Ficus "Green Island"

[agraham]

for scale ...the pot is 34" wide

Any comments,suggestions and discussion is welcome.I see a number of things I'm not happy with but indecision and laziness have left this tree "as is".

Second picture is after a little thinning and leaf pruning.

Andy

 

[irene_b]

My first focal spot is the roots.
And my first ever virt.
Irene

 

[agraham]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....Irene,

For once we almost agree on a tree

Andy

 

[irene_b]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....Irene,

For once we almost agree on a tree

Andy

OMG!!!! WHAT a scary thought!!
Irene

 

[irene_b]

My Second thoughts.
Irene

 

[Taiko-Earth]

There are a lot of ways to go with this guy.

Nice material that's for sure! I am definitely going to stay tuned to see where you go with this.

 

[PeterW]

Great to see others using Green Island Figs! I have some nice little ones comming along as well as a cascade. The leaf size reduce very well also, my smaller trees have leaves the size of a little finger nail. Nice tree, and good work. Thanks for posting it.
Peter

 

[Rick Moquin]

Andy,

The roots are disturbing as they are criss-crossing each other. I do not know what the other views re-presents, but they need to be either straightened out or removed.

The large branch should also be removed as well as the area that has been circled. The tree is shape like a bonsai (pine especially) and this is a fig. Reducing the canopy to allow some negative space will also enhance the appearance. This is good material and just needs some judicious pruining to bring it to the next level.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Dang, Andy. Where do you get all your nice ficus? How about this for a different idea - a semi-cascade? (Not a perfect virtual, but you can see where I am going with the design)

 

[agraham]

Dang, Andy. Where do you get all your nice ficus? How about this for a different idea - a semi-cascade? (Not a perfect virtual, but you can see where I am going with the design)

I grew them from cuttings or air layers.

I like your virt most of all so far.It was very close to my original idea.If only I had a pot that shape and that size.

Rick...I agree about the roots crossing each other.I have already removed some and will probably remove the remaining ones this year.I don't really agree with the "naturalistic bonsai" mindset.I grow lots of ficus.I like them to appear different from one another.Unfortunately,I've let myself be influenced over the past few years and have steered all of my figs towards a banyan style.(so that they look like "ficus trees" or at least what people think ficus trees look like )My idea for this tree was originally(about 4 or 5 years ago)very close to what Mr. Nut has illustrated.Until last year it was in a deeper round pot and then, I(mistakenly)let other people's opinion influence me to pigeon hole this tree and its proper style just because it was a certain species.That is why it sits in a wide,shallow pot today.A pot I should say, that does not suit the tree as it ever will be.

I'll add....the crossing roots are a perfectly "natural" manifestation for a tree that has slumped over under the weight of its crown.The trunk of this tree is not visible.What may appear to be the trunk surrounded by arial roots is actually roots over a palm stump.An epiphytic tree.As the host rots away the tree has tilted.

Don't get me wrong...I value your opinion and ideas...as well as those of others.I enjoy the discussions..the exchange of ideas and visions, if you will.I don't have to agree with them or follow them to learn from them.

Thanks,

Andy

 

[Bonsai Nut]

If only I had a pot that shape and that size.

I got it from the Tokoname catalog, page 58. I used pot 19 and changed the dimensions slightly, but I think I would go with something with slightly softer lines, like pot 44.

 

[Rick Moquin]

Not a problem Andy, personally I just get tired of seeing all trees look the same. On the other hand a semi cascade would not be a bad idea providing the branches (silhouette) to do finish in a point. That is what I find the most distracting.

 

[agraham]

"the branches (silhouette) to do finish in a point. That is what I find the most distracting."

Me too Rick....and I didn't really notice it until I posted the picture.


It's funny and sometimes disturbing,just how much taking and posting a picture can change my opinion of a tree.This one is really not pine like in my eyes at all, in real life....but I see what you are saying as I look at the pictures of it.


Andy
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