Moreton Bay Ficus (progression advice needed)

[DaveL]

Hey all,

Just popping in a few photo's of a Moreton Bay ficus I picked up last year. I picked this stock up last year when i first got started in this crazy bonsai world and obviously my eye was not developed enough to distinguish a few design faults. So i'm reaching out for advice on this 'bonsai's' future progression.

I have defoliated the apex twice in summer and once before winter, both of which the tree responded well to. I have left the lower limbs to lengthen (hence the large leaves). The Ficus seems to bad bud very well, however has not produced buds in the long skinny middle section.

Ideas at the moment would be to shorten the trunk significantly. Thanks in advance for any advice given. Dave

[astroboy76]

to be honest, i would layer it above the two roots shooting out of the trunk. they are creating reverse taper which will hinder the look of the tree as it develops further.

[astroboy76]

and maybe cut the trunk off just above the 2nd branch on the right. i woudl then train that branch as the new leader and wire some movement into it. i knwo it feels like a backwards step but i think in a year or two, once the tree is growing and developing nicely, u will be happy u did it

[Jamie]

agreed with astro here dave

the top has a decent branch structure, air layer that off and train that into a tree, with the base the second right branch would be the new leader, i would stick the bottom half in the ground to get it going strong and try and develop some more airial roots to fill in the spaces of the others.

jamie