ficus benji-progression

[Jamie]

hey people


well this has been a long story between me and this tree, i had it for a few years not know exactly where to go with it, just really trimming it to the shape it was when i got it.

ficusbefore.jpg

it really annoyed me not knowing where to go and after a while i decided to work on it, figureing out one of the main trunks had to go and working on one side it ended up making its own mind when i snapped the left hand trunk, so it got angle cut and cleaned up, i think i still need to carve it back a bit.

ficus benji restyle.jpg

i let it grow out and get really strong, i have defoliated it and fine wired it out.

Benb.jpg

Benwired.jpg

a side shot to show depth

Bens.jpg

and a top view

Bentop.jpg

any comments and thoughts are welcome

jamie

[Luke]

man you are in the know!! ya smart arse! love ya work!.. i don't see this tree as all that aesthetically pleasing as it is but.. no doubt.. you have a plan.

cheers
luke

[Jamie]

aesthetically speaking i am not completly pleased with it either, the problem is the branching starts from half way up or higher on the trunk, i am thinking about grafting some more branching down lower to fix this fault but i have to work it all out first

cheers for the comment mate it is still a work in progress as they all are.


jamie

[Jarrod]

Definately an unusual tree. The kink in the trunk disturbs the eye to much for me. I would cut below and grow a new top mate. I know you didn't want to here that.

[Rod]

Mate I don`t mind the height , I this one only needs that ugly cut down repaired and the roots organised. I notice in the side shot the large root on the right comes from the back, mate I would remove it or move it to the back. It may look better to remove some of the roots hanging in mid air, I think doing this always makes the tree look older and more stable . Good job! CHEERS ROD............ Sorry mate I also wanted to say it would look great in a shallow oval pot...

[Jamie]

Definately an unusual tree. The kink in the trunk disturbs the eye to much for me. I would cut below and grow a new top mate. I know you didn't want to here that.

that kink is one thing i am not happy with either, i think carving that out and blending it in to the trunk line will help a lot and it has been a plan of mine for a while

cheers rod, root work is definately something that needs doing and i havent moved that thick root coming from the back going around to the right yet for no reason at all i just havent done it, i should do, and get rid of the ones coming from the air to it will help a lot.
i havent thought so much about pots yet i think you might be on to something bout the shallow oval though, i think a deep unglazed dark colour would work well.
this does need to be repotted any way i just havent thought about a different pot, i am going to brisbane in a couple of weeks i may be able to find something then

jamie

[NathanM]

I quite like the new direction after the break, I agree that it jsut needs some carving to blend it with the flow of the tree. It's unusual, but gives it good movement. The high branching doesn't bother me a great deal either, gives a somewhat natural look to the tree.
Bit of carving, tidying up the roots and some time (but not much from how I imagine this will grow up your way ) to develop some ramification and you'll be onto something good
When are you coming down dude, let me know for sure. We'll defiantely have to try and finally meet up!

[Jonden]

Hi Jamie,
When you repot try tilting the tree about 15-20 degrees to the left so that it comes out of the pot on an angle and position the apex back over the base, as it is now coming straight up and then changing direction makes it unbalanced. Carve the old trunk at the change of direction and re-arrage the roots, put it in a shallow pot and you will have the start of a great bonsai.
Cheers, Jonden

[Jamie]

i never thought about tilting it because of the heavy roots on the left hand side, they have started to fuse together, i will look at doing it though as the 15-20 dgrees isnt much and the apex is still quite flexible

ramification is building quite nicley on this one nath im coming down on the 23rd and will be leaving late on the 24th, i have a whole heap of nerve conductivity testing for my back, operation could be on the cards again

cheers

jamie

[craigw60]

Hi Jamie i reckon a few years growing and a bit of work will iron out that kink you will be amazed how issues like that soften with time. I would however put a new root system on it so the tree flows into the ground more smoothly. You should be able to do that in no time up there.
Craig

[Bretts]

I'm with Craig I would think ground layer new roots. That will bring the branches down a bit too.

[Jamie]

cheers craig,

i think a new root system might be a bit drastic but also an option, if i was to do that i would most likely shorten it some as well. i think once the roots are cleaned up it will make a world of difference.


jamie

[Jamie]

just an update, new buds started popping three or four days ago, and some leaves have opened up i was delighted by this as i had stripped the whole tree bare and doing so is supposed to be a no no.

the other thing i was surpised at is how the new leaves have come out! they new leaf in the growing tip is near a purple colour and the leaf comes out in a nice red then turns to green after a couple of days!!

Bennewleaf.jpg

i will get a shot of the whole tree soon as i have removed some of those big roots and the ones that were crossing does look a lot better and it also looks like there is some new shoots growing lower on the trunk so i will be able to build some new branches bring the height of the canopy down.
i still havent had a chance to get the rotary tool out and carve down the kink, i will do that and i might even change the planting angle ever so slightly so it isnt going straight up and down when i repot it.

jamie

[anttal63]

I look forward to that! coming along nicely jamie.

[Jamie]

like i said, still needs more, a little carve out of that chop scar to blend the trunk and needs a major repot, but things are moving with this tree so i am happy

big roots are gone, i am thinking of taking more of the big one that come from the back, and i still need to take that long one in front away or shortened for sure, then i think we will be on the right track.

Bennbrinew.jpg

it still has a lot of buds to open and reshoot, which will take time, a few more weeks and it should be looking nice

jamie