Drastic changes for a ficus - will it live?

[lackhand]

So I've had this ficus for years. When I first bought it, I thought it was beautiful beyond measure, and anticipated having an amazing bonsai in a very short time. Then I learned a little about bonsai, and realized it wasn't great. Then I learned some more and realized it was ugly. Then I learned some more and . . . well you can see where this is going. I decided it needed something drastic to have any future at all, so . . .

I lopped the top off as a cutting (another one was taken a few months ago and it is doing great).

IMG_1976.jpg

Then I put the base on a rock.

IMG_1977.jpg

There are a decent amount of roots, and some are long enough to reach the soil already. Hopefully I'll get some back budding, but one of the problems with the tree is that I could never get it to back bud down that low before. The roots were really long and ugly too, nowhere near radial. I know, this seems very extreme, but I've been thinking about it for quite a while and finally decided the root work and thread grafting necessary to fix this thing were not worth the effort. So if it dies, I'm okay with having the one strong cutting I already took. I'm confident this cutting will grow well too, and though it clearly needs some work, at least I can start with a good radial root mass. I'll let the trunk decide if it wants to have a future as a bonsai.

So let me know what you think, did I kill it or not? I've opened the poll for five days and I'll report results back as it (hopefully) grows. P.S. - If you're one who cares, the base had a good soak in Superthrive following rock placement.

[cre8ivbonsai]

both will live, Ficus are generally hardy buggers!

Good luck (but I don't think you'll need it!)

[Jason]

lol sounds like exactly the same process I went through with a Mel that I bought for my first bonsai. Its been sitting there for a while now.... and I cannot figure out what to do with it. Have just been experimenting with it, but is not going anywhere. To embarrassed to post and ask for advice on it lol


From what I've heard though, ficus can handle a lot, so both should be right

[bamboos]

Gday,
I think it will be ok. Not sure about he variety but most figs will survive a light pruning like this You are coming into spring so its all good
Steve

[lackhand]

Gday,
I think it will be ok. Not sure about he variety but most figs will survive a light pruning like this You are coming into spring so its all good
Steve

Ah yes, somehow the species didn't make it into the description. It is a ficus benjamina. Spring should definitely help it recover. I've been back and forth from thinking they'll both be fine, to thinking I just killed my tree. Patience and proper care is all that's left for now though.

[lackhand]

After a lot of thought, I've decided to go out on a limb and enter both of these into the shohin comp. Hopefully they don't let me down. I know these are a stretch for the competition, but I really wanted to try to push the limits and see what I can make in 18 months.

Oh, and as they are in the comp, please no virtuals here (not that there is much danger of that with these).