Finally A Pic Of My Ficus

LostHawken

Hey All,

I finally talked a friend into letting me borrow his Digital Camera so that I can take pictures of my Bonsai. Ok, so they aren’t actually Bonsai, more like practice trees to keep me company in the dorm room. This is the Ficus b. that some may remember posting about a long time ago. I’ve had it since October; originally it was a clump of twigs growing right up out of the soil. With out repotting or anything I twisted them together a little into a sort of Bonsai like shape and then applied wire. (Those interested in the "Collecting" Bonsai From Non-bonsai Nurserys thread maybe interested to know that I got this one @ Lowe’s for $5) I’ve been really impressed with the aggressive growth of this little tree, but the twigs of not yet grafted together, I expect with the way that I did it, it will take a long time (a year or more?) to get them to become one.

Anyhow this is my practice tree so I’m not too worried about how long it takes. I’m planning on repotting it soon; tilting the trunk a few degrees towards the 145o angle to get more separation of the future pads. I’m also planning on letting the little stem wrapped in green twisty-ties grow into the new trunk with a pad, directly above. I see that the branches are kind of hooked, but I was thinking that I could work with this a little by making the pads tear drop shaped to give a slightly windswept feel that would make the arching branches more acceptable.

I might be able to make a Virt. of what I mean in a couple days.

Here are a few views:

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LostHawken

close up of the trunk structure

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LostHawken

and one from a different angle

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LostHawken

Here's a Virt. I tried to make of the direction I'm trying to head. But I need some feed back. Do you think this will work, or should I take a different route?

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ChrisM

from your virt, it looks achievable, i would use the branch you have in the back as the leader though and the small branch you have as your current leader as the back branch. good luck with the project.

LostHawken

Thanks for the reply Chris,

I originally had the back branch as the leader, but it wasn't working for me. I'll have to reconsider it now. Maybe you could sell me on it if you make a virt?

Checking out your gallery I liked alot of your stuff. (how is that blueberry coming?). I'm still trying to figure out the form and style of Bonsai as far as what a "finished" tree should look like. I've really enjoyed learning though. I hope I'm on the right track!

Justin

John Dixon

Hello,

I believe your virtual is a good choice. I believe your tree will need to be on the larger side because of the leaf size. Smaller bonsai with large-leaf species are just not very convincing to me (although I have to agree there are exceptions). Feed it, aggressively prune it during warmer months, and be patient. I'm sure a very nice bonsai will be your reward. Good luck.

Warmest regards,

John

__________________
John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

John Dixon

LostHawken,

One thing I forgot to mention. Have you thought about using raffia or gardener's tape to bind the trunk and accelerate the self-grafting process? I find that any type of "barrier" from the air helps to hold in more moisture and enhance the fusing. Just be careful you don't inadvertently air layer. Just a thought.

John

__________________
John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

LostHawken

Thanks John,

I've been wondering about how well ficus leaves reduce in size. About much larger do you think it would need to be?

I have thought about wrapping the trunk, but have been afraid to try it for 2 reasons. 1) I'm not sure where to get raffia or gardeners tape, or if I can afford it on a college students budget. and 2) I've read that F. benjamina tend to grow arial roots very very easily under such conditions. I would like to work the tree into a banyan someday, but for now I need the tree as more of a self teaching tool in more traditional bonsai forms. Is there a way I could wrap the tree w/out inducing roots?

~Justin