HUGE Ficus microcarpa

[Redwood Ryan]

Hi everyone,



I received this Ficus microcarpa from a friend for a cool $120. It stands two feet high, has a canopy of two feet, and has a base of 8 inches. I plan on a repot tomorrow to get it into some cleaner soil. Comments welcome.

 

[mat]

Nice one. Much huger than your last Huge microcarpa. Definitely ready for a repot. The bottom half looks great, and the top half can probably go once the tree's settled and healthy.

 

[Poink88]

This have good potential. Can't wait to see it properly potted and cleaned up.

 

[stacy allen muse]

??????????????

 

[mat]

I didn't mean to suggest that he should hack it down to a shohin. I was just trying to say that the base is great, and he can worry about building the top half next. If some branches work, all the better. If none seem to fit, he could grow a whole new crown easily enough.

 

[stacy allen muse]

???????????????

 

[BonsaiJim]

Really nice Ryan!!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

The bottom half looks great, and the top half can probably go once the tree's settled and healthy.

+1

When you repot make sure you work on LATERAL roots. Don't go deeper, go wider.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Thanks everyone!

I plan on bare rooting it here shortly. The previous owner said he hasn't repotted it in years. The soil is also full of all sorts of nasty critters and debris. Will repot into a big ol' bulb pan.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I repotted this guy. Couldn't find a bulb pan big enough but I did cut down a large nursery pot. I couldn't fully bare root him, as there was just so much of a mess in there. Clovers, dead leaves, and even bolts, all in the rootball. I did my best, placed him in the pot, and will work on his new home. Comments welcome:

 

[mcpesq817]

Nice addition to the collection! Can't wait to see what you do with it in the future. Good luck!

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Nice addition to the collection! Can't wait to see what you do with it in the future. Good luck!

Thanks, should be fun to play with!

As soon as I finish this box, this guy will be headed into it:

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I just finished up this virt. It gives the tree great taper:


Someone on another forum made this virt:


It's close. Comments, anyone??

 

[Bill S]

Don't be afraid of root work on these, they are built by timex, you probably could have gotten away with a sawzall just below the old soil level, these take a beating when it come to roots regrowing.

 

[TheSteve]

Might be a little late on this but that box looks awfully deep

 

[mat]

I wouldn't worry about having such a pointy top. The canopy also wouldn't look bad if it was wider. Don't be afraid to make a big tree. There's my 3 cents.

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

Nice tree! That thing's got a massive base. Looking forward to its progression. =)

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Don't be afraid of root work on these, they are built by timex, you probably could have gotten away with a sawzall just below the old soil level, these take a beating when it come to roots regrowing.

Oh I know Bill, I just want to take this guy slow and steady. Hopefully I'll win the race that way.

Might be a little late on this but that box looks awfully deep

What box are you referring to?? The pot I planted it in is fine.

I wouldn't worry about having such a pointy top. The canopy also wouldn't look bad if it was wider. Don't be afraid to make a big tree. There's my 3 cents.

Yeah that wasn't an official virt. I don't plan on having a top like that, more like this:

Nice tree! That thing's got a massive base. Looking forward to its progression. =)

Thanks Alex, I love the base

 

[TheSteve]

Thanks, should be fun to play with!

As soon as I finish this box, this guy will be headed into it:
View attachment 23984

Maybe I got confused, but in post #12 I thought you said you were putting it into this box?????

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Maybe I got confused, but in post #12 I thought you said you were putting it into this box?????

Yup, that grow box.