What to do with this ficus

[david86]

Hi all

Just after a little help on what I should do to this Ficus.
The root systems is quite ugly for starters also Its quite tall and thin and the trunks seem to be seperated.
Ive had it in this pot for almost 5 years with maybe 1 or 2 soil changes.

Should i bother with it or move on?
Cheers.

[Jason]

While I can't give you any styling advice (still learning myself), I definately wouldn't get rid of it. Its has a lot of potential I think, and they are a great tree to bonsai from what I've seen and heard.

[david86]

While I can't give you any styling advice (still learning myself), I definately wouldn't get rid of it. Its has a lot of potential I think, and they are a great tree to bonsai from what I've seen and heard.

Thanks mate, But I just dont think it will ever have that true "Bonsai style". Ill wait and see what everyone else says though.

[shibui]

Hi david. Some solutions to your problems:

also Its quite tall and thin

- Prune it. Figs shoot back very well and should recover quickly if you take note of the following.

Ive had it in this pot for almost 5 years with maybe 1 or 2 soil changes

- repot and feed much more often - feed weekly or fortnightly + some slow release fert on the pot and repot at least every 2 years to get better growth.

The root systems is quite ugly for starters

- Repotting and proper root pruning should help with this too. Figs put out new roots very easily so you could even ground layer to get a new root system just above the existing one.

and the trunks seem to be seperated.

- Figs generally graft very easily too. One grower is quoted as saying that just by having 2 figs in the same room they are likely to unite Just getting your figs healthy and growing should see them grow together but you could check when repotting to see if they come apart. If so, cut all the roots growing from those 2 sides and scrape the bark then tie them together so they fuse sooner. I suspect there is a root or 2 under there pushing the trunks apart. Proper root pruning would have prevented it from happening.

The tree has potential. you need to look after it to realise that potential.

[Bougy Fan]

Don't ask me - I'm a bonsai tragic and reckon every tree can be a bonsai I would repot and cut back hard in spring and then see what you have.

[Jason]

While I can't give you any styling advice (still learning myself), I definately wouldn't get rid of it. Its has a lot of potential I think, and they are a great tree to bonsai from what I've seen and heard.

Thanks mate, But I just dont think it will ever have that true "Bonsai style". Ill wait and see what everyone else says though.

You may be suprised The trunk has good character, and they are a hardy plant so there is a lot you can do

Plus I've seen the guys around this site create a bonsai from stock where I'd have never thought it possible. Even if you can't see it now, keep it fed, repotted regularly and under control and in a few more years you might look at it and see the bonsai you've been looking for

[david86]

Hi david. Some solutions to your problems:

also Its quite tall and thin

- Prune it. Figs shoot back very well and should recover quickly if you take note of the following.

Ive had it in this pot for almost 5 years with maybe 1 or 2 soil changes

- repot and feed much more often - feed weekly or fortnightly + some slow release fert on the pot and repot at least every 2 years to get better growth.

The root systems is quite ugly for starters

- Repotting and proper root pruning should help with this too. Figs put out new roots very easily so you could even ground layer to get a new root system just above the existing one.

and the trunks seem to be seperated.

- Figs generally graft very easily too. One grower is quoted as saying that just by having 2 figs in the same room they are likely to unite Just getting your figs healthy and growing should see them grow together but you could check when repotting to see if they come apart. If so, cut all the roots growing from those 2 sides and scrape the bark then tie them together so they fuse sooner. I suspect there is a root or 2 under there pushing the trunks apart. Proper root pruning would have prevented it from happening.

The tree has potential. you need to look after it to realise that potential.

Thanks for your reply mate.
Should I wait until spring to prune, root prune and repot?

[Beano]

Are you kidding?! That's a great tree! Even now it looks weathered and has interesting trunk characteristics and thickness (in my opinion). You should definitely keep it.

[david86]

Are you kidding?! That's a great tree! Even now it looks weathered and has interesting trunk characteristics and thickness (in my opinion). You should definitely keep it.

Yes your right, after reading what shibui said has made me see this but its going to take alot of work.
I bought this 5 years ago going for a twin trunk design but moved on from bonsai and left this in the pot outside and not looked after. Proably why its so weathered lol

[Ulf]

I reckon this is a great little tree! I can see a nice fat twin trunk from that base spreading out to a broom. Improve the nebari and you have an absolutely gorgeous bonsai.
Of course, if it is all too much trouble you can throw it out by mailing it directly to me......

[kcpoole]

I think it is far too tall and lanky.

I would be cutting the trunks all back hard and growing a new canopy. Multi trunk ficus look real nice.

Ken

[david86]

I reckon this is a great little tree! I can see a nice fat twin trunk from that base spreading out to a broom. Improve the nebari and you have an absolutely gorgeous bonsai.
Of course, if it is all too much trouble you can throw it out by mailing it directly to me......

Thanks for your reply.
When the time comes and i repot ill see how the root system is and go from there, i reckon it is gonna be real ugly under there lol

[thoglette]

I reckon this is a great little tree!

+1 However some serious cutting a few base widths up will start to develop some structure

[david86]

I think it is far too tall and lanky.

I would be cutting the trunks all back hard and growing a new canopy. Multi trunk ficus look real nice.

Ken

Thanks for the reply
Id like to keep it a twin trunk and i agree on it being to tall. Ill give it a good chop, wire and repot when the time comes

[Guy]

what I would do--keep the height for now--at repot time put into a larger pot- but now to get it started, I would tape the trunks at the lowest level together so they couldnt spread ---then use wires connected to the pot edge and about half way up each trunk (use pieces of garden hose at the trunk to stop wire damage) and spread or fan the trunks into a much wider and deeper canopy -wire the secondary branches until set --perhaps a light trim to encourage some back budding---and let grow for a couple of years-feed --water feed-feed water -water--water--then some heavier pruning