AusBonsai

Just thought I would get your thoughts on the removal of this branch. Have been studying it for a long time and finally made the decision to remove it. I think it balances the tree better with it removed but would love to know what you guys think

Good choice me thinks! Would love to see some pics of your other figs in leaf!! Especially the fig forest you made!

It's hard to tell what it looked like before. Once it is fully removed it may leave a hole on that side ? May be hard to judge until it has gone.

Hi Bonsaiboy50, what are your plans for the tree now? For my eye, this tree is a shakan (slanting style) and has clear movement to the right and the sashieda was that right side branch (the foliage is still there attached to that root, and the problem with it, I think, was that it touches the pot; I would have raised it up). Now the sashieda is the eye catching left lowest branch, and the tree is trying to move in different directions. I would be trying to lower the right hand side branch and letting it develop strongly to become the sashieda and shortening the left branch. Some negative space between this branch and the apex would add to the drama. I really like this tree, especially the aerial roots. Look forward to your thoughts. Cheers Shane

I will post pics of the big figs in leaf , including the forrest. I must admit I am not at all happy with the forrest and will be re-arranging the trees next spring.

Qitianlong wrote:Good choice me thinks! Would love to see some pics of your other figs in leaf!! Especially the fig forest you made!

I will have to try and find a "before "pic to show what it looked like . I will not be removing the branch from the pot till spring I will be able to pot it up as a new tree, so I guess we will have to see what it looks like then

Bougy Fan wrote:It's hard to tell what it looked like before. Once it is fully removed it may leave a hole on that side ? May be hard to judge until it has gone.

Well Shane, Plans for this tree are, remove the branch i cut off the trunk in spring , lower the remaining right hand branch let it thicken and develop, generally work on the apex and overall ramification.

Shane wrote:Hi Bonsaiboy50, what are your plans for the tree now? For my eye, this tree is a shakan (slanting style) and has clear movement to the right and the sashieda was that right side branch (the foliage is still there attached to that root, and the problem with it, I think, was that it touches the pot; I would have raised it up). Now the sashieda is the eye catching left lowest branch, and the tree is trying to move in different directions. I would be trying to lower the right hand side branch and letting it develop strongly to become the sashieda and shortening the left branch. Some negative space between this branch and the apex would add to the drama. I really like this tree, especially the aerial roots. Look forward to your thoughts. Cheers Shane

Here are the pics I promised of my large figs including the forrest

last 2 pics of this group

Those are some spectacular figs! What's your secret for so many aerial roots?

No great secret really, mostly just time and a good hot humid climate.

Shane wrote:Those are some spectacular figs! What's your secret for so many aerial roots?

Aka chuck a plastic bag over it hey!
What I did with some of mine is just temporally wire all branches diagonal and put all branches except the leaves in soil

"but would love to know what you guys think"

I think your yard is awesome!!

Excellent trees. Some of the countries best. They have great vigour and excellent leaf colour - have you got a particular fertilizer or growing media that you could recommend? Ash

All my trees have been in many different potting mixes over the years. Currently they are in just good old Searls Premium potting mix with a little extra coarse sand added. As far as fertilizer goes well, I add a good amount of osmocote on repotting then fert every 4 weeks with either a fish fertilizer or Nutricote at full dose and then half dose during winter. I have found that fig respond well during winter with a little fertilizer, they keep there coulour .

Ash wrote: Excellent trees. Some of the countries best. They have great vigour and excellent leaf colour - have you got a particular fertilizer or growing media that you could recommend? Ash