AusBonsai

Hi Everyone,

The last couple of days I've defoliated and wired up a couple of Figs ready for summer. Do other people defoliate their figs every year, including mature ones?

The first is a willow leafed fig, going into bonsai pot for the first time. The apex needs sorting out but the structure looks nice.

The second is a strangler fig - Ficus thonningii. These are really popular here in Adelaide as they produce aerial roots despite the dry climate. It was created at the same time and using the same techniques as this post: viewtopic.php?f=133&t=26317

Cheers,
Matt.

The tree/pot combo for that willow leaf fig is pretty special. It's going to be pretty special once it settles into it's new home.

I tend to defoliate the Willow leaf figs more often than the others, and I'm not sure why....I suspect I just get carried away getting rid of all the many shoots from the same spot...

Port Jackson and Green Island tend to get about a 50% defoliation each year. Perhaps this is why I don't get such good ramification as Anthony and others?

I like what you've done with the willow leaf Matt. Look forward to seeing it in person.

Thanks Ryceman, the pot was created by Luke Parsons specifically for this tree. We spent an afternoon discussing options and he really came up with something special.

Mel - I'm guessing you can get away with defoliating figs up your way better than down here. Thanks for your feedback!

Matt.

Mel - I'm guessing you can get away with defoliating figs up your way better than down here.

I suspect you're right, Matt. I also need to be more vigilant with feeding them. Yours look like they're coping very well with your regime!

I forgot to mention the benjis tend to be defoliated a bit more than the larger leafed varieties too. Timing them so they leaf out with lovely shiny new leaves just in time for an exhibition is fun....NOT!