ficus starlight

[Petra]

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

To get the trunk thick i grow, then chop to the lowest branch. Let that grow till it branches, then chop
down to its first branch. Meanwhilsts thats all happening other branches are forming lower trunk.They
too fatten up the trunk. Just feed, grow & chop! just my worth.

[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

To get the trunk thick i grow, then chop to the lowest branch. Let that grow till it branches, then chop
down to its first branch. Meanwhilsts thats all happening other branches are forming lower trunk.They
too fatten up the trunk. Just feed, grow & chop! just my worth.

Thanks Petra thats what i intend to do with it now just put in a grow tub and leave it for a few years
if anyone can show me where to cut i would be most happy as i would tend to cut anywhere
and bugger up the tree
cheers dean

[Pup]

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

Dean there is a tutorial on how to grow figs fast. I suggest you read it, it is a sticky here. Tutorial how to develop figs fast. Put that in the search up the top right hand of the page.

On a personal note I would not give a varigated tree bench space

Pup

[dragon]

thanks pup
this is really the only varigated i got from shop but i do have one old english oak varigated and grown from seed
so thats why i dont mind them it is a colour variation for me instead of just haveing all green
cheers dean

PS i know it is also upto the individual to what tree's they like but i just dont understand why alot of people
just say throw it in the bin, it's crap, it is there choice but when one is learning the art of bonsai it isnt
really the thing they want to hear they want encouragement not to be told there tree is crap
my worth

[Pup]

thanks pup
this is really the only varigated i got from shop but i do have one old english oak varigated and grown from seed
so thats why i dont mind them it is a colour variation for me instead of just haveing all green
cheers dean

PS i know it is also upto the individual to what tree's they like but i just dont understand why alot of people
just say throw it in the bin, it's crap, it is there choice but when one is learning the art of bonsai it isnt
really the thing they want to hear they want encouragement not to be told there tree is crap
my worth

Oh did I say it was crap?. I thought I said personally I would not give it bench space no words of crap or throw it in the bin.
I also pointed you to how to grow ficus.
If that is not encouragement WHAT is?

[dragon]

thanks pup
this is really the only varigated i got from shop but i do have one old english oak varigated and grown from seed
so thats why i dont mind them it is a colour variation for me instead of just haveing all green
cheers dean

PS i know it is also upto the individual to what tree's they like but i just dont understand why alot of people
just say throw it in the bin, it's crap, it is there choice but when one is learning the art of bonsai it isnt
really the thing they want to hear they want encouragement not to be told there tree is crap
my worth

Oh did I say it was crap?. I thought I said personally I would not give it bench space no words of crap or throw it in the bin.
I also pointed you to how to grow ficus.
If that is not encouragement WHAT is?

no not you pup it is what others have said in a different forum i appriciate what you have said you were one of the honest ones
you didnt say it was crap as you said you dont like varigated which is your choice and i respect you for that
and yes you did give me the how to grow and i appriciate that too but the others just kind of put me down a bit
by saying it is crap and throw it in bin i dont earn much money so i take what i can get
cheers dean

[Craig]

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

Hi Dean ,the decision is really quite easy,,you put it in the ground/growpot to grow on and as the years go by you can pre-train it as stock.
The fact is it's just a Benji and should be treated as such.I don't really like them as they dont really take to cutting back and backbud as easily as some other ficus,(thats my experiences with them so far) but there's no reason at all it can't make a bonsai. I think what is trying to be said is that if you want it to be a 1st class Bonsai, the varigated form isn't really appropriate,however there's always an exception,,right Regards Craig

[dragon]

everyone thankyou for your answers and yes i will be putting it in a large grow pot and leaveing it thanks
cheers dean

[Bretts]

Bonsai, no bonsai. Don't worry to much at the moment Dean the journey either way is not much different for now. I for one would love to see this tree as a bonsai in years to come

Oh the more leaves you have the faster it will thicken so I would just let it grow for now. After it really gets going (year or two maybe) put it in it's place and chop it low.

[dragon]

Bonsai, no bonsai. Don't worry to much at the moment Dean the journey either way is not much different for now. I for one would love to see this tree as a bonsai in years to come

thanks bretts that was my main thing to bonsai the tree let it grow and then see what i can do with it
cut a few branches when needed and try for a good root spread
cheers dean