Progression of my my green island

[Ben in Kzoo]

Happy to get comments and feedback. I will keep track of my progress on this tree here

I purchased that tree recently from Wigerts. The tree had that sumo base that I love
Picture from before, and today after repot and first styling. Tried to keep the root work minimal, except for the aerial roots
Potted in Akadama, with a layer of APL transitioning into slim layer of lava for drainage
No fertilizer applied yet, just root ruckus (or similar)

 

[Jcmmaple]

Thats nice tree, I’ve thought about ordering one from them.

 

[Ben in Kzoo]

Thats nice tree, I’ve thought about ordering one from them.

Thank you
I like them a lot

 

[luvinthemountains]

@Jcmmaple, if you don't already have one of this variety, I highly recommend them. As you can see with @Ben in Kzoo's specimen, they develop quickly and have much better foliage and branching than standard microcarpa. Also, Wigerts is awesome.

 

[BillsBayou]

Thats nice tree, I’ve thought about ordering one from them.

Just drive there! Asheville (Western NC) to Ft Meyers is 11h22m according to Google maps. The estimate from my home to Ft Meyers is 11m08m. Actual travel time was 14 hours.

Wigert's has great deals on smaller bonsai bonsai material in plastic nursery pots. The store has a mountain of pots from affordable mass-produced pots to expensive hand-made pots.

My trip was for several interests. I spent about $2,400 where just shy of $1000 was for me alone.

While you're there, go check out Top Tropicals (https://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/ftmyers/ftmyers.htm). It was HOT the day we went, but may of the areas are under shade cloth. There may not be much in the way of bonsai material, but they're worth checking out. My wife (not a bonsai person) picked out a great variegated water jasmine for me. The person who helped us was Bella. She was wonderful.

The long drive was a great test of marriage, by the way. This was our first vacation without kids since 1993. As it turns out, we actually do enjoy each other's company for 14 hours of driving.

The trick to the trip is to convince your spouse that it's a vacation. I managed to pull it off. Your mileage may vary.

 

[BillsBayou]

@Jcmmaple, if you don't already have one of this variety, I highly recommend them. As you can see with @Ben in Kzoo's specimen, they develop quickly and have much better foliage and branching than standard microcarpa. Also, Wigerts is awesome.

The only problem I have with green island ficus is how easy they are to propagate with cuttings.

They respond very well to complete leaf-pruning. The new leaves come out much smaller. If you cut off the tips of the branches, they back-bud easily. If you water from the top, they'll grow aerial roots.

An all-around great species to work with.

 

[thebonsaiproject]

What a nice trunk, going to be an awesome canopy! On another note, I feel like I can almosttt see a face in the trunk haha

 

[Jcmmaple]

Sounds like I need a vacation, but seriously though I need something for the winter to look at. I don’t have any for indoors, so I may have to spend some money! Thanks for the tips.