A Question About Foliage Pads

K.A. Rutledge

Mittar,

You should know that that tree is very young in its development and the foliage as you see it is somewhat undeveloped. What you see is created by the fact that the tertiary shoots are still too short, keeping the leaves too close to the secondary branches. In time, the foliage will stand up a bit more, adding a sense of maturity to the appearance.

Note also that this tree is not to be displayed in-leaf so the foliage is not important to this bonsai. It is meant solely as a winter silhouette display bonsai. It'll take a couple more years to finish out the right side and have sufficient maturity.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.bonsai365.com/
zonen 8, Texas

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Mittar

Interesting,

I'm still getting used to having a bonsai that is purely a summer or winter display tree. Although I understand the concept of ramification display.

The tree I have in mind is definitely a summer display tree as it is a ficus. The downside of this is that I never really see it's ramification without the leaves. The upside is that all the abuse I've put it though doesn't seem to phaze it much, just slow the progress.

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K.A. Rutledge

Actually, Ficus are quite often displayed without foliage to show off the amazing ramification that is possible. In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is very common to see ficus completely defoliated for shows. These trees' development blow away much of what can be found in Japan, Europe or in the U.S..

Anyway, just because it's a tropical does not mean that it has to hide it's best features.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
www.bonsai365.com/
zone 8, Texas

Mittar

I remember reading a thread that said if you don't leave a ficus branch with at least 2 leaves the branch will die back.

Is this not true?

Are there any guidelines you can give me for ficus defoliation?

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Knees in the breeze.

K.A. Rutledge

I'm not the guy to give advice on tropicals. Perhaps it varies with variety, but F. retusa is routinely defoliated in order to produce ramification (and for show aesthetics). One of the better places to get advice on ficus is from Jerry Meislik's webiste http://www.bonsaihunk.8m.com/ ;-) He knows his stuff.

Here is a picture of a ficus that Kenji defoliated and styled for N.E. Bonsai. There are a few little leaves left, but not for the sake of health.

Kind regards,
Andy Rultedge
www.bonsai365.com/
zone 8, Texas

Attached Images

finished.jpg (40.2 KB, 152 views)

K.A. Rutledge

...the same tree seen from above (I was standing on the table) ;-)

Kind regards,
Andy Rultedge
www.bonsai365.com/
zone 8, Texas

Attached Images

top.jpg (52.0 KB, 125 views)

Mittar

Wow! Seeing it from the top really puts it in perspective.

Thanks for the link, I'll study it well

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Knees in the breeze.

TreeBay

Andy, the perspective drawing with the out of focus lines is a great illustration!

In the interest of improving my bonsai, I'm working on my artistic affectations now, but I can't decide on whether to go with the black beret or a cravat? I keep getting ushered out of the exhibitions whenever I wear my blue velvet smoking jacket. Maybe I should consider wearing something else, or in addition?



Regards,

Matt

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Carl_Bergstrom

I just read through this entire thread - an instant classic for the archives, I'd say.

Thanks, Mittar and Andy. I learned a lot.

Cheers,
Carl

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