AusBonsai

Hi all,

I am fairly new to the world of Bonsai and have found this site very helpful to learn from and thank all for their knowledge.

My question is i managed to pick up a Grafted Pot Belly Fig (Ficus microcarpa retusa) at a really good bargain.

I have a few questions that am hoping people are able to help me with:
- I am not terribly happy with how it looks and am wondering how best to style it?

- The root system appears to be put over a rock that is barely toucing the root system, should i replace or remove this rock?

- For a bonsai bought at a nursery should they be repotted straight away seeing as though there is noway of telling how long the bonsai has been in the pot?

- If a repotting is recommended should i increase the size of the pot as wouldnt mind allowing the fig to grow bigger if possible?

Thanks all for any help possible

G'day!

I think you need to decide for yourself what you wish to do.
Personally if I wanted a larger plant, I would buy a stock plant in a black plastic pot for half the price of a "bonsai" and grow that on.

This plant could be planted in a larger pot, but it looks healthy as is and is ready for you to start doing some work on.



I have a few questions that am hoping people are able to help me with:
- I am not terribly happy with how it looks and am wondering how best to style it?
Figs like to send shoots straight up, this allows them to quickly reach light sources. What we want to do is control that growth, whilst also utilizing it. With all that foliage it will be hard for you to wire those branches up. You could use guidelines on the ends of branches and pull them down horizontal, or alternatively I would remove every second leaf, then apply wire. This will allow you to put movement into the branches and not only pull them down as guidelines do.

- The root system appears to be put over a rock that is barely toucing the root system, should i replace or remove this rock?
Personal choice. It will be hard to find another rock to fill the shape void. I am not sure removing it would solve anything either.

- For a bonsai bought at a nursery should they be repotted straight away seeing as though there is noway of telling how long the bonsai has been in the pot?
Looks healthy, I wouldn't.

- If a repotting is recommended should i increase the size of the pot as wouldnt mind allowing the fig to grow bigger if possible?
All up to you, i'd style it atleast as is.

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks for your reply. I was able to get this already established bonsai for way under the retail price so i thought why not. I am growing a 'rubber' leaf fig in a black pot for future use.

I will give the styling you recomended a go as it definately could do with some work ontop. Will try to get some pics up once this is done to see if there are any other improvements that could be made.

Thanks again

Might be worth hanging in, for a few more hours till ppl get home from work. They might have some other suggestions for you.

Be carefull if you start bending branches and trunks on this plant. They are grafted and very young, the grafts aren't at all strong and it is very easy to break the graft away from the rootstock. If you wanted a larger tree it might be an idea to repot the tree into a grow box for a season or two. That would also help strengthen those grafts as well.

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for your help, I have tried finding info about the Grow boxes on this site. As i understand it it is a Poly styro box that has normal potting mix in it, is this correct?

Also once i plant it in a grow box how would you recommend i position it outside, e.g full sun all summer and undercover through winter (Due to Canberra frosts)?

Thanks again

worthy1 wrote:Hi Graeme,

Thanks for your help, I have tried finding info about the Grow boxes on this site. As i understand it it is a Poly styro box that has normal potting mix in it, is this correct?

Also once i plant it in a grow box how would you recommend i position it outside, e.g full sun all summer and undercover through winter (Due to Canberra frosts)?

Thanks again

Yes mate, Styro boxes are the way to go, although any large container will do as long as it is wider than it is deep. I have used both styro and plastic containers which are available from most hardware stores. The one major consideration is that they have super drainage. Whatever you use make sure you cut plenty of holes in the bottom, which you must cover with drainage mesh. Available from all good Bonsai supply nurseries. Potting medium should be around 50/50 course grit and premium potting mix. this mix is a starting point only and should be ammended to suit the particular tree. Figs could use a little extra grit. The one thing to remember when growing on is drainage. After potting the tree into the Grow Box make sure it is ellevated off the ground to allow adequate drainage as well, never sit them directly on the ground. A couple of bricks under the box is sufficient.

As cold as Canberra is in Winter it can get bloody hot in Summer. Bearing that in mind, the more sunshine a plant gets the faster and better they will grow, but I would suggest the tree get some dappled shade during the hottest part of the afternoon. The tree will need protection during the Winter so the oposite will apply - keep it protected in the mornings and give it as much afternoon sun as possible. Maybe one of our Canberra members could advise you better than I.

Good luck with your tree, I believe with the right care these can be trained into very nice Bonsai. All the best with it mate.

Oh, by the way, did I mention Darainage before when talking about Potting Medium?

Thanks Graeme,

Ill see if i can remember the Drainage