kez, your tree looks to be a little young, development wise, so leaving it in the larger pot for another year (or to) will really help with that development. While your second pot will really suit the tree, it will also slow down the growth rate, thereby prolonging the development of the tree.
Feed it well, leave it where it is, feed it well, keep up with the trimming and feed it well and you will be rewarded with a much better tree. Just my opinion of course.
Ficus re-pot
- Shane Martin
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Re: Ficus re-pot
Hi Kez,
It might just be the pic, but the new pot looks too wide for the little tree. The pot it's in looks to be the right width, but needs only to be half the depth. I prefer the colour of the existing one to the new one as well. Anyway.... as a newbie, the best thing you can learn is ''Patience''. Your trees will thank you for it in the long run. Learn the rules and correct growing methods first before you start breaking them...... you will loose more than your fair share of trees throughout your bonsai life....everyone does, so don't stress. I'd leave the tree in the bigger pot til next season... It will grow like mad through the summer and regain much vigor for pretty much anything you want to throw at it in the future. JMO
It might just be the pic, but the new pot looks too wide for the little tree. The pot it's in looks to be the right width, but needs only to be half the depth. I prefer the colour of the existing one to the new one as well. Anyway.... as a newbie, the best thing you can learn is ''Patience''. Your trees will thank you for it in the long run. Learn the rules and correct growing methods first before you start breaking them...... you will loose more than your fair share of trees throughout your bonsai life....everyone does, so don't stress. I'd leave the tree in the bigger pot til next season... It will grow like mad through the summer and regain much vigor for pretty much anything you want to throw at it in the future. JMO
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Re: Ficus re-pot
Thanks for all the advice folks,
The fig is powering along and is exploding with new buds and leaves are opening out all along wired branches. I was wondering when it would be appropriate to do some branch pruning as I have a clearer idea of the direction I wish to take the tree.
I am conscious of the work done already, but also of the time of year. I would like to remove some smaller branches, and trim some of the upper branches to create taper.
Any thoughts?
The fig is powering along and is exploding with new buds and leaves are opening out all along wired branches. I was wondering when it would be appropriate to do some branch pruning as I have a clearer idea of the direction I wish to take the tree.
I am conscious of the work done already, but also of the time of year. I would like to remove some smaller branches, and trim some of the upper branches to create taper.
Any thoughts?
Last edited by kez on December 14th, 2013, 6:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ficus re-pot
Summer is a great time to work on figs, the hotter the better, and as long as it's healthy. But you need to be sure to seal the cuts as they will bleed a lot.kez wrote:Thanks for all the advice folks,
The fig is powering along and is exploding with new buds and leaves are opening out all along wired branches. I was wondering when it would be appropriate to do some branch pruning as I have a clearer idea of the direction I wish to take the tree.
I am conscious of the work done already, but also of the time of year. I would like to remove some smaller branches, and trim some of the upper branches to create taper.
Any thoughts?

Last edited by Drac0 on December 14th, 2013, 10:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-Mark-
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Re: Ficus re-pot
Today I got a chance to take a pic of the fig recovering after the defoliation.
As stated above I want to generally shorten the upper branches, And remove some entirely to create a more triangular shape
Here's the pic

Looking forward to your thoughts folks
Kez
As stated above I want to generally shorten the upper branches, And remove some entirely to create a more triangular shape
Here's the pic

Looking forward to your thoughts folks
Kez
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Re: Ficus re-pot
Hi kez,kez wrote:Anybody have any opinions on whether this little tree is ready for a prune?:)
It looks like it is coming back nicely from the defoliation. The branches are still fairly young and you will be able to move and work them for some time. This means you will be able to allow the tree to grow without it getting out of hand as far as the thickness of the branches is concerned. Just do some tip pruning and see if you get new buds appearing back along the branches.
Regards Ray
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Re: Ficus re-pot
Thought I'd post an update pic of this little fig,
Been feeding with powerfeed every 2 weeks, just letting it go for now

Any opinions on where to from here are most welcome
Kez
Been feeding with powerfeed every 2 weeks, just letting it go for now

Any opinions on where to from here are most welcome
Kez