Willow leaf question.

So my tree is in the process of becoming a bonsai, what would be my next steps? cut the top and branches back or just let it continue to grow?

Where are you located? Timing of doing things is related much to where you are. I would suggest a good wiring for this tree. Looks to have a relatively decent shape for a small tree. I find it easiest to wire these when leafless, so maybe this summer defoliate, and wire. Just watch the wire carefully, as it will dig in. I would maybe wire a bit loosely as they tend to spring back, and that way you can leave it on a bit longer.

It'll grow better if it is upright.

I am located in Hawaii. I have already pruned the roots back a couple days ago.

That will depend on how big a tree you want. But if you plan to grow and fatten the trunk I would put it in a large pot or ground.

I pruned the roots 4 days ago and I put it in a 10gal pot. Using black cinder and organic compost. The leaves have started falling off now. Is this just shock?

It could be shock even though willow leaf ficus are pretty hardy. I see your in Hawaii, I guess you know the willow leaf prefer dappled sun or shade over direct sun. They are sensitive to too much strong sunlight thats why they make such good indoor trees.

ed

Tbcobra said:

I pruned the roots 4 days ago and I put it in a 10gal pot. Using black cinder and organic compost. The leaves have started falling off now. Is this just shock?

Click to expand...

Ficus will 'leaf drop' when exposed to trauma, underwatering, excessive cold, etc...

Google 'leaf drop ficus' and read whatever catches your eye.

edit to add: and OVERwatering

As mentioned they drop leaves easily when something change. It could be as simple as moving it a few yards from it's original location. That said, it could also be something worse so watch it and make sure it is not one of the bad things like over watering.

My Wife moved one of hers perhaps 10 feet to work on it and when she returned it to its spot she actually said "Now be a good girl and defoliate". Next day leaves all over the floor as she suspected. Nothing out of the ordinary here.

Grimmy

That's a pretty funky nebari you've got going on there. I'd remove some of it at some point and make a really cool cutting.

Was just wondering, I noticed about all the buds are still there and look fine to me.

Yea it is, right once it runs into the soil it levels out and runs all the way back around. Almost completes one whole circle. That's the only root for this ficus.

I think that you're going to be dealing with a lot of knobs and reverse taper issues if you keep all those branches near the top of the tree.

I had a ficus (burtt davyi) that had a root like that. I ended up risking it, since it was a five dollar find at a nursery) and cut almost all of the tap root off. Subsequently all of the leaves fell off and I thought it was a goner. After a few weeks it started pushing new buds and it recuperated well. I think in hindsight I might have reduced it in a couple repots, but they're are pretty tough. I have a willow leaf that has been had the roots reduced considerably while I've been trying to rebuild the nebari. It's just as tough as the burtt davyis. I'm just saying this because you'll want to deal with that root eventually. Sooner you do it the better. If you're like me you'll look back and wish you'd dealt with the problems ASAP.