AusBonsai

Thanks Raymond.

Perhaps some of our more figgy people can tell us whether this fig will fuse or not. Where I'm headed:

1.) Remove the bar branch or move the one branch by cutting it out and grafting it on higher up or lower down.
2.) Graft on some additional smaller figs to create more basal taper.
3.) Grow on some very big sacrifice branches to create taper up through the trunk.

With that said, I think you will end up with a better tree by chopping, but if you really want to keep the tree you have this could be a solution. Sometimes what we really want and what is best according to bonsai dogma are two different things.

Just food for thought.

Cheerio,

Andrew

1 figs are easy to graft...you can airlayer the branch you want to move and shift it...I have pictures to show you if you want.
2 All figs fuse easily. If you have smaller trees you can tie them to the trunk
3 if you chop it...you will get lots of back budding down the trunk...and you will get sacrifice branches to tatten it.
4...drill small holes on the trunk...all over...put rooting hormone...add moss or muck, bandage with plastic and water to get aerial roots.

Not all fuse Neli. There is one here in Cape Town that doesn't fuse well at all. Could be burtt davyii, but I'm not sure.

Cheerio,

Andrew

Hi Raymond
I have just posted a progression thread here viewtopic.php?f=133&t=17990&"
of a Ficus I have had for a while and was in a similar boat as this one.

I took several layers off it and have developed the stump since then starting from nothing. Maybe you can use it to help with yours and with what can be done by cutting back hard and restarting.

Ken

to all those who have made suggestions, I am truly grateful. neli, I would love some pics of how to layer the bar branches and move them. Sound interesting.

Andrew Legg wrote:Not all fuse Neli. There is one here in Cape Town that doesn't fuse well at all. Could be burtt davyii, but I'm not sure.

Cheerio,

Andrew

Most trees fuse Andrew...even pines...bougies...maples...and many trees you never thought that will. Figs are easiest. If you can thread graft it it will fuse...it is just a matter of time. Some are slower some faster...
This is my master Urushibata.

Another one

Very interesting Neli, thanks. What book is that? I would love to read the article.

bonsai focus..but there is nice article on IBF

kcpoole wrote:Hi Raymond
I have just posted a progression thread here viewtopic.php?f=133&t=17990&"
of a Ficus I have had for a while and was in a similar boat as this one.

I took several layers off it and have developed the stump since then starting from nothing. Maybe you can use it to help with yours and with what can be done by cutting back hard and restarting.

Ken

Hi Raymond,
This is a good post Ken has directed you to. It shows how you can develop a nice looking tree by getting rid of the parallel trunk. You would also be able to develop one or two more trees if layered.

Regards Ray

Andrew Legg wrote:Not all fuse Neli. There is one here in Cape Town that doesn't fuse well at all. Could be burtt davyii, but I'm not sure.

Cheerio,

Andrew

Andrew BD fuses very well and fast. Many fused ones in SA produced by George Vrey.