I likus the Ficus, Part II

[Mellow Mullet]

Time to mix some soil. Actually I should have done this first, but I forgot. I hate getting old. For this tree, I will be using Turface, lava, pumice, and fir bark; 60 percent inorganic and 40 percent organic.





A view from above, just because I think it is cool.



After securing in the pot (sorry, not pictures, it was raining while I was doing it) I added soil and used a chop stick to make sure that I did not have any air pockets.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Happy, I hope, in its new home.





Beer shot for @sorce , I splurged and got Coors instead of PBR. Actually, Mrs. Mullet got me a whole case, and them told me it was not a challenge. I said that I thought I could do it (drink the whole case, today).

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Just a couple more on the stand. I really like the pot and I potted it higher to show off the melted cheese nebari. It took most of the day and I spent a lot of time trimming the roots off of the top of the nebari, it was very tedious. What do you think?

John

 

[Guy Vitale]

Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, many of the trees do not have a lot of branches, if I removed more than what I already have I would have a lollipop forest --- not my goal. I do plan to reposition some and maybe remove one more, just gonna wait and see how the composition responds. Sorry I don't see it completely your way. Geez.

No feathers ruffled my friend, was never my intent to style your tree. Pictures don't always show everything going on so I don't have the same reference you do. It's all good.

 

[LanceMac10]

Beer from a spouse?? Always a winner, (even if it's Coors Light!)!!!!!!!!
Really diggin' the look of the base, even though you didn't need a saw-zall!!
I'd be tempted to reduce the height of one or two trunks, but that's your decision.
Very cool, nice job!

Now go buy yourself some Guinness, for crying out loud!!

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Beer from a spouse?? Always a winner, (even if it's Coors Light!)!!!!!!!!
Really diggin' the look of the base, even though you didn't need a saw-zall!!
I'd be tempted to reduce the height of one or two trunks, but that's your decision.
Very cool, nice job!

Now go buy yourself some Guinness, for crying out loud!!

I have thought about reducing a couple of them and did a little bit. Gonna see how they come out and might go further with them.

I like Guinness, just drink Coors and such when working in the yard.

 

[Labreapits]

Thank you for the progression.

Nice work.

 

[jeanluc83]

I like it!

Part of me wants to get rid of that root that snakes its way across the top of the nebari but it adds a more natural feel.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I like it!

Part of me wants to get rid of that root that snakes its way across the top of the nebari but it adds a more natural feel.

Me too, and it almost got the cutters a few times. The only thing that saved it is that the tree it originates from doesn't have much of a base in the back so I left it. The root actually branches off about a third of the way from the tree and as soon as it establishes there and swells a bit I think the rest of it will get removed.

 

[namnhi]

I also like it. Lately I have a thing for clump planting. I have many cuttings of this ficus so will put some together. Very nice.
NN

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Update:

This group really took off and grew like crazy. Unfortunately, I was not happy with the shape, it was just a blob. Sure, I could have sheared it like a hedge and made it look better, but that would not have helped the structure. Also, it really need thinning out, so, here we go. The work occurred over a period of several days.

The start:


After thinning out and a branch removal or two:



The carnage:



More Trimming and some wire. Hopefully this will provide a better framework for the next burst of growth.



I have considered this as a new front, but the pot would have to be too large and it would weigh a ton.

 

[boguz]

They look great. I just wonder how it will look after 10-15 years later? Full of fused nebari?

 

[Giga]

Update:

This group really took off and grew like crazy. Unfortunately, I was not happy with the shape, it was just a blob. Sure, I could have sheared it like a hedge and made it look better, but that would not have helped the structure. Also, it really need thinning out, so, here we go. The work occurred over a period of several days.

The start:
View attachment 147798

After thinning out and a branch removal or two:

View attachment 147799

The carnage:

View attachment 147800

More Trimming and some wire. Hopefully this will provide a better framework for the next burst of growth.

View attachment 147801

I have considered this as a new front, but the pot would have to be too large and it would weigh a ton.

View attachment 147802

View attachment 147803

View attachment 147804

looks great! It's funny my wife says my tree's look so full and beautiful. Then I make the cut backs and she says why'd you make it so ugly?

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Update

Daily rain and 1000% humidity has really got the ficus going, here is this group, it is really filling in and in need of a light trim.









Please excuse the less than stellar photos, my main camera was dead and I had to use my back up, and the lens was fogged up.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I decided that since it was getting so bushy up top and that the wire was cutting in in places, that I would give this one a trim.





The carnage:



The results, I still need to take the rest of the wire off and I left some of the growth long so I can wire it up after it hardens off.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Some base shots, I love the base on this one.

 

[JoeR]

is this in full sun? How do you keep the moss alive if so?

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Yes it is in full sun. I harvest the moss at work, there is a place by the cooling tower that gets full sun and this type grows there.

 

[GrimLore]

is this in full sun? How do you keep the moss alive if so?

Yes it is in full sun. I harvest the moss at work, there is a place by the cooling tower that gets full sun and this type grows there.

That planting is far bigger in person then it looks. Moss could grow under it in Full sun as it provides an impressive canopy

Grimmy

 

[Mellow Mullet]

That planting is far bigger in person then it looks. Moss could grow under it in Full sun as it provides an impressive canopy

Grimmy

Well there is that, too. But I have found that moss that is collected in areas that get full sun does survive better in pots.