Training Ficus

WildChild

I have no idea what this Ficus' exact type is, but me mum says I can do what I want with it. It is still alive, though badly neglected (the gardens around the house and yards are too huge to be worrying about a crappy little tree like this. So I thought that seeing as how I managed to fix an Azelea that was once in the garden, I though I would try my hand at fixing this up. I pruned off all the saggy and evil bleached leaves, and alot of stray branches. The tree is alive all the way up, but it is the roots that I am worried about. See for youself:

http://img114.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pic02223px.jpg
http://img105.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pic02217dm.jpg

Help!

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"Creating bonsai is not a mechanistic process; we prune with the hand but are guided by the heart..."

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WildChild

I was wondering... This tree has been "in training" if you like for something like 7-10 years... Surely a bit of root pruning and styling could make it into a decent tree?

__________________
"Creating bonsai is not a mechanistic process; we prune with the hand but are guided by the heart..."

dracothered

Hi,

I can't tell you what type of Ficus that is but from the picture it would look as if it is to tall for the thickness of the trunk to make a good Bonsai. The way I see it is you have three options.

1. Trunk chop the tree in the spring and then let it grow for that season without doing any othe shapping.

2. Graft some lower branhes down lower to get the branch structure lower. (Use either bud grafts or thread grafting) Could also plant some cutings from this tree to help speed up the thickening of the trunk.

3. Or just let it grow un-controled to get it to thicken the trunk.

In each of these I would have to say that you sould repot this tree when it looks to be growing and is healthy. Make sure that you use a good draining soil that will not promot root rot.

As for the roots I would have to see some other pictures of the other sides to give what I think about them. From what I have seen so far I wouldn't be to worried. What is it that concerns you about the roots anyways? If it is the root crossing over the other don't worry Ficus's will not choke the other root and hurt the tree. What they will most likely do is fuse together.

NOTE: These are my thoughts and are not the gospel so please do some reading about Ficus care also.

Corbin
MGCtBY

Draco the Red

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Corbin
Draco the Red