[ID] Newbie

[jesseb05]

Hi

I got given this Bonsai as a gift about a year back and I don't know what species it is. I assume it's a fig of some type?
I'm completely new to the world of bonsai and my knowledge is very limited. The only way I have cared for this tree is by watering it every day. I'm going to do some research on how to care for it properly as I think it may need to be re-potted and I'm unsure if I'm meant to cut of all of the small roots or what to do at all to be honest. Any advice would be welcomed.

If any more details on the tree itself or photos are required just ask.

Thanks in advance

[shibui]

Hi Jesse and welcome to the world of bonsai.
Your tree certainly looks like a fig but I'm not sure what species. You guys have a much wider range to choose from up there.

The little roots from the trunk are aerial roots and many figs grow them. Its your choice whether to cut them off if you want a clean smooth trunk but they can be trained down the trunk and eventually they join together to give a magnificent fluted trunk or you can grow a 'curtain fig' style tree.

It looks like your tree could do with a little more light and food. Figs love fertiliser.

[squizzy]

Theer are probably many more fig varieties that I am not aware of but I think it looks like F.retusa. ??????

[kcpoole]

Hi Jesse
Moreton Bay fig ?

You fig needs a repot probably and some trimming back of the long growth. This will generate back budding and if you keep up then also smaller leaves

To repot
Take out of the pot and cut back all the roots by about 1/3 on each side and the bottom. Repot into fresh soil and then keep moist for a while and then fertilise

check out our Wiki for some great advice and info https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... =Main_Page .
Look at the First page then the links at the bottom for newbies too

Ken

[Ripley]

Hi Jesse,

Good looking tree....My advice would be to join your local bonsai club. I can say with some authority about this, because, I too am a newbie and I joined the School of Bonsai this year.
I believe that being involved within a club (society) you will exposed to so much, and with my brief experience, I have learned so much & also feel more confident about what I think would be a good design for a tree, which way it should be shaped. And also most importantly, you meet people that have the same interests as yourself, and friendships can be forged.
It's a good thing!

Cheers
Ripley

[chrisatrocky]

Hi Jesse,
It does look like Ficus retussa with the leaf shape and growing habit, and I agree with what has already been said, a trim and a repot ( just to replenish the soil), and join your local club.

chris

[jesseb05]

To repot
Take out of the pot and cut back all the roots by about 1/3 on each side and the bottom. Repot into fresh soil and then keep moist for a while and then fertilise

Thanks for the advice

I do have a question though. When I re-pot the tree do I need to put it in a new larger pot or can I cut the roots back and re-pot it in my existing pot?

Thanks to everyone else for their help also, I really appreciate it. I'm going to try and get out to http://www.bonsainorthsidenursery.com.au/ this afternoon to have a look around and I may join a club in the near future.

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Jesse
If you want it grow larger then put it in a larger pot. Otherwise trim the roots and put back in the same pot. If you are on the Northside Bimer would be the club for you and if on the Southside The Bonsai Society would be closer. Have fun up at Tess's she has some nice stock.


Tony

[Hornet]

I'm just down the rd from bonsai northside, its a great place, got a few plants there in the past including a few ficus which have toally slipped my mind (at my parents place) havent seen them in months, better check up, make sure they are still alive.

John

[jesseb05]

I ended up repotting this tree yesterday. I used a larger 6 inch pot, Cut the roots back 1/3rd, trimmed the leaves and branches right back and I used some copper wire to wrap around the trunk and Aerial roots to hopefully train them to run downwards.

Thanks again to everybody for their suggestions

[jesseb05]

This is how this ficus is looking a few months down the track. A lot more leaves than before and they are much smaller.