We own a Ficus Benjaminii. (I'll lie awake all night trying to remember if it's 'i' or 'ii'. As my pedantic grandaughter says - 'Whatever.') It used to be abuot 2m high. I decided to reduce it a little. It is now about 50cm high. It has one thick branch near the top, which will go. It has a nebari you would die for, or die if you owned it. Basically it is a medium sized, ugly tree. I'm determined to find its innner self. (I'll kill that bastard who displayed his works of art at MCA.)
After some severe whippings, this tree, called Edgar, has produced some shoots where I want them - more or less. So far, so good.
It has produced about 6 shoots. Each one consists of multiple branches; the best is about 10 branches. What should I do with them? My objective is to have a sort of formal upright wheeper.
I'm inclined to let them grow for a few weeks and then cut off all but the strongest branch in each shot. Some evil(?) spirit keeps saying 'No'. The nodules from which the branches grow are about as ugly as you can imagine.
Any suggestions before I CHOP?
(I was about to comment that I've never seen this multi-branch behaviour until I remembered my 8-times deaded eucalypt - doing the same thing. However, he loves me and will do whatever I ask.)
Potential Benjamini
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Potential Benjamini
Last edited by FigKiller on December 8th, 2010, 10:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Taffy
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Re: Potential Benjamini
Can you post a couple of photo FK? It gives us more of an idea of what the tree looks like and better advice would come from it.
If you have multiple shoots coming out from the one spot, then yes they would need to be reduced to one - usually the strongest one.
By the way, it is Ficus Benjamina - no i or ii on the end. If you lived in Indonesia, they call it Benyamina ( a 'y' not a 'j').
If you have multiple shoots coming out from the one spot, then yes they would need to be reduced to one - usually the strongest one.
By the way, it is Ficus Benjamina - no i or ii on the end. If you lived in Indonesia, they call it Benyamina ( a 'y' not a 'j').
Last edited by Taffy on December 8th, 2010, 10:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Regards
Taffy.
Taffy.
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Re: Potential Benjamini
Thanks Tman. Sorry to take so long to respond. Been a bit busy - not sure on what.
Photo pretty pointless as there is thick foliage from a branch that is destined to go. The tree was a large (2m) pot plant. It is now about 5cm diam and about 60cm high. Has one big lonely branch at about 40 deg. and one very small branch on the main trunk; this is also destined to go. I'd like to get the tree down to about 30cm. but I'm happy to let it stay at 60cm. It all depends on how successful I am at getting it to branch lower. So far so good! I'd almost given up hope when bingo!
Photo pretty pointless as there is thick foliage from a branch that is destined to go. The tree was a large (2m) pot plant. It is now about 5cm diam and about 60cm high. Has one big lonely branch at about 40 deg. and one very small branch on the main trunk; this is also destined to go. I'd like to get the tree down to about 30cm. but I'm happy to let it stay at 60cm. It all depends on how successful I am at getting it to branch lower. So far so good! I'd almost given up hope when bingo!
- Mitchell
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Re: Potential Benjamini
Hey fig killer, noticed your not getting photos up, if you need assistance PM me.
Though the pics may seem pointless, often I will not give advise if I can not see a plant, as my advise may be interpreted differently than what I would expect.
Please bare in mind we are very visual people here and thrive of your shots.
Plus I want to see you plant!!
Though the pics may seem pointless, often I will not give advise if I can not see a plant, as my advise may be interpreted differently than what I would expect.
Please bare in mind we are very visual people here and thrive of your shots.
Plus I want to see you plant!!

Regards, Mitchell.
"It is one thing to shape a tree into form, but when you are able to convincingly deceive ones perception of reality, something much more is accomplished than just a simple bonsai."
"In a perfect world, we would all be giants and all plants Bonsai."
"Grow big, finish small."
Join Ausbonsai today Click Here! 
"It is one thing to shape a tree into form, but when you are able to convincingly deceive ones perception of reality, something much more is accomplished than just a simple bonsai."
"In a perfect world, we would all be giants and all plants Bonsai."
"Grow big, finish small."


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Re: Potential Benjamini
Hi, Mitchell.
Been a bit busy lately. Don't ask at what!
I think the pictures say it all. Am letting it settle a bit before the next big chop.
The blue ball in the background is a blue squash ball. Just kidding. It's a large exercise(?) ball.
Been a bit busy lately. Don't ask at what!
I think the pictures say it all. Am letting it settle a bit before the next big chop.
The blue ball in the background is a blue squash ball. Just kidding. It's a large exercise(?) ball.
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Last edited by FigKiller on January 5th, 2011, 6:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.