show signs that I've killed it?

a month or 2. Why?

[Kevin]

G'day Jarad,

Great to see your 'Little Champ', I've been thinking of him.
He looks healthy - scarred but healthy.
Really - root and foliage prune now?

Hope all goes well - he is after all a 'Little Champ'

Kevin

[Jarad]

I decided to do some experimenting and chopped the top and bottom. I was curious to see how much abuse these trees can take. He's grown so much over the last year, so it won't be too difficult to do another if he doesn't make it. I do have another in the shohin comp, so we will see how that one turns out.

I'll upload an updated photo tomorrow and you can see how fast these figs can grow.

The scars have all grown out now, you can hardly see them.

[Jarad]

Just an update:

FR01 - 2016-05-18.jpg

It's Amazing how much these guys can grow in 15 months!