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[Starfox]

An update of Ficus no.1.
I repotted this one last year into a terracotta pot that I really don't like, it's too deep and had stupid rope glued to it but the tree seems to like it at any rate. Maybe if it was half as deep I would like it more, dunno.

Anyway, I have never really had any good idea on which way to take this tree so have just let it do it's thing. Getting a bit bushy and dense in the canopy now too so need to get some light in. It's been one of our coldest winters this past one and only now are the temps starting to get to where they should of been a while ago, regardless I only brought it inside twice this year when the predicted temp was to go below freezing, other than that it's been out all year.
It also looks to have put a lot of energy into thickening up the aerial roots but hasn't really created anymore new ones.





So my plan as earlier mentioned will be to defoliate it to have a good look see, I already know it is going to be awkward in there but hopefully an idea will come along, I'm contemplating doing something like defra has done with the moss.

 

[defra]

Outside al year
Mine will stay all winter indoors even now the temps at night are still to cold

 

[Starfox]

Yeah pretty much, we are lucky that it doesn't normally get too cold, frosts are rare and the day time temps are reasonable even in winter. I did take it in more the first year but quickly got bored with that idea. If they can survive naturally as street trees I figure outside is probably the best place for them.

That said I have the sickest looking benji out in the yard who I think didn't take too well to the cold after a thrips infestation. Seems to be bouncing back now though. I might have to chop it and dig it up, terrible material I think however, long straight trunk, half dead etc....

 

[StoneCloud]

@Starfox I've got a similar canopy on mine and I can't make up my mind how to sytle it either...............if you don't go for a fan shape what else might you consider? Just trying to get ideas here!

 

[Starfox]

Honestly I am not sure, maybe something will present itself after pruning but even then the main aim I think should be just letting it grow out for a couple of seasons.
Any shaping is probably more just to set some branches early on.

 

[defra]

You could prune back to the first secondairy branches to create movement and taper in the main branching ?

 

[StoneCloud]

I just pruned mine about 1 or so ago besides new budding I already have new internodes lol......so I'm thinking to go back in today again and do some pruning on all the new growth again......just focus on ramifying. Since the aerials are starting to grow (just got a third one on the other side a few cm long....I'm waiting to style, like you just going to wait until it shows me lol

I love these trees...............you guys and this thread, I'm gonna go out today and grab another FICUSisisisis

 

[Starfox]

You could prune back to the first secondairy branches to create movement and taper in the main branching ?

Something like that, going to have a sit down with it and a beverage this evening after shopping and choose my main branching and go from there.

I love these trees...............you guys and this thread, I'm gonna go out today and grab another FICUSisisisis

¡Needs moar Ficusi!

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I've told myself "No more trees until I turn this piece of stock into something."

Willow Leaf Ficus from Meehan's Miniatures.

 

[StoneCloud]

@Redwood Ryan The WL is of my my favorite I like this tree. I've been looking for a while now for a good one about that size but haven't found one I really like yet.


Here is one I've been eyeing at a local shop, but don't know if I want to pull the trigger on it just yet...:

 

[AZbonsai]

Just trimmed this one back a bit...some might say not enough it has a weird nebari that I am not sure what to do with. Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[StoneCloud]

@AZbonsai Maybe, wait and see how many roots you get down there on the trunk. I'm thinking with time and roots coming into place it'll start looking nice. Or maybe change the planting angle when you repot and see how it looks

 

[Johnathan]

@Starfox I've got a similar canopy on mine and I can't make up my mind how to sytle it either...............if you don't go for a fan shape what else might you consider? Just trying to get ideas here!

This has been one of the biggest questions I've thought about.... Granted I'm nowhere near an actual "styling" phase, but I think that helps me as well because I am pretty much starting with a blank canvas. What I found most attractive on the tree was the tiger bark, but lack of variety upon further research in styling design has been a bummer. Seems like most of the best looking ficus I've seen are similar dome shaped canopies.

Although this thread has been a real eye opener on different possibilities. I really like some of the 2 trunk and that willow leaf from @Redwood Ryan

 

[defra]

Just trimmed this one back a bit...some might say not enough it has a weird nebari that I am not sure what to do with. Any suggestions appreciated!

Make a ficus raft !

 

[StoneCloud]

This has been one of the biggest questions I've thought about.... Granted I'm nowhere near an actual "styling" phase, but I think that helps me as well because I am pretty much starting with a blank canvas. What I found most attractive on the tree was the tiger bark, but lack of variety upon further research in styling design has been a bummer. Seems like most of the best looking ficus I've seen are similar dome shaped canopies.

Although this thread has been a real eye opener on different possibilities. I really like some of the 2 trunk and that willow leaf from @Redwood Ryan

I understand what you mean, with these focus more on the trunk and roots/ aerials....The visual "pop" is in this area of the trees. This is a ficus strong point. along with the nice small leaves after defoliation

I'm goingto start wiring mine soon, just waiting on more wire to come in from an order........depending on what the tree lends itself to, probably going for a downward direction with the branching.

I never make up my mind til the moment. I'm weird like that....but you guys know what I mean, I'll sit with the tree, a beer and a bowl and my tools and wait until it "comes to me" if it doesn't I get up leave the tree alone and go back later.

Sometimes I find going away and looking at other things or taking a drive to see other trees will help a lot, try it!

 

[defra]

I sometimes take pictures and stare at them allot and in some cases its clear what has to be done when looking at the pics

Also sometimes i style a tree and take pics and look at them and think thats crap that branch realy has to go lol

But i know what you mean !

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Here is one I've been eyeing at a local shop, but don't know if I want to pull the trigger on it just yet...:

Depending on price, I'd hold off. While it looks like a decent tree, it needs a pretty good amount of work. Awkward twin trunk, straight taperless branches, etc.

 

[StoneCloud]

Depending on price, I'd hold off. While it looks like a decent tree, it needs a pretty good amount of work. Awkward twin trunk, straight taperless branches, etc.

Agreed! that's why I'm waiting don't know if I want to go through that, but it's only 29 bucks......lol

I just don't have a WL right now and want one!

 

[StoneCloud]

I sometimes take pictures and stare at them allot and in some cases its clear what has to be done when looking at the pics

Also sometimes i style a tree and take pics and look at them and think thats crap that branch realy has to go lol

But i know what you mean !

Good point with the pics they help a lot!

On the other side of the "that has to go" I was looking at some old pics of one of my trees, and saw a branch that I had cut off and was like "DAMN!!! should of kept that one! b/c at the time I had one idea of the design and then that idea changed......but too late I cut it off!! haha Learn something everyday

 

[ConorDash]

It's too nice a day today to do something actually constructive so I just repotted Ficus no.2 from the OP.

I most probably could of left it for a season but to get it out of that mud was probably for the best. I only really trimmed a few of the longer roots and that was it. Also tried to re-position a few that were crossing.
View attachment 144019

Seeing as the other Ficus seemed to like the Akadama/Lava rock mix I used I figured to use it again here.
Slight angle change, new cheapo pot and front and back looks.
View attachment 144021 View attachment 144020

Seeing as it is only a youngun' and has a reasonable flare at the base I think I am going cover the surface and base roots with sphagnum moss and hopefully develop a bit more root action although not sure if wrapping in cling film or not, think I might as I can see a long hot summer on the way.

Next job will be to be selective and thin the top out and wire it up some, probably in a fan like shape or something. I may or may not do this today.

I have one very similar to this which I've lost most of my motivation for. It just sits on a window sill in the sun happily. I have no idea what to do with it tbh, so I'll be interested to see what you do.