Ficus Natalensis

[Ash]

Leafing up well and evenly Craig. Are you going to allow it to growth thick and shaggy for a bit to thicken those roots?

A lower viewing angle of the last post does this tree better justice than the present one. Perhaps into the future you may keep this tree higher up on a 'monkey pole' type stand. When I have a look at my different bonsai I realise that for some you cannot compromise on the viewing angle- they are usually those that are wider than high or have branches close at the same height. What does everyone else think about viewing angle and distance and the shape of a bonsai?

Ash

[craigw60]

Hi Craig, I reckon the first to branches on your tree need to be shortened quite a lot, with the current length they distract from the power of the trunk, I have zero experience with this species so have no idea how long it takes to built ramification but I think it would be well worth the time and effort.
Craigw

[Craig]

Hi Ash, thanks mate, i know what you mean about the viewing angle especially in photo's. I'll keep the tree trimmed to try and compact it up a little for now, the roots should thicken ok at this stage

Thanks Craig, i know what you're saying about those branches, i've also had the same thought many times-,I'll study it a bit more before regrowing any branches, but i could see it happening pretty soon...Also as Jamie mentioned a while back, i may shorten the apex a little

Taffy, some more pics as promised, hope these are ok
Thanks guys, much appreciated---Regards Craig------any comments always welcome

(1)jan-20102-front.jpg

(2)jan-2010front.jpg

(3)jan-12010right.jpg

(4)jan-22010left.jpg

(5)jan-32010-back.jpg

[Ash]

Looking much better Craig. When the root base thickens out it will be a natalensis well worth putting in the show!

There are some benefits for leaving the two primary branches long for now. John Naka wrote promoting leaving low primary branches to grow long to thicken the trunk and in my experience it is very true and sometimes I wish I hadn't raced towards the final shape and left low branches grow longer. You can alway reduce them later and if you don't like them short grow them out again.

Ash

[Craig]

Looking much better Craig. When the root base thickens out it will be a natalensis well worth putting in the show!

Thanks Ash,still away off that quality i think ,but much appreciated.

There are some benefits for leaving the two primary branches long for now. John Naka wrote promoting leaving low primary branches to grow long to thicken the trunk and in my experience it is very true and sometimes I wish I hadn't raced towards the final shape and left low branches grow longer. You can alway reduce them later and if you don't like them short grow them out again

Very good point, more food for thought.... Cheers Craig

[lennard]

Good work on the ramification on this tree, Graig. In my experience Natalensis is not the easiest species to work with when it comes to ramification and reducing leaf size- luckily for you, you seems to have the variety which is most used as bonsai! I have varieties which have massive leafs!

Are you keeping the tree in maximum sunlight? I was wondering why the leafs seems to be growing upright?

Keep up the good work.

Lennard

[Craig]

Thanks Lennard,i can't take all the cred for this tree as i ' haven't had it for all that long. yes the leaf size is respectable.
The tree is not in direct sunlight, under shade, as i'm working mostly all day long,, Cheers Craig

[Ash]

I was wondering why the leafs seems to be growing upright?Lennard

Lennard I have only ever observed two clones of Ficus natalensis in Australia. The clone used as bonsai has small leaves, quite narrow and they are usually upright in a trimmed bonsai. They can reduce to about 1.5 cm and dense ramification is possible. I have never observed it bear figs.

There are also two large F. natalensis trees planted in the Palmetum botanic gardens. They are the other clone. They have much larger and thinner leaves like F. natalensis in the wild. They bear figs readily. Both types grow side by side in the gardens and you can easily recognise the type used for bonsai.

Like Ficus salciaria the narrow leaf fig and Ficus microcarpa the 'Green Island' the origins of their origins in Australia are a mystery to me. The oldest natal fig I have seen in my home town is 1976. But it was grown from a cutting purchased in Brisbane. Does anyone know who imported this species? And when? I would love to know.

Ash

[lennard]

Thanks Lennard,i can't take all the cred for this tree as i ' haven't had it for all that long. yes the leaf size is respectable.
The tree is not in direct sunlight, under shade, as i'm working mostly all day long,, Cheers Craig

Craig, one thing I have learned about Ficus is that it needs 100% sunlight - if you can give the tree that I believe the leaves will reduce to half the current size. The other problem I have experienced with my Ficus is that the shaded inner growths will start to die if they do not get enough sunlight - that's also the reason I pinch the outer growth more than the ones deeper in the shade of the branches above them.

To keep your ficus from drying out in the full sun I would advice you to use a mulch that can easily be removed if you want to show the tree.

What planting medium do you use? Are there enough organics in there to keep in the moisture?

(Forgive me if you already know everything I have advised you on.)

Lennard

[lennard]

I was wondering why the leafs seems to be growing upright?Lennard

Lennard I have only ever observed two clones ....

Ash

Ash, not to hijack Graig's thread I will post some pictures of the different varieties I have in my collection in another thread.

Lennard

[Craig]

A light trim and some wire on top, i shortened the lower branches a little but need to wire them aswell, It is starting to put out aerial roots from the trunk and the average leaf size is about 30mm, Regards Craig

natalfeb201101.jpg

[Craig]

A light trimming

1natal cutback;may 2011#.jpg

2natal cutback;may 2011#.jpg

1natal ccccu1#.jpg

[nealweb]

nice change

[Bretts]

First time I have looked at this tree Craig Apart from remembering it in your avatar. It is a very interesting subject.
I looked at all the pics but only read a little. At first I considered swapping back for front. The bar branches did disturb me. I think if you have to get a ruler out to prove they are not bar branches then there is an issue. We don't look with a ruler in hand
Yet as others I noticed it looked better at times defoliated There has to be a solution that takes this tree to the next level.
Then I see your light trim..... Hmmm I like it. Not sure if it has solved all the issues but I am impressed with your thinking. This tree is a very interesting subject "Echo"
I keep thinking of a way to get rid of the very open front of he tree. Maybe taking the branches back as you have is a very good start

[Craig]

Thanks Neal and Brett,
Today i sat looking deep into this tree as i have done many times, i am also constantly frustrated by the appearance of bar branching, the difference in height is around 20mm ,. the very top of the tree has a straight section i'm not keen on either
I was ready to cut ALL branches from the tree and start growing all new ones, but thought that was very extreme and must be another option..
A while latter i was remembering what Craig W (i think) said, about shorter branches and well i just started thinning out the thicker sub branches and compacting up the whole tree, when the new growth comes i'll attempt to keep it within the outline you see now,and grow some foliage to cover key areas of the trunkline,and a few more branches might be on the cards,,