Rubber tree work in progress, advice needed!

Drico · Post by **Drico** » March 11th, 2013, 10:05 pm

So I've had a ficus bonsai for a number of years, but only started seriously training it the past 3, (its about 15 years old i think).
I have always assumed it is a rubber tree (Ficus elastica) but could be wrong?
Anyway, it currently stands about 40cm tall, im getting to the point where im not too sure what to do with it in terms of styling, (as its not a young tree where just getting branches is an effort).
Ive been slowing reducing the height of it trying to get a more pleasing branch structure to reflect a more mature tree.

Im thinking a repot sometime soon into possibly a square unglazed pot (something more masculine.)

any suggestions/feedback about the tree would be more than welcome!
(also about repotting, as im not that experienced with it.)

Thanks!

As a comparison, the pics are from Nov 2012, and then May 2013 (taken today.)

bonzaidog · Post by **bonzaidog** » March 11th, 2013, 10:52 pm

Hi Dirico, It looks more PJ than elastica to me,but that aside, to get it to push a bit harder(new growth,buds etc) I would suggest slip potting it into a larger container,don't worry about root pruning just yet as it's getting late in the season,just tease out any crossed or bound up roots and feed it up and pinch back the top to force some back budding.It's past the peak growing time,but slipping it into a looser mix (looks a bit wet now?) will set it up for a good prune next season. Fancy pots (I know they're fun) can come further down the track. JMO!.

....Dog.

Jasonb · Post by **Jasonb** » March 12th, 2013, 8:24 am

Hi dirico,

Dog is on the money mate, bigger pot with some good drainage, feed it up and pinch pinch pinch, this should promote some good backbudding and give you som options in the next couple of growing seasons.

Drico · Post by **Drico** » March 13th, 2013, 1:21 am

Hi, thanks for the advice!
This might be a stupid question, but what time of year is best to repot? ive read various things online that seem to say different times of the year (probably not helped by being northern and southern hemisphere sites).

also if i put it in a bigger pot for now any special soil needed? should i mix some sand/gravel through to make it more free draining?

thanks.

Jasonb · Post by **Jasonb** » March 13th, 2013, 9:14 am

I repot my figs at the end of spring, basically after the over night temps stay above 18 degrees Celsius, hope this helps mate.

Jasob

Post by **kcpoole** » March 13th, 2013, 12:37 pm

Hi Drico
Yep make the soil as free draining as possible.
Get a good bonsai soil, and repot in spring. Cut back and you will get good backbudding.

Ken

Drico · Post by **Drico** » March 13th, 2013, 9:38 pm

Cheers guys, that does indeed help!
=)

AusBonsai