Creating a Flared Base on a Ficus

[Redwood Ryan]

Did some more cuttings yesterday.

Take your cutting(s):

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Then, take a box cutter (it's what I prefer, others suggest trunk splitters, but I could never get it right using those) and carefully cut down the middle of the cutting, making 4 sections. And if you're not wearing gloves, you can easily cut your finger, like I did:

 

[jkd2572]

Have you thought about taking the split higher all the way up to the first branch to create even better taper? Sumo.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Have you thought about taking the split higher all the way up to the first branch to create even better taper? Sumo.

Nah, that'd be a bit too dramatic. I'm just trying to get roots to sprout and grow through the wedges, then thicken themselves and let the wedges thicken as well. Taking the split up that high would be a bit tacky IMO, and take forever to heal.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

And another:
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So here's this guy today, after a prune/style.



The base is getting pretty gnarly:

 

[MidMichBonsai]

I wonder if the same technique with a piece of tile or wood just below the base of the cutting would force the new roots out and thereby create an even more dramatic flare. I definitely like the original thought and wonder if the technique could be further improved in this way?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I wonder if the same technique with a piece of tile or wood just below the base of the cutting would force the new roots out and thereby create an even more dramatic flare. I definitely like the original thought and wonder if the technique could be further improved in this way?

What I'm trying to do with this technique is just increase the size of the trunk in a shorter period of time. Screwing the Ficus to a plank of wood would work, but it wouldn't increase trunk size as quickly as this would.

 

[MidMichBonsai]

What I'm trying to do with this technique is just increase the size of the trunk in a shorter period of time. Screwing the Ficus to a plank of wood would work, but it wouldn't increase trunk size as quickly as this would.

Yes but what if you were able to accomplish both at the same time? Add girth to the trunk and as it entered the soil it flared out. Wouldn't it be great to kill 2 birds with 1 stone?

I supposed if you do not desire flare in the final design then this would not be helpful but it seems to me that a thicker trunk and flare would be a stellar way to develop these trunks in a fairly short period of time.

Thanks for the technique. I think I'm going to have to try this with a Ficus Retusa of mine that has a far too manufactured S curve in the trunk for my liking. I think I will create a shohin out of the base and use this techniques for a brand new tree. Are there any limitations on trunk thickness from your experience. My ficus has about a 1" trunk.

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Yes but what if you were able to accomplish both at the same time? Add girth to the trunk and as it entered the soil it flared out. Wouldn't it be great to kill 2 birds with 1 stone?

I supposed if you do not desire flare in the final design then this would not be helpful but it seems to me that a thicker trunk and flare would be a stellar way to develop these trunks in a fairly short period of time.

Thanks for the technique. I think I'm going to have to try this with a Ficus Retusa of mine that has a far too manufactured S curve in the trunk for my liking. I think I will create a shohin out of the base and use this techniques for a brand new tree. Are there any limitations on trunk thickness from your experience. My ficus has about a 1" trunk.

Thanks,
Dan

I've seen it done where people flare out the base with the flaps, then they stick the cutting on a flat disk and drive a screw up through the middle, and into the cutting. That way when the new roots that grow will hit the disc and grow out radially.

I wouldn't say there are limitations to this method size-wise, but I have found that the larger the cutting the harder it is to get any sort of flare, as the flaps are much thicker and harder to manipulate.

 

[Deadwood]

If this is a repeated question, sorry, but how would this teqnique work with other species? very interesting.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I found this an interesting topic...thanks for sharing!

 

[Redwood Ryan]

If this is a repeated question, sorry, but how would this teqnique work with other species? very interesting.

Good question that I unfortunately cannot answer. I'm just a Ficus person so they're the only species I've tried it on.

 

[lordy]

I saw this on IBC a while ago. This guy is good, but this technique is nuts.
As it says all over the video, dont try this at home, or anywhere else for that matter.

http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t...se-taper-the-only-option-radical-tree-surgery

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I saw this on IBC a while ago. This guy is good, but this technique is nuts.
As it says all over the video, dont try this at home, or anywhere else for that matter.

http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t...se-taper-the-only-option-radical-tree-surgery

Yeah I saw that! I definitely would never do that on such a large tree.