Ficus retusa

[Jamie]

hey guys

and the last one from australian bonsai grower, a ficus retusa, it was called a white bark ficus retusa but im not to positive about this name at all, anyways i bout it for trunk size, i wish some movement was put in but it wasnt so it will most likely get a good strong grow out and then chopped to build the next layer, a long term plan to say the least, unless i go with a different idea and go quite small and hope for shoots in the right place, which is possible but still a long term plan

the root spread on this is ok, it will eventually become a good nebari. (theres that word again, not sure if it should be said lately )

Fretusa1.jpg

Fretusa2.jpg

Fretusa3.jpg

Fretusa rootspread.jpg

jamie

[Bretts]

Nice tree but I would start that root base again Will be much better in to time

[Jamie]

Nice tree but I would start that root base again Will be much better in to time

definatly

[Jamie]

well i finally styled this one, im not keen on the straight section but i think in time when the crown and pads fill out it wont be as noticeable. i am hoping anyways
the root ball was as per usuall a night mare with figs being figs, it got a flat cut and away i went.

Retusa roots.jpg

Retflat.jpg

Retpot.jpg

jamie

[craigw60]

Hi Jamie, I would be a bit worried about that straight section to. With an evergreen you can use foliage to conceal it but these things can end up really bugging you after a few years, sometimes its better to sort them out in the beginning and end up with a much better tree in the long term. You are a young guy with years ahead of you. If you fix it now you will have a first class bonsai before you know it.
Craig

[lowlegs]

hey jamie maybe placing a pot orund it with river sand or shpagnum moss to produce air roots shall thicken it up or maybe consider a graft

[Jamie]

yea i am not sure, that straight section is really distracting me and giving me the s^%&s to be honest, i only see one way around this and its not with airial roots or anything like that. its gonna need the chop for sure, after what it has gone through i think it will definately need to be let grown out till the end of the year. otherwise its root system wont be as strong as i want it to be. it might even go in the ground by next year.

[Jamie]

after having a chat to noah bout this tree i beleive we have come up with a good plan, thread grafting have a shoot come out of where the straght section needs to turn and wire shape in while it grows, this seems to be the best option and saves 6 months or more rebuilding from a chop.

jamie

[Jamie]

ok, i am still stuck with this one... just done a virt, i figure it is gonna get the chop but i need to wait for it to rebuild in strength. heres a virt, full of foliage its not as distracting. but i know it is still there

retusavirt.jpg

jamie.

[Jerry Meislik]

Jamie,
I agree with the idea to grow out and then chop that straight segment back.
Keep us posted.
Jerry

[Pup]

Jamie being a resourceful, young man that straight section can be bent I have seen it done. When Hirotoshi Saitoh was last here we saw him and Eiji Morizumi do it with a 4cm branch.
They used a drill. Taking a drill bit of 3mm measuring 3/4 of the way through the Branch putting a stop on the bit. Then drilled into the branch and moved it side to side.

NOT round and round. in moving from side to side you are cutting the wood like with a saw but not from the out side. From the inside, so when you pull the two surfaces together the cambium meets and it heals with out leaving a big scar, the usual sealing paste was used.
It also works on Junipers as I have done it on a shimpaku clump it is featured on 360.

It has worked well on the branch and has healed in two and a half years.
I hope this helps, I do know there will be more questions that is why I have put it all here in one post.

[EdwardH]

The virt does look good and pup's advice is good as usual. The chop, thread graft, aerial layer and advanced branch bending techniques. You are spoilt for choice! I am looking forward to see what way you go.

[Jamie]

definately some interesting ideas guys. very interested in pups idea! it could save a lot of growing on. i am thinking to do this i will need heavy wire, prob 5-6mm, and either bending jacks or a bending bar. raffia or vet wrap is a must i beleive.

i reckon if i attempt this first i have not much to lose as such except time which i have plenty of, if worst comes to worst it can later be cut back.

im sure i will have more questions for you all, (pup, jerry ) but i think i might try and work this out myself before running for help if i get stuck i will come and see you all.

one question i do have, i dont see a great deal of movement in it just a little wobble, or to another extreme, as sharp as bends as possible. i think a nice subtle wobble will work though

jamie

[Jamie]

well i bit the bullet, figured its a fig, it can get hurt but they generally bounce off walls and since it was such a healthy tree i decided to go at it i used pups idea from the demo he seen and drilled the core out of the trunk. lets just say i was sweating sitting down just thinking bout it

but i figured it was going to get the chop so why not give it a crack.... and thats exactly what happened twice!!!

all in all though i think i managed to do alright, it now has movement in it and is all down to time and how much energy it has to heal the wounds and bounce back. the bottom bend actually split some, i am hoping it comes through alright. im sure it will!

ok enough talk. here it is. virt to follow

Retbent.jpg

overall pretty happy with result, it has saved a lot of growing on time

jamie

after looking at the pic, im not super happy with the left hand branch it needs to go up before it goes back down, i will fix that tomorrow

[Jamie]

virt.

Retbentvirt.jpg