Ficus 10 month Progression

Jeremy

Jeremy

Shohin
Messages
421
Reaction score
852
Location
QLD, Australia
USDA Zone
10
This is a Fig I purchased last year, unsure of ID at this stage, the leaf shape and bark suggest possibly Tiger Bark variety but I will post more photos later in the year
The first photo is from December '13 after an initial cut back and wire. The trunk was already carved upon purchase, since then I opened up the hollow a bit more, added a few uros on old scars, and have treated with wood hardener. I will continue to treat it and hope for the best, some areas are starting to callous over nicely so hopefully it will hold up. Other areas, especially the front have died back a touch so I will just have to monitor it closely and touch it up at a later date.
The next 3 photos are today after defoliating and wiring. It has developed quite well over the last 10 months. I will be away working for the next 10 weeks so it can have its head over the summer months, hopefully allowing it to grow strongly will encourage more callousing over the carving.
Still has a long way to go but the ramification process has begun and can only improve with time. I think I will re-assess the base next season, I believe I have 2 options. Cut back the long root on the left, or do a full ground layer. The right 'trunk' needs to thicken more and the first right branch needs to be cut back. And the pot is for training purposes only, when the time comes I will be on the lookout for a shallow glazed oval.

Any critiques or suggestions are welcome, don't hold back!
 

Attachments

  • 20131208_152822 (600x800).jpg
    20131208_152822 (600x800).jpg
    52.1 KB · Views: 519
  • DSC_0499 (1024x683).jpg
    DSC_0499 (1024x683).jpg
    72.3 KB · Views: 523
  • DSC_0504 (1024x683).jpg
    DSC_0504 (1024x683).jpg
    80.6 KB · Views: 520
  • DSC_0505 (1024x683).jpg
    DSC_0505 (1024x683).jpg
    72.6 KB · Views: 540
Beautiful tree! Something about the main right side branch bothers me but I can't place it and It looks like It'd be too large to bend anyways.
 
This is a very nice tree. I have a few comments and suggestions. I find the the branch on the right hand side detracts a bit from the very nice trunk. Secondly I prefer trees that are a bit more compact. With this in mind attached are two possibilities which you might like to consider. Reduce or remove the branch on the right hand side and reduce the length of the remaining branches.

http://bonsainut.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=60886&stc=1&d=1412124781

http://bonsainut.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=60887&stc=1&d=1412124835

The result in both cases yields a more compact tree in which, in my opinion, the trunk is now the focal point.
Hank
 

Attachments

  • Aus1.jpg
    Aus1.jpg
    13.4 KB · Views: 460
  • Aus2.jpg
    Aus2.jpg
    12.7 KB · Views: 445
KayaMooney said:
Beautiful tree! Something about the main right side branch bothers me but I can't place it and It looks like It'd be too large to bend anyways.
Click to expand...

The length of the further most right branch needs to be shortened and there are smaller side shoots I could cut back to now. However, I will leave it for 10 weeks. By then the wire should be biting in and it will be due for a second defoliation and harder cut back. The tree has produced a lot of long internodes over the cooler months which meant I had to cut back to 1 leaf instead of 2, thus slowing the ramification process.
Also I think you're right with ID, the leaf is definitely Retusa but the bark not as striped as Tiger Bark variety. Just never occurred to me to call it Retusa as I rarely see them in my parts.


Hank Miller said:
This is a very nice tree. I have a few comments and suggestions. I find the the branch on the right hand side detracts a bit from the very nice trunk. Secondly I prefer trees that are a bit more compact. With this in mind attached are two possibilities which you might like to consider. Reduce or remove the branch on the right hand side and reduce the length of the remaining branches.

The result in both cases yields a more compact tree in which, in my opinion, the trunk is now the focal point.
Hank
Click to expand...

Hank, I thank you for the time and effort you have given to do up those virts. I will save and keep them on file for future note. I agree by losing the right branch it gives more power to the trunk, but I am currently in the habit of seeing all my Ficus with broad canopies. When I first acquired this tree I saw a spooky, dare I say 'Fantasy-style'... it does evoke that feeling though my execution in styling is off. I couldnt get enough bends in the branches.
We will see what comes after the next growth period, it is a Ficus afterall, and can be changed with ease.

Attached are a few different angles with scale reference.
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0508 (800x533).jpg
    DSC_0508 (800x533).jpg
    47.1 KB · Views: 404
  • DSC_0507 (800x533).jpg
    DSC_0507 (800x533).jpg
    47.4 KB · Views: 398
  • DSC_0506 (800x533).jpg
    DSC_0506 (800x533).jpg
    54.2 KB · Views: 394
  • DSC_0503 (800x533).jpg
    DSC_0503 (800x533).jpg
    50.1 KB · Views: 388
  • DSC_0502 (800x533).jpg
    DSC_0502 (800x533).jpg
    53.4 KB · Views: 396
I'm not going to talk about the styling of the tree, its your tree, and on the internet there's no sense in an argument over something that affects me in now way.

But what I will say is this; remember that it is a Ficus and that wood is going to rot. The wood is not hard at all.
 
As a relative beginner I'm more than happy to receive styling advice. Doesn't mean I'll always take it, but it is a great help to see a tree from another persons perspective. So don't be shy, Seth.

As for the rot, yes its common fact that Ficus rot. Does it keep me up at night? Not at all. I'm not saying it will last a lifetime, even with constant treatment. I have seen mature specimens with hollows and deadwood. My main goal is to get the callous to roll more. Im guessing we have a similar climate, you would have a bit more humidity though.
Bonsai isnt static, so if mother nature decides to tear this tree apart, it will just take a different direction and style. No big deal.
 
Update photo in full leaf, after a haircut. I shortened the right branch to fit in with the silhouette. Over the next 12 months I can see I have to shorten the next branches up from the bottom, fully wire the tree again to create open spaces, and round out the apex. This is turning out to be a fun project;)
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0001 (1024x683).jpg
    DSC_0001 (1024x683).jpg
    83.9 KB · Views: 411
I have been thinking this is actually Ficus Microcarpa var Hillii ? Responds well to bonsai techniques but occasional dieback on the finer twigs and likes to really pump out long internodes on new shoots. Backbudding is not the best but is fairly responsive. Might see if I can push it for 2-3 years without a repot to try tame it. Recently repot into a nice oval, shortened the apex and cleared out unwanted/leggy branches. Coming along ok, the right branch is look a bit clustered and in photos seems to be tad long, spoiling the silhouette. Will see what I can do about that over the next year.
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0151 (1024x683).jpg
    DSC_0151 (1024x683).jpg
    142.7 KB · Views: 360
Summer update, growing strong after a clip. Got 2 roots hanging over the edge of the pot 2 feet, almost hitting the ground. Good callous beginning to form and the carved area still holding up. Need more ramification and leaf reduction.
 

Attachments

  • FB_IMG_1486198089099.jpg
    FB_IMG_1486198089099.jpg
    70.7 KB · Views: 266
Jeremy said:
Summer update, growing strong after a clip. Got 2 roots hanging over the edge of the pot 2 feet, almost hitting the ground. Good callous beginning to form and the carved area still holding up. Need more ramification and leaf reduction.
Click to expand...
Its a Beaut!
The leaves on the right, which are glowing in the sunlight, looks like a butterfly, kinda.
 
sorce said:
I love where the lock is in that photo.
Click to expand...
I should not be showing you photos with that lock open, you won't even need a drone just walk in and introduce yourself :rolleyes:
Now I'm thinking of a root over drone composition, Ficus fights back.
 
Jeremy said:
What ever happened to (D)bilbocannon? Do your BSD's have tracking abilities?
Click to expand...

There's a few on hiatus!

He's in YOUR country....but I'll find him!

Sorce
 
Obligatory near-naked shot. 12 months since repot and it looks absolutely crammed but I'm sticking to my guns and aint touching it, still likes to push long internodes and I've barely fed it the past 6 months. Cut off the root on the left hand side, it was almost scraping the ground. Here I am trying to reduce vigour and this Fig is flipping me off cos it don't even require a pot to grow in!
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0148 (1024x683).jpg
    DSC_0148 (1024x683).jpg
    171.8 KB · Views: 210
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
A Few Months of Growth: Experimenting with Jades + a Ficus from Abroad
Replies
0
Views
1
nurvbonsai
N
W
Ficus advice
Replies
0
Views
76
wyrdwench
W
marineman16
Ficus Retusa - thickest cutting survival rates
Replies
10
Views
313
marineman16
marineman16
N
Ficus White Substance
Replies
2
Views
154
Shibui
S
Eckhoffw
Menard’s Tiger bark ficus
Replies
0
Views
132
Eckhoffw
Eckhoffw
Back
Top Bottom