Ficus Styling Suggestions

Travesty34

I picked up this one up a few weeks ago.I really liked the shape of this one and could not pass it up.It was shoved back on a shelf and half dead.I repotted and pruned off all the dead growth.There are also couple of wire marks in it.I just wanted to get a little input on styling this one after I let it grow out a bit.This will not be an award winner, but I still want to give it its best.Any suggestions, grafting etc..?

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BonsaiMon

I'd give it a couple summer seasons with full sun to bring back its vigor .. then see what you have. The trunk has character and with regained vigor it can be nice tree in a few years.

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tom stoute

http://bonsaiinsights.spaces.live.com/

Travesty34

Thanks Tom.I plan on letting it regain some vigor before messing with it.By the way,I loved the trees in your gallery!

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mick

Great looking trunk I think growing on might be a good idea so you can get more ramification and them figure out what branches to keep and which to cut. it looks kind of bare right now. I think saving this tree was worth it.

RonMartin(deceased)

If you want to grow it out the best thing to do is get it out of that bonsai pot. Grossly over pot it in a well draining soil.
That somewhat small pot (for growing) will only slow things down.

Will_Heath

Great advice! May I suggest also a heavy feeding schedule?

Will

breefe

Will, I been wondering about feeding and if you can feed more(heavy) during the growing season and will it be good for your tree if done properly? Only in a training-pot or grow-box correct?
I guess my question...How would one go about doing this...weekly?

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Will_Heath

breefe,

I tend to go by the old adage "feed weakly weekly" with my potted bonsai.
there is a fine line for bonsai in bonsai pots, you want enough food to encourage health yet not enough to encourage rapid elongation and long internodes. I usually go about 1/4 tbs to the gallon of liquid fert.

For my trees that are in training pots I feed at full strength every other week during the growing season as well as keep time release fert on the soil, this works well for me in my climate. For my trees in the ground I feed at full strength every other week also but I also top dress with manure.

The thoughts on feeding are as varied as they are on soil mixes. Each member here will have a different answer for you. My advice is to start out slow and light and adjust as your tree talks to you. Listen carefully, it will tell you if it's too much, too little. watch the growth, color, elongation...

For a beginner I would suggest using Miracle grow at 1/2 strength monthly and adjusting from there. Some find it simplier to use 1/2 strength of a soild granular type on top of the soil, this way you can sprinkle and forget it.

Good luck,

Will

breefe

thats what I do with everything so far...I seem to be doing ok...basically doing what you described...

thanks Will

Randall

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