Ficus (Cascade?)

BonsaiElmo · Post by **BonsaiElmo** » August 6th, 2011, 4:18 pm

Just got this tree back after some time. I am not sure which ficus it is specifically, I thought maybe a Benjamina, though I will happy take any advice to the contrary.

It has been left to fend for itself for a couple of years, its pot got broken, my mother stuffed it into this old gnarled piece of hardwood. I quite like the look of the hardwood, though no idea what the roots are up to inside, or even how deep it is.

Was going to wait till summer before transplanting it to a growing pot, unless someone thinks I can risk an earlier transplant. Not sure what mix is inside the "pot" I think my mother wrapped the roots in fabric to keep it in place.

On reading the forums here I ordered myself a copy of Ficus Bonsai in a temperate climate, so will be reading up.

When I found the tree in the hollow of a Jacaranda it was severely windswept and I was thinking of further training it cascade style, not so sure now. Wondering if anyone has any other suggestions?

Ficus 06-08-11 bonsaiElmo (7).jpg

Ficus 06-08-11 bonsaiElmo (2).jpg

Ficus 06-08-11 bonsaiElmo (3).jpg

Ficus 06-08-11 bonsaiElmo (6).jpg

BonsaiElmo · Post by **BonsaiElmo** » May 13th, 2012, 1:31 am

Well has been a while. I have made a few cut backs to see if the tree will back bud. I repotted into a poly box in Feb at an angle.

Today I attended Summerland Bonsai club in Lismore and got some guidance, made more severe cuts. Now wind swept and a lot more sparse...

This might be a QLD small leaf fig not a Benji according to the ficus experts at Summerland Bonsai club. Considering it was collected from a tree hollow in Hervey Bay this might make sense.

I am happy with how it is looking.

2012-02-25 Various pics (31).jpg

after repot.

2012-05-07 Ficus Benji wiring (3).jpg

Windswept

2012-05-13 ficus - wind sw (16).jpg

This is the front (I think)

2012-05-13 ficus - wind sw (18).jpg

2012-05-13 ficus - wind sw (6).jpg

Any suggestions or feedback welcome.

Cheers
Elmo

GavinG · Post by **GavinG** » May 13th, 2012, 4:13 pm

You're getting good advice - go with it. And the beer is a damn fine one. I'd tend to grow it long and cut back, to get a bit more body to it, but you might lose some of the fine curves in the trunk. Something to think about.

Gavin

reddoggy · Post by **reddoggy** » May 13th, 2012, 4:19 pm

Did it drink all that beer,should perk up in a few weeks.

Post by **Bougy Fan** » May 13th, 2012, 4:20 pm

G'Day Elmo ! It appears to be a benji to me - they are the most common fig that I find growing in gutters, trees and out of buildings

I would like to see a bit more movement in the trunk, and I would work at getting rid of those bulbous roots which distract the eye. Keep up the good work

BonsaiElmo · Post by **BonsaiElmo** » May 14th, 2012, 2:32 pm

Cheers Gavin.

Yeah it seems to drink a lot of beer reddoggy, everytime work on my plants there are a few empties left behind, must be the tree.

Bougy Fan I also thought it was a Benji, but Summerland's resident ficus expert did not think so based on leaf firmness and texture. Dunno.

I am in two minds about the roots, I have read in Kwongs ficus in temp climate book she prescribers cutting off buolbus roots at the centre of the bullbing area and allowing new roots to shoot, but I kind of like the chaotic roots lots of figs get. Though maybe that is a look to explore with a different tree.

Would you cut the roots off flat just above the potting mix (once it gets warmer of course) or do something more drastic to address the roots?

Cheers
Elmo

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Ficus (Cascade?)

Ficus (Cascade?)

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