AusBonsai

First question is does anybody know what sort of fig this is? Is it moreton bay or something else?




Also should I wire it and prune the leaves or just let it grow for the time being? thankyou

Hi as far and branch placement and ramification is concerned we'd need to see the tree in its birthday suit.

i might suggest you utilize the "fast growth" method. viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3173&hilit=fast

Most likely a Port Jackson fig but I have been known to be wrong. Depends on what size fig you want but I would be inclined to grow it on a bit and do a few chops to get a decent base with some taper. Then worry about branches and wire. For a beginner start with the trunk and work out from there.

Tony

So I'm supposed to chop into the trunk? or prune the leaves above the trunk where the trunk is fat forcing it to grow where it is thin?

I would agree with Tony. I think it is a Port Jackson Fig
If it were mine I would repot it and sort out the roots to give a good root spread for the future and grow it on for a year or 2. Then worry about the branching.
Just my

Read HERE and then put it into a big pot or styro box in a free draining mix and feed well.

Tony

hmm chopping the trunk looks scary haha

but i will take your advice thanks for the help

It's a fig - virtually bulletproof. Good time of the year to do it. Just cut it back and wire up a new leader and feed with some chook poo. Make sure the mix is free draining - put some diatomite in if you have it.

Tony

so if i do what you say ill end up with one "branch" which will become part of the trunk and the rest of the branches/leaves will be cut off?

Like this??

That's the idea - but if there is a thinner branch on the other side able to be wired up ? You are trying to achieve taper, so a thinner branch will help this and be easier to wire up

Not sure about a Port Jackson as they usually have a 'rusty' underside to the leaf and your leaves don't seem to have that. The Moreton Bay leaves look very similar to yours.Just my
Definitely need the trunk chop to create a better taper and eventual finished tree. And defoliating will reveal structure and and give you smaller leaves.

Have fun with it

Andrew

In my opinion the tree is far to small to create anything decent . Chopping it will only set u back . Learn how to train the roots in a radial fashion by Esther chopping the base of it and plant as a cutting . Or layer it . And just grow it strong and the base will swell . Plant into a large grow box and enjoy feeding it watching it take of.

Andrew E wrote:Not sure about a Port Jackson as they usually have a 'rusty' underside to the leaf and your leaves don't seem to have that.

They should at least show the red color on the new growth, i honestly doubt the ID of most port jackon figs used as bonsai. I'd say its probably obliqua, possibly macrophylla but due to the large leaf size and coarse growth they are not used as much as obliqua and other "small leaved figs". Good thing its since most figs have the same cultivation requirements and can have the same techniques used the id overly important but i personally do like to know

Hi Monkey
Check out some wiki pages and the links to see why you should chop and how. https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... Trunk_chop
also nebari https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Nebari

The processes here apply to Ficus as well as deciduous trees. With most figs, you can cut back to the trunk only and it will reshoot. this allows you to concentrate on the trunk, and then grow the branches later buy cutting everything off and starting again.

The aim is to provide taper by chopping back and letting regrow, but any cutting back will slow the growth. See the links above about fast growth method for figs too.

Ken