AusBonsai

Hi All,

Another progression for my second Ficus Microcarpa.

This one is just planted in some well draining mix with a lot of DL

A couple of pics: This one has some nice thickness down low, but as always i think it could be better. I have planted it fairly low in the pot to try and develop the nebari (which i hope helps).

Would anyone have and comments or suggestions for this one?

Cheers,
Adan

Grow for one year - keep the two low shoots and make sure they grow unrestrained - in a year - cut above the second shoot - make a new cutting/aerial layer of the top (Fig # 4). Let the two remaining shoots grow unrestrained, the 2nd shoot becomes the new top - the 1st shoot becomes a sacrifice branch - see Mathew's post on sacrifice branches. You will get a lovely thick taper with this one.

Ficus microcarpa - small-fruited-fig / hills fig / white bark fig / many common names to this critter.

Ash

Ash wrote:Grow for one year - keep the two low shoots and make sure they grow unrestrained - in a year - cut above the second shoot - make a new cutting/aerial layer of the top (Fig # 4). Let the two remaining shoots grow unrestrained, the 2nd shoot becomes the new top - the 1st shoot becomes a sacrifice branch - see Mathew's post on sacrifice branches. You will get a lovely thick taper with this one.

Ficus microcarpa - small-fruited-fig / hills fig / white bark fig / many common names to this critter.

Ash

Gold that advice !!!

Once again, thanks for the advise Ash

Update 18/07/2012

Going alright in bonsai mix with healthy dosing of DL Should i be removing some of the lower branches and suckers close to the base? (sorry for bad quality phone pics)

Update 19/10/12

This one is putting on some nice growth.

Re the suckers, If they are swelling the base of the trunk too much then remove them. but they will thicken the trunk and nebari fast if you leave them there.

You will have to watch any roots become too big too fast but that will be a problem unique to you there

Ken

This one also felt the wraith of my snips

It was looking very straight and uninspiring so i chopped back hard (hopefully not to hard)

Thought i would leave the sucker to try and get some more thickness at the base.
Still not exactly sure what im doing so we will see how it goes