Banyan Fig

[novak]

Hi all,

I've had this fig since August of last year and I think it was about a year old when I got it.



Just wondering if you could give me some advice on shaping. Firstly, I'd like to know if it is too early to begin training it. Should I wait another year? Secondly, (if it's not too early) I'd like something like this:



Of course I realise it'll be years and years before it begins to look like a bonsai, but what can I do now to set it on the right path, so to speak?

I'd be truly greatful for any advice.

[novak]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the blotches on the trunk aren't any kind of mold or fungal growth, it's just water.

[novak]

Erm, annoying that the second picture didn't come up. Try this then:

5th picture on this page:

http://www.bonsaihunk.us/info/MatthaeiB ... ction.html

If that doesn't work, general advice would be much appreciated.

[Paulneill]

Novac Fig should only be worked in the warmer months when night temps are above 15 deg.
If that were mine I would cut those 3 ugly roots clean off and pull all the leaves off and plant it in a smallish pot and cover with a plastic bottle place in semi shade . Then after a few months bare root it and arrange the roots . You could also split the base of the trunk at this stage . Then choose a branch to continue the trunk and wire it into position. And then just let it grow feed every week along with dynamic lifter.
Get a book on figs if u are into bonsai
Read posts on here check out the post ( how to grow dynamic figs quickly )

[ubphu]

i would say awesome 3 roots not ugly

[emi93m]

Hi Mate

These are also known as Pot Belly Figs they are imported to australia from places like Indonesia. I dont know if I would be as drastic as to cut of the three Bulbus roots as that is the whole character of this species. I got my hands on three of these figs about three years ago and in September of the first year i owned them I placed them in a 50% zeolite 20% river sand and 30% bonsai soil mix in a large but very shallow container and the growth over 2 years was incredable I would defianetly sorce out the brances and the leader u want to keep and remove the rest giving the fig the energy it needs in the right areas. Being in Melbourne I would not re pot till September as it will strugle with the cold nights and frosts to re establish its root system. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Regards Mick

[Brad75]

Hi Novak,

I have a Port jackson Fig that is a little like yours and I didn't know anything about how to grow them as bonsai until I purchased Hoy Lee Kwong's book Growing Figs in the Temperate Climate. It is an excellent resource that you can purchase from his bonsai nursery Bonsai South in Caringbah NSW for $59.95. Give it a go; you've got nothing to lose.

Cheers,

Brad75 aka Brad Jackson.

[Glenda]

Hi Mate

..... I dont know if I would be as drastic as to cut of the three Bulbus roots as that is the whole character of this species. ......

Regards Mick

I agree wholeheartedly with Mick. If you don't like the roots, choose another fig that doesn't grow that type of root. This is a Ficus microcarpa 'Retusa'. If you didn't like the roots but liked everything else, you would get the same tree in the plain Ficus microcarpa. I like the roots, but of course that is just my opinion, and everyone has one and is entitled to it.

Glenda

[emi93m]

Hi Mate

..... I dont know if I would be as drastic as to cut of the three Bulbus roots as that is the whole character of this species. ......

Regards Mick

I agree wholeheartedly with Mick. If you don't like the roots, choose another fig that doesn't grow that type of root. This is a Ficus microcarpa 'Retusa'. If you didn't like the roots but liked everything else, you would get the same tree in the plain Ficus microcarpa. I like the roots, but of course that is just my opinion, and everyone has one and is entitled to it.

Glenda

I couldnt have said it better myself Glenda
Regards Mick

[novak]

Thanks for the advice.

I do like how the trunk(s) look on this species. I'm a bit puzzled as to why I should cut the roots off as well given that, as others have said, this is a natural occurance for this particular species. I may have misunderstood, but do you mean to say that what I have now is 'incorrect'?

With regards to training, I wasn't planning on wiring in winter. I just want to know if it would be possible to do it this year, maybe spring-summer.

[Brad75]

Hi novak,

What you have here is a challenge. How do you make your fig look like a large tree miniature-ized while making use of the three legs as a feature? I think that provided you grow the top well you shouldn't have to remove the lower trunk sections because they already look quite good.

Cheers,

Brad Jackson.

[Bretts]

A bonsai does not have to aim to look like a miniature tree. You can ignore the fun police and just enjoy your tree.
This was given to me as a present by the mother in law and it has always been lots of fun.
I just brought it in for the winter yesterday.

fig 007.jpg

But what you do need is a plan. My plan with this tree was a representation of a surfer. Then it was the surfing turkey. Now it seems to be turning into an Ent
So I would say get a little wild with your plan and see where the tree takes you.