Fig on rock

[bonsaiboy50]

Found this rock many years ago on a coastal headland. I put the fig on it about 3 years ago. I did not know how the fig would go growing on a rock from the beach. To my delight it has grown well and might even make a decent bonsai in a Cpl of years. Love any critique

[kvan64]

I like it. However, I would shorten the left branch to balance the design. This time of the year is also the best time to defoliate to improve ramifying. I guess that you would want compact foliage for root-over-rock to compliment the design right?
Just a suggestion.
DK

[KIRKY]

Agree with DK. I'd shorten the left branch
Cheers

[Graeme]

Damned if I would. I reckon that left branch provides all the story behind this tree. At first glance I thought it needed some movement in it, as the rest of the tree has beautiful movement throughout the composition, however, after looking at it in it's enlarged form even that idea was changed. I would possibly like to see a bit more development of foliage on that branch, but all in all, for what it's worth, I love it.

[melbrackstone]

To my eye you've got a lovely "flow" from the sloping root up to the trunk and then down the long branch. I'd be chipping some off the rock to give it some space. Or lift the branch a little so the rock is clear of foliage.... It's a beaut!

just my personal opinion, though!

DSC_0001.jpg

[Jarad]

To my eye you've got a lovely "flow" from the sloping root up to the trunk and then down the long branch. I'd be chipping some off the rock to give it some space. Or lift the branch a little so the rock is clear of foliage.... It's a beaut!

Nice vert Mel! I agree.

[kvan64]

Without prejudice...the branches will grow...the rock won't. In the long run, the thing that will go against root-over-rock design is the tree outgrows the rock. If I was to make a thorough decision for a long lasting design, I would not trim the rock and focus on the ramification while controlling growth on the branches.
Final words, you are the master of the tree, it's you who make the final call...go with your gut feeling.
Cheers
DK

[melbrackstone]

Good point, DK, I shoulda been a politician, thinking about now, and not the future.

[bonsaiboy50]

Thanks everyone for all your great feedback.I really think kven64 summed it up perfectly and I will be adjusting the branching to expose more of the rock and seeing how the left branch develops over time. Many thanks to al who contributed.

[kvan64]

All the best. Keep updating!