ficus starlight

[dragon]

everyone
just a quick question has anyone heard of a ficus starlight before as i was wondering what they be like as bonsai
cheers dean

[Handy Mick]

Bloody hell Dean, you must have a BILLION Trees now!

Mick

[dragon]

gday mick not quite a billion just 999,999,999 1 more and it be good got this one quite cheep at a nursery in town
the leaves just struck a note with me as they are white and green
cheers dean
the pics of starlight

[dragon]

[dragon]

gday all
The Starlight Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' is a new variegated form of durable green Weeping Fig. Just like it's green counterpart, Starlight prefers very bright indirect light. Keep evenly moist, but not wet or dry. Trim as needed. Left alone the Starlight Weeping Fig can reach 6 feet tall. It makes the perfect house plant.

Grown as a bonsai it has small, shiny dark green & cream leaves which are thicker than the standard ficus leaf but thinner than a Jade leaf. Develops a thick trunk and aerial roots at a relatively early age. Very easy indoor care. The tree is one of the best of the ficus for indoor and tropical bonsai. It is tough, durable and responds well to normal house plant care.
Publisher: Hirt's Gardens
thanks to craig i know what it is yeehaa
cheers dean

[dragon]

does anyone else have one of these so i got something to compare with as i dont know much about this tree
should i repot it into a bigger pot or leave it and how do i get thickness on trunk
cheers dean

[Tony Bebb]

Hi Dean

Worked with them a bit when at the nursery and they can make good Bonsai. Definitely need to pot this one uo to grow on. The thick trunk will only come with growth. The longer you leave it the thicker it gets.

Patience is a virtue, and a necessity in Bonsai.

Tony

[dragon]

hi tony
thanks for the info i will leave it for a couple of years and put into a bigger pot in the next few days
when i get some new potting mix any idea's on what type of mix i should use
as i say to my daugter to ask is to learn, and if you dont ask you will never learn
cheers dean

[Bretts]

Hey Dean
Don't know anything about this species but I would definatly thicken it up. Varigated trees are generally not great for bonsai(I think it may look a litle unatural) But I can se a nice image with a nice thick trunk wth this tree.

Maybe I can get my post in if ya's stop posting for a sec

[dragon]

hi bretts sorry about that i just got quick fingers i was intending to let it grow for a bit before i touch it
if my fingers stay off it but i will just repot and sit with rest of my figs for a few years and see what happens
is there any special way to fatten trunks or do you just let them grow
cheers dean

[Tony Bebb]

Good open free draining mix and feed, feed, feed.

Grow and cut once or twice a year to keep some branching and avoid a massive cut.

Tony

[dragon]

thanks tony i will try to keep this one devolping for as long as i can for being a newby at bonsai
i might need help with a picture to show where to cut
cheers and thankyou again tony
cheers dean

[Handy Mick]

Dean, have you found yourself a club yet?

Mick

[dragon]

hi mick
yes i am looking at joining the urrimbirra club down here in wollongong i went to one of there meetings
on teusday the 8th/3 and had a good talk with a few of the members there it is only small but the
guys and gals there are good that is the only club close to where i live so it is my only chioce
cheers dean

[dragon]

arrrrrrrr so confused what is it does it make good bonsai or does'nt make good bonsai so hard to know what it does
what to do shall i turn it into bonsai or do i just leave it in a grow pot for good so hard