fig advice

[dregs24]

hi all,
just wondering what should be done with these 2 figs i have. The first one looks to need defoliation? The leaves are looking a little largeish and overgrown- perhaps a pruning? The second tree seems to be looking sadder each day. Generally i feed every 2-3 weeks with half strength seasol, they face east with 70% shade cloth cover and get a good water whenever the top 20mm of soil dries out. I'm fairly new to bonsai and any help would be appreciated. I've also added a pic of our crab apple which i think is fairly happy at the moment but the leaves are quite light in color and i dont think it has fruited this year. The moss on top makes it harder to gauge when water is required- should i remove it?
thanks guys

[buddaboy]

Dregs, when was the second fig last repotted? It may be a little root bound, try using a chopstick to check the soil BELOW the top 20mm of soil as the bottom could still be saturated. Is it neccesary to have the figs under shadecloth at all, as mine live out in the elements. Best if you talk to a few of our Melbourne freinds about your local conditions.Hope this is some help, as the second tree has quite a nice little trunk on it. Of course if your really worried about it I recomend a holiday in Central Queensland for it. I know some growers use humidity trays to help keep their figs happy.
Good Luck
BB

[Shannon]

Dregs nice figs mate!! Definitely looks like they need a re-pot mate, maybe into something a little larger(bit under potted) and yes defoliate them both at the same time as the re-pot, it will help with recovery and leaf size.

Will leave the crab apple to you southerners!!

[Pup]

Dregs nice figs mate!! Definitely looks like they need a re-pot mate, maybe into something a little larger(bit under potted) and yes defoliate them both at the same time as the re-pot, it will help with recovery and leaf size.

Will leave the crab apple to you southerners!!

On the advice you have been given for the Ficus. You will have no problems.

Loose two thirds of the moss on your crab apple. the reason for this is as you have already said it is hard to tell if it needs water.
So with moss it should NEVER cover the entire surface.
Usually to get one to flower you need to fertilise with a specific one. Yates for fruit and flower is a good one. I would say Phostrogen, but its hard to get now. Although you might get it in Melbourne, as the distributor, Debco is Melbourne based.

Cheers Pup

[dregs24]

thanks guys for the helpfull advice,
i think i will grab some bigger pots and re-pot tomorrow night, the forecast is low temps for the next week which i believe is a good thing for re potting this late in the year? I have been using the debco bonsai mix straight out of the bag which i'm told is good? The trunk on the second tree was braided by my girlfriend for her father when she was approx 6yrs old (22yrs ago!)

[Jamie]

fig in pic 017. do you know what this one is? i have one just like it that i found growing in my grandmother in laws gutter (well 4 of them actually) and have been trying to fuse them for the past 2 years or so, its getting there slowly but i got no idea on what sort of fig they are??? any who knows what they are it will help me to

jamie

[dregs24]

hi jamie
not 100% sure on what it is but i believe morton bay? i'm sure this big fella was originally a cutting from the Burke and Wills tree in Swan Hill, hope this helps

[Jamie]

hi jamie
not 100% sure on what it is but i believe morton bay? i'm sure this big fella was originally a cutting from the Burke and Wills tree in Swan Hill, hope this helps

cheers mate it gives me a lead anyways


jamie

[Shannon]

Hey jamie no. 17 is a Queensland small leaf mate "Ficus Eugenoides" or "Obliqua" different names same tree so i been told.

[anttal63]

dregs this is not late for repotting figs, the rest of us may have done early. the hotter the better for these pups.

[dregs24]

thanks ant, i noticed your in Brimbank (wheelie bins!) if your ever bored one day maybe you'd like some side projects!

[anttal63]

thanks ant, i noticed your in Brimbank (wheelie bins!) if your ever bored one day maybe you'd like some side projects!

yep thats my neck of the woods. im never bored but im always up for projects. what ya got in mind?

[kvan64]

hi jamie
not 100% sure on what it is but i believe morton bay? i'm sure this big fella was originally a cutting from the Burke and Wills tree in Swan Hill, hope this helps

cheers mate it gives me a lead anyways


jamie

I had one that passed away a few years back. The seller called it "Queensland small leaf fig."

[Gerard]

I have never potted a fig of this size, but after reading this thread I knew that it was time to repot the fig I purchased from dregs a couple of months ago. This one was defoliated six weeks ago but I felt that a repot was overdue, I expect all of these figs were last potted at the same time.

floriad 2009 013.jpg

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regards Gerard

[dregs24]

wow Gerard that looks great
My guess is that they would've all been re potted at the same time too. I still have a few so i better get busy!
Thanks again everyone