Burtt Davyi Ficus - Ground Layer & Design Questions.

[Tofi_Bonsai]

First - Ground Layering

Is rooting hormone necessary?

I plan to ground layer this guy at the blue line (this will be the new location of the new Nebari).

The trunk actually extends a decent amount below the blue line and is hidden by the moss. The current nebari is basically non existent and what roots are there point straight down, making it nearly impossible to properly set in any Bonsai pot let alone the small shonin size pot I have for this tree.

Second - Design Thoughts

I love the trunk line on the right but not the truck line on the left (red arrow), I'm not sure what I want to do with it though.

Part of me wants to cut it above the red line (in the second picture) and let the branch above the blue line grow out and eventually turn that into its own pad / canopy lower on the tree.

Beyond that I have no ideas and I'd love some thoughts from others.

Cheers!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I think ground layer is unnecessaey for a ficus, just do proper rootwork and you should get a decent nebari pretty fast. Ypu should be able to cut the downward facing roots clean off and treat as a cutting.

I wouldnt be angry for cutting at the red line, but maybe you could slow down and train that branch as a low primary branch and grow the upper portion of the tree unrestrained for a while to take over.

 

[Tofi_Bonsai]

I think ground layer is unnecessaey for a ficus, just do proper rootwork and you should get a decent nebari pretty fast. Ypu should be able to cut the downward facing roots clean off and treat as a cutting.

I wouldnt be angry for cutting at the red line, but maybe you could slow down and train that branch as a low primary branch and grow the upper portion of the tree unrestrained for a while to take over.

I'm going into my second year with the tree and the nebari was bad from the day I got it.

The three main roots coming from bottom are just straight down and extend about 5mm I think before the start spreading out. It's honestly quite awkward.

I'll take a picture later today as I plan to remove it from this pot and transition it back to a larger nursery pot to encourage better growth.

As far as design goes I'll probably just let it grow freely for the winter season and worry about pruning when it's back outside in ideal growing conditions.

 

[hemmy]

Beyond that I have no ideas and I'd love some thoughts from others.

I agree with Orion, on hard root pruning or flat cut to restart the nebari. If you wanted to shorten the trunk (not the case here), just cut make them into a giant cutting. You could apply weak rooting hormone, but it’s usually not necessary.

I think the chop and cleanup on the original red line to give the trunk a change in direction. The smaller leaf variety doesn’t seem to thicken as fast as other ficus. Watch the inverse taper on the right side if you grow multiple branches from one area. You could let a single leader run, while you work on the primary branching and taper.

Assuming you are in the Northern Hemisphere (adding your general location or climate zone to your profile is helpful), I’d wait until May/June/July depending on your Zone. You want lots of heat and humidity when working ficus.

You have a good start for a nice shohin size tree.

 

[Tofi_Bonsai]

I agree with Orion, on hard root pruning or flat cut to restart the nebari. If you wanted to shorten the trunk (not the case here), just cut make them into a giant cutting. You could apply weak rooting hormone, but it’s usually not necessary.

I think the chop and cleanup on the original red line to give the trunk a change in direction. The smaller leaf variety doesn’t seem to thicken as fast as other ficus. Watch the inverse taper on the right side if you grow multiple branches from one area. You could let a single leader run, while you work on the primary branching and taper.

Assuming you are in the Northern Hemisphere (adding your general location or climate zone to your profile is helpful), I’d wait until May/June/July depending on your Zone. You want lots of heat and humidity when working ficus.

You have a good start for a nice shohin size tree.

I am in winter months where I live but the room everything is in stays around 20-23 degrees and I run a humidifier pretty consistently.

I actually made a big decision since this post and so far the tree has responded well! I can see new buds starting and lead growths have started again too.

I just need to find a nice pot to this it's new one on for the escape pot method of growing. The roots have very quickly found their way out of the big drain holes.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Looks good!