AusBonsai

Hi guys,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post, I was given this Ficus Microcarpa as a birthday present 2 1/2 years ago. The only bit of information i have really been given is "the only thing to worry about for the first 2 yrs is keeping it alive". well i have been successful at this. I have been reading loads of great information on this site and was wondering if anyone can give me any ideas on what to do with this tree.
1 Can anybody see a good leader for this tree, as the trunk has been cut straight and 3 out of the 5 branches all basically stem from the same spot i am confused about which direction to take.
2 should i defoiliate and wire this tree when it comes into spring or should i let it grow out for another year. this tree has spent the last 2 years inside but i would like to let it grow out this spring and summer, i think the tree could definitely benefit from some more sun.
3 should i repot into a bigger bonsai pot or is it fine the way it is.

Any assistance that anyone can give me would be awesome

Thanks in advance

hi mate

since no one has helped I will try

the tree seems healthy enough, especially for inside growing. what I would do is take it out of that pot, put it into something larger, even an oversized grow pot would be fine, would have it buried a little deeper to try and encourage some root growth to create a better nebari. I would also chop back to the lowest branch and use that as a new leader and then rebuild the branch structure from there.

hope that helps a little!

i agree, if youdont wont the bulbasy root effect you will want to work on a better nebari. if you let it grow and thicken enough the roots will eventually fuse and in time form a really solid base on it!

Hugh

So i am thinking about going the big chop and cutting back the trunk to the lowest branch so i can try and train this as the leader. when i do this will i need to cover the cut up with anything or will it heal over by itself? is it a good idea to repot at the same time or should i wait.

Hi gdupagne,
Ficus are usually repotted in November or so when the weather overnight is warm and constant, here in Australia. This is very stressful on the trees. I would not trunk chop at the same time, it might not recover or at least it will set it back a while. The root system first and get its vigour back , then when nice and healthy again worry about the branch structure and placement. Yes you will need to put cut paste on the wounds as ficus weep a lot and lose moisture readily when cut. Oh I forgot to add that ficus can be grown inside, but they prefer full sun. This helps with the vigour of the tree and also stops the long internodes forming(the long branches with big leaves) If you want to get ramification on the branching and have smaller more compact leaf growth it should get lots and lots of sun, after defoliation.

Regards Panda

gdupagne wrote:So i am thinking about going the big chop and cutting back the trunk to the lowest branch so i can try and train this as the leader

Why, what are you going to gain? Nothing, but you will lose Time, take the good advice you have been given by Jamie and Hugh, grow , fertilise and grow, good luck which ever way you go

So After a lot of thought, i think i am going to repot into a large pot and put this tree outside so it can get some much needed sun. I think this tree will deffinitely benefit from growing for a few years. then i might have something solid to work with when i want to start styling. Would you suggest to just let this tree grow or can i defoliate to try and start getting more shoots and smaller leaves. I will wait until the weather warms up and post some pics.
Thanks for the help

Craig wrote:

gdupagne wrote:So i am thinking about going the big chop and cutting back the trunk to the lowest branch so i can try and train this as the leader

Why, what are you going to gain? Nothing, but you will lose Time, take the good advice you have been given by Jamie and Hugh, grow , fertilise and grow, good luck which ever way you go

I believe jamies advice was to cut back to the first branch.

First thing you need to do is get it outside, not into full sun straight away or you will probably get sunburn and dieback. Repot into a larger pot, just a standard pot is all you need, either cut it down to half the height or even better in my opinion just only fill the pot half way and pot it down low. The pot provides protection from drying winds and keeps humidity up, helping the development of Aerial roots. By spring/summer it should be right to do that big chop down to the first branch.

gday crew!

yes my advice was to cut the tree back to the first branch. I wouldnt repot as such, no root pruning etc. just pot it up into a styro box or large nursery pot. someone said bout putting it lower in the pot, good idea as this will give you more to work with.

I dont think doing it this way will put any extra stress on the tree, as the roots wouldnt be cut back.