A Real Solution to a Problem

[A Random User]

Thought I would post this tree so as to help give others a viable solution
for what to do with those import trees so often found at non-bonsai stores.

Up until now... All I have ever heard as far as advice giving to these trees is
that you must cut it down and start again... This is not true !!!

This tree actually consists of 11 trees that I wired together and threw in this pot
last year... Now obviously if this tree was to be placed in the ground for some years
it would fuse together in no time... In this pot, however it will take a tad bit longer,
but the result will be achieved none the less...

This past weekend I reduced all the trunks and foliage that I had let grow...
and did an initial styling with what was there. I also, re-potted this tree a lot higher
in the pot to at the same time start working on it's surface root structure.

As this tree fills in with more foliage and more shade is given to the trunks and roots,
it will take off, sending out aerial roots out everywhere... which will fuse the trunks
together and complete the transformation into one tree.

So, stock up on those cheap import trees !!! and let your imagination run wild !!!

 

[Poink88]

I like what you did and always admire your pioneering/creative spirit...but you know that already.

More power to you and hope you keep doing different and new things.

 

[A Random User]

By the way... Anyone notice the baby lizard poking his head
out right in the middle of the first pic ???

He stayed on this tree the whole time I was cutting and wiring it !!!
Must be his tree !!!

 

[Poink88]

Probably a she who have a nest/egg there somewhere. I can't think of any other reason why it would stick around normally.

 

[A Random User]

Probably a she who have a nest/egg there somewhere. I can't think of any other reason why it would stick around normally.

Could Be ???
In my yard currently there must be about a million of these, every time
I pick up a tree 4 or 5 lizards jump out of it !!!
They are great for keeping the bugs down, and they can be quite humorous
to watch at times.

 

[tmmason10]

Very cool Stacey. I like the title of your threads, it's like a surprise when you click into them.

 

[KennedyMarx]

Cool solution. I remember a thread on IBC (I think) where a guy had fused several of the s-shaped microcarpas to a piece of deadwood. After a growing season or two it had started fusing to it almost completely. It looked great. I think yours looks more interesting. When it starts making aerials and filling in down low I imagine you won't really be able to tell it was even multiple trees.

 

[A Random User]

Cool solution. I remember a thread on IBC (I think) where a guy had fused several of the s-shaped microcarpas to a piece of deadwood. After a growing season or two it had started fusing to it almost completely. It looked great. I think yours looks more interesting. When it starts making aerials and filling in down low I imagine you won't really be able to tell it was even multiple trees.

I had 2 choices to make with this tree... the first being that I let
it run wild, which will thicken up the trunks, causing them to fuse
together, or the second, start building a dense canopy which will
shade out the branches and trunks allowing them to retain even
more moisture, which will establish the proper conditions for
making aerial roots.

Also by me choosing the second plan, I can move forward with the
styling and refinement of the branches and foliage.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Very cool, this reminded me of this solution as well:

http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t7296-ficus-fusion-1-year-progression

 

[A Random User]

Very cool, this reminded me of this solution as well:

http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t7296-ficus-fusion-1-year-progression

Yes, this is what Kennedymarx was describing...

A lot of folks around here use to do similar things with Green Island,
but would use stumps of deadwood to raise them up off the ground,
seeing that they really like to not grow tall... Their roots and aerial roots
would take over engulfing the stump and it would no longer be seen...


Maybe I will start one of these today and post it up... I have a lot of
these younger plants...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Yes, this is what Kennedymarx was describing...

Woops, didn't even notice that. It's been a long day

 

[tmmason10]

Yes, this is what Kennedymarx was describing...

A lot of folks around here use to do similar things with Green Island,
but would use stumps of deadwood to raise them up off the ground,
seeing that they really like to not grow tall... Their roots and aerial roots
would take over engulfing the stump and it would no longer be seen...


Maybe I will start one of these today and post it up... I have a lot of
these younger plants...

I for one would like to see this.

 

[Dav4]

This reminds me of Robert Steven's work. I'm not a huge ficus fan, but I really like this. Thanks for posting it.

 

[coh]

Nice solution. I actually kind of like the way it looks now with all the individual trunks. Should be interesting to see how it evolves over time.

Chris

 

[Poink88]

Nice solution. I actually kind of like the way it looks now with all the individual trunks. Should be interesting to see how it evolves over time.

Chris

Same here. Maybe get the trunks mature a bit but not totally fuse together. About the areal roots, hopefully you are aiming for the intertwined straggler type and not the banyan type (straight down) aerial roots.

 

[A Random User]

I for one would like to see this.

Usually when you do this you use an old palm tree stump...
and carve out a bowl shape hole in the top, then plant your
tree in it... I would also get a long bit and drill a hole down
through the middle, just to allow it to drain, until the roots reach
the bottom.

Because the Palm tree is more like fiber than wood, the roots literally
grow down inside the trunk... as well as over the outside of the trunk.
The palm tree stump rots away in a short amount of time, leaving only
the ficus roots...


I don't have a palm tree stump that I can use, so instead I am going to
use a Buttonwood stump... Well... actually it is a trunk from one of my
Buttonwoods that died 4 yrs ago when we had a freak freeze early in
the winter. It sucks really bad when you loose a $700 tree !!!
So, don't try exactly what I am going to do at home...
Hey, at least it will not be a total waste.