Ficus Long Island project

Hello All,

This Ficus Long Island was grown from a cutting about 7 years back. It was unattended for many years, except for prunning the branches to get more foliage, till I decided to train it 2 years ago.

The tree is in the very intitial stage without any specific image in my mind. I just pruned some branches and removed the leaves, to get a better ramification. I will let it grow freely for a while till it is ready for 2nd round of defoliation later this year.
I also wired a few branches that were too straight and uninteresting.

Below are some progression pics, which I will keep on updating from time to time.

Regards,
Shaukat
[img][/img][img][/img][img][/img]

WOW...
it is very good tree..
root over rock is my favorite style...
i had the almost same ficus which died about two months ago.....
Dear Shaukat i would like to know about soil mixture,what you have used and ratio ?

i can see it as.......

Thanks, Majed for your appreciation.
Sorry to hear that your ficus had died. Pls get a new specimen or cuttings (which grow very fast) and I'm sure you will have a nice spefimen in say about 3~4 years or so.

Ficus needs a soil mix with very good drainage, although at times, it can die due to various reasons like a fungal attack or branch die back.

The soil mix that I have used is:
1 part very coarse river sand
1 part loamy soil
1 part leaf mould

Your virtual is nice..... and I have liked your suggestion. One should always look for options that a tree offers, for future designing.
But as I have said, I will let it grow this year, and haven't as yet decided upon its future style.

Shaukat

thanks shaukat,
about virtual it was my thought but as it is your tree you are free according to your choice, every one has his own choice.
for new projects i have planted some cuttings of different ficus species, lets see what happens?

Majed, in fact your suggestion is quite good.... and I might end up finally styling on similar lines. But I want the tree to grow freely now.

Shaukat

yes i also think about my plants to let them grow, but i cant stop my self to giving them style,cutting pruning,, i just cant resist, i dont know why i do this?

pak bonsai wrote:

..... but i cant stop my self to giving them style,cutting pruning,, i just cant resist, i dont know why i do this?

You are absolutely right... I can't resist either!

Here are some current pics of this Ficus. The foliage has grown all over, and would continue to grow for a while. A nitrogen based slow release fertilizer tablet is what this tree requires now.

Shaukat


Lot of shoot buds have sprouted since the last defoliation.


The apex needs to be build from now on.


The more the branches and foliage, the more options it will give me to choose the right style finally.

good progress shaukat.....
you know your plants and their needs well.
i have de-folaged my plants to recover from scales....but two of them not recovering from the defoliation..... i am worried.

Majed,

Ficus are very tough plants, and sprout with shoots easily. As you could see I had defoliated in end April, and in 2 months, there is enough growth.

When did you defoliate your plants? Pls check if the drainage of the pot, and if the soil has become compacted. If necessary, pls repot them in a well drained coarse potting medium.

One of my mame Ficus died last week due to soil compaction (and my negligence).

Shaukat

Sad to hear about your ficus......
i think i am also neglecting my plants these days due to load of work.
between i did de-foliation about month ago...

Yes, work load is one of the factors for the demise of my mame ficus..... it was a F. rumphii.
Hope your plant gives offf new shoots soon. Good luck!

Shaukat

Posting few pics of the Ficus, and how it looks at present" />.

- It was planted on a fresh rock in 2013.
- Was repotted in a new oval bonsai pot.

Shaukat

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I really like how this tree is growing. Keep us updated. Next time you repot this tree, choose a larger more shallower pot for the aerial roots to grow more.

Thanks Aman for your appreciation.

- I will keep posting the development of this tree, from time to time.
- I will keep this tree for another couple of years, in the same pot, to see how it adapts to the 'rock'.

I have another Ficus microcarpa in my collection, which I intend to grow in the 'rain forest' banyan style on a shallow larger oval tray with lots of aerial roots coming down to the soil.