How do I develop my figs branchs?

[Rowdy]

BanyanFig2Aug2009.jpg

I got this fig 13 months ago from bunnings, because I thought it had character. So much so that I went and did a beginner’s bonsai course, so this is really the tree that started it all for me. I think it is a banyan fig. I like to think of it as a root over rock, without the rock.
Now 13 months later I have it in the shape I want it, a semi cascade. The pot will be replaced when I find something I like. But all the branchs are just branchs with a few leaves coming out of it. What I want to know is how to I give it the beautiful branchs that look like they belong on an old tree.

IMG_0035.JPG

I have the Size and general shape I want, but i am not sure what i have to do now to make it look better.
Any suggestions?

[lewis_milnes]

Hi there Rowdy,

Figs are a little trickier to grow over my way, as you really need to grow them indoors. However, in respect to your branching, a method which is quite popular to increase ramification (dense branching) is to defoliate the tree. Meaning cutting off all of the leaves, leaving just the stalks in place. This causes the tree to produce another set of leaves which are usually smaller, but also encourages the tree the back-bud onto old wood, making new branches where you didn't have them before. If you wanted to increase the size/thickness of your current branches, you would need to let the branches grow, unchecked for a while. This would mean for that period you would lose your desired shape for the tree, but once thickened you can clip the branches back to the original shape. In regards to the defoliation, you have to be slightly careful, as it is very stressfull to the tree, so the tree must be healthy and vigorous before hand, and also timing for this procedure is key. Your friends over in Aus should be able to give you a more accurate timing to do this, but over here it would be done in Summer.

Hope that is helpful to you.

[Taffy]

Hey Rowdy, what Lewis has said is right - up to a point. Here in Queensland, your window for defoliation can go from October right through to February. In that time - and as long as your tree is healthy and growing strong, you can get two or even three defoliation's done. I've even defoliated as late as April/May with no adverse effects - although that is a little late and the sap isn't flowing so well.

We are lucky with our climate. We don't need to Molly Coddle Figs like our unfortunate cousins in the UK Here they are just about bullet-proof - and we can grow them in full sun

[lewis_milnes]

We are lucky with our climate. We don't need to Molly Coddle Figs like our unfortunate cousins in the UK Here they are just about bullet-proof - and we can grow them in full sun

We don't even get full sun in Summer
I wish we could grow fig a bit more easily here though because I have seen some stunning examples on this forum

[Taffy]

Ah but you see Lewis, you can grow trees in your climate that we aren't able to up here in Queensland. It's either too hot or too humid for them.

[bonsaiboy50]

Everyones advice is spot on, only thing I can add is this. If you want good strong branching and ramifications you need to put your fig in a much larger pot for a few years.All my figs spend an average of 10 years in grow pots before graduating into Bonsai pots. Good luck.
Bonsaiboy

[Tony Bebb]

Hi Rowdy

All good advice mate. If you want them thicker, let them grow long first till they get there. If you want more fine branches keep up the tip pruning and defoliation is great. Now is the time.

Just make sure if you do defoliate that you also remove the tip shoot, otherwise it will just grow from the end. Take all the leaves off, but leave the stems and it will reshoot from the base of the stem. After the tree re-shoots, prune the tips out when there are only 2 or 3 leaves on the shoot and this will keep the leaves small, and develop more shoots.

Enjoy

Tony

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Rowdy long time no talk If you want it to grow bigger and faster get it out of that pot like everyone said. Put it in a styro box and feed it like mad.

Tony

[Rowdy]

Its actually at the size i want it, i only have a veranda to graw my plants so i dont want anything much bigger then this, i just want it to start and look better.
should i take the wire off to allow more shoots to pop out?

[lewis_milnes]

If you want to develop it, it may have be grown slightly larger for a short period. With the amount of growth and length of growing seasons you guys get, you may be able to grow it sufficiently in one season. At which point it can be cut back to the size you wish, just with more mature appearing branching. When was the tree last repotted? You will have to monitor the wire, as if it is left on too long it will begin to bite into the bark as the tree grows.

[kcpoole]

Its actually at the size i want it, i only have a veranda to graw my plants so i dont want anything much bigger then this, i just want it to start and look better.
should i take the wire off to allow more shoots to pop out?

If you want to force more shooting, then cut back the branches to a few leaves only and then they will reshoot in several places. bick the shoots you want to keep and let them grow. let the new shoot extend then cut them back again

this way you will build ramification with proressively finer branches.

Ken