AusBonsai

Species: Ficus Celebense
Height: 140mm
Origin: Airlayer from a Tree won at "Bonsai by the Harbour"
Cost: Nil

Entry #1, is an airlayer ( taken off in Jan 2011), from a Tree won in the raffle at "Bonsai By the Harbour" in 2010.
At least that is the Species on the tag of the tree, but if proven differnet then will be happy.
Note the Photo of the tree being separated has some grafting tape on the branch wich will be the Apex. This was done to try and save the bark on it as the branch go cracked and separated while cutting the Layer off above it. There was no wire used in the attemp, but grafting tape only and the attempt failed as can be seen in the later Photos.

Ken

such a nice day today and decisions to make.
As I have really mild conditions here and are well protected, I can repot figs earlier than most
I need to decide what will be the eventual apex so this ficus gets a repot to the new angle
Here are the before shots from today
Ken

ps, Lovely roots have developed all around since taking as a layer last summer

the 2 options for new trunk angle and apex, Decisions decisions
Hope I pick the best one

Ken

Decision made with the help of a quick virt or 2

Tilted to the right with a full canopy I think

Ken

Hi Ken,

That looks good! Handsome little trunk that it is. My untrained eye prefers the right slanted angle too. I don't know why but the left slanted angle just looks wrong to me.
Going to be a solid little Shohin. It's funny, now I have seen all the other entries after first touches, I realised my competition choices weren't the best.
Good luck Ken! Not that you need it....

Cheers
Paul

howdy Ken
definatly right hand slant it has got great looks that way
cheers dean

Spoony wrote:Hi Ken,

That looks good! Handsome little trunk that it is. My untrained eye prefers the right slanted angle too. I don't know why but the left slanted angle just looks wrong to me.
Going to be a solid little Shohin. It's funny, now I have seen all the other entries after first touches, I realised my competition choices weren't the best.
Good luck Ken! Not that you need it....

Cheers
Paul

Thanks
does not necessarily matter if your own choices are the greatest or not, What does matter is that you took the time and effort to
Think of an entry and its possibilities.
Have a plan to execute them
and take the time to look at other entries and think of them thru your own eyes to learn from them

The combination of these, will definitely affect your skills and knowledge in Bonsai. comps like this will do wonders for Aussie Bonsai in the years ahead

Ken

After the days work on this one, it is now back on the bench after soaking in Seasol and potted in my Diatomite / Zeolite mix. Now ready to power on for the next few months

Ken

The last tree has not missed a beat, but being a ficus does not surprise me

I have taken out the top of this one to try and promote back budding, on the trunk.

This weekend these 3 trees will get their first Fertilizer since repotting. they so far have had only Seasol, so will now get charlie carp Liquid feed, and a small handfull of Neutrog sudden impact on the soil surface.

Ken

Another update.
Quite happily putting out shoots near the ends, but no back budding on the trunk or branches

Might have to graft some where I would like them

Ken

Gahhh Double post Sorry

Ken

Growing well with lots of terminal shoots and ramification happening. Not getting any back budding so have wired a branch I had left for the purpose downand will do and approach graft onto the back of the trunk. I will let this branch grow as much as possible

have trimmed back to build ramification and wired all shoots so will see how we go over the next few months.

Ken

Updated Pics
the Ramification is progressing on the right branch and Apex, but the right branch I think is too long maybey?
The Approach graft for a back branch looks like it might work so hope it grafts by the comp end

The tree is on a Sheltered bench in full sun and I hope it continues to develop over winter

Ken

Ken,
coming along very well.
Jerry
PS I would say it is definitely not celebensis.

Jerry Meislik wrote:Ken,
coming along very well.
Jerry
PS I would say it is definitely not celebensis.

thnak Jerry, Any idea what it might be?
I have not been able to get anyone to give me the definitive answer. Celebensis was what it was labelled as

Ken