What to do? Tiger bark ficus decisions and input please!

penumbra

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Like this!
This would be a nightmare to maintain a steady temperature in my opinion. If you are going to have a greenhouse outside it needs both a heater and an automatic vent and fan. Inside with a high quality grow light combination would be easier.
 

Gatorade

Yamadori
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I will most definitely look into that. This will be my first time going through winter in the plant hobbie. And I went straight to bonsai lol. Last winter was the worst ever for me and a lot of people here in Texas. Really hoping for A light winter. A lot more research to do. I did think about grow lights so thank you for bringing that up. Probably a better investment then the greenhouse.
 

Gatorade

Yamadori
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Hey bonsai nuts!
Well I did some work and took the advice from everyone. Thanks to everyone that posted so far for your help. Here are the results. Cut the small right branch off as well as the one that was crossing my main trunk. Also did a bit of pruning. Planted my two larger cuttings in bonsai soil. Kind of set up lean-to green houses. Will that make a difference? Maybe the plastic ziplock would would better? Did the smaller ones in a cup of water. Was attempting some bending on two branches. The one at the front of the tree cracked 🥺 My first cracked branch, it was bound to happen just just didn’t think so soon. So should I take it off where it cracked or wait it out for it to heal? It’s not all the full break just cracked almost half way through. Also wondering what I should do with my main trunk? Looks like the eye of Sauron at the top. I Know that the tree still has lots of work but that’s great I’m in no rush. Any other thoughts or tips are welcome please. Thanks y’all!
 

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Gatorade

Yamadori
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It's a start.
Personally, that middle trunk would have been my first cut
ok well I guess I could take it off. Give me something else to do. Just afraid that will make the tree so barren. Also wanted to see if my large cutting survive before I take off any more big branches. But it is cracked So… thinking. Thanks
 

Gatorade

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Good day y’all nuts!
Did some more work on the tiger bark last night. Really just went for it. Felt like I was doing bonsai for real for the first time. Got out the DREMEL even. Poor tree. Not Sure if I improved it or not But you know we learning here. Just tried to get out some of that inverse taper even thought it still has some.Still work to do, just taking my time looking at the tree. Any input is welcome and appreciated. Thank!
 

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Gatorade

Yamadori
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Good day bonsai friends!
I thought it would be fun to update this trees progression. When I look back at this I can see I’ve really grown and improved in my understanding of bonsai. I kinda know what I’m doing now. I think!

I cut this tree back heavily not long after the last post. After gaining knowledge and knowing what I wanted personally out of the tree i grew the confidence to make those big chops.

here is the tree today just got repotted this year. Going to prune it soon. And as for those big chops I made to the tree limbs here are 4 small bonsai I made from the cuttings and potted them just this last week. I Never thought bonsai would be so rewarding!
 

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pandacular

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love the family pic! I don't have space for a grow light...but this is making me want to make space.
 
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