carp
Chumono
Are the trunks connected at the roots or are they separable? You could always rearrange the planting in spring/summer if you wanted.
I likus the Ficus, Part II
- Thread starter Mellow Mullet
- Start date
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Yes, they are completely fused.
MattE
Shohin
That is crazy and exactly what i needed to see , the pic of it from 2002 to now.. to show what dedication and time can do to transform your bonsais ! good stuff
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Update:
Major cut back and trim for this one. I had become completely overgrown and way too dense up top. It had also gotten too tall, so in an effort to make it more manageable, I chopped it up.
Here it is before the work:
Lot of roots popping out everywhere. These will be removed, I don't like them much on this type of ficus.
Major cut back and trim for this one. I had become completely overgrown and way too dense up top. It had also gotten too tall, so in an effort to make it more manageable, I chopped it up.
Here it is before the work:
Lot of roots popping out everywhere. These will be removed, I don't like them much on this type of ficus.
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
Nice thread.
My first time seeing this one.
Great forest, I dig it.
My first time seeing this one.
Great forest, I dig it.
Guy Vitale
Shohin
Looks great, have you considered removing the lower branches more to show off the great trunks?
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
The aftermath. I was hoping to take more in progress pictures to post and to type up an article for my blog but I was running out of daylight, the process took over three hours.
The carnage. Anyone need any cuttings?
The carnage. Anyone need any cuttings?
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Next up for today: repot and some wire.
Hope it fits...sawsall might be needed...
Hope it fits...sawsall might be needed...
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
So random shots of the cut back, in no certain order:
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
I have removed a few, but I think it would look bad without the lower branches.
GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
I agree as it would tend to grow pom poms which look goofy on that variety. Gotta love how tough they are though - watched my Wife really work one over every year for many years with no real plans. It just keeps coming back looking bazaar every time
Thanks for sharing, yours looks good
Grimmy
LanceMac10
Imperial Masterpiece
yes!!!!!!
Pictures of the saw-zall will be nice!
Pictures of the saw-zall will be nice!
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Looking good!
Sorce
Sorce
Guy Vitale
Shohin
Oh I get it, far be it for me to tell you what to do with your tree, I just wanted you to consider showing off the nice trunk lines which in turn I feel gives the composition a more mature and aged feel especially when the foliage is a bit more filled in. Either way, I really do like this forest.
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, many of the trees do not have a lot of branches, if I removed more than what I already have I would have a lollipop forest --- not my goal. I do plan to reposition some and maybe remove one more, just gonna wait and see how the composition responds. Sorry I don't see it completely your way. Geez.
Last edited:
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Update:
I did manage to get the ropot done today, in between the rain showers. I didn't get any wire put on, that will have to be another day. I decided to show the whole process so that the new members to the forum can get an idea of what all is involved. In doing so, I am not representing this as the only or correct way to complete the task, just how I go it done. Any tips, ideas, or criticisms are welcomed.
Well, let's get started.
We will start by cutting the wires that hold it in, just like uncorking some champagne. lol.
As you can see, the pot is completely filled with roots. I should have done this last year.
Up top, we have a lot of crossing and extra roots that will have to be removed. This happens on ficus when you let them get really root bound, the roots will start to grow in all directions, even up.
I did manage to get the ropot done today, in between the rain showers. I didn't get any wire put on, that will have to be another day. I decided to show the whole process so that the new members to the forum can get an idea of what all is involved. In doing so, I am not representing this as the only or correct way to complete the task, just how I go it done. Any tips, ideas, or criticisms are welcomed.
Well, let's get started.
We will start by cutting the wires that hold it in, just like uncorking some champagne. lol.
As you can see, the pot is completely filled with roots. I should have done this last year.
Up top, we have a lot of crossing and extra roots that will have to be removed. This happens on ficus when you let them get really root bound, the roots will start to grow in all directions, even up.
Attachments
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Ok, now we will use a rake and other tools to comb out the roots and remove the old soil. I also remove some more of the crossing roots.
Yes, that is a fork. Please don't tell Mrs, Mullet, or there could be trouble for me. I find it a useful tool to get the soil out.
All of the soil has been removed (as much as possible, you never can really get it all) and the root combed out.
A little rinse with the hose to further clean and also to keep them damp. Don't ever let the roots completely dry out. Ficus are more forgiving than others.
Yes, that is a fork. Please don't tell Mrs, Mullet, or there could be trouble for me. I find it a useful tool to get the soil out.
All of the soil has been removed (as much as possible, you never can really get it all) and the root combed out.
A little rinse with the hose to further clean and also to keep them damp. Don't ever let the roots completely dry out. Ficus are more forgiving than others.
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Now we just cut off what we don't need. I am hitting this one pretty hard, partly because I want to get it in the new pot and partly because it is a ficus. Other trees like maples and such you would not want to hit it so hard. Oh, and sorry Lance, I did not need the sawsall, maybe next time.
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
One thing that bothers me though, that giant, tuber root, it spoils the nebari and if not dealt with, it will continue to swell.
So, let's break out the saw.
Cleaned it up with the cutters and knife. All better now.
And, it looks like it will fit.
So, let's break out the saw.
Cleaned it up with the cutters and knife. All better now.
And, it looks like it will fit.
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
Here is the carnage.
Now let's prepare the pot. I will be using copper for strength. A word about tie down wires and the wires that you use to hold the screens in the pot. Make sure that they are the same metal. If you use copper on one and aluminum on the other and the touch, like the usually do at the drain hole, the aluminum will corrode it two. I had a maple that I had to resecure because of this. It will happen fast.
Wing-a-dings made for the screen hold-downs.
Deployed
Securing wires in place and drainage layer in. Larger lava is used.
Now let's prepare the pot. I will be using copper for strength. A word about tie down wires and the wires that you use to hold the screens in the pot. Make sure that they are the same metal. If you use copper on one and aluminum on the other and the touch, like the usually do at the drain hole, the aluminum will corrode it two. I had a maple that I had to resecure because of this. It will happen fast.
Wing-a-dings made for the screen hold-downs.
Deployed
Securing wires in place and drainage layer in. Larger lava is used.
