How to start these two Morton Bay figs

rudy · Post by **rudy** » January 14th, 2013, 12:40 pm

Hi All,

I have these two Morton Bay figs that i need to make a start on some general direction. Just don't know how to start. They have been heavily pruned and defoliated recently and are doing well.

Do I select a couple of leaders on the fat stumpy one and carve a V between them and try and develop a broom style.

The one in the black pot is pot bound and needs a repot. Would like to do something with intial direction setting while repotting.

Any ideas will be much appreciated as i don't have an artistic bone in my body.

Best Regards
Rudy

Isitangus · Post by **Isitangus** » January 14th, 2013, 12:48 pm

The first one looks like its already broom style although needs some leaders on the crown/top... The second one-keep the long leader coming off the side & cut back to encourage back branching on it. Then choose a strong leader which will give a good shape/outline on the main body near the top.

Post by **Bougy Fan** » January 14th, 2013, 2:34 pm

Depends on how big you want the finished trees and if you had a particular style in mind

rudy · Post by **rudy** » January 14th, 2013, 2:40 pm

Hi

I would like these to be big so trying to work out the best way to start. I like the idea of a broom for the chunky one but not sure what to keep and do i carve.

Regards
Rudy

Post by **kcpoole** » January 14th, 2013, 6:04 pm

rudy wrote:Hi

I would like these to be big so trying to work out the best way to start. I like the idea of a broom for the chunky one but not sure what to keep and do i carve.

Regards
Rudy

For the taller of the 2, Select 1 leader, and cut everything else off and wire to give movement. let i grow as fast as it can until the trunk is of sufficient size.

The other, Select your 2 leaders then remove everything else. Wire them both to shape and carver the top of the trunk to suit.

Ken

Ash · Post by **Ash** » January 14th, 2013, 7:42 pm

Hi Rudy,

Given that the top of tree one is healed and has no scar, I would not carve it. Carving in figs is not always successful long term and will slow the development of the tree in the short term. You can always come back and do it further down the track when you have a better idea of the shape based on growth and branches yet to come.

One thing I would recommend at this stage is to remove one of two branches where two emerge from the trunk at the same point. For the broom / banyan style I would let the chosen branches grow long, cut them back hard to a few nodes, do it again etc. For the second I would chose a leading branch or two as recommended by Ken and let them grow long before cutting them back hard to a few nodes.

When you next repot you could spread the base roots. If you grow roots and buttress at the same time you will get better base flare.

have fun

Ash

anttal63 · Post by **anttal63** » January 15th, 2013, 7:26 am

Hi Rudy i think you should bring them around here and together we will take care of them, no prob !!!

AusBonsai