New arrive- Ficus retusa
- Thread starter bonsai-max
- Start date
bonsai-max
Shohin
So i cleaned up the two old branch plus an other bad part. I hope that I did a good job, it's my first time.
In the meantime I also made a graft on the side where was empty. I hope will functioning, how many days week should pass before the graft start ?
In the meantime I also made a graft on the side where was empty. I hope will functioning, how many days week should pass before the graft start ?
Attachments
bonsai-max
Shohin
Nobody ?
Ugo
Shohin
Hi!
The cleaning job is OK.
I would still use cutting paste not putty but paste only which will help callus over.
I tries to use a saw anytime I can on ficus the use of cutters of any kind will make the pholem separate easily from the wood when pressure is applied on the blade.
A precision saw is the perfect tool on ficus at places you want nice healing.
After cutting with a saw I clean carefully around the cut with a scalpel to have a perfect cut and then I apply paste. Callus should roll in a matter of weeks but will probably need reworking a few times over the years.
The cleaning job is OK.
I would still use cutting paste not putty but paste only which will help callus over.
I tries to use a saw anytime I can on ficus the use of cutters of any kind will make the pholem separate easily from the wood when pressure is applied on the blade.
A precision saw is the perfect tool on ficus at places you want nice healing.
After cutting with a saw I clean carefully around the cut with a scalpel to have a perfect cut and then I apply paste. Callus should roll in a matter of weeks but will probably need reworking a few times over the years.
luvinthemountains
Chumono
It is hard to see from the photo; is this an approach graft or did you just cut off a scion and stick it in?
bonsai-max
Shohin
Cut off a scion and pushed the branch in.
But I did not take out any leaf, just put all in plastic bag.
But I did not take out any leaf, just put all in plastic bag.
luvinthemountains
Chumono
I have never tried this with a ficus. Please let us know how it turns out!
bonsai-max
Shohin
Until now the graft lost his leafs but the buds looks green
bonsai-max
Shohin
Hi there, sorry about the late upgrade, the graft did not functioning at all, I will try another time.
Now I have another question, I made a defoliation and the plants responded very well, with a lot of new buds and leafs, but the leafs have some brown inside what can be ?
Too much sun ?
The Kelp extract that i spray on him ?
Other ?
Now I have another question, I made a defoliation and the plants responded very well, with a lot of new buds and leafs, but the leafs have some brown inside what can be ?
Too much sun ?
The Kelp extract that i spray on him ?
Other ?
Grovic
Mame
You mean the darker color like the one in this area?
If so, it looks like regular new leaf growth to me, should turn regular green once the laves mature.
bonsai-max
Shohin
Michael P
Omono
Mistakes in horticulture usually are in one of two categories: under-cultivation (not doing enough) and over-cultivation (doing too much). You are very close to over-cultivation. Please give this tree a rest! It has survived a near-death experience, AND everything you have done to it. It is time for good routine care (proper light, watering ,and fertilization). Let it grow all summer, then send us photos. You may be able to do some light pruning in early fall before it comes inside for the winter.
You are new to bonsai and to ficus. I understand the urge to do everything right way. Get some more trees to work on so that you have something else to do while this one recovers. Good luck!
You are new to bonsai and to ficus. I understand the urge to do everything right way. Get some more trees to work on so that you have something else to do while this one recovers. Good luck!
Snorlax99
Yamadori
Mine look very similar with new growth. Nothing to worry about.Yes this darker color. t's my first ficus so it's new for me
Thank you
bonsai-max
Shohin
Probably you have right, but the repotting I did was a must because the soil was really really awful. After that the plant exploded with a lot of life, and I did a defoliation that probably is too much stress.
The plant is outside, full sun with a good fertilization routine and watering. Now is full of new grows, really full, will post at the end of the season, no more work for her .....
Michael P
Omono
You have done all the right things, now enjoy!
Ugo
Shohin
Hi!
Alright, what's done is done but I would stop defoliating this tree! Like previoys members I advises you toclearn how to build a ficus proprely before cutting leaves!
Back budding is great but the tree was already "low" on energy in your first post.
As for the leaves it could be a bit too much sun but focus are quite resistant to sunburn as they have thick leaves, the only moment when they are "fragile" is when they are young.
Nothing much to worry about but I would protect the tree from 2pm and mist the tree during hot days.
Keep spraying kelp extract, say every 3 weeks.
What you want is to built strenght, build a canopy and then try grafting.
Alright, what's done is done but I would stop defoliating this tree! Like previoys members I advises you toclearn how to build a ficus proprely before cutting leaves!
Back budding is great but the tree was already "low" on energy in your first post.
As for the leaves it could be a bit too much sun but focus are quite resistant to sunburn as they have thick leaves, the only moment when they are "fragile" is when they are young.
Nothing much to worry about but I would protect the tree from 2pm and mist the tree during hot days.
Keep spraying kelp extract, say every 3 weeks.
What you want is to built strenght, build a canopy and then try grafting.
bonsai-max
Shohin
Hi there, this is an update about the ficus.
He react well to the defoliation and now is full of new green leafs, as Grovic said the colour was for the new grows. I am still thinking to air layering the top to make the whale plant shorter, and put in a flat and large pot the next repot
When is the right period to do an air layer of large trunk? I need some infos about how do it.....
I still have to work on the ramification, I did not touch the first branch because was very weak, but now looks much better, the plant also take out some new branches from the trunk and not only from the grafted branches.
I am trying to let grow some air roots, I have read about people that use a grow box, so they can control the humidity and light, any spec about that ?
Pictures
He react well to the defoliation and now is full of new green leafs, as Grovic said the colour was for the new grows. I am still thinking to air layering the top to make the whale plant shorter, and put in a flat and large pot the next repot
When is the right period to do an air layer of large trunk? I need some infos about how do it.....
I still have to work on the ramification, I did not touch the first branch because was very weak, but now looks much better, the plant also take out some new branches from the trunk and not only from the grafted branches.
I am trying to let grow some air roots, I have read about people that use a grow box, so they can control the humidity and light, any spec about that ?
Pictures
Gabler
Masterpiece
A gentleman at the local Brandywine Bonsai Society is a reptile keeper. He has a large section of his house at 90% humidity and filled with UVB lamps. His tropicals grow better indoors in the winter than they do outdoors in the summer, so he started keeping them indoors year round.
That level of hardware isn't economical or necessary for most of us. I can't quite squeeze all my tropical trees in front of my only south-facing window, so I bought a cheap LED grow lamp from Amazon for those in the shade. My trees grow slowly but remain healthy throughout the winter.
If your low-tech method of encouraging aerial roots doesn't work over the next few months, then maybe consider a little growing tent to boost the humidity. Otherwise, go with the cheaper option. It keeps the trees going well enough through the winter for them to hit the ground running when the weather warms up in the spring.
bonsai-max
Shohin
Any suggestion about the air layering ?
luvinthemountains
Chumono
It looks like you have picked a good spot to place the layer, but I think you should wait until early summer next year to do it, when growth is just ramping up. If you do it now, and then move it indoors for the winter, I fear you would not have a good result.
