Tiger Bark Ficus (My Learning Tree)

Shinkitai · Post by **Shinkitai** » July 18th, 2013, 12:46 pm

I got this Tiger Bark Ficus in 2006 when I did a beginners bonsai class at Defined Bonsai. This was the first tree we did so I think it was mainly to introduce us to the basics especially wiring. I never did think much of it so it just sat there for a couple of years. I have since used this as a tree to learn new things as I didn't care to much about it I just did it, figured it is ugly now so if it doesn't work or dies then I am no worse off. Each step of the way has been a great learning tool and has convinced me to be a bit more aggressive with my other trees.

Tiger Ficus 1 - 5 February 2006.JPG

Tiger Ficus 1 - 21 October 2007.JPG

Tiger Ficus 1 - 22 March 2009.JPG

Tiger Ficus 1 - 26 Sep 2010.JPG

Tiger Ficus 1 - 14 October 2012.JPG

Tiger Ficus 1 - 5 December 2012.JPG

Tiger Ficus 1 - 1 March 2013.JPG

Tiger Ficus 1 - 15 April 2013b.JPG

Tiger Ficus 1 - 18 July 2013.JPG

I am now looking forward to developing more ramification, building a good apex, and getting the branch length balance right (needs a little longer middle branch on the right hand side). I plan on keeping this tree smaller for a few years at least, it is currently 20cm tall from the base.

As a beginner I would say the best piece of advice I could hand on to other beginners is to give it a go. If your tree doesn't quite look right or there is an obvious error then you will have to do something about it, it will not fix itself.

NathanM · Post by **NathanM** » July 18th, 2013, 1:20 pm

Your tree has definitely changed for the better

I think that pot is a great size for the tree, definitely not too small.

Boics · Post by **Boics** » July 18th, 2013, 1:45 pm

Really good thread and a great progression.
Isn't it wonderful to have photo records of a tree's progress?

Well done.

Neli · Post by **Neli** » July 18th, 2013, 4:20 pm

Thanks! I can see lots of pot changes? What was the reason?

Shinkitai · Post by **Shinkitai** » July 18th, 2013, 9:14 pm

No real reason. The first pot got broken so the second one was one I had around at the time but never liked. The third pot was to get it into a shallower pot. The last one is the only one specifically chosen for the tree.

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Neli · Post by **Neli** » July 18th, 2013, 9:46 pm

So a tree gets a special pot only when it starts behaving and looks like bonsai, and it is worth it????

It must have special memories this tree.

Shinkitai · Post by **Shinkitai** » July 18th, 2013, 10:42 pm

Yep. No equality in my garden

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Newbie.mia · Post by **Newbie.mia** » July 27th, 2013, 9:59 am

Great post thanks this puts my mind at ease lol

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