Ficus raft

[Bretts]

I got this in a group deal with my pine several years ago and paid way more than I liked for it. I have often scratched my head over where to go with it but I think I have finally come up with a workable plan.
I did this work several months ago when it was nice and hot. I was meant to post it up so Bonsai Bruce could get a look as I had it out the day he stopped by for a visit
Another one of my trees that needs a pot next season

fig.jpg

[Andrew F]

Maybe something like this eventually.

[Olivecrazy]

How wide is this one looks great

[emi93m]

I love it.... it shows huge potential keep us posted as it leaves up again Thanks for posting

Regards Mick

[alpineart]

Hi Bretts , i can see this coming up to a very nice raft in a short period . What type of Fig is it ?

Cheers Alpine

[Jerry Meislik]

Looks quite awesome.
Jerry

[Bretts]

I thought I was heading in the right direction so I am glad you guys like. One of the stand out features for me is the preserved deadwood. Not often we see that on Ficus so I had to find a way to utilise it. As I removed bits and pieces over time I found the movement to the right. The front right trunk is actually seperate to the rest as it used to sit much higher on ariel roots and more deadwood.
Hi OC, not sure where to measure at the moment so I have just measured the foam box which is 570mm
I am not sure what type of ficus it is Alpine but with these pics of the new leaves hopefully you can tell me

fig 002.jpg

fig 003.jpg

That raft is great VS and I would love to get my hands on the pot for this raft I reckon. The tray pot I smashed recently was originally meant for this but ended up being just a little small.
Plenty of leaves on it now Emi But when it warms up again I will trim and start the branch building
Thanks Jerry

[Andrew F]

Looks like an MB to me. I cant wait to see what you do to this tree man, Id just about do anything for a ficus raft of this calibre.

[Bretts]

Whats an MB ?
Here is the fig when I got it. Looks like the leaves have always been thin, silly me

bonsai fig clump (3).jpg

[Andrew F]

Moreton bay, but that last pic looks a little different.

[alpineart]

Hi Bretts , i still cant I.D figs there is way too many for my liking . Moreton Bay or Port Jackson . Mine have green sheaths one year and red the next so no one cant tell which is which , i call then P.J's as the leaf is small compared to the Moreton Bay fig . I do have a couple of Northern territory Rock Figs , but i have never bothered with the Botanical Names

Cheers Alpine

[Hornet]

i'd say possible an obliqua, MB's tend to have a thicker leaf

[Bretts]

I can see the similarities Hornet. I also checked Leongs fig book and can't spot any difference in the leaf id there so I will give it that name unless told otherwise.
Thanks

[Hornet]

Figs are a real pain to correctly id in the world of bonsai, need mature foliage (dont get that on bonsai generally from what i have seen), Fruit (again many species will not fruit in bonsai culture) and bark for a positive id, then there are always the natural variation with seed grown plants. I'd say obliqua is a good starting point tho