Caretaking a willow leaf fig

[sreeve]

I have owned this fig for three years, but admit that to this day that every time I look at it, I still think of the original owner - with fondness.

It, like a couple of other trees I own are referred by my wife and myself as "So and So's"tree......

I will always think of myself as a caretaker of these trees.

Many people from this forum are either first or second owners of this particular persons trees and may or may not know the circumstance of him selling them.

He was / is a champion - in its truest sense.

To give up hundreds of your labour of love on behalf of someone else must surely be one of the truest measures of humanity

I hope his tree gives you a glimpse of the joy it gives me every day

Regards
Steve

[Jamie]

beautiful tree steve, excellent base, that is the best nebari i have seen on a willow leaf fig in a very long time!

im thinking maybe a pot change though? or sitting the tree a little higher on the pot to show of the nebari more to go along with the great branching and shape

[Edward Scissorhand]

Very nice fig indeed, steve!

[MattA]

Steve, Thanks for sharing a beautiful tree that you derive alot of pleasure from.

I see the magic in its branches and amongst its roots.

Matt

[Jerry Meislik]

Lovely fig with a stupendous base!
Especially nice to have it as a remembrance of a wonderful person.
There are so many satisfactions in doing bonsai!
I agree that the pot is a bit much for this tree but if the canopy grows it will be fine.
Jerry

[Hawaiian77]

Very nice..... I love Willow Leaf Figs.

-Tim

[Pup]

Very nice tree Steve I know what you mean about so & so's tree. I have a couple of those and one I call Houdini my wife calls BCI and the Logo.

This tree! I agree with Jamie its nice root base and the pot not quite right. My opinion for what it is worth. A shallower oval pot would suit it better. The colour is a bit bright also, but as I said JMO. Also you said you are caretaking.

Cheers Pup

[Matthew]

it wouldnt of been Lambert wellington who started it would it? VERY VERY nice indeed. Here is mine that Lambert started alass the photos are nothing like yours. when i clean up in spring ill spend some time taking decent pics. Its currently in my hotohuse as temps tuesday night will get to 4

figs2.JPG

nerifolia may.jpg

[Matthew]

Ive just noticed our pots are almost identical

[Pup]

That they are too, but what a different look, with the higher placed heavier base and fuller canopy. The pot suits Noah's tree very well, the colour is more subdued. Again JMO cheers Pup

[sreeve]

Thanks all for your comments.

It looks like a new pot is in order - at least if it is slightly shallower it might be easier to lift .

Yes Noah, it was one of Lambert's - he is a fantastic bloke who developed awesome bonsai.

Did you pick up the pot from Ray Nesci also or from up Maitland way?

I like the heavy base you have on your willow leaf Noah - it looks awesome.

Regards
Steve

[Jamie]

very nice both of you!

re.- the pot, whether you change it steve or lift it up higher in the pot, i think will work, if you look at noahs tree how it has a very similar but still a very strong base, being that bit higher in the pot works for me. but yes a shallow oval was in my mind aswell, but was unsure how much you wanted to change this tree.

jamie

[craigw60]

Beautifully grown figs. Its so important to acknowledge our trees history and former owners.
Craig

[Matthew]

Beautifully grown figs. Its so important to acknowledge our trees history and former owners.
Craig

I should add that i am but the current caretaker who has done little except keep the tree trimmed and hopefully healthy and happy in its new environment NE victoria.It fruited heavily last year in rockhampton but will be interesting here next summer. DAVE54 who was a regular poster on this forum is responsible for development of the branches , overall shape etc over a number of years. He is also responsible for the choice of current pot. I will have to ask him one day where he got it from. Again thanks DAVE

[Dave54]

Hi Guys,
haven't posted here for a very long time but when Steven sent me a PM about this thread, thought I'd better take a look.
Lambert would be the best grower of Fig And Maple bases that I have encountered in Oz bar none. The development of the wide spreading nebari by the use of low sacrifice branches on his Nerifolias is unbelievable, especially considering the relatively small growing containers and the short time frame in which they develop.
I consider myself priveliged to call Lambert a true friend and it is an honour to have some of his tree in my collection. I spoke to him only this week by phone and he admitted to missing having bonsai nowdays.
I actually got drawn into this forum when I advertised Noah's tree on ebay some time ago and some members questioned its value.
Matt subsequently purchased it some time later after we became friends through this forum and he visited my place.
There is still some conjecture whether I kept the best one or sold it to him!!!!!!
Not to create debate about that issue, but to show another great "Lambert" nebari, I post a Nude tree taken last August
cheers
Dave
Ps thought I better show a "Now" photo