First bonsai, dwarf Ficus 'Nicole', tips appreciated

[LiliKate]

 

[penumbra]

While I usually don't care for variegated leaved bonsai, I think Nicole is one of the nicest of the variegated Ficus benjamini. There are others but this is my favorite.
Its unfortunate that it can't be seen and appreciated in this very out of focus picture.

 

[HorseloverFat]

These are SUCH neat plants!

This one APPEARS to be doing alright... assessing health foliarly is a tad more difficult on Variegated species...

And the focus of the picture makes comments/direction aaand

appreciat

-ION, quite difficult.

 

[LiliKate]

 

[LiliKate]

I have it in a South facing window with filtered West exposure in the afternoon. Rain water collected for it's 3x weekly watering.

 

[LiliKate]

While I usually don't care for variegated leaved bonsai, I think Nicole is one of the nicest of the variegated Ficus benjamini. There are others but this is my favorite.
Its unfortunate that it can't be seen and appreciated in this very out of focus picture.

Second photo attached

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Seems healthy enough, Ficus benjaminas can be finicky and the variegated cultivars even more

 

[LiliKate]

This is what I have found in my research. Will unbind and then rebind in 3 months. Seasonal awareness of time of healthy growth this spring into summer. TY for your reply

 

[ShadyStump]

Can you put your location in your profile, or at least northern or southern hemisphere and USDA growing zone? It will help us know exactly what you're working with.

I have not found my benjaminas to be overly finicky. They're just a tree that will do it's own thing regardless of your plans, so follow the tree. Pick up where it leaves off.

 

[LiliKate]

I live 100 miles from Washington, DC....zone 7b I believe. Beautiful sun shiny day here.

 

[19Mateo83]

Sweet little benjamina! I agree, ficus benjamina are pretty easy trees and tend to do their own thing at their own pace. As long as it has some direct sunlight and it is kept watered it should do alright. Yours looks healthy and happy. Thank you for sharing! Btw they root from cuttings very readily. Just put cuttings in a glass of water and in about 3 weeks it will have roots.

 

[penumbra]

I believe at last count I have about 8 varieties of F benjamini. I think all of these cultivars are less finicky than the standard species which are very resentful of being moved. The one thing that has been said, and that I have confirmed through my experience, is that they do not like branches wired downward and that those branches that are wired below a horizontal plane will usually weaken and die.
Also, I find that I frequently have to prune the top off and form a new leader so that energy is diverted to the lower branches. I perform this almost every year with ficus in general but particularly benjamini.

I am curious as to where you are going with this design wise. It looks like you are going in opposing directions. I would suggest you have a good hard look at developed Ficus bonsai before you go any further with yours. Even wired as it is there are at least 3 cuts I would make now, and at least one wire I would adjust, but I will leave that up to you to decide and you will need to look at a few others first.

BTW, I am about 60 miles west of Wash DC.

 

[ShadyStump]

I believe at last count I have about 8 varieties of F benjamini. I think all of these cultivars are less finicky than the standard species which are very resentful of being moved. The one thing that has been said, and that I have confirmed through my experience, is that they do not like branches wired downward and that those branches that are wired below a horizontal plane will usually weaken and die.

This is one I hadn't learned yet. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Love the leaves!

 

[LiliKate]

I believe at last count I have about 8 varieties of F benjamini. I think all of these cultivars are less finicky than the standard species which are very resentful of being moved. The one thing that has been said, and that I have confirmed through my experience, is that they do not like branches wired downward and that those branches that are wired below a horizontal plane will usually weaken and die.
Also, I find that I frequently have to prune the top off and form a new leader so that energy is diverted to the lower branches. I perform this almost every year with ficus in general but particularly benjamini.

I am curious as to where you are going with this design wise. It looks like you are going in opposing directions. I would suggest you have a good hard look at developed Ficus bonsai before you go any further with yours. Even wired as it is there are at least 3 cuts I would make now, and at least one wire I would adjust, but I will leave that up to you to decide and you will need to look at a few others first.

BTW, I am about 60 miles west of Wash DC.

Very helpful advice. Thank you. The garden center staff has only a very cursory regard fot bonsai in particular and assisted me with this first effort. On Tuesday I will consult our local Bonsai master. Another picture coming soon

 

[LiliKate]

I believe at last count I have about 8 varieties of F benjamini. I think all of these cultivars are less finicky than the standard species which are very resentful of being moved. The one thing that has been said, and that I have confirmed through my experience, is that they do not like branches wired downward and that those branches that are wired below a horizontal plane will usually weaken and die.
Also, I find that I frequently have to prune the top off and form a new leader so that energy is diverted to the lower branches. I perform this almost every year with ficus in general but particularly benjamini.

I am curious as to where you are going with this design wise. It looks like you are going in opposing directions. I would suggest you have a good hard look at developed Ficus bonsai before you go any further with yours. Even wired as it is there are at least 3 cuts I would make now, and at least one wire I would adjust, but I will leave that up to you to decide and you will need to look at a few others first.

BTW, I am about 60 miles west of Wash DC.

I would very much appreciate making a roadtrip later this spring to get your insight and meet your bonsai Ficus . Thank you

 

[penumbra]

I would very much appreciate making a roadtrip later this spring to get your insight and meet your bonsai Ficus . Thank you

Just send me a PM.