My First Tree

mr_burninator

Well I finally took that vital step and purchased my first tree. I got a Ficus 'kiki' from Natures Way in Harrisburg which is, as some of you know, a very reputable place so i'm hoping i have this one for a while. It was very lush and was in need for a real good pruning and since it is spring i figured it was vigorous enough for a root pruning and repotting too since it was potbound.

Considering the overabundance of foliage, i'm very proud of how it turned out. Keeping all of the pruning techniques in mind, i really felt comfortable througout the whole process even though it was my first time. Anyway i did make one big mistake.... i forgot to take a before picture. I'm really mad at myself that i don't have that picture especially since it's my first tree.

Anyway i did take some after pictures that i'd like to share and feel free to comment. As a preface, this is a pretty young tree so the choices that i made were based on a vision that i have for the future. Also, i don't have any wire yet but when i get some i already know where i'll be wiring the branches.

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

Advertisement

mr_burninator

Here's one just to give an overall of the tree. I'll be growing this in larger pots for a while until i achieve the desired size... especially trunk size.

Attached Images

1.jpg (45.3 KB, 152 views)

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

mr_burninator

I obviously could have taken more off but with how young it is i want the branches to grow out some to thicken up... especially the lower branches. Then later i'll be able to cut back a little harder and really fill it out. I did cut a little harder on the top of the canopy. This tree has some pretty great nebari already and trunk and branch structure definitely have potential.

Attached Images

2.jpg (45.3 KB, 139 views)

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

mr_burninator

This is a closer, and sadly fuzzier picture of the surface roots. I'm hoping to set it up on a humidity tray and mist it constantly to encourage banyan arial roots. Again ideas for the future, constructive criticism, or showerings of praise are welcome.

Attached Images

3.jpg (36.7 KB, 136 views)

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

discobassoonist

Hi there.

Your tree looks very interesting. I like the leaves a lot. What style are you thinking about? Broom Style perhaps?
I think it's important (You mention pruning back) to start to establish the "spine" of the overall design.

Other than that, let's see how it goes.

Dane

mr_burninator

Well i was hoping to set it up on a humidity tray and mist it consistently enough to encourage the amount of arial roots to try a good banyan style. With regards to the trunk style i was probably going to shoot for a formal or informal upright style rather than a broom. Truthfully i'm not even sure if a banyan style bonsai needs a specific canopy like broom for instance. Does banyan mean anything else than just the arial roots? Besides the very base of the trunk, it has some descent movement so informal upright could be possible. The lower branch on the left side is just a little bit smaller than the right so i'm going to grow that branch and the main branch out for a while to work on girth. Actually i'll probably be letting most of it grow out for a while, but those spots especially. Keep the suggestions comming.

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous