What species ficus is this?
- Thread starter hoodbonsai
- Start date
Sekibonsai
Shohin
Would be easier with the light on the tree, not behind and possibly pictures of foliage on a plain background... but my guess is willow leaf ficus or F. Salicifolia aka F. salicaria
edprocoat
Masterpiece
Yea thats a willow leaf, they are a good indoor plant or outside in the shade and protected form the wind.
ws
ws
mat
Chumono
Some people prefer Ficus nerifolia for it's Latin name. Same plant - willow leaf Ficus, just has controversial history with the official namers. It's a very good subject for bonsai. Easy to keep healthy, tolerates a wide range of conditions, forgiving, backbuds well, etc. I have a few little ones, and I don't bother putting them in the shade. They do fine.
As for styling, if you trim all of those branches way back, the growth will become much more compact. The branches will divide closer to the trunk - better ramification. It's a little scary taking a branch branch back beyond all the leaves, but if this plant is healthy it will respond with new growth soon on just about every one that you trim back. Then each growth will become 2 or 3 smaller branches at that point, each with smaller leaves than it has now.
Assuming that it's summer where you live, I'd put it outside. Others may disagree, but that's my opinion.
Have fun!
As for styling, if you trim all of those branches way back, the growth will become much more compact. The branches will divide closer to the trunk - better ramification. It's a little scary taking a branch branch back beyond all the leaves, but if this plant is healthy it will respond with new growth soon on just about every one that you trim back. Then each growth will become 2 or 3 smaller branches at that point, each with smaller leaves than it has now.
Assuming that it's summer where you live, I'd put it outside. Others may disagree, but that's my opinion.
Have fun!
edprocoat
Masterpiece
Mat, thats definetly true in central Florida, the humidity is a major bonus there and the weather is never really that hot. I was going by my summer experience here in Ohio, they do not like 100+ degree weather and the drying wind, even with moisture retaining soil they dry right up, shade helps as long as its protected from the wind.
ed
ed
hoodbonsai
Seedling
Thanks all!!
mat
Chumono
Good point, Ed. Keep us posted, Hood.
edprocoat
Masterpiece
Hoodbonsai, I was just looking at your plant again, its got some nice nebari (exposed roots) showing. It seems to be a pretty good trunk too, you are asking about styling it, they lend themselves perfectly to a Hokidachi or broom style. I would consider air layering that tree right below the top "y" fork in the trunk and make a nice small twin trunk tree and the bottom section would benefit from the layering too as it would look thicker making the tree seem older.
ed
ed
