A New Tiger Bark Fig

[The Ficus Guy]

Hello everybody,



Purchased this guy last week from a friend down south of me and it arrived today. It is a big tree for a great price, and I'm pretty happy with it. It has a base of about 3 inches (7.6cm) and stands roughly 2 feet (61cm) tall. I'm not quite sure where I want to go with it right now, so if anyone wants to make a virt, I'm all for it . Comments are welcome!

[Barry1]

Nice tree ! and 2ft tall is that from the top of the pot ? are you considering reducing it in height or just working on structure

Barry

[The Ficus Guy]

Nice tree ! and 2ft tall is that from the top of the pot ? are you considering reducing it in height or just working on structure

Barry

Yup, two feet from the top of the pot. I plan on working the foliage back to a nice compact canopy, so there will be some reductions in height.

[The Ficus Guy]

I think I'd like to create this sort of a canopy:

[Andrew F]

I'd try and retain the original branches, maybe use twine or palm fiber to bring the branches down with as minimal evidence as possible. It has nice natural qualities and great bark, the nebari although will need working on.

Ill try a virt tonight.

[The Ficus Guy]

I'd try and retain the original branches, maybe use twine or palm fiber to bring the branches down with as minimal evidence as possible. It has nice natural qualities and great bark, the nebari although will need working on.

Ill try a virt tonight.

Great, thanks! I'm trying to envision what you mean, but am having a difficult time.

[Andrew F]

This sorta thing

[The Ficus Guy]

This sorta thing

Ah, now I see it, thanks! That's a good idea, but I'm not so sure how flexible those branches are, as they're rather thick. Hmmm.

[squizzy]

I have just seen a you tube clip that shows Bill Villance ( spelling) cuting down the branch union to get a full moon maple to have a more horizontal branch. You could try this if you are game??????

Squizz

[squizzy]

spelling not even remotely close. Ha ha ha

Here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGOqHLpk_Ok

Squizz

[The Ficus Guy]

Thanks Squizz! That's a great video, nice technique. I saw something similar to this on Jerry Meisliks site as well:

http://www.bonsaihunk.us/ficusforum/Fic ... ique1.html


Velvet, is this more of what you were thinking?

vv.JPG

[Andrew F]

Yer buddy, but i wouldnt remove that much though.

Id just repot it maybe ring bark it below the soil line and start training new foundation, remove all the leaves and grow tips, and then unwanted branches.

Using palm fiber if possible or copper guy wires [starting from the lowest branch working up to the crown] slowly bring the branches down a bit everyday till they are horizontal to give it that natural look or even lower for the banyan tropical look.

Heres another dodgy virt for ya:


Just try and retain as much of the original branches as possible, keep it natural

[The Ficus Guy]

Yer buddy, but i wouldnt remove that much though.

Id just repot it maybe ring bark it below the soil line and start training new foundation, remove all the leaves and grow tips, and then unwanted branches.

Using palm fiber if possible or copper guy wires [starting from the lowest branch working up to the crown] slowly bring the branches down a bit everyday till they are horizontal to give it that natural look or even lower for the banyan tropical look.

Heres another dodgy virt for ya:


Just try and retain as much of the original branches as possible, keep it natural

Now that's what I'm talkin' about. That's more like it.

When it comes repot time, I plan on heavily working these roots. The rootball is full of nasty critters, so I'll have to bare root it to get rid of them

Good thinking about using guy wires to bring the branches downward, that I will definitely try.


Thanks!

[Andrew F]

Haha you're welcome mate.

will you be growing this tree indoors?

[The Ficus Guy]

Haha you're welcome mate.

will you be growing this tree indoors?

Yup! It's outdoors enjoying the heat now, as I have to rebuild/expand one of the grow boxes to fit this guy.