What kin'a ficus is this?

ovidium · 05-10-2009, 09:12 AM

Hi all
I've just got a ficus, i've repoted it (soil was really poor) in 100% anorganic good draining soil and now I'm wondering what kind of ficus it is?

Here are a few pics that I've just taken and hope they are relevant enough for uz guyz?!

I know after a few weeks, when the tree is well established,(does that means the tree starts showing new grouth??), I can start feeding, wiring and a couple of months down the road even defoliating and triming a bit. Then maybe trying to encourage new grouth to concentrate on lower branches by removing new apical buds(to achieve higher leaf density therefore future thickness in desired branches). ... Does it sound right to you?
I would appreciate if you would share some of your opinions on those stages and maybe other things as well.

Thanking uz in anticipation
___________
Ovidiu

Mattbonsai · 05-10-2009, 02:42 PM

Hi Ovidium,

To me it looks like a Ficus Retusa or Tigerbark Ficus.

Well established means a couple of new leaves on each shoot, and no more leaf loss which is a regular occurence with Ficus Repotting.

And yep, you will be able to start wiring, pruning etc in a month or so, with wiring be cautious, apply correctly (practice on a stick from the garden first) and watch closely, with it being newly re-potted it should send out lots of growth causing the branches to thicken considerably, if you don't remove the wire on time it will start cutting into the branch and cause scars that will take many years to heal.

I'd leave Defoliating until you've got the branches placed how you want them, if the tree hasn't got leaves then the wired branches wont set quickly.

-Matt-

ovidium · 05-10-2009, 02:48 PM

Thanx Matt
Much appreciated.
PS What do u mean by applying wire corectly? What are the dos and don'ts in this case?
Thanx again
_______
Ovidiu

Mattbonsai · 05-10-2009, 03:56 PM

When Wiring bonsai the twists in the wire should have even spacing, be at approx 45 % with the branch line, not too tight so that the slightest growth will cause it the dig into the bark, and no so loose that the wire doesn't touch the branch.

Hope this helps, I'm sure there's much more out there, but that will wait a couple of trees.

-Matt-

ovidium · 05-10-2009, 04:30 PM

That'll do it
Thanx Matt
_________
Ovidiu

clwagner167 · 05-10-2009, 06:42 PM

Hi,

One more variety to knock around. Your Ficus bark is very similar to mine which is a "Golden Gate" Ficus.

Here is a helpful sheet...
Wiring Bonsai Basics

>To be safe, I would hold off on wiring since you've just repotted the tree. The same goes for feeding it, until the tree starts to restablish itself by showing new growth.

Just some ideas,

ovidium · 05-10-2009, 06:44 PM

Any tips about getting rid of the inverse taper area (the darker area right above the soil). Should I try to grow nebari? Applying a collar around the base sometimes makes a good method of growing such roots. Is this a good opportunity or I should think of something else?
_____
Ovidiu

clwagner167 · 05-10-2009, 07:07 PM

You are ambitious aren't you? One thing at a time, but it is good to see the enthusiasm! If you learn anything in Bonsai, it will be patience.

To achieve the taper you are seeking, you will have to do a trunk chop. Your best bet would be to chop before the curve of trunk where it is still straight. Then the tree would have to be put into a grow pot to let it grow out to achieve a taller, straighter and wider trunk.

We used to have some nice articles, but we had to switch sites. As I haven't been able to be on the site in a while until recently, I don't know if there have been any recent examples of a trunk chop. Others who are familiar, might possibly chime in with some guidance. But, I will tell you this...before doing anything drastic to a tree, it needs to be healthy and thriving. Being that you just recently repotted, it wouldn't be too risky to remove the tree and put it into a large planter for growth this summer out of doors. Then after doing research on trunk chops, it will be ready next spring for it.

Meanwhile, I'll see if I can find any threads about trunk chops on the new site here.

Remember this too, if you are not sure what you want to do....do nothing. It is better than making a big mistake. The right answer will come.

clwagner167 · 05-11-2009, 04:37 AM

Hi,

Something had been nagging at the back of my mind. So, I did a little research to refresh my memory. Matt and I are both right on the type of Ficus your tree is. The Goldengate Ficus is a type of Retusa and it belongs to the Family of "F. microcarpa". The same goes for The Tiger Bark Ficus which you could probably say is a "cousin" of the Golden Gate because it is a type of Retusa. Although, the bark for the Tiger Bark should be a little more shaded with red and the "stripes" are a bit more predominate. With all the varieties they are coming out with, it is hard to keep up with them.

Hope this helps,

ovidium · 05-11-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clwagner167

To achieve the taper you are seeking, you will have to do a trunk chop. Your best bet would be to chop before the curve of trunk where it is still straight. Then the tree would have to be put into a grow pot to let it grow out to achieve a taller, straighter and wider trunk.

Being that you just recently repotted, it wouldn't be too risky to remove the tree and put it into a large planter for growth this summer out of doors. Then after doing research on trunk chops, it will be ready next spring for it.

Unfortunatly I can only leep it indoors, so I wonder should I still repoted in a growth pot (what grow pot size would you recommend? - I know overpoting is a common mistake.

tree max diameter: just over 1 in, tree hight aprox 10 in)
But then in the other hand I've just repoted the tree yesterday so I'm actually wondering if is not to late to give it the chop and then repot it in a growing pot. Does the tree look healty enough to do it?
R is just me again trying to rush things up?

PS Thank uz guyz for the help I'm getting.

_______
Ovidiu

05-10-2009, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheshire, GB Posts: 801	Hi Ovidium, To me it looks like a Ficus Retusa or Tigerbark Ficus. Well established means a couple of new leaves on each shoot, and no more leaf loss which is a regular occurence with Ficus Repotting. And yep, you will be able to start wiring, pruning etc in a month or so, with wiring be cautious, apply correctly (practice on a stick from the garden first) and watch closely, with it being newly re-potted it should send out lots of growth causing the branches to thicken considerably, if you don't remove the wire on time it will start cutting into the branch and cause scars that will take many years to heal. I'd leave Defoliating until you've got the branches placed how you want them, if the tree hasn't got leaves then the wired branches wont set quickly. -Matt- __________________ -Matt- http://www.cheshirebonsaisociety.org.uk/index.html R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

05-10-2009, 03:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheshire, GB Posts: 801	When Wiring bonsai the twists in the wire should have even spacing, be at approx 45 % with the branch line, not too tight so that the slightest growth will cause it the dig into the bark, and no so loose that the wire doesn't touch the branch. Hope this helps, I'm sure there's much more out there, but that will wait a couple of trees. -Matt- __________________ -Matt- http://www.cheshirebonsaisociety.org.uk/index.html R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

05-10-2009, 06:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
clwagner167 "Grasshopper" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 102	Wait a minute......... Hi, One more variety to knock around. Your Ficus bark is very similar to mine which is a "Golden Gate" Ficus. Here is a helpful sheet... Wiring Bonsai Basics >To be safe, I would hold off on wiring since you've just repotted the tree. The same goes for feeding it, until the tree starts to restablish itself by showing new growth. Just some ideas, __________________ ~ Cheryl Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha Please support "your" site and click on the ads. _________________________________________ In memory of my dear friend.... "Prowler" Victor Gray 1943-2008

05-10-2009, 07:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
clwagner167 "Grasshopper" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 102	Well... You are ambitious aren't you? One thing at a time, but it is good to see the enthusiasm! If you learn anything in Bonsai, it will be patience. To achieve the taper you are seeking, you will have to do a trunk chop. Your best bet would be to chop before the curve of trunk where it is still straight. Then the tree would have to be put into a grow pot to let it grow out to achieve a taller, straighter and wider trunk. We used to have some nice articles, but we had to switch sites. As I haven't been able to be on the site in a while until recently, I don't know if there have been any recent examples of a trunk chop. Others who are familiar, might possibly chime in with some guidance. But, I will tell you this...before doing anything drastic to a tree, it needs to be healthy and thriving. Being that you just recently repotted, it wouldn't be too risky to remove the tree and put it into a large planter for growth this summer out of doors. Then after doing research on trunk chops, it will be ready next spring for it. Meanwhile, I'll see if I can find any threads about trunk chops on the new site here. Remember this too, if you are not sure what you want to do....do nothing. It is better than making a big mistake. The right answer will come. __________________ ~ Cheryl Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha Please support "your" site and click on the ads. _________________________________________ In memory of my dear friend.... "Prowler" Victor Gray 1943-2008

05-11-2009, 04:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
clwagner167 "Grasshopper" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 102	Just wanted to..... Hi, Something had been nagging at the back of my mind. So, I did a little research to refresh my memory. Matt and I are both right on the type of Ficus your tree is. The Goldengate Ficus is a type of Retusa and it belongs to the Family of "F. microcarpa". The same goes for The Tiger Bark Ficus which you could probably say is a "cousin" of the Golden Gate because it is a type of Retusa. Although, the bark for the Tiger Bark should be a little more shaded with red and the "stripes" are a bit more predominate. With all the varieties they are coming out with, it is hard to keep up with them. Hope this helps, __________________ ~ Cheryl Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha Please support "your" site and click on the ads. _________________________________________ In memory of my dear friend.... "Prowler" Victor Gray 1943-2008

05-10-2009, 02:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
ovidium Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ireland Posts: 23	Thanx Matt Much appreciated. PS What do u mean by applying wire corectly? What are the dos and don'ts in this case? Thanx again _______ Ovidiu

05-10-2009, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
ovidium Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ireland Posts: 23	That'll do it Thanx Matt _________ Ovidiu

05-10-2009, 06:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
ovidium Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ireland Posts: 23	Any tips about getting rid of the inverse taper area (the darker area right above the soil). Should I try to grow nebari? Applying a collar around the base sometimes makes a good method of growing such roots. Is this a good opportunity or I should think of something else? _____ Ovidiu

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