overhaul of a retusa "melonseed" fig

[Matthew]

Melonseed is a type of retusa that has naturally small leaves that will reduce very well with technique. its internodes are very close together not unusual for 8 set of leaves in a 20mm long stem. this fig hasent been touched since ive moved here and little has been done to it in the last few years. My lazyness has lead to long branches with little taper . all the canopy is up too high for me. Today between the rain i defoliated and cut back quite hard. I plan to lower branches , seperating them to develop foliage pads. Some branches will require a v cut under to help bend down. This will happen within the next week or so as im waiting on some heavy wire. the plus side is i got 200 cuttings which strike very easy from this type of fig . Hopefully within a week the tree will be improved . It needs repotting bad which i will do say christmas as the tree rebuds

rsz_before_pruning2.jpg

rsz_before_pruning.jpg

rsz_1melonseed_pruned2.jpg

rsz_melonseed_pruned.jpg

[John Henry]

Feeding the tree with Asahi works very well a great drop when you are working on your trees.
John m

[platinum]

hi noah

what an amazing tree.

all your trees are. keep posting more pictures.

sorry to get away from the subject, could you post some detail photos of your timber bonsai bench/ pergola.

thanks platinum.

[Taffy]

Very nice tree Noah. You've created great structure in the design.

[Matthew]

hi noah

what an amazing tree.

all your trees are. keep posting more pictures.

sorry to get away from the subject, could you post some detail photos of your timber bonsai bench/ pergola.

thanks platinum.

Will do, im in Major flood here atm so it might have to wait a day or 2

[Ash]

Hi Noah,
Could you post a photograph of how this tree came back into leaf? Realy looking forward to it.
regards
Ash

[bodhidharma]

A very nice tree Noah. lowering the branches is a sound idea. How do you find the growing pattern of figs now you are Victorian .

[Matthew]

Guys i havent really got around to doing much with this fig. A repot defiantly this weekend and wiring etc. its been very slow to come back into leaf the same as my large willowleaf thats just coming back into full leaf now i should bet a pic up Its just got its first set of leaves starting to open ill get pics up this weekend. Id say when i defoliated this tree in rockhampton it took 7-10 days and in full leaf tree was done 4 weeks ago so theres a huge diffence. been potbound might be slowing it too

[Ash]

Noah I reckon it is just a matter of degree days. This was the first time you have defoliated it since you moved to a temperate climate right? Plus it was a cut back not just a regular defoliation so maybe that too is why it was not as quick to leaf up. Certainly looked good green and healthy before. I wouldn't worry.
Look forward to seeing it.
cheers
Ash

[Stewart_Toowoomba]

hi noah

what an amazing tree.

all your trees are. keep posting more pictures.

sorry to get away from the subject, could you post some detail photos of your timber bonsai bench/ pergola.

thanks platinum.

I fully agree with Platinum. A lovely fig with really interesting root activity as well.
I too was taken by your bench set up in the BG. I'd also appreciate some photos and basic measurements of the bench if you have the time. Do I see a drip feeder or watering system over the top... & moveable shade cloth too? It looks well planned and thought out.
Look forward to seeing how the retusa fairs on the coming few weeks.
Cheers Stew

[Matthew]

My partner took the camera to work so photos late this evening or on wedensday of both the tree and the bench. i might repot today if i get time its alittle cooler here today so getting stuck into property jobs. the fig took me 4 hours to restyle. im quite happy with it. ill set a few grafts as well

[Matthew]

just a few quick photos, ill get decent ones next week when i stop been lazy and repot this thing, its just heavy. I did a few grafts on the inside of some branches which have sparse foliage and needed something closer to the trunk. At some point id like to get the branches lower but some are 60mm thick and the main first branch is almost 120mm. Just wondering also which front do you prefer? that little aerial root on the side was started just 18 months ago and will eventually fuse into one large trunk. again happy with the progress for now but alot more to be done.

rsz_figside1.jpg

possible front1

rsz_fig_side2.jpg

possible front2

rsz_fig_side3.jpg

a side view

[Ryan1979b]

Absolutely love it, the tree looks awesome, I was admiring your bench and shade setup in the background, very impressive as well. I'm envious of both

[Matthew]

if anyone was wanting dimensions the tree haa been reduced from 850mm to just over 720mm. the base is about 320mm and its about 580mm in width.

[Ash]

G'Day Noah,

I like front 2 however you probably don't have to decide between them. Each time you rotate the tree you get to enjoy the 'other front'. You know if you are loosing sleep trying to decide between the views you could solve the problem by sending it up here .
It is going to look great when fully back in leaf, the smaller foliage mass will emphasis the size of the trunk.

cheers
Ash