New artist + Ficus Burtt-Davyi

rasWestin

Hello all, my name is Westin Harris...

I'm new to the site and to the artistic lifestyle of Bonsai all together. I've always loved plants growing up, and over the past couple semesters at the local Junior College I've taken a bunch of horticultural classes that have really sparked my interest even more. My dad has been a landscaper for years now, and we both share a common love for trees in particular. He's taken me to many bonsai exhibits in the Sacramento area (where I live) since I was a kid, but we've never had a bonsai of our own... until recently..

My next door neighbor and I managed to save a little baby Olive tree in his front yard from sure death. It had been growing in a harsh rocky/sandy spot on the side of his dirt driveway and had been weed-whacked NUMEROUS times. So between the gnarly soil and the constant cutting, it built some character. So my neighbor had an old small pot sitting around and we mixed up some soil and planted it (only about 3inches tall when we found her 6or7 months ago, she's gained a couple inches since). This little escapade really elevated my enthusiasm for bonsai.

So now armed with what I've learned from academia, and what my father has learned from years of real-world experience in landscaping, we decided to go to Capital Nursery (near Sacramento) and buy our first "true' bonsai (I don't know if the olive counts. It's in a shallow pot and it has been pruned from wheedwhacking for at least 2 growing season, but I'm afraid to style it). We decided on a Ficus Burtt-Davyi because of a spiritual experience my father and I had on Oahu beneath a MASSIVE banyon tree. We were told it wasn't the easiest of trees for beginners, but we're ready for the challenge.

We kept it in the same soil it was in when we bought it because it looks happy and even has some aerial roots beginning to pop out. Its next to a southward facing window that gets great sun. We were told not to overwater it... but I'm still not sure how many times of day it should be watered. I try to let the soil dry out a bit before I rewater, but I'm really afraid of doing something wrong and killing this beautiful Ficus. That's actually my main problem, I don't want to style it or check the roots or do anything until I've consulted some real Bonsai artists because I'm just so afraid of murdering it!

I'll take some pictures and post them later. But until then, does anyone have any advice? I know I didn't really ask any specific questions, but is there any overall advice that can be given to aspiring indoor bonsai artists?

I also picked up the book Indoor Bonsai by Paul Lesniewicz (ISBN 1-84403-349-X) to guide me along the way. Is this a good book to learn Ficus growing techniques?

Thanks in advance for all your help. I hope to become a lifelong Bonsai-er (heheh if there is such a word)...

One love,

Westin

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soltan

I am no expert but i believe the fig hates to be overwaterd. when I asked an expert for one bit of advice he recomended DO NOT OVER WATER. I have a few small ones.
I have most inside at the moment because we are entering winter and the frost will damage them.
One I let dry right out many times(mainly from forgeting about it because it was inside) and it is healthier than ever. Another I NEVER let dry out and it lost ALL roots.
I still left it in the same pot and soil but let it dry out more. It is now months after (moved into bathroom last couple of weeks) and it is still green and looking great except for a catapiller that attacked it. Not sure if it has replaced it's roots though.
A beginner often makes the mistake of caring for thier tree to death.
Not sure about the Ficus Burtt-Davyi but Figs in general are a tough tree and a great beginner bonsai? In my experience I would say you must allow them to dry out some what and they prefer the moderate climate not too hot not too cold.

Welcome to the world of Bonsai and the Forum You will find conflicting advice from books as well as all forums But I think this is agreed by all. Try not to jump to conclusions and use common sense when wading through the information. Think and find the info of the climate of where the tree originates and compare it to your climate or mimick the original climate as closely as possible.

Having your dad as a landscaper is a huge advantage. Not just for the knowledge but as a great sorce of Bonsai material. Read about digging up trees and styling and I bet yous'e will be kicking yourself on the amount of great meterial that your Dad has thrown out over the years while doing landscaping. Old gardens are a great sorce for bonsai material. OOOOOh the horror.

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rasWestin

Thanks Soltan... do not overwater... check .


one love

Allen

There are a few varieties of the Burt Davii that I know of, one is the burt davii- has a leaf about one inch by one half inch and throws alot of areal roots the other is the burt davii nana has a leaf when well pruned about the size of a pinkie nail, a good source is Durastone nursery owned by Jim Smith in Fl or in the Sacramento are you might try Roy Nagatoshi. In my experience they are very easy to work with take well to hard cuts this time of year. Dont worry about killing the tree you won't if you don't over water and if you do don't get too emotional about it you can alway get another one, thats life. the important thing is if it does die on you figure out why so you don't do it again. No pain no gain

Repotter

Here is some info on F. Burtt Davii. Above all do not water every day.
Check your tree daily to see if it "needs" water by testing about one inch below the surface with your finger. If it feels wet do not water, if dry at that depth then water.
But make sure when you water that all the soil becomes totaly wet. It helps to prewet the surface of the soil before pouring water on it. A light spray will wet the soil surface allowing it to absorb the water much more readily instead of running off.

I have several F. Burtt Davii, and they do very well as bonsai and grow many aerial roots.
Check out this link below:

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/f44/why...sais-24335.html

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