Ficus Benjamina... What style?

pko2005

Hi fellow bonsai enthusiasts!

I recently got this Ficus Benjamina from a friend who would not have been able to take care of it for the next two years. We discussed trying to make it into bonsai but both of us are pretty much clueless as to what style would fit it. Any suggestions as to what style could be considered? I do have some ideas and I would love to hear what you have to say! Or do you think it's a lost cause

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benjamina1.jpg (54.0 KB, 137 views)

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Bonsai Barry

We really need a couple more photos closer to the tree, the trunk and where the two main branches join. It seems much larger than a convincing bonsai should be, so I think it will need to be cut back, the question is where to cut. More photos might supply the solution.

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pko2005

Sure thing Hopefully these will give a better overall picture of the tree!

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soonami

try taking pictures from "pot level," that would help.

If this were my tree, I'd make cuttings of the big branches and start over.

pko2005

Like this? Taking cuttings could definately be an option. I've been playing around with the idea of making it windswept... perhaps?

I could use photoshop and draw where the main branches go if that would help things out. Because of the dense foliage in some places it can be hard to see where the branches are.

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RedPine

I can't tell much about the base but I clearly see a tree in this going by image #43011.

If you don't mind informal broom form?? then remove the very low branch and the very large branch from the trunk. That will leave you a trunk with a little bit of movement and 2 fork branches, some thing like a tall Y shape. If you decide informal broom is ok then take new pics after removing those 2 branches and a little soil to reveal the base of the tree and I will update from there.

You can save the removed branches for your cuttings if you like.

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pko2005

I think you're absolutely right! That's what I should do
I've attached an edited picture just for claritys sake. So this is where I should make the cuts?

The tree was repotted around one month ago so I guess I shouldn't start sawing away just yet?

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RedPine

Yes, that is the 2 branches I would remove and you are correct in wanting to wait until you know the tree is good health before starting to much. After removing the 2 trunk branches you will have the Y shape, that V line or "fork branches"on top of the trunk will need to be cut back bot not removed to encourage back budding along those 2 V branches. What you are basicly wanting to develope is an umbrella shaped crown over the trunkline. Remember to never cut below live green growth on a ficus bengiman.

After those fork branches have been cut back you will want to let it grow a "mop top", then in stages wire and trim the developing crown for basic shape then letting it bush out into a mop top again. Doing this trim, wire, grow process over and over will gain you a dense crown over time with many smaller branches running from your main fork branches.

At some point maybe even next year keep in mind after you choose the front the root base will need to be cut flat so it may fit into a shallow bonsai pot, probably a shallow drum/rounded shape. Once again the tree will need to be in great health and free of stress when this is done. Hot summer is the best time for severe root work on ficus and I think I would do it after the main crown work is out of the way..

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pko2005

Allright then, I think I'll wait for one or two months and then see if I could remove those two branches. I could start by removing one of the two and wait for a while before removing the second one. From what I understand this plant has gone through hell with it's previous owner so I know that it's a real fighter...

Thank you for your great advice, RedPine!

I'll keep you posted on it's progress