(Not Updated)[Kigawa] Ficus rubiginosa var. ‘Little Rubi’

[Kigawa]

This plant was purchased as starter stock in June 2007 from Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursery for $3.00. Since then it was re-potted three times. The tree is very slow-growing. In October 2009, the top part of this plant was cut off, which qualifies as the ‘trunk chop’. No branches were removed and no other work has been done on this tree. At present, the height of the plant is 95 mm. Its original height back in 2007 was about the same. Images ‘a’ and ‘b’ show the plant from two different sides. Image ‘c’ shows a close up of the trunk chop scar and most branches.

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[Kigawa]

Yesterday, I re-potted this plant from a bonsai pot to a larger plastic pot (see the arrow in the image). In the process, I found that the plant hardly has any roots, and I am not sure why. I haven’t found any beetle grubs in the soil. The old soil was one part potting soil mix, one part zeolite and one part diatomite. I decided to change that to potting mix only. I hope the change of soil type and larger container will help root recovery.

[Kigawa]

It has been three months since the last update and there has been no progress with this plant . Below is the photo to prove that.

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[Bebbas]

Don't look now Kigawa but your 3 month update needed to be done by the 30 June. The mods will let you know if that April 21st post will count although it is only 21 days into the comp.
Good luck

[Biofusion]

What is your fertilizer regime?

[Steven]

Don't look now Kigawa but your 3 month update needed to be done by the 30 June. The mods will let you know if that April 21st post will count although it is only 21 days into the comp.
Good luck

Hi Bebbas, updates need to me made at least one in each 3 month period. Kigawa made his update within the period so there is no problem.
Regards,
Steven

[Bebbas]

Good news Steven.
I felt bad for him/her that they may have been disqualified for the sake of a couple of weeks on the wrong side of June 30

[Kigawa]

What is your fertilizer regime?

Hi Biofusion,
I usually use Charlie Carp. In spring, every fortnight. In summer and autumn, once a month and nothing in winter. I was also using Miracle-Gro as a foliage feed, but not consistently. I could probably vary my fertilisers, but not sure how much difference it would make. Is there something else I could do

[Bougy Fan]

This is a slow growing variety - probably not the best choice for the time frame of the comp. That coupled with your location and winter means you probably won't see an explosion of growth for a few months.

[Kigawa]

This is a slow growing variety - probably not the best choice for the time frame of the comp. That coupled with your location and winter means you probably won't see an explosion of growth for a few months.

Hi Bougy Fan,
I have the same feeling. I entered it in the competition after seeing some relatively large and seemingly fast growing Little Rubi plants. This plant was probably struck from an unlucky cutting .

[jezz_39]

Thats a bit harsh, Bougy Fan ??
I would think once the spring growth hardens off and some initial ramification is achieved, this tree will look very nice. It already has a great line and primary branches are in the right spot once wired down.
I only have one comp enty which is a Green Island Fig, which is obviously slower growing than Kigawa's choice of stock. All my figs are starting to wind up now for their explosion of growth so I would expect Sydney to be only a few weeks behind.
Keep up the nice work Kigawa, I can see a nice shohin in the near future

[Kigawa]

Today, I tidied up the trunk chop area, so that the final scar can begin to heal. I also loosely wired lower branches to open up the top of the plant and allow the apical shoots to grow. The result is shown in the images.

IMG_7986.JPG

[Bougy Fan]

Thats a bit harsh, Bougy Fan ??
I would think once the spring growth hardens off and some initial ramification is achieved, this tree will look very nice. It already has a great line and primary branches are in the right spot once wired down.

Speaking from experience with this species - I thought that was what the forum and the comp were for - to learn ? I have one here in Brissy that I have had for 5 years and have not had much noticeable growth on it. It probably had been a little neglected by generally figs up here grow like weeds.

I certainly am encouraging Kigawa to continue and in years to come this will be a great shohin. I myself learnt a lot from the first comp and had no trees I felt were finished to be judged. This was for a variety of reasons but was a valuable learning experience.

[Kigawa]

Speaking from experience with this species - I thought that was what the forum and the comp were for - to learn ? I have one here in Brissy that I have had for 5 years and have not had much noticeable growth on it. It probably had been a little neglected by generally figs up here grow like weeds.

A couple of years ago I was so frustrated with the slow growth of another Little Rubi that I grafted it on a regular Port Jackson Fig. The cleft graft worked well, but the growth rate improved only slightly. Sometimes I am amazed to see quite large Little Rubi specimens with their owners not ever aware that it is a slow growing variety!

[Bougy Fan]

I know what you mean - you see a big Little Ruby and you wonder how old it is. Good luck and keep up the good work !