Defoliate or not? new Ficus

[ADO]

Hi

below is my first 'real' ficus I bought from a small bonsai nursery. it wasnt that expensive and whilst it isnt huge, I believe it has some potential.
Its about 2.5 inches thick right at the base/roots and has an ok taper with lots of branches low down and higher up.
Its hard for me to see any design it in now because it is so thick with healthy foliage. I am thinking of defoliating to get some good grown back, smaller leaves and of course to see where I can go and what may need wiring etc to start training this tree.

so - can defoliate now?? - i am in Perth and its summer....hot days, warm nights.
any advice RE the overall shape and look of this tree also very much appreciated also.

cheers

Adrian

Fig 2.jpg

Fig 1.jpg

[kvan64]

Ficus are loved for there thick trunk and sumo style taper. I would chop it low down and train a new leader. I WILL shoot back up like crazy after the chop if you treat it well. If you thicken it first then chop it later, the scar will be much bigger.
Cheers
DK

[chrisatrocky]

Ado, I am
Is the fig the size you want it, or do you want a bigger thicker trunk? Why I ask is because, defoliation is to create branching and smaller leaves. If you want a bigger thicker trunk I would repot it into a larger, shallower pot and feed it up.

now to answer you question, any time from sept to feb you can defoliate your ficus as long as it is healthy and growing well. but make sure you have a reason for doing so, branch selection and ramifacation or reducing leaf size. defoliation does stress a tree, so if you don't need to defoliate then don't.

chris

[gdupagne]

That's i nice ficus you have there. where abouts in Perth did you get that from??

[ADO]

[quote="chrisatrocky"]Ado, I am
Is the fig the size you want it, or do you want a bigger thicker trunk? Why I ask is because, defoliation is to create branching and smaller leaves. If you want a bigger thicker trunk I would repot it into a larger, shallower pot and feed it up.

now to answer you question, any time from sept to feb you can defoliate your ficus as long as it is healthy and growing well. but make sure you have a reason for doing so, branch selection and ramifacation or reducing leaf size. defoliation does stress a tree, so if you don't need to defoliate then don't.

Hi Chris, thanks for your input. that is a good question...your confusion is understandable as I am very new to this art and this is my first ficus.
i like the look and taper of it and i am tempted to defoliate and look at branch structure with a view to styling. but hey, that is just speaking from limited experience. maybe i'm a little impatient maybe i can buy another one to grow on.?

Hi Gdupagne, I got this Ficus from the bonsai nursery at the Wanneroo markets and it was $40 which I think is great value. they have a lot of junipers, elms etc. the owner is really nice and they have a good selection of pots etc. check it out.

cheers

Adrian