Ficus Retusa Bonsai Pruning (new to bonsai)

[leatherback]

Cool. Very closely related field then. I am a tropical ecologist (MSc) and Satellite data processing specialist (PhD Hyperspectral Remote sensing, see articles J.G. Ferwerda, hyperspectral RS ). Things go too competative for me, too much focussed on first-to-get-published-for-the-next-grant. So after my sumptiust postdoc in Oxford I decided to take a support job. Now I run international relations for a faculty in a top technical university. Off to Mexico and Brazil in a few days again. Taking a look at some real sized ficus'

 

[Geo]

Great that you fellows have lights for winter, but meh! In their own environs, unbelievable, in the ground or caged. Wish I could put a Pinus in the fridge for six months, or a Juniper or a Larch. Have to grow the stuff that grows here, whether I like it or not. But I have decided I like it just fine. Happy journeys, Leatherback!

 

[Boise_Guy]

Update for the records... I was lucky enough to meet and work a bit with a local expert here and he helped me repot this Ficus (cinder rock and pine bark 60/40 and sifted). He also collects some rocks from the area and helped me find a nice pair of rocks that I think fit the tree nicely. The big one makes the bend in the tree look more natural, as if it grew into the rock and turned back the other way. This is of course just a training terra cotta pot so I can get this guy healthy after all the work I've been putting him through and hopefully get some budding and ramification closer back towards the trunk.

A month or so after the repot, I wired the tree as well (along with continuing to try and get the multiple branches from the same areas pruned out). Here's what I have for now and I'm much happier with it than before.

 

[sorce]

Well Damn!

Not a newbie long!

That looks friggin good!

Hell yeah!

You're watering a lot more yes?

Nice!

Sorce

 

[Boise_Guy]

Thanks Sorce

Yea, watering more often. Now its about twice a week. I've finally trained myself to trust in the chopstick (or bamboo skewer) method and I've got the hang of it now. I just didn't feel comfortable gauging it at first for some reason.

This tree used to be in a much smaller pot and that pot had very poor, 100% organic soil.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I liked the base in the fist pics and it like it more withe the rock.
I was going to tell you if you hate it to ship it my way. But I'm guessing now it's going well.
With prebonsai material you have to find ways to be creative with what you have to work with.
-Place it in as much light as possible without burning leaves.
-Don't clip it as much as you think you should. Let it grow.
- that pot may be too large.
Good luck keep us updated on progress

I forgot to add make sure you are using ferts. I don't see any mixed in that soil.

 

[Boise_Guy]

Thanks for the advice CoffeeGirl. I never intended to get rid of it, I always really liked the base of this guy as well and I relished the challenge to transform it into something better, while also trying to alleviate some of the issues with the tree that other more experienced folks pointed out for me. It makes me feel good to hear someone else liked (or would have taken) the tree as well!

I'm getting an LED grow light to supplement the already good south facing window this tree is sitting in. We're getting short days here now and I figure it can only help.

I've been using a teabag filled with a special organic fertilizers mix that my local bonsai expert/friend made for me. Whenever I water, I water through the teabag and it acts as a slow release each time. I also occasionally (every 3-4 weeks) have been giving the tree a 2/3rds dose of liquid miracle grow.

Thanks again everyone! I'm really glad I found this forum!

 

[Boise_Guy]

Long time since an update on this Ficus. Here are 5 pics showing work from this past weekend. Pics show it in full summer growth, then followed by a pic after defoliating, lastly followed by 3 pics after wiring. I still have the large black rock to fit the bend in the trunk, but have removed it for the time being while using guy wires.

 

[Bonsaikev1985]

Best bet is just let it be this year. Let it grow, grow, and grow some more. Then next season start to mess with it. If you let it grow you will have more options for designing.

 

[Boise_Guy]

Current status.