New to the Bonsai - guidance for my tree

[.coffeetea]

Hey,
I am completely new to the art of Bonsai and i would like to ask you for some advicea. I am attaching fewpictures of my ficus. Until 1-2 years ago it looked very poor and had very few leaves. I managed to thicken it, but I am not sure if i did it correctly (it is quite dense at the top, but the underside is almost leafless). I know that the winter season is starting, but I would already like to prepare for spring. What exactly should my next steps be? Should I remove any branches? how about wiring (I've never done this before)? Is there any style you particularly recommend for my tree?

 

[eugenev2]

Hey,
I am completely new to the art of Bonsai and i would like to ask you for some advicea. I am attaching fewpictures of my ficus. Until 1-2 years ago it looked very poor and had very few leaves. I managed to thicken it, but I am not sure if i did it correctly (it is quite dense at the top, but the underside is almost leafless). I know that the winter season is starting, but I would already like to prepare for spring. What exactly should my next steps be? Should I remove any branches? how about wiring (I've never done this before)? Is there any style you particularly recommend for my tree?

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You need to define what you goals are for the tree. How tall do you want it to be how thick the trunk should be. There are formulas to calculate this, but in my mind it is based on your personal preference. These types of things will steer the advise provided to you. As for example if you want to thicken the tree up, i would probably suggest to leave all the foliage as is and let the tree put on more mass. Only occasionally removing unwanted branches, but generally just letting it grow. But if you are happy with the trunk thickness, then advice will be steered more towards getting the shape you want.

Regarding wiring, as it seems like you are keeping the tree inside you can wire the branches anytime of the year, but generally it is better to wire during spring when the tree is actively growing.

 

[.coffeetea]

Thank you very much for your input. I am very interested in the formulas you mentioned. Could you please send some links so I can review it? Regarding my personal preferences, I would prefer to start giving the tree some shape. I just don't know which shape/style would be most suitable for it, and I would be happy to hear suggestions from more experienced users.

 

[eugenev2]

Thank you very much for your input. I am very interested in the formulas you mentioned. Could you please send some links so I can review it? Regarding my personal preferences, I would prefer to start giving the tree some shape. I just don't know which shape/style would be most suitable for it, and I would be happy to hear suggestions from more experienced users.

Here is an example of such a rule of thumb. But as i said not a rule just a guideline.

Working the trunk of a Bonsai - Bonsai Empire

The title being a given, the question that quickly arises is; “What makes a trunk great?” and only marginally second comes the question: “How do we create a great trunk?”.

www.bonsaiempire.com

If you want precise advice such a branch selection, i would say you need to take pictures from a less top down angle to a more in line with the trunk angle as well as possibly taking it out of the basket pot if possible as it is hard to determine the base of the tree. Then i would suggest starting at a point and taking a picture, move it slightly, take another and so on until you have gone around completely. This will give people and yourself a better idea of what the front will be and as well as what direction you branches should be going.

Another tip would be to look for pictures of trees you like (within the realm of possibility of course) and you can use this as a guideline for yourself and provide others with a blueprint to try and help get you there.

Attached a example of the angle you need to use to take pictures at. But could possibly serve as inspiration for your tree as well.

 

[.coffeetea]

Thanks for the guideline, it's quite interesting. Please see more pictures of my tree (i hope they're taken from the better angle). Regarding the inspirations, I tried to review the bonsai styles and I can say I like Chokkan and Moyogi trees the most (the one from the previous post is very nice). Anyway, if you see potential for making e.g. some fancy Fukinagashi tree here, feel free to let me know. I'm more than open for any suggestions

 

[.coffeetea]

Let me bring up my post. Any suggestions please? Or you think there's no hope to shape it

 

[.coffeetea]

Sorry for spamming but maybe there's anyone who'd like to help make this ficus a bit prettier. This doesn't have to be about shaping and styles. I am happy to hear any advice from more experienced users

 

[BrightsideB]

I’d grow those branches out more so that they get thicker. You have a tree that isn’t ready to style yet. Imagine those branches at least three times thicker. And more branches coming off of them. You’d have something that could be styled more. Got to get the tree to a workable stage.

A lot of us here have tree’s just growing for the future.