Impulse ficus - what next??!! Help appreciated

[harvestmoon]

Hi All

I recently purchased this ficus (unknown tyoe) as an impulse buy, and THEN I started looking up how to properly look after it, and found these forums I am not a complete plant novice, just a complete bonsai novice.

I realise it could do with some growth and thickening, and while it is currently in a bonsai pot, I am happy to move it to something larger. I loved the look of the tree, despite the wire marks (which I hope will heal over in time), so I bought it anyway. I would really like to give the tree a chance at becoming the best bonsai it can be, despite my ignorance!

Soooo........
Should I repot it into a bigger pot to give it some growth time?
Do I remove the current wire when I repot it (it's not cutting in), or leave it till the tree grows a little bit?

Is there anythings else I can do in the next couple of months (aside from self-education ) to help the tree do well? Your help is much appreciated.



Kristy
Lockyer Valley, QLD

[Bougy Fan]

Definitely put it into a bigger pot or grow box and grow it on. I would remove the wire and cut back the branches by about half - I think they are too long for their diameter. Use a really free draining mix and once it is established feed it lots of pelletised chook poo and lots of water in a full sun position. Is it a root over rock ? If so and you like it on the rock bury it rock and all in the pot or box. The roots will grow bigger and fatter if under the soil away from the light.

[MoGanic]

Hey there,

Ficus grow well as I'm sure you're aware. Leave the wire on but keep a close eye on it and see if you can get it into a larger training pot while you get closer to the style you want. Generally you will pot it up when there is minimal styling remaining to do, or if your impatient like myself . When I purchased my first ficus there was still plenty of growing to be done, so i potted it up and then kept myself busy building a super cheap greenhouse using glad foil and glad wrap. PLEASE make sure you use the correct soil

Good luck! (also larger pot for fatter trunk).

-Mo

**edit - what bougy fan said.**

[Barry1]

Hi Kristy and welcome ,it seems from the photo you posted that the fig is not attached to the rock ;I could be wrong sometimes photos don't always tell the full story
If you do re pot into a larger pot I would be inclined to make sure the tree is firmly attached to the rock ,and as had been said good open free draining mix and feed and water

Cheers
Barry

[harvestmoon]

Thanks to you all.

I think it's not really root over rock, more trunk leaning over rock. Could I bury the trunk/rock under the soil with the hopes of getting some root development over it, or wrap some sphagnum moss around it?

Mo- funnily enough, I have a 7 x 4 m shadehouse in pieces in the carport awaiting re-eretion. It's gonna take me a while to put it back together as I didnt make the best notes when we dismantled it, so it's like a giant puzzle

Thanks again,
Kristy

[MoGanic]

Good stuff! Will keep you hella busy while your repotted Ficus grows again!

With a ficus, you don't really need to bury the rock. Check that the roots are long enough and you can lay them over the rock, as long as a majority of them reach the soil. Make sure you don't do this in the colder months, or if you can, do it in the greenhouse once you put it together. Ficus love to grow roots all over the shop, all you need to do is tie it to the rock.

Check this vid out for more pro info! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hMs4PAPl4A . I love this guy, he's so interesting to watch and has superb information.

Be sure to post updates! =]