Ficus Group Planting

Jay

Here for your inspection, and my education is a Ficus Group I put together this spring. Hopefully you can see there are presently 7 trees in the group. I put it together to learn, how to do it. The trees were actually purchased as a single potted house plant, very cheap. I thought it a good idea to start with the inexpensive for learning purposes. As the group filled out and as I trimmed the trees I started to like it more and more. I think it requires a couple more trees which I hope to add next spring.

PLEASE give me some positive input into this group.....
I must tell you that to me positive input does not me, "hey your doing great". It means TOTAL HONEST opinion with possible corrections noted! Critque it completly!!!!

I await your thoughts!

Attached Images

ficus1.jpg (54.9 KB, 164 views)

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

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treenut

Some leaf size reduction would be nice but thats not something you can do overnight.I am sure you would have thought of doing this at the right time down the track.I have got a Ficus group on the go at the moment but it was done from cuttings recently and they only have a few leaves on them.

bnsaijim

The impression of my initial glance struck me with the following thoughts...

1. You seem to have three trees of the same diameter.

Suggestion: Allow to grow out freely to varying degrees, respectively, so that you have a clear primary, secondary, tertiary... I would tend to do it left=#2, middle = #1, right= #3.

You could change the status of left and center since the left is growing out in the "open" and would receive better resources...

2. Another optional thought- your accent tree to the middle maintree- placing it behind the larger trunk might give better perspective- but the way you did it is perfectly fine!

3. Add smaller trees to the back for depth/perspective. This species roots well from cuttings... As you trim, just do it then - then you know you'll get similar characteristics...

4. To further work the perspective, raise the right hand groups onto slight hillocks. Smaller trees can be behind these mounds to "hide" them giving a sense of trees in the distance.

Be sure to post a picture in a year or so to update us!

Jim
TX

David Chauvin

Jay, Nice start & good color pot for ficus....but.... it seems to me the small tree in front of the main tree is distracting, taking focus off of the main tree. I would rearrange the three trees on the left to give the largest tree center stage. Also, I think a leaning tree on one side of the pot almost requires one on the other. Good luck.

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Jay

Jim, David and Nut... Thanks for the input. I can see your points.
This group needs some work and I think Jim's idea of raising the right group a bit (hill) has great merit. I have already been growing a few cuttings for inclusion in this grouping, next spring.
I am not sure, with my shorter growing season, if this group will be altered till April. My indoor setup is not perfect for Ficus so I do not want to stress them late in my growing period. They live but do not grow much. Does this make sense?

I do think it needs some growing out to increase and define the sizes of the three main trees. I will keep in mind the distracting at the left group.

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

weirdowl

Jay,

I've also bought some of these "clumps" of ficus trees. I've had them since the beginning of spring or so. Do you have a place to move them to outside? Mine have grown like weeds since they've been outside. I too agree with Jim's #3, and #4 suggestions. Good luck!!!

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weirdowl

Jay

weirdowl, thank you for pointing out my poor choice of words..... this group lives outdoors from April(ish) to November(ish). Translation of (ish). Outside all the time till the nights start going down to below 60 degrees. Then in at night out for the day till it gets to cold then in all the time.

All my tropical and subtropicals love being outdoors. They tolerate the inside space. My home is very cool in the winter. We keep it at approx 62-65 degrees with the nights set at 58-60. These temps are great for us but the trees are not in love with it!

Thanks again for letting me know I was unclear with the previous post.

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing