help styling

[simonvallone]

this is my port jackson fig i have been working on for a few years now shes looking good even after recovering from every sickness these things could get from mights to fungus aii aiii aiii, my nan was sick recently long story short other then watering my plants didnt get much attention but shes on the mend but i am unsure on how to style her i have thought about wireing branches but i do like the style it has grown, after all they say that the tree will tell you what to do. the roots are the main feature in this gem but some advice would be awsome thanks guys.

[kcpoole]

Nice trunk and roots

Needs cutting back hard and wiring to develop ramification and shape in the spindly branches

If healthy will shoot back readily

Ken

edit: I see you are in Melbourne, so you may want to hold off cutting back until spring tho

[simonvallone]

yea too cold now. I usually twist the buds off and pluck the new sprouts but unfortunatly with its poor health at the time i didnt want to risk losing it as ficus are very fussy. how would you think about wiring? it has no leader due to me always plucking and twisting it just has a heap of branches she has got me stumped! lol and thanks everyone who see's the trunk and roots are like how did you do that mine only has 1 or 2. just a fluke really

[chrisatrocky]

I done a little vert for you. using the existing branches, some need to be thickened a little. some wiring and cutting back in the growing season and you will be on your way.

2.png

chris

[simonvallone]

Oh wow that is awsome thanks for that

[kcpoole]

That is good Rocky
About what I was thinking

To Achieve this, Wire the existing Branches to shape now, and then in Spring you can take the wire off and Cut the branches back to a few inches from the trunk. They will then Re shoot and throw out many smaller branches, Let them extend and then wire and cut back again. Rinse and repeat

Ken

[simonvallone]

Will the leaves stay small tho? And also it doesn't have a leader its got 2 that fork out do u think I should remove one?

[chrisatrocky]

the remification and leaf reduction will take a few growing seasons, something you have to work on and gets better over the years. For the leader, use the thickest branch in the centre, the other wire out for a branch.

chris