Ficus Microcarpa 4 Year Progression

[cockroach]

I bought this ficus about 4 years ago in a bargain section of a nursery. It was neglected with little branching and fewer leaves. It had no price on it and I asked and got a good price. So I decided to buy it to 'play' with.
How it look after some TLC and left in same bad substrate: 2011 (It is the TOP bonsai)


It was then given some gentle training as it grew stronger: 2012


After a canopy defoliation, the lovely curved trunk became an eye sore as it become straight and taperless.


The tree was repotted and trained some more while deciding what to do. 2013


I was thinking of notching ther trunk and adding more curve. Then I joined a summer course with bonsai master Min Shuan Lo and it was suggested to hide the flaw with branch placement. After the wire was removed it looked like this: 2014
Front


Top


I will post a fully leafed picture soon.

 

[cockroach]

With fuller canopy and lower sacrifice branch.

 

[qwade]

Very nice. The tree looks very healthy. God luck with your endeavour.

 

[linlaoboo]

my relative live in Taichung too. Nice ficus. I love the ficus in Taichung park with aerial roots all over the place .

 

[cockroach]

This what the tree looked like tonight. It was repotted back into the same pot during late summer last year.


The front branch that hid the straight section needs to be re-wired into position again.

 

[MattE]

i really like this tree, i just bought one i plan on wokring with , what are the black things in the pot? time release fert? and if it is what do you recommend ? and why so many? lol sorry for the questions , just trying to learn

 

[cockroach]

i really like this tree, i just bought one i plan on wokring with , what are the black things in the pot? time release fert? and if it is what do you recommend ? and why so many? lol sorry for the questions , just trying to learn

Yes they are fertilizer cups. They hold the ferts in place so they don't wash away during the rainy season. I use organic ferts almost exclusively now so don't use them as much.
There are soo many as the ficus make mats of roots under them and I wanted the roots spreding more evenly and get ferts up to the tree more evenly.

You have plans for wintering your ficus?

 

[Paul F.]

Yes they are fertilizer cups. They hold the ferts in place so they don't wash away during the rainy season. I use organic ferts almost exclusively now

Do you use BioGold Fertilizer? Although Im not sure that's organic. What exactly do you use?

 

[MattE]

Yes they are fertilizer cups. They hold the ferts in place so they don't wash away during the rainy season. I use organic ferts almost exclusively now so don't use them as much.
There are soo many as the ficus make mats of roots under them and I wanted the roots spreding more evenly and get ferts up to the tree more evenly.

You have plans for wintering your ficus?

i have a microcarpa that is in doors on a south facing window, i was told they dont need dormancy ?

 

[cockroach]

Do you use BioGold Fertilizer? Although Im not sure that's organic. What exactly do you use?

I use a locally made pelleted for of fertilizer. Once it gets a good soaking. it softens and settles into little piles.
For ficus, I use a method discussed on here a lot. Free draining "modern substrate" and bung on the cheapest fertilizer I can find. Trees enjoy it. But I think for ficus full sun is as important as fertilizer.

i have a microcarpa that is in doors on a south facing window, i was told they dont need dormancy ?

They don't need dormancy. Just make sure they get enough light and heat.

 

[MattE]

I use a locally made pelleted for of fertilizer. Once it gets a good soaking. it softens and settles into little piles.
For ficus, I use a method discussed on here a lot. Free draining "modern substrate" and bung on the cheapest fertilizer I can find. Trees enjoy it. But I think for ficus full sun is as important as fertilizer.


They don't need dormancy. Just make sure they get enough light and heat.

will a south facing window in the winter time suffice? , i keep my house around 23'C

 

[cockroach]

Temp should be fine. It may sulk a bit in the winter and drop some leaves. In summer, as soon as temps are consistently above 12-14C then place it outside in full sunlight for as long as possible to regain vigor and strengthen itself for the upcoming winter.

The way you grow ficus and I grow ficus are worlds apart. These are native here so actually need no special care except water and ferts. Even without ferts they grow.
Nigel Saunders on YouTube speaks about over wintering his ficus in Toronto. Maybe check out some of his vids for ideas.

BonsaiHunk Jerry Meislik has great info and is very knowledgeable.
Bonsaihunk Ficus Techniques

 

[MattE]

i LOVE Nigel Saunders i watched his videos years ago and paroozed his site , infact i watched his videos and thought im gonna build a new plant stand for my house AND start bonsais for good this time.. i cant explain why or how bonsai anything makes me so happen .. i love art ..and plants and its a way to combine my two favorite passions together. Thank you for your help and tid bits


Dont mind the mess lmao and i put my ficus in better bonsai soil

 

[cockroach]

Nice neat stand you have.