AusBonsai

Defoliated and wired this tree yesterday. After all these years, it is finally getting close to my initial vision. (trying to copy those Taiwan masterpeices). They take 30 to 40 years!
About 35 x 50cm.
It was stared about 20??? years ago as a few cuttings planted together in a pot then transfered to the ground. You can still see 15 year old wire scars on the trunk. REMOVE YOUR WIRES IN GOOD TIME!!

Nice tree, Congratulations in the effort that took
I concur with Wire scars on figs, the probably will never grow out so aviod them in the first place is the only option.

Ken

That is a chunky monkey. Very nice, Mike.

Any pics of it in leaf.

Thanks Guys. I now want to concentrate on making a nice rounded apex. It's something I have always found difficult.

fantastic work!

Love it! That is a seriously nice fig.
I have been growing one using the same method (multiple cuttings) for 2 years... with the same vision as this beauty.
Only 20 more years to go.

Nice PJ Fig, thought it was another type of tree. Like a Maple or something like that

Excellent tree Treeman

Bugger about those wire scars. I have some on one of mine from early this growing season and assumed they would grow out in a few years. Probably just better to cut that section off and grow again.

Thanks for the posting Treeman

That is one inspirational tree!

How will you manage to fill out the apex?

Hey Ken, if you don't recommend wiring figs, what else can you do?

Mine grow like the billy-o and without wire, they'd be all over the joint.

Beautiful fig & clearly you know what you're doing ... 20 years is a long time but the journey seems worth it.
Just wondering if you usually "winter" your figs in a glasshouse (I see you are a fellow melbournian!) or would they be fine fending for themselves out in the open? This one appears to be under glass?
Whatever you're doing... Keep on doing it!

Yep nice tree, I'd be very happy if that was mine!!

Stewart_Toowoomba wrote: Hey Ken, if you don't recommend wiring figs, what else can you do?

Anchoring is safe, and though it doesn't get as much movement, it solves the main problem of upwards growth. You can loosely wire heavier gauge wire for movement without a tight fit. Be careful over winter though, as it is a misconception that it is safe to wire figs before winter and not have to check till spring, because if you have a mild winter and good sun, it may put on good growth and the wire will still bite. On the whole, if you are prepared to routinely check the wire then it wont be a problem, just depends on your lifestyle and how much stock you have vs time.

Stewart_Toowoomba wrote: Hey Ken, if you don't recommend wiring figs, what else can you do?

Sorry it is OK to wire figs, just do not let them cut in at all.
Wire branches early to get the required shape.
Cage wire lighter growth to give it room and only leave it on long enought to set. If it springs back, reapply in the opposite direction.

Scars are bad so avoid them at all costs

Ken

Ryceman3 wrote:Beautiful fig & clearly you know what you're doing ... 20 years is a long time but the journey seems worth it.
Just wondering if you usually "winter" your figs in a glasshouse (I see you are a fellow melbournian!) or would they be fine fending for themselves out in the open? This one appears to be under glass?
Whatever you're doing... Keep on doing it!

Normally I would keep it in the open but I had one of those ''moments'' and decided to attack it. I have it in a heated glasshouse. Defoliating this time of year is normally a no no!

Very nice growth with the cakes this year.

Top view


Before trimming. I've decided that total defoliation does not work well with this species. Each time I do it I end up with a bit of die back in the weaker branches. (this might be due to bad management?)
So I'm trying partial defoliation on the strongest shoots only and letting leaves remain on the weaker parts. I also removed a couple of major low branches at the start of summer.



After trimming



After some more trimming, defoliation and a bit of wiring.
Soon it will be time for a proper pot....