New Ficus Retusa

Vermontoise

I gave in to temptation today while visiting one of Paris' bonsai shops, and bought this ficus. I really really meant to work on my sorry elm for a while before getting another tree, but I couldn't resist...

Any comments? Please be honest - I'm just starting, and would benefit from any and all constructive criticism or ideas!

I haven't figured out how to take good photos of the trees yet, so I hope the wall shadows aren't too misleading.

Vermontoise

Advertisement

Vermontoise

...Um, I really did try to attach the photo. Trying again...

V.

Attached Images

ficusforum.jpg (66.8 KB, 155 views)

DavidN

I think you have made a very good selection. Nice taper and trunk movement with plenty of branches in the right spots. You might want to get a bit of wire on the tree and do some trimming of the folage. I do dislike the pot though. Eventually you should consider changing it. But very nice tree.

ArtAtkinson

V

Nice little tree. Here's one way you might go. I'm guessing a bit here because of the leaves to the front.
1. Cut trunk at .a
2. Either remove or wire .b to the back
3. Wire .c up to form new direction of trunk to apex
4. Wire down small secondary branches to form new primaries
You might pot it deeper in a bigger pot for a while to improve the root base.
Good Luck
Art

Attached Images

ficusinstr.jpg (43.5 KB, 135 views)

Vermontoise

I didn't like the pot either... It's one of the first things I mentioned to the salesman! But I'll have to wait a year or so to change it.

Meanwhile - how do I get that trimmer look that David suggested, and that Art put in his (very well done) virtual? All of the ficus retusa I saw there in the shop (at least) and most of the ones I've seen on the web have had that kind of leggy look around the leaves.

V.

ArtAtkinson

V.
The only way you can build good ramification is by 'nipping' the new shoots. You let them grow for a while then cut them back to a couple internodes.
Each branch you nip will give you a couple new shoots. Keep repeating. Be careful with the species of ficus, some of them behave differently. e.g. Benjamina tends to die back if you cut all the leaves off the branch.
Its the balance between growing and nipping thats the secret. Any good bonsai book will fill you in on this and other important tips.
Art

Vermontoise

I've certainly got a long long way to go!! I'm reading everything I can get my hands on at the moment, and asking "stupid" questions without fear... in the hopes that one day I'll be experienced enough to help out someone else who's just starting out.

I also have some of the books suggested on this forum on order at Amazon...

I am getting a feel for what to do with my chinese elm, and the ficus is different, so it's my second area of exploration. I know the ficus is a relatively forgiving plant, but I don't want it to have *too* much to forgive!

V.

Jay

Hi Bonnie, let me warn you.... Bonsai are in the same category as Rabbits..... look the other way and two become 8 then 16 then ..... you get the idea....

We may need to start a Bonsai version of AA.



Jay

__________________
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