Pre bonsai Port Jackson

[Ben Thomas]

Have recently bought an awesome pre bonsai port Jackson fig. Have done a little wiring, and im now wondering if I should repot into another training pot or go straight into a bonsai pot? And when is the best time of year to be transferring p.j figs??

[Ray M]

Hi Ben,
It would be great if you could post a photo. What diameter is the trunk at present and what size trunk would you like to eventually develop? This will have an influence on what pot you put the tree into at this point of it's development. I would wait until it is much hotter before re-potting.

Regards Ray

[Ben Thomas]

Hi Ray. I'm going to try put up the pic I've just taken. Trunk now about 35mm across. No particular goal for end thickness really.

[Bush bunny]

Nice one. I am envious!

[Ray M]

Hi Ray. I'm going to try put up the pic I've just taken. Trunk now about 35mm across. No particular goal for end thickness really.

Hi Ben,
The tree looks healthy. If you want to develop a thicker trunk, leave it in the bigger pot. If your happy with this size tree, you can put it in a bonsai pot. If you choose this option, leave it until the weather warms up a lot more. At this time I would fertilize it and continue with your development.

Regards Ray

[Ben Thomas]

Thanks for your advice Ray, was thinking along those lines, thinking of maybe repotting it into a larger but shallower training pot. I don't know how long its been since it was repotted/fresh soil as the pot its in looks pretty old n weather worn.

Cheers Ben

[Ray M]

Thanks for your advice Ray, was thinking along those lines, thinking of maybe repotting it into a larger but shallower training pot. I don't know how long its been since it was repotted/fresh soil as the pot its in looks pretty old n weather worn.

Cheers Ben

Hi Ben,
Personally I would leave it in the pot. Feed it well. When the weather warms up then put it in a bigger pot.

Regards Ray

[kcpoole]

Decide how big you want the tree to be, and how big the trunk you want to achieve

Repot in the warmer months
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Ficus

Ken

[Ben Thomas]

All good. Thanks for your ideas/info Ray and Ken.

[gerald randall]

This tree looks very much like the Wild Figs we have in our neck of the woods. One of my favourite species. Easy to grow from cuttings, of all sizes. Easy to layer and they grow very fast.

Just a question, does this species also make air roots which run down the side of the tree?

My five cents, all figs like to be worked on when the night and days are warm. November and beyond. I have mine waiting to be potted and then some which I think must come out the ground as they must have fused onto the rocks I have them growing in.

[Ben Thomas]

To Gerald, you have figs in the ground growing over rock? Cool idea! Does it work? Like a pic if poss. Interesting as

[gerald randall]

Ben, these are not my trees. They happen to be on my tablet.

After years, the roots can totally cover the rock it gives a very dramatic taper when that happen. Some growers graft roots to cover the rock. I like to see the rock.

[Bush bunny]

My pre-bonsai ficus (Port Jackson) are all throwing out aerial roots. Mind you I killed my first one, it didn't like the colder weather in Autumn. I brought it in, but it was gone. I got a rebate from Bunnings though. I am keeping these in my aquarium to keep them warm, and they are doing OK, throwing out new leaves and aerial roots.

[gerald randall]

Bunny

If this is the same species, they typically like tropical or sub tropical weather. We are not in that, but we never have temperatures under zero. It's cold and wet, but we never have frost. If you get frost, you are likely to struggle with them. We struggle in areas which get frost. They lose their leaves and often just freeze. Literally. Very porous trees and hold a lot of moisture. When the moisture freezes, the tree dies. You will have to make a plan if you get frost.

In our part of the world, they drop most of their leaves in winter, because it's a bit cold for them, but recover well in spring.

I will post some pictures of some of mine once they are in full leaf again.