jason biggs

Chumono
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Your last tree is coming along brilliantly, it looks a lot like our native ficus burtt davyi ...
same leaves, same aerial roots...
 

cockroach

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This is a forest i started really not expecting too much to come of it as the trees were puny. Luckily, and happily noted, ficus trunks thicken nicely in a pot (over time).
The earliest picture I can find of this forest is the one below. This is about 1.5 to 2 years into the planting. Trees were still small. I think all of these trees came from cuttings.
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At the beginning of '15 the planting was transplanted into a slightly bigger, deeper pot. It was left here for more than 2.5 years. The main tree was left to grow almost like a sacrifice branch to thicken the main trunk more.
2015-01-18 14.43.46.jpg

The planting with the main trunk growing well. This was in Aug '17 when I decided it was time to change things up a bit.
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As you can see above, defoliation was strated on the whole planting in preparation for a move. Below both sides are defoliated.
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Full defoliation of the planting prior to a repot.
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The different sections came out nicely as groups and I was able to restyle the planting without having to tear up the composition.
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Left and right side groupings. There was good strong root growth.
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The prepared slab. It was a slate slab that was used as a garden pathway stone. The slate had been used for another planting and I had to wait for that tree to be transplanted before the slab could be used for the forest.
I chipped away at the sides to give it more character. Holes were drilled into the slate years ago to add drainage holes and places to put in removable ties.
Built the muck wall with clay, moss and potting soil. Works like a charm every time.
DSC_0038.JPG

Recent pics of the forest to follow soon.
 

cockroach

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Here is the forest as of last week. The first pic is straight on.
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This is the angle a will change to once I do a "repot" or more root work in a year or two.
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cockroach

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Some details from the forest.

I planted three patches of sedum to grow where moss was struggling and to add some variation. They have started growing and seem to be happy where they are placed.
The centipede-like critter is an insect found in almost every bonsai pot I have. They seem harmless to the plant and I suspect they arm part of the decomp army.
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The fallen tree that makes up the right side.
It initially was a slanted upright tree but when I planted it on the slab the way it had grown just screamed "fallen tree".
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The cranes feeding critters living under and on the rocks.
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A crane ambling past a deep discussion.
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Top view of the front of the forest.
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The left side of the forest.
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The right side peninsula. This area needs some tlc.
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Another top view of the forest.
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Zelrod

Mame
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Your trees are fantastic creations! I love the movement you create in them.
 

cockroach

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A nothing special ficus I was given from a factory that moved premises. It has grown well. Will update pics soon. This was 2 years ago.
20200202_164851.jpg
 

cockroach

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Japanese white eyes in the garden. When I water the garden, the ficus leaves especially, hold enough water for these diminutive birds to rush in and `bath in the leaves. It tickles me watching them do it.
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