Box Store Ficus Overhaul

[RODERLO]

Hi Bnutters,

As a way of finally convincing my fiancée that growing miniature trees is great fun, I proposed that we should create one together.

So I went looking for a good old trusted box store ficus for her to get acquainted with some of the bonsai techniques, under my supervision.

Here is the fella in question. Pruned like a hedge, old wire deeply dug into the trunk and a cracked pot (not visible in this pic).



First step: branch selection, wiring and styling.



She also chose a new front and because of the cracked pot we knew we wanted to repot it as well, resulting in a change of planting angle as well. Here are the results after repotting into a very nice William Vlaanderen crescent moon pot:



She’s now adamant this is the nicest bonsai in our collection… But I must agree it turned out a lot better than we anticipated. That is if it recovers well from repotting. We’ll know in a couple weeks.

 

[Jorgens86]

Wow. looks realy nice in that pot!! What soil you used in mix?

 

[RODERLO]

Wow. looks realy nice in that pot!! What soil you used in mix?

Thanks! It’s in 1:1:1 pumice, akadama and potting soil.

 

[gooeytek]

That came out fantastic!

 

[queenofsheba52]

I agree, that tree looks great now!

I hope your fiancee can get on board with your bonsai hobby, but maybe she should stay away from your other trees? LOL

 

[RODERLO]

That came out fantastic!

I agree, that tree looks great now!

I hope your fiancee can get on board with your bonsai hobby, but maybe she should stay away from your other trees? LOL

Thanks, I’ll have you know she’s over the moon with your compliments.

She’s a quick learner, so I must admit I do have enough faith in her to let her handle my trees… under my watchful eye.

 

[gooeytek]

You might have to get another set of bonsai tools...

 

[leatherback]

Great Work.

Proof again that the things sold in box stores are not all bad, if you know what to do with them!

 

[Michael P]

Moving that aerial root to repeat the curve of the trunk is excellent!

 

[RJG2]

She’s now adamant this is the nicest bonsai in our collection…

(I liked the post, but I just had to reply to laugh at this! I should ask my wife which one of mine is her favorite - it better not be a ficus!)

 

[RODERLO]

You might have to get another set of bonsai tools...

I've already gifted her a pair of shears. I'm afraid it won't end at that.

Great Work.

Proof again that the things sold in box stores are not all bad, if you know what to do with them!

Appreciated!

Moving that aerial root to repeat the curve of the trunk is excellent!

Nice to hear your keen eye picked up on that.

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

Very nicely done, you have a good eye for designing the whole composition, my compliments.

 

[Ply]

Nicely done!

Where did you get the shell?

 

[RODERLO]

Very nicely done, you have a good eye for designing the whole composition, my compliments.

Much appreciated!

Nicely done!

Where did you get the shell?

I bought it off of Marktplaats. There's a seller called Diana/Pieter who sells countless pots for very sharp prices.

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

If you are looking for this type of pot I can recommend Bonsai centrum Libčany.
The sell very affordable shell pots, click here for more info.

 

[RODERLO]

If you are looking for this type of pot I can recommend Bonsai centrum Libčany.
The sell very affordable shell pots, click here for more info.

Great source! I believe I also stumbled across them in my search for this pot.
I picked the one you see here up for 50 euro's, which I think is entirely reasonable for a pot with a stamp from a reputable potter.

 

[BonsaiManic]

This is a great find. The transition is fabulous. I love how pleasingly you brought out the continuity of movement in the trunk line. I hope I'll be able to one day create something as grand.