AusBonsai

Hello all,

I have this large Hill's weeping fig cutting that I managed to get growing. I hope to turn this into a larger bonsai one day, but I've had problems with branching and I don't know what to do. It's only put branches out in 5 places with 3 of them coming from the one side. The side they're mainly coming from is also the "inside" of the natural curve of the stump. My ideas have varied a lot. I've contemplated turning this into a raft/clump by just laying it on its side, but I don't think it will work because of the curve. Here's some pics:









My current thinking is to cut 1 and 3, leaving 2 to become the new leader and 4 and 5 to serve as sacrifice branches for the moment. It also lacks base flair, but I'm hoping this will develop as the roots grow larger. What does everything think? Any other ideas? Thanks

It's very hard to make these choices without seeing it in person, but I think this cutting has given you a lot to work with. I'd choose 2 as your new leader, 1 as your first branch, and depending on wether you rotate the tree right or left, keep 4 or 3 as a sacrifice branch, respectively. Sacrifice at the back to hide any large scars (which ficus don't really heal all that well). Remove all else to avoid all possible scarring, unless there are more back branches to be used as sacrifice which I can't see or missed.

I'd say that 3, 4 and 5 are far too low to be useful as branches so I'd also do as Truth suggests. You'll need to control the growth of the first branch (1) or it will end up thicker than the upper part of the trunk (2)

Having grown Ficus Hillii,for many years, i suggest first of all you let it grow in full sun,for 3-5yrs before you do any major work.The reason I suggest this,is, it is only a 'cutting', and far too early in it's training ,to rush into it.In respect to other advice you have been given, as we say let 'the bloody thing grow',before you start removing anything.Every one may tell you to rush into it,but take your time.That's why your'e doing bonsai,right.If you do anything rash now,you could kill the tree.Depends where you live, but with figs it's too cold,to start now.Wait till spring, feed the tree with organic fertiliser, gently,and let everything grow.Yow may discover new branches will start to grow.Don't have a concept to make the tree into a style yet[eg.raft,] Let the tree tell you what it wants to be.The root structure of Hillii,are slightly inverted,different to a PJ, or MB, so it takes many years to train the roots into a pleasing base.Every year, for 5yrs, means hard rootpruning, to the base of the tree,and moving the roots, and wiring them into the position you want. By leaving it alone now, you will see more branches grow, which gives you better options for the future.Also in the spring, please,please,plant the tree, into a shallow pot, not the deep one you have put it into.By planting it deep, only gives you long roots.You guessed it, and then you have to cut them off.If shallow, the roots grow outwards.[even a a foam fruit box,10cms is deep is enough].Please also use a coarse open mix,to allow perfect drainage.Don't cut the branches until you have hard,to semi har.If you cut them while'st the wood is green, more chance of dieback.[ All of my figs were grown from seed,PJ.MB.HIllii,etc..some 36yrs ago.Still going strong]..

Thanks mountainman, it's in a pot within a pot. I cut a pot down, then put that in the normal pot because I didn't have anything else on hand.