So lately there have been a few starter Ficus turning up on the forum and they are a great species for not only beginners but all of us. They are often one of the first trees that you will buy when starting out, I know I got one as my second tree.
With that in mind I thought it might be a good idea to have an ongoing thread specifically for our Ficus to show off how they started out and what work that has been done to them, kind of like an evolution of the mallsai thing.
And also it might be a good thread for us beginners to ask questions that you otherwise might not of asked if it meant you had to start a thread of your own.
It will only work if we all chip in and I hope that others do too as it could be a nice resource to have.
Anyway, I'll get it started, I'm not fraid.
So here are a few of mine, the first I got over a year ago and really this is the tree that inspired this idea. It hasn't really missed a beat. I have for the most part left it alone after an initial repot and tried my best to dig the rusted stainless steel from the trunk.
Soon I am going to defoliate it and have a good look at what is under the canopy for a clear out, I will update here once do it.
Next up is another Retusa, recently purchased. Much smaller and I probably should get it out of the muck soil it is in.
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And what Ficus thread would be complete without one of these?
I have not done work really on any of these so it will be interesting to see how they end up, maybe some chopping and growing is in order.
So c'mon, lets see yours if you dare, before and after pics are cool too as it should show you just what can be achieved with starter material.