Old bayan ficus thoughts welcome

MountainExplorer · Sep 15, 2017

I bought this Tiger Bark ficus about a month ago and instantly fell in live with it. When I bought it the plant was completely root bound and looked neglected. When I took it home I gave it a light prune and repotted, stress got to it but now it's taking off. I have it in my indoor greenhouse under some T5's and it's back budding so I'm happy.

My question is what would you do as for styling? I was thinking about trunk chopping but I wanted to wait till the spring. The thing that bothers me is that all the trunks are pretty straight but overall I will make this a masterpiece over time

Well this is my first post and if you wanna see any more pics of this or any of my others just let me know

sorce · Sep 16, 2017

You just snatched up and Probly locked down forever.....

The award for...

Loudest Background Ever!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

MountainExplorer · Sep 16, 2017

I paid $70 bucks for this ficus, I was told it

was 30 years old but yes lol LOUD is right just snatched up eh I love to grow and most of all experimenting

daudelus · Sep 16, 2017

I agree with you about chopping lower... I think a nice, full canopy of leaves just over the aerial roots would look really nice! Good luck with it

hemmy · Sep 16, 2017

MountainExplorer said:
My question is what would you do as for styling? I was thinking about trunk chopping but I wanted to wait till the spring.

Nice trunk and aerial roots and for a good price!

What zone are you in? Your outdoor pic looks like someplace that gets pretty cold. My point being that I like to chop ficus when they are growing vigorously, usually mid-summer. If you have a proper greenhouse with lights, maybe your timing could be different.

I like your banyan idea with a broad canopy that is as wide as tall. If it was mine, I would work to eliminate the 3 trunk, pitchfork look. Maybe a hard cut on the left to get a low branch that sweeps down and out complimenting the lean of the trunk. The right trunk has nice branches and movement, but I would also cut it back to get lower branching. I would also try to thicken the main trunk by letting it grow unchecked before chopping for movement. Also try to develop some back branching for depth. Maybe something like this image but with the broad apex a little more left (and not looking like a child drew it!) You also might post some other angles, maybe you have another front that allows you to keep more of the existing branching. It will take several years but stay the course and this should be a great specimen!

MountainExplorer · Sep 16, 2017

hemmy said:
Nice trunk and aerial roots and for a good price!

What zone are you in? Your outdoor pic looks like someplace that gets pretty cold. My point being that I like to chop ficus when they are growing vigorously, usually mid-summer. If you have a proper greenhouse with lights, maybe your timing could be different.

I like your banyan idea with a broad canopy that is as wide as tall. If it was mine, I would work to eliminate the 3 trunk, pitchfork look. Maybe a hard cut on the left to get a low branch that sweeps down and out complimenting the lean of the trunk. The right trunk has nice branches and movement, but I would also cut it back to get lower branching. I would also try to thicken the main trunk by letting it grow unchecked before chopping for movement. Also try to develop some back branching for depth. Maybe something like this image but with the broad apex a little more left (and not looking like a child drew it!) You also might post some other angles, maybe you have another front that allows you to keep more of the existing branching. It will take several years but stay the course and this should be a great specimen!

View attachment 160886

Thank you that idea looks great

MountainExplorer · Sep 16, 2017

Here are some more pictures

hemmy · Sep 16, 2017

MountainExplorer said:
Here are some more pictures

Oh, there are 4 pitch forks! The last image is interesting also, but inital reaction is that I can still see the 'ginseng' style base. The original image may have more interest.

MountainExplorer · Sep 16, 2017

hemmy said:
Oh, there are 4 pitch forks! The last image is interesting also, but inital reaction is that I can still see the 'ginseng' style base. The original image may have more interest.

Yes I will stick with the front I like it better, it sure is an interesting piece. It's in my greenhouse and it's thriving and making more airial roots. I'm just going to let it grow wild and wiring it than do a chop the summer

I love the picture you did up it made me think of what I would like it to look like

by the way not sure if it was you but I live up on the New Hampshire/ sea coast are of Massachusetts

GrimLore · Sep 16, 2017

Add your basic location in your profile so it shows as mine does in your Avatar - It need a hell of a chop but could be a really nice piece to work with. Even here up North I would like to work this one.

Location maters 101 percent if you want solid advice

Grimmy

MountainExplorer · Sep 17, 2017

GrimLore said:
Add your basic location in your profile so it shows as mine does in your Avatar - It need a hell of a chop but could be a really nice piece to work with. Even here up North I would like to work this one. Location maters 101 percent if you want solid advice

Grimmy

I'm sorry I'm not sure if location matters 101 is a website or what haha bur yes I will get to getting my location up soon. I see your from Pennsylvania not to far

Old bayan ficus thoughts welcome

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