Ficus Retusa, need some advice

[tmmason10]

I got this ficus from wigerts in October of last year. I did some wiring which you can see on my blog, in the winter. It seemed to struggle for a few months then I decided to repot it to revitalize it, and its been getting stronger and stronger.

There are quite a few problems which I will list, but I am thinking about a big chop back. I just got Morton Albeks book and I can't help but think of chopping it down to shohin. The other option is to wire the branches down again, but wiring ficus seems to be futile.

Problems:
Apex has a branches pulled down to fill in the foliage on the front, which covers the top pruning scar. Not sure if it is a sustainable way to build the apex

The long, straight and untapered branch that leads to the apex. It doesn't match the flow of the bottom half of the tree.

The bottom branches are quite thin. I obviously need to either chop all back and regroup or let them run free and cut back the apex.

Finally, because it was weak under the lights the foliage is out on the tips.

Phew, that's a lot of problems. I'd like to hear your suggestions.

 

[Joshua]

I would chop it low, and root the top. Just my 2 cents.

 

[thams]

I wouldn't necessarily say this tree has problems - it just needs to be developed. I guess the first question is what are you trying to accomplish with the tree? Would you like to be larger and thicker or are you good with the trunk size?

If you're good with the trunk size, then chopping it might be a good course of action. I think I see an area of reverse taper starting to form midway up the trunk where several branches are emanating closely together. That might be a good area to chop. You could use that thicker reverse taper portion as the cutting's base. If you set your sights on chopping, make sure the tree is in good light and warm temperatures. If you suspect the tree is weak then chopping it severely would either greatly increase the recovery time or ultimately kill the tree. Generally ficus can take a serious beating though.

If you want a bigger tree then I would just let the growth go wild. The more the better if you're looking to thicken the trunk. I would consider choosing a front (if you haven't already) and select the branches you want to keep. Once you're rid of the unwanted branches then let them grow. Ficus will backbud everywhere on a branch, so you can chop them later when they reach the desired thickness. Getting the tree into some good light will help with backbudding as well.

Also don't worry about scars on ficus. Unless it's a serious gouge or a huge chop it will heal over in time. Ficus are incredible at healing themselves. You'd be surprised how effectively they can seal themselves right up like the chop never happened.

 

[tmmason10]

I guess that's the question I'm asking. Should I chop low and begin anew, or keep trying to develop the material as is? I'm undecided and looking for thoughts.

 

[thams]

I guess that's the question I'm asking. Should I chop low and begin anew, or keep trying to develop the material as is? I'm undecided and looking for thoughts.

Gotcha. If it were mine I would thicken it up some. Ficus grow so fast that it would't be long before you'd get a nice fat trunk. Just my thoughts though.

 

[KennedyMarx]

I would think about grafting a branch near the base and letting it grow out some more.

 

[tmmason10]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm still leaning towards chop and regrow the branches from the start. More thoughts welcome.

 

[october]

Just my opinion here... I do not think chopping this tree is a good idea and I'll explain why. This trees overall form is not too bad. It has some flare at the base, some movemnet and good branch placement. With some work, time and a nice pot, you could have a decent bonsai. I mean, maybe not incredible, but good. Also, usually chopping a tree is more reserved for trees with powerful bases and strong nebari. So after the chop, you are starting with something really good. This tree does not have a powerful base so cutting it back you will be left with a mediocre base. I don't think it's worth it.

The second plan would be to try to get the trunk thicker and stronger over the next 5-6 years, then chop at that time. However, I think that even in that instance, you might not be that happy with it.

Tom, in a way, I think your eye for material is more advanced than the actual material you are working on. Trying to make nice or really nice bonsai from material that is not really up to it can be rewarding. However, it can also be time that could be spent on better material. From my own experience. I kind of wish I didn't spent 5 years plus on poor quality material to make it into a decent/ok bonsai. However, instead of spending years on sub par material to have an ok bonsai. I could have spent that time developing good material and ended up with specimen exhibition bonsai. I learned this lesson a few plus years back. I realize that money and lack of good material available may always be a problem though. I guess the journey is part of the fun. However, we must look ahead and try to determine whether our current work will be a pot of gold at the end or just an empty pot. lol

Rob

 

[tmmason10]

Just my opinion here... I do not think chopping this tree is a good idea and I'll explain why. This trees overall form is not too bad. It has some flare at the base, some movemnet and good branch placement. With some work, time and a nice pot, you could have a decent bonsai. I mean, maybe not incredible, but good. Also, usually chopping a tree is more reserved for trees with powerful bases and strong nebari. So after the chop, you are starting with something really good. This tree does not have a powerful base so cutting it back you will be left with a mediocre base. I don't think it's worth it.

The second plan would be to try to get the trunk thicker and stronger over the next 5-6 years, then chop at that time. However, I think that even in that instance, you might not be that happy with it.

Tom, in a way, I think your eye for material is more advanced than the actual material you are working on. Trying to make nice or really nice bonsai from material that is not really up to it can be rewarding. However, it can also be time that could be spent on better material. From my own experience. I kind of wish I didn't spent 5 years plus on poor quality material to make it into a decent/ok bonsai. However, instead of spending years on sub par material to have an ok bonsai. I could have spent that time developing good material and ended up with specimen exhibition bonsai. I learned this lesson a few plus years back. I realize that money and lack of good material available may always be a problem though. I guess the journey is part of the fun. However, we must look ahead and try to determine whether our current work will be a pot of gold at the end or just an empty pot. lol

Rob

Hey rob, I think you're right, this material is certainly not the best starting material and obviously will never be a great bonsai. I do also have this problem where I try to buy trees with problems, thinking that when I'm finished with them I'll be proud for all the work I have done. You're right also when you say it's pretty much a waste of time.

I've grown my knowledge and I think I have some decent material overall, but there are a few (including this one) that may not have any redeeming qualities for a good bonsai. I think there's certainly a factor in the availability of good pre bonsai at decet prices, which I guess we all contend with. It may be time to set my sights a little higher when I am looking at buying trees going forward though.


I'm still new at this and this tree was used more of a cheap experiment to see how a ficus would do under my lights over the winter. It's up to me to make something out of it I guess.

 

[tmmason10]

Just a quick update, not much to report except it's finally growing in the areas I want it to. From what I'm seeing from Dorothy, I think I may trim back the apex in order to hel thicken the main branch. Might be easier to work one branch at a time, considering it spends most of its life inside.

 

[tmmason10]

I put this tree into a larger pot to hopefully let it grow wild this summer. This tree was shoved with almost no room on either side of the trunk into this pot last year and thought that was no conducive to growth. It literally has not dropped, or gained a leaf all winter. I also potted up the little rooted cutting for fun.

 

[GrimLore]

Without overwatering you will see a new tree in a few short weeks. Once outdoors I am pretty certain you will be very happy. At least here in 6b they go crazy once the nights hit 50ish for several weeks.

Grimmy

 

[Neli]

Have you thought of making some funky unusual literati from it?

 

[tmmason10]

Have you thought of making some funky unusual literati from it?

It's a possibility for the future, I like what thams did with his ficus. At this point I just want it to grow and the branches to thicken a bit.

 

[thams]

That cutting has really good movement too. I wouldn't be afraid to bend the hell out of it while it's still young and flexible. The bends always soften a lot when the trunk/branches thicken. Looking back, I wish I would have used more movement when wiring. I think it would've added a lot of interest to my trees.