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Ficus - styling help needed

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Old 31-Dec-2007   #21
GinaRothfels
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Quote:
Originally Posted by _gonzo_
Your instinct to be reluctant was absolutely correct.

After removal of all the soil and repotting "trauma" the last thing your ficus wanted, or needed was to find itself sitting in full blasting sun. Don't get me wrong, they love sun but a recovery period of at least two weeks was necessary before even partial exposure was advisable.

Place it in the shade or in good light without any direct sun and keep it moist for couple of weeks (more if damage has already occurred). Then give it additional
time in partial sun. You won't need to consider giving more sun until after the plant again begins to demonstrate it's normal vigorous growth. While we're at it, I would not fertilize during this recovery either.

Cheers!

_gonzo_

I haven't fertilized, wired or cut anything since it was repotted. The position I have it in now is one where it gets sun until about midday - I have no outdoor position available that is in full shade. Some of the leaves are rather discoloured, but otherwise it is looking okay and there does seem to be some new growth, so I think it will be fine. I must say it's shape looks a lot uglier now that it is in the wider pot, but I guess with time to grow and styling, it will look better for it later on. I just wish I was a more patient person - I want it to look good now.

Thanks, Gina
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Old 7-Jan-2008   #22
_gonzo_
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GinaRothfels
I haven't fertilized, wired or cut anything since it was repotted. The position I have it in now is one where it gets sun until about midday - I have no outdoor position available that is in full shade. Some of the leaves are rather discoloured, but otherwise it is looking okay and there does seem to be some new growth, so I think it will be fine. I must say it's shape looks a lot uglier now that it is in the wider pot, but I guess with time to grow and styling, it will look better for it later on. I just wish I was a more patient person - I want it to look good now.

Thanks, Gina

Gina,

If unable to shade, morning sun is definately your best alternative for now. The apperance of new growth certainly sounds encouraging.

As for your patience, the good news is that once your ficus is up and running so to speak, it will reward you with a fairly rapid growth rate.

Cheers!

_gonzo_
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Old 19-Feb-2008   #23
GinaRothfels
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Update: I took this tree to my bonsai club a few days ago and was warned that it is a particulary brittle type of ficus and should not be wired. I got some advice on styling and this is how it looks right now. It will need more branches developed higher up.
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Old 2-Mar-2008   #24
_gonzo_
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Gina,

Glad to see the little fella pulled through!

Not to split hairs, or branches for that matter, but I think this is the one called 'Kiki" no?

I have never found them to be all that brittle. Like any benjimina however, they do scar easily and can, even without a visible break in the bark, die back if wired and bent too far.

In any event, it doesn't apprear wiring will even be an issue for quite some time.

Cheers,

_gonzo_
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Old 2-Mar-2008   #25
GinaRothfels
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According to the chairman of my bonsai club, it is called Ficus benjamina Wiandii (Natasha). I looked it up and confirmed that it is brittle and should not be wired. I'm certainly not going to argue with a guy who has masses and masses of wonderful trees and seems to be very knowledgeable. I've had quite a lot of problem with wire scarring other trees so any excuse to avoid wiring works for me.
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Old 2-Mar-2008   #26
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You said it! Whatever works for you is indeed best.

In any event, both sports of ficus b. are quite similar, so under the circumstances (limits of both plant and pic) I guessed it was 'kiki'. In the end, we are merely discussing what is likely the premature design and wiring/not wiring of a sapling. So I would definately agree with your decision to avoid any arguements with the Chairman, at least for a few years anyway.

Cheers,

_gonzo_
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