a benji with a difference

[chrisatrocky]

this benji was very ordinary, thin, strait and forked 80cm from the roots.
removed 1 branch, wired the other down and tilted it slightly backwards.
and this is what you get.

size 20.png

branch removed.png

I'm looking for a new pot for it.

chris

[Bougy Fan]

Looks great Chris - I have also done this on a benji I have, as well as carving a channel at the front. I find it hard to get them to bud down lower at times - do you have any secrets ?


Tony

[chrisatrocky]

benji's are naturally thin growing fig and it is hard to find one with good thickness in the trunk and good root spread.
so to get a thicker trunk you have to cut them back, but leave at least 1 branch with foliage. if it is not low enough wait until new branches grow and cut back again. this is what works for me. I think because benjis are prone to die back this is what they do when you remove all the branches and foliage, leaving the 1 branch of foliage keeps the sap flowing up and down. Also benjis don't like a lot of fert I only use a native slow release on mine, plenty of water and sunshine. hope this helps B.F.

chris

[kcpoole]

so to get a thicker trunk you have to cut them back, but leave at least 1 branch with foliage

Wishy I knew that a wile ago. I have a large trunked one that I layered off about 3 sections off and wondered why they keep dying back to the branch!
The base I cut back to almost a stump which is about 3 inches across, and has only shot back on the back low down. At least it actually shot back and not died instead

Ahh well I have not looked at it recently so hope I can use it as something down the road

[chrisatrocky]

I learnt the hard way too Ken, but I'm glad I can pass on the info now. a lot of bonsai people don't like using the Benjis because of the die back but there are ways of controlling it to a point.

chris.

[chrisatrocky]

defoliated, rewired and re-potted.

benjiWaD.png

chris

[Andrew F]

defoliated, rewired and re-potted.

benjiWaD.png

chris

Loving that new pot, looks great, wish it was warm enough here to start work.

Great work as always Chris.

[Rintar]

Looks great vs I got one of ny bigger benjis still waiting for u and I have taken some cuttings from fa variegated that got the axe if two or more survive ones yours. Facebook me

[Andrew F]

Looks great vs I got one of ny bigger benjis still waiting for u and I have taken some cuttings from fa variegated that got the axe if two or more survive ones yours. Facebook me

No worries mate thank you.

[thoglette]

defoliated, rewired and re-potted.

Nice trunk movement.

[Bougy Fan]

Yes I really love the movement in the trunk - makes it what it is