Ficus question.

[sorce]

waiting for years to learn about styling?

You can and should "learn" now...

But you won't have to worry about styling this one for a few years.

Pop on your Future Vision Goggles, envision it...

But actual work will be real minimal for a while.

Whilst you have on your Future Vision Goggles....take a look at your "benches", or area you keep your trees...

No FVG's...

FVG's


You gotta get more trees!

Thanks @Underdog !

Sorce

 

[Leei515 Iowa]

You can and should "learn" now...

But you won't have to worry about styling this one for a few years.

Pop on your Future Vision Goggles, envision it...

But actual work will be real minimal for a while.

Whilst you have on your Future Vision Goggles....take a look at your "benches", or area you keep your trees...

No FVG's...View attachment 150735

FVG's
View attachment 150736

You gotta get more trees!

Thanks @Underdog !

Sorce

What is a FVG?

I've also got two Chinese Elms, another Ficus, and a Bald Cypress. The Elms have been air layered and I'm waiting for them to root. The other ficus has been "chopped" to try to develop a better taper (it was more leggy than Daisy Duke). I've got another Bald Cypress coming along with three Junipers.
I sorta jumped into this deal pretty quickly, watching days of YouTube videos. With that, I sorta jumped into doing surgery on muh trees. My way of thinking is that I would learn more by "doing" right away than waiting for a long time to try things out.
If my thought process is off, let me know.

 

[sorce]

FVG

Future Vision Goggles!

Some folks will tell you to wait till the proper time...
And you should....

But...

Doing now teaches now!
Gotta kill to learn! (well...it helps)

I'll say though....

After 7 years....my favorite most amazement filled year is still the one I started actuAlly letting my trees grow!

It is highly recommended!

FYI...any of my recollection of Dasu is very good.
Nothing but good things!

Enjoy!

Sorce

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I was hesitant to tell you to repot because I don't know your experience level.
It sounds like you may have some experience but still a beginner. The battle is learning proper care for maximum health-first.
I studied a lot before attempting to style.
Get a book that lists the different styles of bonsai and shows examples. After a time with your tree one of those styles will appear.
The biggest mistake I've made is not letting my trees grow out enough. Our growing season here is not very long compared to warmer climates. We might get 3-4 months unless you have a greenhouse. Log your progress here for others to see. Then when you come back to this thread in a couple years you can see the changes. Give your styling careful consideration.

 

[Haoleboy]

What would be so wrong with getting some movement on those branches now? Final styling, obviously not. But why let those branches thicken and grow straight up? Wouldn't it be easier to bend them down with some movement now?