AusBonsai

The Ficus Guy wrote:

VelvetSicklid wrote:Haha you're welcome mate.

will you be growing this tree indoors?

Yup! It's outdoors enjoying the heat now, as I have to rebuild/expand one of the grow boxes to fit this guy.

Ok thats cool, artificial light, the routine application of ferts and pruning this tree should look awesome within a year, good luck

VelvetSicklid wrote: Ok thats cool, artificial light, the routine application of ferts and pruning this tree should look awesome within a year, good luck

Yep, that's what I hope for, thanks!

P.S. I'm stealing your virt and gathering opinions on other forums, but not taking credit for it (if you don't mind)

Nice tree F.G. Shorten back the branching and reducing the canopy height once you get the branching sorted.

Lovely Virt Velvet and that is what I would be working towards too if mine

I have several of them, but nothing like this big. One is in the ground and has been for 2 years so far. I will be digging and root pruning them in a month or 2. Then will go back in the ground for another few years.

Ken

Just to clarify, is tiger bark a variety of microcarpa?

Thanks Ken, I will certainly do that!

Yeah Velvet, Tiger Bark is a variety of microcarpa. I'm wondering if the bark isn't the only characteristic of this variety, as the leaves on this guy are pretty small.

I'm now having trouble picturing how the branchwork would go on the final tree; ie, the leaves and smaller branches. Would they come off the end of the branches shown in the virt or....? (Hope that question makes sense)

The Ficus Guy wrote:Thanks Ken, I will certainly do that!

Yeah Velvet, Tiger Bark is a variety of microcarpa. I'm wondering if the bark isn't the only characteristic of this variety, as the leaves on this guy are pretty small.

I'm now having trouble picturing how the branchwork would go on the final tree; ie, the leaves and smaller branches. Would they come off the end of the branches shown in the virt or....? (Hope that question makes sense)

Yes, i thought it would be way to confusing to show the ramification in the virt, the best text to go by as far as styling figs IMHO is Leong Kwongs book on ficus.

VelvetSicklid wrote: Yes, i thought it would be way to confusing to show the ramification in the virt, the best text to go by as far as styling figs IMHO is Leong Kwongs book on ficus.

Thanks! I've actually never heard of Mr. Kwong, but I'll see if I can get it here in the States.

I went out and looked at this guy again, and I realize that the upper left branch may be troublesome. It's actually more in the back, ie it grows outward from the back of the tree. Not sure if you can tell that from these pictures though...

So then given the above issue, I'm wondering if it'd be best/easiest to create a look like I showed back in my first virt, with an open canopy. I feel that is a more natural look, IMO.

3rd pic is an easy option as far as a front is concerned if you work the roots on next repot it wont be so bad and the upper left branch wont be a problem then.

Oh and Jerry Meislik also has a book i believe, another ficus guru

VelvetSicklid wrote:3rd pic is an easy option as far as a front is concerned if you work the roots on next repot it wont be so bad and the upper left branch wont be a problem then.

Oh and Jerry Meislik also has a book i believe, another ficus guru

Thanks Velvet! I'll just work the roots here in a week or so, then work on getting the growth in closer to the trunk.

I talk with Jerry quite frequently and have his excellent book, it's a great read

Actually, I think I'll just slip pot this guy and ring bark it at the same time. I think ring barking it and working the roots at the same time would set me back a bit.

The Ficus Guy wrote:Actually, I think I'll just slip pot this guy and ring bark it at the same time. I think ring barking it and working the roots at the same time would set me back a bit.

I'd tease all old soil from the roots, so re absorption of water and nutrients is at its peak, but not chop heavily into them. Ring bark where you feel there is enough taper and flare, using clonex purple if you can, iv just started using it over powder and it works well. Maybe implement the toothpick method as well, then once you feel it has settled into its new foundation get to work bring those branches down.

Keep me posted with pics lots and lots of pics

Cheers Drew.

VelvetSicklid wrote:

The Ficus Guy wrote:Actually, I think I'll just slip pot this guy and ring bark it at the same time. I think ring barking it and working the roots at the same time would set me back a bit.

I'd tease all old soil from the roots, so re absorption of water and nutrients is at its peak, but not chop heavily into them. Ring bark where you feel there is enough taper and flare, using clonex purple if you can, iv just started using it over powder and it works well. Maybe implement the toothpick method as well, then once you feel it has settled into its new foundation get to work bring those branches down.

Keep me posted with pics lots and lots of pics

Cheers Drew.

Thanks Drew! I just decided to ring bark it. I tried teasing the roots out, but they were pretty compact, so I wasn't too successful.

Awesome ficus guy, whats the ambient temp in your ficus set up???? I dare say it wont take long to grow a new foundation