[chrisatrocky] Ficus benjamina

[chrisatrocky]

collected from the fork of a Flea tree (Albizia lebbeck) in Feb 2011, Trunk chopped 18th Aug. 150mm high, 120mm wide at the base.

aus1.png

aus1.1.png

[chrisatrocky]

cleaned up and read for the spagnum moss around the roots

aus1.2.png

aus1.3.png

aus1.4.png

[chrisatrocky]

covered the trunk and roots with spagnum moss. got a lot of new growth.

benji 8.jpg

[chrisatrocky]

It has grown some nice branches.

christan's cam 17dec11 056.JPG

time to defoliate and see what we got.

christan's cam 17dec11 057.JPG

trim up and some wiring.

christan's cam 17dec11 059.JPG

some branches need a little more growing.

221.png

sorry about not being able to see the base its in spagnum and we will just have to wait.

chris

[magpie]

Hi Chris, I like your tree and it's chosen front. You have nice little tree there.

Please can you explain the rationale of using sphagnum moss here ? Are you going to ground layer it ?
In my limited experience with Ficus benjamina have to expect some dieback if you totally defoliated the tree. But it may not be the case in your climate. I am looking forward how your tree powered on this season. please update.
Thank you

[chrisatrocky]

thanks Magpie for your interest, the spagnum moss is to incourage roots from the trunk and hopefully create a thicker and more interesting base, This variety throws aerial roots readily F.benjamina 'exotica'. and yes benji's are prone to die back even here, but not to worried about that because they grow back very quickly.

chris

[chrisatrocky]

Selected a few branches. Having trouble with the heat, some days getting up to 42 and very strong sun shine, burning some of the young leaves.

photo3.JPG

[hugh grant]

i like where its heading mate, when you get those lower branches to thicken i think trying to encourage some aerial roots from them will add to the look your after.
I know from experience that the sphagnum moss on the trunk has worked for me so i wouldnt see any reason why it wouldnt for you.
Good luck with it

Hugh

[chrisatrocky]

Here's an update, picked out a couple of pots depending on the base as to which pot it will go in, I'll pot it up in mid Aug. What do you think?

15.JPG

1st pot

16.JPG

2nd pot

17.JPG

chris

[Andrew F]

1st one, love that glaze. Dont know if traditionally they will match.

[Bougy Fan]

My personal preference would be for a shallower pot

[chrisatrocky]

Not much change in this one. Desided to go with the rectangle pot.

chris

[chrisatrocky]

here's an update pic. the leaf reduction is coming along nicely and we need them as small as possible on this size tree.

christan's cam 16 06 12 029.JPG

chris

[chrisatrocky]

The unveiling of the roots a defoliate and a repot and a change of fronts. I like where this one is heading.
Before we started today

1.2b.JPG

After defoliation

1.2a.JPG

Previous front now back

1.2d.JPG

The new front and new pot

1.2c.JPG

The new front brings the largest trunk to the fore and there are more roots visible on this side.

chris

[Sno]

Well done Chris, it really is starting to take shape .great stuff.
Cheers Craig