Ficus rubiginosa [lost and found]

[Steven]

G'day,

Here is a progression of my oldest 'bonsai'. It's a Ficus rubiginosa [Port Jackson fig] that I originally got about 20 years ago. It was forgotten about and spent about 10 years lost in my parents backyard where it somehow managed to survive. Mum found it about 5 years ago and I have been working on it again since mid 2008.

2008 July.jpg

I repotted it into a larger dish, decided on a new front and changed the planting angle.

2008 November.jpg

2009 January.jpg

2009 February.jpg

2009 April_a.jpg

2009 April.jpg

2009 December.jpg

2009 December defoliated.jpg

2010 February.jpg

2010 February defoliated.jpg

2010 February_defoliated.jpg

2010 October_a.jpg

2010 October_b.jpg

2010 October_c.jpg

It currently stands 350mm tall and is 480mm wide.
I'll repot it when the weather gets a bit warmer and plant it more over on the right side of the pot.

To get a better view CLICK HERE TO VIEW IT IN 360°

So, what do you think? All comments, critique and discussion is welcome

Regards,
Steven

[Ash]

Hi Steven,

This is a very useful progression. I like the shape and style of your tree and in particular its proportions, it is natural without excessive bends or corners and has a wide crown with appropriately shaped branches. Your approach makes it all the much more like a real Ficus rubiginosa. I note that when you defoliate the tree you leave the apical bud in-tact. I have always cut it out, but it seems to me you are getting very good shooting along the stem leaving it in place. When you tip prune how do you do it? Cut to a bottom facing leaf? Or do you just cut the bud out? Please keep us posted on this tree.
regards
Ash

[jarryd]

looks great steven it has come a long way,

the only thing i could suggest is that the pads seem very flat maybe you could put a bit more movement so some branches sit on different levels.

kind regards jarryd

[Ash]

Yes Jarryd I agree- the branch tips of the primary branches in the second last photo are somehow the more appealing. You want to jump up and swing on them.
cheers
Ash

[Jamie]

gday steven

mate I like this tree it reminds me a little of where I want to go with my obliqua, especially trunk wise, I have started to try and get airial roots growing from all over the trunk to build a more interesting trunk and nebari, using small trays of water all around the base of the tree to build humidity. I will be taking shots of it all as it happens to show what I do maybe one day it will make a tree I could try a 360 on!

jamie

[Pup]

This comment is going to draw fire, I know. However it is my opinion, and as such I am entitled to it.

Get rid of the Aerials, and we can then see the trunk for what it is worth, then use them to graft roots to the base. We have a nice tree which is being hidden under the roots.

The biggest problem with them, is they will in time ruin the branches, by making them too thick in proportion. Therefore unbalance the tree, which in turn will cause problems that will take time to correct.

As I said just my opinion, other than that I see nice potential for this tree's future.

Cheers Pup

[bodhidharma]

Nice tree Steven, i wish mine would grow like that down here I am very happy you lost the black pot although i can honestly say i am not in love with the newy either. It needs a once off type of pot. I am sure one will present. The second branch up on the right side, in my personal opinion, needs to come off. I think it would create a little more elegance to the tree. As the tree grows i think this would crowd that area and take away from the branch above it. Having said that, it would be welcome at my place any day.

[craigw60]

Hi Steven, nice progression of your tree and your pruning techniques. Both seem to be on the improve. The tree is looking fantastic
Craigw

[Jamie]

good call on that second right branch bodhi, your right that it will improve the tree signifigantly! it will open it up and give it a little negative space which will help greatly

[senseijames]

Hi guys, personally I wouldn't cut it off, as it is part of a twin back branch, if you look at it in 360 dg, because it is wired as such, then I would just try and bend it ( the whole twin branch ) more to the back over left. " my novice opinion"

AWKWARD BRANCH.doc

James

[Gerard]

Hi guys, personally I wouldn't cut it off, as it is part of a twin back branch, if you look at it in 360 dg, because it is wired as such, then I would just try and bend it ( the whole twin branch ) more to the back over left. " my novice opinion"

AWKWARD BRANCH.doc

James

I have also been taking a good look at the 360 and feel that simply shortening this branch would be adequate to create the negative space which Jamie mentioned and avoid the crowding issue which Bodhi mentioned.
Aerial roots?
I like them on some trees, but the decision must be made either-
a feature
or
lose them
I am undecided

[bodhidharma]

Hi guys, personally I wouldn't cut it off, as it is part of a twin back branch, if you look at it in 360 dg, because it is wired as such, then I would just try and bend it ( the whole twin branch ) more to the back over left. " my novice opinion"

AWKWARD BRANCH.doc

James

James, i think you are looking at a different branch to me. The one i mean is a single branch and second high on the right.

[Taffy]

Jamie, I think the branch you're referring to is actually a rear facing branch - have a look at the 360 deg view.

[Taffy]

I don't try and shoot people down for their opinions Pup. That's exactly what they are - other people's opinions.

To me, aerial roots are a natural feature of Port Jackson figs. In my opinion, they look ok, and I like them. If anything, I'd remove the outermost ones and then bind the rest to the trunk. They will eventually fuse with the trunk, therefore making it thicker - and giving the tree more character.

With regards to removing that second (heavy) branch on the right: if that's done, then you are virtually left with almost a bar branch at the bottom, then nothing until you get up towards the apex. With the left side, you then have two branches with nothing on the right to counterbalance them. It will make the tree look totally out of balance. Have a look at it without that branch - it looks like a 'flying saucer':

2010 October_c1.jpg

I've just seen the posts since I started writing this reply. If the branch that is being referred to is the one the red arrow is pointing to, then that is a back branch and could be taken further round towards the back or removed. If it's the blue arrowed one - then no, that one should stay. It counterbalances the left side of the tree.

Ficus_rubiginosa_sh-181.jpg

My idea would be to take that rear branch further back - thereby giving you some negative space on the right, and if that isn't possible then perhaps remove it altogether.

You've done good with it so far Steven and ultimately, it is up to you to do what you think is best, and what you're comfortable with.

[hugh grant]

Great tree Steven I love it! That firstright branch does cause a bit of contraversy but like Tman showed in his virt I dosnt look the same without it in the best way. I like arial roots in my opinion and gives the trunk an alot thicker look then if the roots were fused so I lke it alot as well as just looking great on the tree, I think they're spot on.

Hugh