African Strangler Fig

bpearcy10

I took a series of beginner classes this spring which culminated with an attempt to create a banyan style bonsai. This tress was bare rooted and repotted in bonsai mix.

The tree was completely defoliated and each branch was individually wired under the direction of the instructors.

The straws in the picture are there to help guide the air roots down to the soil mix and is working well to help create the banyan look I'm hoping for.

As you can see from the picture below, the leaves are large. If I am understanding correctly, I probably need to defoliate the tree again completely and then "pinch back" (i.e. cut) the leaves regulary when they reach the desired size to create a small leaf structure.

I use a granular fertilizer, which is supplemented with a liquid fertilizer every three weeks or so. So far the tree appears to be growing well and is healthy.



I am just a beginner and obviously learning as I go. This website is a valuable tool for folks like me. I appreciate those that make it possible.

Brian
Riverview, FL

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ficusfanatic

i personally only defoliate once a year (or less- big repots this year skipped it) but i know you can get away with alot more down in florida. search kong's posts i think i read he does his 3 times a year down there.

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-chris-