Ficus benjamina variegata

[davidbishop]

Hi All

Well, everybody's got to start somewhere and with something, so this is basically my first attempt at a " tree in a pot"- 12 months in the making.

I know the variegata is not viewed by some to be worthy of using as a bonsai, but this plant was available to me at the time and was an experiment to see how I would go.

Constructive criticism wellcome. And look, I even managed to get some of those extra bits ( I think you call them roots!) to display as an added bonus.

Just a novice ( 1 year only) so go easy on me!!!

Merry Xmas to all.

David

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[Bougy Fan]

Hi David and welcome. Very good first attempt. Nothing wrong with variegated benjis although I have found them to be a little weaker than standard variety. Down the track you will want to improve the roots and get them spread out a bit more radially. Just remember once you expose the roots they slow down growth dramatically. Keep up the good work

Tony

[Bretts]

Great first attempt.
I think the roots are pretty good. They are radial enough while still being a little random and natural looking.
The problem is they need to be more vigorous and leaving them exposed as you have the roots below them will dominate slowing their development.

Some suggest that roots stop developing when exposed to the sun but I believe this to be misleading. It is simply a matter that if the roots are under the soil then they will support more roots. This equates to more growth just as a branch with more branches coming of it will thicken faster.
So get those roots a decent distance under the soil and keep reducing/ removing all the roots growing below the trunk.
Once those roots are strong and vigorous with plenty of established feeder roots in the right spot then they can be exposed and they will still continue to thicken.

Also I would reduce the foliage aggressively on a regular basis to encourage some lower branching.

[GavinG]

Good first.

Some size in the trunk, grace in the foliage, and strength where it rises from the soil.

When you look at tree in the ground, the radiating roots are usually half-buried, which gives the feeling of being firmly embedded.

You might also think of defining some areas in the foliage just a little. Not poodle-clipping pom-poms, just creating a little movement for the eye to wander around. Your club people might help.

Gavin

[bodhidharma]

That straight front, left hand root should come off. It is pinching growth from the one it is connected to. It probably wont figure in your Nebari spread later on so might as well get it off next repot. thinning the crown is also a good suggestion.

[Steven]

Well done David, It's a very good first tree

You have had some good advice and I'm sure that you will be able to improve on your already decent tree. I'm looking forward to see what you do to it next.

Regards,
Steven

[AndrewC]

Hi David, I think this is a fine first tree - much better than my first attempts!

And I don't think there's any shame in using the variegated fig - it's just personal preference. I hope you enjoy the tree and feel motivated to try some more!

Cheers, Andrew.

[Dario]

Great effort David, well done mate
Cheers, Dario.

[chrisatrocky]

well done David, not too shabby at all. A little advise, being a benji you will descover they have a tendency to die back for no reason. when this happens and it will, just remove the dead banches and it will throw new ones soon after. However, do not defoliation any part of the tree when you have die back as this puts more stress on the tree and causes further die back.

Chris.

[davidbishop]

Thankyou all for your encouragement and tips.

I have noted the suggestions re the roots and will " attack" them in due course. The reason I have left the foliage as it is , is because I was frightened to reveal the two main severed branches that form the trunk. Should I forego this situation in the short-term when thinning? And then again, what is the benefit in thinning in this case if the shape you have got already is ok? Is is not what is referred to as the broom style?

I've definitely caught the bonsai bug and have quite a few works in progress, but most are small at this stage. I'm so glad this forum exists. It is a great asset to beginners like myself. I love propagating my own plants and have good success in that department, but bonsai is also about art, and especially of being able to visualise the end result to some extent, when the subject is in its early development. That talent I do not possess but hope to acquire over the coming years.

David