Moreton bay fig - requires styling

Calum B · Post by **Calum B** » March 16th, 2015, 4:54 pm

Hi Guys,

This will be my first post on Ausbonsai and am looking forward to join in on this great community.

I have a 25yo Moreton Bay Fig which has been cut back and now has really strong growth. Right now I don't have many ideas on styling.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Cheers
Calum

Post by **Bougy Fan** » March 16th, 2015, 5:17 pm

Hi Calum and welcome.It looks like it may need a repot - into a free draining mix would be a good idea. If you would like to grow the tree on a bit more you would put it into a styro box or similar. You may also want to remove the big root if you don't like the look of it. Water and feed and feed and then start working when you have some branching.

Calum B · Post by **Calum B** » March 16th, 2015, 5:46 pm

Hi,
If I were to re-pot it, what time of year would be best?

How would I go about removing the root. Cut off and seal? or does the figs own sap act as a sealant?

Thanks
Calum

Isitangus · Post by **Isitangus** » March 16th, 2015, 6:05 pm

Hi Calum welcome to ausbonsai.
You can repot now, I would also pot it into a growing pot/box/ground etc. I would remove that root at the same time-not all of it. I would use pic 2 as my new front, and cut the root as it starts to curl, I would seal it yes. I would also cut off or reposition that smaller toto that crosses the top.
Plenty of seasol and sun and it should do well.
When you repot take a big chunk of soil and put that maple into a large pot-don't do anythjng to the maple (ie cutting back etc) now.

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MoGanic · Post by **MoGanic** » March 16th, 2015, 6:11 pm

Mate, welcome to the forum.

You'll find some of the best Bonsai heads on here and plenty of friendly advice.

With regards to your fig, you can repot in the warmer months as figs are a tropical.

Having said that, id rather layer just above the big root as this gives you a great root spread and your nebari (surface roots) will be well on their way.

Future styling options will come when the branches are more developed.

Figs love to eat, so feed em up with anything and everything you have - pelletized chook poo I hear is all the rave these days.

Cheers,
Mo

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MoGanic · Post by **MoGanic** » March 16th, 2015, 6:16 pm

Isitangus wrote: When you repot take a big chunk of soil and put that maple into a large pot-don't do anythjng to the maple (ie cutting back etc) now.

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I.e don't disturb the roots. Just cut the chunk of soil around the maple and plunk it into a new pot.

Also, why is it in there lol?

Mo

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Calum B · Post by **Calum B** » March 16th, 2015, 6:36 pm

Thanks for the advice guys,

This was given to me as a gift (including the maple in the same pot), the lady it was bought off thought "it needed a friend in the pot".

Over the last 1.5 months I have just watered and fed it until I knew it was healthy.I think this weekend I'll repot it into a styro box, and have a go at that large root.

On a side note:
The other maples I own have fallen victim to leaf burn (Perth's hot winds), how ever this maple is healthy with no sign of leaf discolouration, I wonder what type maple it is.

Jarad · Post by **Jarad** » March 16th, 2015, 6:54 pm

I believe it's a trident maple, one of the more durable, Sun-loving maples.

Are your other maples the same type?

Calum B · Post by **Calum B** » March 16th, 2015, 10:11 pm

No the other maples are Chinese Maples.

"Having said that, id rather layer just above the big root as this gives you a great root spread and your nebari (surface roots) will be well on their way."

In what way do i layer it above the root?

Thanks
Calum

Raymond · Post by **Raymond** » March 17th, 2015, 10:28 am

Calum B wrote:No the other maples are Chinese Maples.

"Having said that, id rather layer just above the big root as this gives you a great root spread and your nebari (surface roots) will be well on their way."

In what way do i layer it above the root?

Thanks
Calum

You could use the toothpick method. I have several tree with similar bases and I have applied this method on mine. I'd post the link to the instructions but I am NOT computer savvy

rockkcorful · Post by **rockkcorful** » March 17th, 2015, 11:16 am

I would chose out of the two trunks which is your prefered apex, give the other a chop, or layer if you would like! then progress branch selection from there!

Jarad · Post by **Jarad** » March 17th, 2015, 11:38 am

Raymond wrote: You could use the toothpick method. I have several tree with similar bases and I have applied this method on mine. I'd post the link to the instructions but I am NOT computer savvy

Are these the threads you're looking for Raymond?

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=18365&p=186435&hilit

viewtopic.php?f=133&t=18470&p=196852&hilit

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Moreton bay fig - requires styling

Moreton bay fig - requires styling

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Re: Moreton bay fig - requires styling

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Re: Moreton bay fig - requires styling

Re: Moreton bay fig - requires styling