Just Add Ice?

[Johnathan]

Okay everyone, so my first Father's Day gift of the year just arrived. I dont know much, but I know its not right lol. It says to water with 5 ice cubes a week.

I wouldn't have purchased this, but hey, its the thought that counts. Love my sister and niece.

I believe its a tiger bark ficus, but the bulges at the bottom make me think of ginko.

Its pretty ugly lol, but what do you guys think?

 

[just.wing.it]

Don't do it!
Ice is way colder than any temp that a ficus would see in nature, and probably won't water it adequately.
It even says it, right on that tag, never below 55 deg F.
Ice is 32 deg at its warmest.

 

[Johnathan]

Don't do it!
Ice is way colder than any temp that a ficus would see in nature, and probably won't water it adequately.

So you're in agreement its a tiger bark ficus?

 

[just.wing.it]

So you're in agreement its a tiger bark ficus?

Yes I believe it is.
Yours even seems to have the tiger bark on the tubers....
Mine is grafted to some other tuber root, they call it Ginseng Ficus....
Here's mine....:
https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/no-more-tubes.23905/

 

[just.wing.it]

Ya know, on closer inspection, mine has the "tiger bark" on the tubers too....hmm.
Yours is darker in color, like most that I see called Tiger Bark.
Mine is lighter for some reason....

 

[Redwood Ryan]

This isn't quite 'Tiger Bark', it's more of your standard Ginseng. Tiger Bark has very light grey bark with spots all over it.

 

[Johnathan]

Ya know, on closer inspection, mine has the "tiger bark" on the tubers too....hmm.
Yours is darker in color, like most that I see called Tiger Bark.
Mine is lighter for some reason....

That picture was taken with the flash on, here it is without the flash.

I have a tiger bark growing out now that will be wired and repotted into 100% NAPA DE after 4th of July so I'm comfortable with them.

After checking out your thread I believe there maybe hope. I will just cut the tubes off completely.

Did you use root hormone to get it to grow from the tubes like that???

 

[just.wing.it]

That picture was taken with the flash on, here it is without the flash.

I have a tiger bark growing out now that will be wired and repotted into 100% NAPA DE after 4th of July so I'm comfortable with them.

After checking out your thread I believe there maybe hope. I will just cut the tubes off completely.

Did you use root hormone to get it to grow from the tubes like that???

I honestly don't remember if I used it or not.... generally I am of the mind that says, "a little rooting hormone powder can't hurt."

 

[just.wing.it]

This isn't quite 'Tiger Bark', it's more of your standard Ginseng. Tiger Bark has very light grey bark with spots all over it.

You talking about mine or his, or both?
Do you have a picture of a true Tiger bark?
I always thought those little white lines where the tiger stripes.

 

[Johnathan]

@just.wing.it @Redwood Ryan Here is my growout to be wired and repotted this summer. Its my first tree that started my love for bonsai so its sentimental to me.

 

[just.wing.it]

@just.wing.it @Redwood Ryan Here is my growout to be wired and repotted this summer. Its my first tree that started my love for bonsai so its sentimental to me.

Niiice... long way to go there...
Should keep you happy and busy for many years to come.

 

[Johnathan]

Here are a few more pictures. Its not as nice looking as the first pic suggest. These are with flash.

 

[Johnathan]

Niiice... long way to go there...
Should keep you happy and busy for many years to come.

Yeah, and thats why I now have like 12 trees after my initial thought was just the one lol

 

[just.wing.it]

Yeah, and thats why I now have like 12 trees after my initial thought was just the one lol

I think we've all been there dude.
I was originally trying to focus on azaleas...with just one....
I planted it in shitty garden soil in a pot, and it promptly drowned to death....
That's when I got serious about my reading and research....then a few months later, I found Bonsai Nut....and it's been full steam ahead since then.
I now have something like 45 trees on my deck....
Wife's OK with it, but she doesn't like me spending lots of $$ on trees...plus I'm out of room now and I'm beginning to think that a few of my trees are a total waste of time. I won't throw them out unless they're crispy and brown, but still....
So from now on, I'm only gonna purchase worthy material.
And with the stuff that I have, maybe it will become worthy material someday.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

LOL I'm not sure what's going on with that tree... but you're right, it's the thought that counts.

It's a ginseng ficus. Yeah, they grow those tuberous roots, but they are not normally so pronounced in nature. For the commercial trade they let the tree grow tall in a short container so the roots push out of the soil, then they wack the trunk at the soil line and keep one bud as a new leader. Your tree was designed to have that look.



If you plant it out in a shallow wide container, perhaps you can get it to look more like this. Same tree species, different horticultural approach. Then when your sister and niece come to visit you can show it off!

 

[StoneCloud]

"ginseng" ficus are actually ficus microcarpas and some have grafted foliage on them from other ficus like retusa. Like bonsainut said, they are just grown to have the roots push out. This can be reversed with time.

They can be trained to be really nice trees and the example above from bonsainut is very achievable!

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Here's an example of a Tiger Bark. The bark is super light grey with white patches. This is a tree I had years ago, but no longer do.

 

[Johnathan]

Okay so what do you think I should do with it? Where to cut it at? Do I just cut dab in rooting powder and plant? Aftercare?

 

[It's Kev]

so, when is father's day? i've never had a dad, but now i've got an in-law and i don't want to make a bad impression

 

[jeremy_norbury]

Okay so what do you think I should do with it? Where to cut it at? Do I just cut dab in rooting powder and plant? Aftercare?

Just try not to kill it...ok?