[thoglette] F. Benjamina

[thoglette]

Cutting struck summer 2011, put into this pot earlier in summer as I'd run out of training pots

Currently top of trunk is about 14cm with one leaf at 22cm.

Classic stick-in-a-pot which needs some feeding up. Yes, that is a piece of wire around the trunk - it is holding the trunk straight in the pot, which I don't believe disqualifies it as it's not shaping it at all. (Umpire?)

f_benji2.jpg

f_benji1.jpg

[thoglette]

Not a lot to report. Repotted into something bigger and fed it. Now it's getting cold here.

benji.jpg

[thoglette]

Not a lot to report.

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Should warm up soon...

[thoglette]

A little trim, re-wiring to be done.

benj_small.jpg

[thoglette]

Hot enough to consider doing some root work....

ficus_2013-12-16.JPG

[thoglette]

Despite the warm weather growth has been slow. But starting to get some taper in the trunk

f_benj.jpg

[thoglette]

Not much happening.

2014-06-29.ficus.jpg

[thoglette]

Warm enought these last few weeks to get some growth

2014-08-17_002.jpg

[thoglette]

The Last Post.

I've not repotted this tree as it is still too cold (despite one hot week which knocked a lot of trees badly). That will happen in Feb 2015.

2014-09-29_ficus_2.jpg

While it is well under the 25cm limit I will likely shorten the tree by about half due to the bare section above the fourth branch. Virt shown below.
Ramification will then be then next challenge.

2014-09-29_ficus_virt.jpg

2014-09-29_ficus_1.jpg

[thoglette]

I've not repotted this tree as it is still too cold (despite one hot week which knocked a lot of trees badly). That will happen in Feb 2015.

Never did get to repot it this summer

2015-04-27_benji-comp.jpg

Might still shorten it further.

[Jarad]

What's the first branch on the right for? It just looks a tad thick compared to the main trunk.

If you're going to shorten it again, the highest branch on the left could make a good leader. It will give a bit of taper.

I like the progression you have here.

[thoglette]

What's the first branch on the right for? It just looks a tad thick compared to the main trunk.

Yup, I left it running wild for too long. It'll be kept well under control from here on in - just adding ramification and looking for an opportunity to shorten it.

If you're going to shorten it again, the highest branch on the left could make a good leader. It will give a bit of taper.

My thoughts exactly. Unless there's an even smaller shoot hiding behind. Must check when it stops raining

I like the progression you have here.

Thanks -it's slowly getting there.

[bonsai_beginner]

Hey I have a quick questions, it's a bit off topic but I have a few large Benjamina Focus' that I'm wanting to trunk cop, however they don't have any real low branches or leaves.
Is there something I can do to encourage stronger growth lower down the trunk?
Or would it be best to simply trunk cop it and hope for the best? (ie. It will simply grown new shoots)?

Any advice would be great

Thanks


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[thoglette]

Is there something I can do to encourage stronger growth lower down the trunk?

Two options -
1. cut brutally. About a 90% survival rate. But the shoots will mostly be at the end of the cut and existing branch scars.
2. thread graft. 100% tree survival rate and you get branches where you want them - as long as you don't break the branch you should get 100% success rate.

[bonsai_beginner]

I was planning on doing a brutal cut. A full trunk chop, but I've been told Benjaminas tend to struggle with re shooting and if I cut below an existing branch I might end up with just a stump that won't sprout any viable branches.

I haves heard of thread grafting before, but I'll definitely do some research on it!!

Thank you


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