Colorado’s Tiger Bark Ficus

Colorado

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This is one of my favorite trees. A Tiger Bark Ficus. It was imported from China, to Florida. Then it made its way to Idaho Springs, Colorado to live in a little greenhouse in the mountains. That is where I purchased it!

Here’s a few photos of its development:

January 2021
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June 2021
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I let it grow out until the next summer, with some light pruning here and there.

August 2022
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ShadyStump

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If I remember correctly, that one may be a cutting from this tree!
That's what I suspected. Haven't done anything with it yet, but I was actually thinking about taking it in to work to join those projects with my students.
 

Colorado

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Since the last photo, I let the tree grow freely over the winter, spring, and early summer. Yesterday I pruned most all of the branches to prepare the tree for defoliation and wiring in 6 weeks or so.

Before pruning
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After pruning
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Now I will let the tree flush out again. In 6 weeks I will defoliate and wire. I don’t plan to put much wire on the tree. The main thing is to bring those bottom left branches down. They got very strong when I let it grow out and have crept upwards.

Such a fun tree!
 

Maiden69

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I've been using stainless safety wire to hold down the branches on my ficus for a while. I know a lot of people frown upon tying guide wire to the pot, but in this case the tree was firmly rooted. I use black rubber auto vacuum hose to prevent damage to the branch. This was a last resort for me, as the branches were too thick for wiring, so I did the guide wire and tighten it every few days until I brought the branch where I wanted it.


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ShadyStump

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I've been using stainless safety wire to hold down the branches on my ficus for a while. I know a lot of people frown upon tying guide wire to the pot, but in this case the tree was firmly rooted. I use black rubber auto vacuum hose to prevent damage to the branch. This was a last resort for me, as the branches were too thick for wiring, so I did the guide wire and tighten it every few days until I brought the branch where I wanted it.


View attachment 499023

View attachment 499024
I think the reason people dislike guy wires is that they don't blend in and look nice. I personally find them very effective for many of the situations that I've seen others use some very risky wiring techniques.
 

Colorado

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I've been using stainless safety wire to hold down the branches on my ficus for a while. I know a lot of people frown upon tying guide wire to the pot, but in this case the tree was firmly rooted. I use black rubber auto vacuum hose to prevent damage to the branch. This was a last resort for me, as the branches were too thick for wiring, so I did the guide wire and tighten it every few days until I brought the branch where I wanted it.


View attachment 499023

View attachment 499024
I think the reason people dislike guy wires is that they don't blend in and look nice. I personally find them very effective for many of the situations that I've seen others use some very risky wiring techniques.

Yes I think guy wire is a technique necessary for any bonsai practitioner’s toolkit! I’ll post another pic in a few weeks when I wire it.
 

Maiden69

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Well, I was referring to guy wire attached to the pot. I know Ryan Neil is a strong proponent against it. He says that attaching it to the tree/root is better for the tree.

Can’t wait to see it wired up, I need to do some on mine as well!
 

Colorado

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Spent a few hours this morning working on this ficus 😃 defoliated, pruned, and a few wires slapped on, although not many.

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I want to work on extending that second branch on the left to balance out the canopy a bit more. But I am happy with the ramification and density that is accumulating.

I think it’s not too shabby for an ole Colorado boy a mile above sea level! 😜
 

Michael P

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This is a very nice tree, thank you for the progression. From your earlier posts I know you regularly defoliate it. What additional advantage does defoliation give you that pruning and wiring do not? I'm ready to do a maintenance trim on my F. microcarpa and wonder if I should defoliate also.
 

Maiden69

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Looking great, can't wait for mine to recover so I can start this work.
 

Colorado

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This is a very nice tree, thank you for the progression. From your earlier posts I know you regularly defoliate it. What additional advantage does defoliation give you that pruning and wiring do not? I'm ready to do a maintenance trim on my F. microcarpa and wonder if I should defoliate also.

Thank you! I only defoliate it once per year. But I prune it 3 or 4 times per year.

The main benefit of the defoliation is that it allows me to see the branches and to place the wires. I’ve tried wiring it with the leaves on and I prefer to do it when the tree is defoliated. It also helps me see where to prune. Finally, I think it helps to get light into the interior.

Hope that helps!
 
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