Steven's grotesque fig

DustyRusty · Post by **DustyRusty** » October 31st, 2015, 12:07 pm

I bought this fig from Steven at the first ausbonsai market day in March 2014.

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It was a very ugly stump and not your standard material. I was attracted to it for this reason. I let it grow and recover until now, always not quite sure what to do with it. This is quite challenging material for me.

Well after a lot of thought, pruning, grafting branches together, carving, wiring and repotting, this is where it is now. Windex for size comparison.

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It still has a long way to go. The sides and back are very weak due to the angle of the two trunks. Will grow fairly freely to try to fill in these areas.

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Despite the weak areas I really like how ugly and unusual the trunk is. Looking forward to its future.

jezz_39 · Post by **jezz_39** » October 31st, 2015, 12:18 pm

Ugly trees are full of features and just need a fine touch to bring out the beauty. I really like where this is going

I'm imagining a broad broom style canopy. Will you grow the branches for thickness and cut back hard for exaggerated movement and taper?

DustyRusty · Post by **DustyRusty** » October 31st, 2015, 12:37 pm

Yeah that's the aim. Canopy that shows off the trunk. I think it's a good style for figs like this. Will grow to thicken current branches and develop new branches in my weak areas. Will keep everything else in shape.

jezz_39 · Post by **jezz_39** » October 31st, 2015, 12:47 pm

Solid plan

Should be looking real good this time next year

Post by **kcpoole** » October 31st, 2015, 1:44 pm

Hmm nice result

Goin to look pretty damn fine a few years

Ken

Rintar · Post by **Rintar** » November 7th, 2015, 3:16 am

Come a long way enjoy the journet

DustyRusty · Post by **DustyRusty** » September 29th, 2016, 11:30 am

Update after defoliation, shape review and wire.

Post by **kcpoole** » September 29th, 2016, 1:25 pm

I am not too sure about the upper right bit. the trunkline into that is too straight.
If mine i woud remove that and use the 3rd branch there heading to the left as the apex

Ken

matlea · Post by **matlea** » September 29th, 2016, 7:35 pm

Agree with ken, but maybe keep that current leader as a sacrifice branch for a couple of years to thicken up the section below then chop.

DustyRusty · Post by **DustyRusty** » September 30th, 2016, 9:00 am

Thanks ken. I'm just not too sure which part you mean? Any chance you could draw in the chop you mean? Or describe it another way?

This is hard material for me so advice welcome.

Post by **kcpoole** » October 1st, 2016, 12:15 am

Yep in the morning can add so e lines

Post by **kcpoole** » October 1st, 2016, 9:51 am

A little virt for you to ponder
I have lowered all the branching to develop that more ponderous habit of ficus and reduced the height by removing and or lowering the uppper branching / trunk.

The result will hopefully be nice rounded canopy over larger spreading branches

Ken

Rintar · Post by **Rintar** » January 27th, 2017, 9:05 pm

hows this going after a growing season

AusBonsai

Steven's grotesque fig

Steven's grotesque fig

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Re: Steven's grotesque fig