Leftover Chinese banyan

[Just Duane]

This tree was a leftover from a workshop at the Hawaii Bonsai Convention. I got it cheap, so its good practice material.

I've read about this, but never actually tried it....now I have

And now it fits into a shallow pot.

I will shorten all the branches as soon as the tree pushes new leaves. I may lose a couple branches due to the chop.



I have no idea what this is? My g/f brought it home about a year & a half ago & has been asking me to do something with it (the darn thing wouldn't die) I will call it the kiss-butt tree. I figured i'd try to soften the blow when she sees the jbp I brought home.
This thing wanted to be a cascade.

BUT, I wanted to impress her (like i said, to soften the blow) so I stood the tree up & even wired a couple branches. Heck, I dont even know if it'll survive (i chopped the hell out of its roots) I just needed it to stay alive until she got home.....it worked!....I think?

Ok, you all can stop laughing now

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I think...

I will enjoy seeing both of these trees in about a year. The ficus looks a lot like one of mine. It is surprising how quickly the tree will develop once you remove the bottom roots, cut back the long branches and start developing ramification. Only thing you have to worry about is die-back, but I agree that you are doing the right thing until you see new growth.

 

[Just Duane]

Thanks Greg, the kiss-butt tree i'm stuck with, the ficus might go to our club sale, all depends how the tree progresses. I probably don't have as many trees as most folks on here have, but i'm definitely falling behind on keeping up with what I have.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

The great thing about ficus is their willingness to throw out surface roots. I hack my ficus just like you did - I use a saw and cut the bottom 3/4 off - then spread the roots and let it grow. It doesn't even take a season to see dramatic root thickening and nebari flare. In one year you go in and clear out the bad air roots and clean up the branches and in two years people will be excited about buying it

 

[Just Duane]

Thanks Greg, that sounds like a good plan.

 

[Wm Tom Davis]

Aloha Duane,

With that chop, I'm seeing a big broad Banyan, like the ones at Iolani Palace or Ala Moana Beach park, with those nice aerial roots.
That's got some good potential in it. No give'm away just yet.

 

[djlen]

Not sure from the picture but isn't that 'kiss butt tree' and azalea?

 

[Mojosan]

No, those aren't azalea flowers.