New larger ficus

[amcoffeegirl]

A good friend has given these trees to me.
he has brought them a long way from their humble beginnings.
They are much larger than the shohin size that I am used to working with. I have ordered some larger wire.
There is a bougie in the mix too. My first one.
I’m not really sure when to repot that one but now is probably a good time. (Right?)

 

[amcoffeegirl]

These are planted in akadama and pumice mostly. They are huge pots so staying more damp that my smaller trees. I will need to be careful watering these for awhile until I see how long they take to dry out.
I did some trimming and will wait until I get my wire to move ahead.
Exciting times to be sure!

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I had to charge the rock because I fell while carrying the pot and dropped the whole thing.
The rock broke into pieces.
I have wounds to heal. No pain, no gain.

 

[LuZiKui]

Cool ficus, hope you're OK!!

 

[penumbra]

Watch those falls. They can put you out of commission for months. I know.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I think I might saw the bottom off and start over???

 

[Carol 83]

There is a bougie in the mix too. My first one.
I’m not really sure when to repot that one but now is probably a good time. (Right?)

Years ago, a wise member here advised me to repot them in the hottest part of the summer and I have never lost one from repotting.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Years ago, a wise member here advised me to repot them in the hottest part of the summer and I have never lost one from repotting.

I made the repot on the bougie and it is throwing new leaves and new buds.

 

[Carol 83]

I made the repot on the bougie and it is throwing new leaves and new buds.

That's great.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Before and after

 

[amcoffeegirl]

The above pic is a bougie that the same friend gave me. In the same batch with the ficus.
Getting ready to show me some colors.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Ok
You are going to think that I have lost my mind with these preliminary designs but I promise that I have a plan. I wish that I could draw them but I can’t. Lol
You will have to wait and see. Lol

 

[amcoffeegirl]

And this one- before and after

I’m so embarrassed of my wiring.
I will get better one day.

 

[Ugo]

Hi!

Not to worry with the look of fhe wiring!
As long as it does the job everything is fine.
You will have more then enought to pratice when this little guy gets energy back.
Good job on the first styling!

If I can give you an "advise" about styling on ficus is to try to look at their growing habits so you dont constanly work against it.
For example the foliar mass, leaves and branches will always try to go upward. If you place the branches horizontaly the new growth emerging from the branche will go upwards and the tip of that branche will also point upwards.
The tree will help you to style it and will look natural.
If you already position the branche upwards, the secondary lateral branches will emerge and go straight up and wont look natural

You dont want a "pointy" apex on decidious trees as it make them look young Leave that to the conifers!
I suggest you try to "flatten" the apex up top and start from there.

For now let that little guy grow alot, untouched!!
I would not touch anything except a repot when needed and clean-up of the potential structural flaws, undesired aerial roots ect

Hope it help!
Ugo

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Jerry Meislik made me a - what’s it called???
And I did it.
I cut the back branch off.
I can’t show you until next summer though- after some regrowth.
The tree will be better for it.