Moreton Bay fig 3
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
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Moreton Bay fig 3
Progression thread : Moreton Bay fig 3
This Moreton Bay fig was purchased from Bonsai World at Jilliby on the Central Coast for $50
Make sure you visit the nursery out there. Its the greatest bonsai nursery in the universe.
This was put back into an orchid pot as the roots had developed some root rot due to drainage issues. The bonsai pot was sitting at an angle, and I would usually rotate it every few weeks or so, but it wasn't draining well enough, so I have now used about 40% course washed river sand and removed all the rotting roots and sprayed with Yates 'ANTI ROT' (amazing product!). It has bounced back and is now improving in health. (Best to have bonsai pots on an even level ground )
PJ's and MB's look lovely if you cut-and-grow. Besides, figs grow so strongly that once you forget and let wire bite in, there's no coming back from that. And nothing says unnatural more than twisted wire marks.
PJ vs MB:
I find Port Jacksons are better for making small bonsai than Moreton bay figs, mainly because the leaves reduce much easier on Port Jacksons.
From my experience Port Jackson also are better at tolerating shade, and branches that are heavily shaded don't die off like with Moretons.
This photo was taken 17 Feb 2016
This photo was taken 02 Aug 2017
This photo was taken 01 May 2018
This photo was taken 28 Feb 2019
This photo was taken 15 Apr 2020
This Moreton Bay fig was purchased from Bonsai World at Jilliby on the Central Coast for $50
Make sure you visit the nursery out there. Its the greatest bonsai nursery in the universe.
This was put back into an orchid pot as the roots had developed some root rot due to drainage issues. The bonsai pot was sitting at an angle, and I would usually rotate it every few weeks or so, but it wasn't draining well enough, so I have now used about 40% course washed river sand and removed all the rotting roots and sprayed with Yates 'ANTI ROT' (amazing product!). It has bounced back and is now improving in health. (Best to have bonsai pots on an even level ground )
PJ's and MB's look lovely if you cut-and-grow. Besides, figs grow so strongly that once you forget and let wire bite in, there's no coming back from that. And nothing says unnatural more than twisted wire marks.
PJ vs MB:
I find Port Jacksons are better for making small bonsai than Moreton bay figs, mainly because the leaves reduce much easier on Port Jacksons.
From my experience Port Jackson also are better at tolerating shade, and branches that are heavily shaded don't die off like with Moretons.
This photo was taken 17 Feb 2016
This photo was taken 02 Aug 2017
This photo was taken 01 May 2018
This photo was taken 28 Feb 2019
This photo was taken 15 Apr 2020
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 486 times
Re: Moreton Bay fig 3
This photo was taken 17 Feb 2016
This photo was taken 02 Aug 2017
This photo was taken 01 May 2018
This photo was taken 28 Feb 2019
This photo was taken 15 Apr 2020
This photo was taken 15 Jan 2021
This photo was taken 02 Aug 2017
This photo was taken 01 May 2018
This photo was taken 28 Feb 2019
This photo was taken 15 Apr 2020
This photo was taken 15 Jan 2021
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 96
- Joined: March 30th, 2012, 12:47 pm
- Favorite Species: Ficus rubignosa
- Bonsai Age: 17
- Bonsai Club: Irimbirra
- Location: Woonona
- Been thanked: 9 times
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 486 times
Re: Moreton Bay fig 3
17 Feb 2016
02 Aug 2017
01 May 2018
28 Feb 2019
15 Apr 2020
15 Jan 2021
02 Aug 2017
01 May 2018
28 Feb 2019
15 Apr 2020
15 Jan 2021
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Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
- melbrackstone
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 3473
- Joined: December 15th, 2015, 8:05 pm
- Favorite Species: the ones that live
- Bonsai Age: 28
- Bonsai Club: Redlands, BIMER, VNBC
- Location: Brisbane
- Has thanked: 1217 times
- Been thanked: 741 times
- Contact:
Re: Moreton Bay fig 3
Agree whole-heartedly.PJ vs MB:
I find Port Jacksons are better for making small bonsai than Moreton bay figs, mainly because the leaves reduce much easier on Port Jacksons.
From my experience Port Jackson also are better at tolerating shade, and branches that are heavily shaded don't die off like with Moretons.
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 486 times
Re: Moreton Bay fig 3
10 Jan 2022
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 486 times
Re: Moreton Bay fig 3
Yeah that ones my wife’s favourite.
She wants them all in bonsai pots so it looks better in the backyard.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 486 times
Re: Moreton Bay fig 3
Disaster struck.
An enormous gum limb had fallen on this in May 2022. It severed multiple branches as it came down. The May 2022 photo showed the fresh damage, and then I anchored branches to close over the large gap that it created from losing so many branches. I have been hoping that I get new shoots from the lower branch that was damaged, so I can have multiple shoots coming out like before.... but so far nothing has emerged. Its a shame, as I loved where the style was going previously.
It then was attacked by a pest that buries its way through the sheaths of the new growth and starts to munch on the new forming leaves. The only way to eradicate them was to spray with Pyrethrum long-life and followup with confidor.
01May2022
18Jan2023
An enormous gum limb had fallen on this in May 2022. It severed multiple branches as it came down. The May 2022 photo showed the fresh damage, and then I anchored branches to close over the large gap that it created from losing so many branches. I have been hoping that I get new shoots from the lower branch that was damaged, so I can have multiple shoots coming out like before.... but so far nothing has emerged. Its a shame, as I loved where the style was going previously.
It then was attacked by a pest that buries its way through the sheaths of the new growth and starts to munch on the new forming leaves. The only way to eradicate them was to spray with Pyrethrum long-life and followup with confidor.
01May2022
18Jan2023
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
- melbrackstone
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 3473
- Joined: December 15th, 2015, 8:05 pm
- Favorite Species: the ones that live
- Bonsai Age: 28
- Bonsai Club: Redlands, BIMER, VNBC
- Location: Brisbane
- Has thanked: 1217 times
- Been thanked: 741 times
- Contact:
Re: Moreton Bay fig 3
Have you considered grafting new branches in? Just a v cut and a tip shoot is enough to get going.
- Rory
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
- Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
- Bonsai Age: 24
- Location: Central Coast, NSW
- Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 486 times
Re: Moreton Bay fig 3
I haven't done a great deal with this. I've mainly just allowed it to regain its health after the trauma a few years ago. Cut it back a bit since then and tried to promote more growth down the base of the trunk. It then shot quite a few new shoots which unfortunately were eaten by something, but thankfully a few remained to hopefully develop a lot more lower branches in time.
16May2024
16May2024
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus
Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480
Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724
Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995
How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227