AusBonsai

One of our Kai's members is moving to Johannesburg where it is much colder than Rustenburg and he is selling some of his frost tender trees.

I bought this Ficus for about 100 American dollars.

The trunk is well developed although on the right hand side I would like it to slope a little more gradually.

The tree was chopped about 3-4 years ago so the branches are still not thick enough in relation to the trunk.

I would like to train this tree into the wild Fig style as described by Charles Ceronio's book, Bonsaistyles of the world.

The tree backbuds quite easily.

Should I do another chop now indicated at the red lines or should I wait for the branches beneath the cut to thicken some more?

Any advice will be appreciated.
Lennard

Lennard,
I would cut it back as you indicated. It seems like there are few buds left growing in the close in areas. If you let the branches get heavier you may lose chances to get viable inner buds to sprout.
These comments are based only on general fig experience and not direct experience with this species.
Let us know how it goes.
Jerry

Nice tree! If you cut it back, make sure you have fertilised well beforehand. Is it hot where you live mate? You should only cut it back if night temperatures are around 18 deg cel. It will explode with growth if you do it then. Keep it out of the wind while cut back, dont overwater, and shade if its really hot. Dont cut back in autumn mate, that wont work. Cheers!

An update:

I have cut back the tree in December 2009:
I have also repotted the tree in a deeper container. This is the tree beginning October 2010 after the cut back. Ramification is coming along nicely:
Any comments and advice welcome.

Lennard

The tree two years later, defoliated and cut back:

From the front:
From the top:
The tree do go into rest for about four months but does not shed it's leaves. It is over potted and this time of the year all my trees are mulched with horse stable bedding(manure and rotted straw) and gets chicken manure pellets regularly. The tree is basically fed every time I water.

Did I get enough twiggy growth for two years growing?

Any other advice or comments also welcome.

Lennard

Lennard,
I think you got a good two years of progress in there.
It looks close to ready for a bonsai container.
Jerry

Great tree Lennard !!! congrats on the excellent work, it looks like a ficus !!!

looks great mate