Newbie...requesting help with Ficus religiosa styling

[paul_d1]

Hi friends,
Am new here and new to bonsai...just got a Ficus religiosa plant lying unattended at a friends backyard for 4 years in a bonsai pot. Now I want your help in deciding about the style and how should I go abt achieving that style...shall I put it in the ground to fatten up the trunk (its around 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter) further or let it remain in the pot? And also what do I do with the exposed large root running around the pot's sides. The bark also does not look great...Can the aerial roots be bound to the trunk to fuse with it? Pls guide.

[Mitchell]

G'day Paul, welcome to AusBonsai!

You have an interesting plant there! Or it it two inter-twined? Either way its trunk has some great movement and character, unlike most ficus of this age.

Not sure about the surface root, generally one would say get rid of it, but it seems to add character.

In regards to styling choose a leader chop the rest back and away you go. I can see a bonsai in not many years.
I'd start thinking about reducing leaf size, by plucking them. I've just finished doing my figs, but plucked a privet today.

[bodhidharma]

G'day Paul, welcome to our place. Religiosa make excellent Bonsai but they have to be on the largish side. There has been some info posted here. I think it is under Bodhi tree which is its common name.

[paul_d1]

Thanks friends..for your warm welcome...well, yes Mitchell, I also think that there are 2 trunks inter twined and fused...so can you guide me somehow to decide abt the leader or should there be 2 leaders for the 2 trunks? And yes, bodhidharma, I would've liked a larger bonsai with this plant...but the branches are so spindly..don't think it'll look good on a large bonsai..what u think?

[Jamie]

hi paul, firstly welcome to the forum

the base of your tree has what seems some good muscling. i wouldnt mind seeing some front on shots of it not on an angle but eye level if you understand. as for a larger tree this one will need to be ground or box grown for a bigger tree to get the girth to make it look right, i dont know how bodhi fig reduce in leaf size i know some can be difficult but the base to me looks like it has good shohin potential.

im also wondering what sort of soil/medium it is in? it looks very heavy and drainage might be an issue? does water pool on top when you water it and takes a while to absorb?

jamie

[Glenda]

Hi Paul,

Are you sure this is a religiosa? Its leaves look more like a benjamina. The religiosa has very long dangly petioles, and a heart-shaped leaf with a loooong end on it.

Ficus_religiosa_Bo.jpg

Glenda

[paul_d1]

Well, Glenda.. i think you are right...now I think its benjamina rather than a religiosa...thanks for identifying it for me...
by the way friends, how do you think i shd style this one...shall i chop the branches upto the "muscular" level and then make a trunk or...
And Jamie...its in some sandy soil...i've not seen water logging.....but don't know whether its right or not...

[Jamie]

looking at those wavy leaves its possibly exotica... if it is it is going to be hard to get back budding on it.. im not 100% on that though as it has that stringy look at the tip of the leaf which isnt something benji has.

the mix looks rather heavy, come repot time i would get it into a good mix whether it is one you make yaself or a commercial bonsai mix.

[martybee]

Hey guys....another newbie here also!!

Id like to track down a Ficus religiosa perhaps as a starter size? For me the tree has meaning, that being a Sacred Fig, Bodhi Tree, Bo Tree amongst other names!

Would anyone know where it best to access a starter Ficus religiosa...alternatively...if i can access seeds can anyone give me advice as to how to cultivate? I am in Victoria but happy to cover freight costs.

Cheers and thanks
Marty