Epic Tropicals I aspire to

[thams]

I visited the National Arboretum this weekend to see what's blooming. The ficus I saw there gives me something to reach for.

 

[thams]

Also, 2 olives that I particularly love. Any one olive in the forest planting would make a fantastic shohin -- together they are awesome!

 

[Redwood Ryan]

You planning on going to the show/sale there in a few weeks?

 

[thams]

You planning on going to the show/sale there in a few weeks?

Yep, that's the plan. I'm going to try to see as many demos/lectures as possible.

 

[Poink88]

Check the trees on this link...

http://www.happybonsai.com/guangzhou-penjing-bonsai-exhibition/

View attachment 34764

 

[A Random User]

I visited the National Arboretum this weekend to see what's blooming. The ficus I saw there gives me something to reach for.

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Wanted to mention something... For anyone new to the world of "wiring" a tree.
Ficus, because of their very fast growing nature have a tendency , when wired,
to cut into the bark... as in the third picture.

Now don't be sad when this happens... And it will. Ficus can grow out even
the deepest of scars, often this is done on purpose to give an apperance of age
to the tree.... When the tree is wired the next time, it is done in the opposite
way so that the scars will cross over the previous ones, this "X" scarring on a
Ficus will give a very old appearance.

Now for those of you very adventurous... Wire can even be left on the tree.
Ficus will grow right over the wire, in a realitively short amount of time. This
is a great tool for adding thickness to an area like the trunk, or perhaps even
a main branch. Just be sure that what ever tree you preform this on, it has
no plans, till it's appearance has worked it's way out... But. awesome technique
for making large trunks off of very small cuttings.

 

[rockm]

Thams,

You don't say where you are, but if you're after some excellent ficus pre-bonsai, I saw some great, lower priced ficus down at Gardens Unlimited in Fredericksburg in late March. Best ficus I've seen in quite a while and not hugely expensive.

 

[thams]

Thams,

You don't say where you are, but if you're after some excellent ficus pre-bonsai, I saw some great, lower priced ficus down at Gardens Unlimited in Fredericksburg in late March. Best ficus I've seen in quite a while and not hugely expensive.

I totally didn't realize my location wasn't updated. I've heard of Gardens Unlimited, but I haven't ever been there. I definitely need to check this place out. Looks like Saturdays are open to the public for bonsai purchasing. I'll shoot them an email and see if they still have any ficus around. Thanks!!

 

[rockm]

Unfortunately, believe it or not, they don't use a computer regularly or at all.

A telephone call would be better.

Best thing would be to go there and have a look around. You won't be sorry you went. Promise.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I totally didn't realize my location wasn't updated. I've heard of Gardens Unlimited, but I haven't ever been there. I definitely need to check this place out. Looks like Saturdays are open to the public for bonsai purchasing. I'll shoot them an email and see if they still have any ficus around. Thanks!!

Not if I beat you to it!!

 

[thams]

Unfortunately, believe it or not, they don't use a computer regularly or at all.

A telephone call would be better.

Best thing would be to go there and have a look around. You won't be sorry you went. Promise.

Heh, I've noticed this from the lack of a website altogether. I'll have to just jump in my car and go for a visit then. This could be bad for my wallet...

 

[october]

I found this pic many years ago. I have always considered it to be one of the most beautiful ficus bonsai is existence. I believe it is from Taiwan.

Rob

 

[thams]

I found this pic many years ago. I have always considered it to be one of the most beautiful ficus bonsai is existence. I believe it is from Taiwan.

Rob

I've never understood why some people consider ficus to be throw away or amateur bonsai material. There are so many beautiful examples that I can't understand why someone would discount it so quickly. I know they're more difficult to grow in colder climates, but I think everyone should have at least one in their collection.

 

[rockm]

"This could be bad for my wallet..."

Yeah, probably

 

[october]

I've never understood why some people consider ficus to be throw away or amateur bonsai material. There are so many beautiful examples that I can't understand why someone would discount it so quickly. I know they're more difficult to grow in colder climates, but I think everyone should have at least one in their collection.

There are, most likely, a few reasons for this. First, as rockm pointed out, a great ficus or even great material can be a bit pricey. 2, they are tropicals. Many, including myself, do not want to have to set up special lighting and conditions all winter to keep them. If you live in a cold climate, you have to tend to them all winter as well as the rest of the year. Also, when pests move in on them and the tree is indoors, it becomes a hassle to spray and isolate the tree.

The other reason is probably because most of the ficus material out there is very young and not worth the years it would take to make it become even a mediocre bonsai.

Rob

 

[rockm]

I gave up on them long ago. Too much work to keep them happy in a temperate climate, especially in the winter. Without hothouses and/or humidfiers, supplemental light fixtures they're not growing, but sulking or gathering spider mites, or dropping leaves, or all three.

Too hard and I need a bonsai break in the winter. Outdoor trees are vastly easier and immediately more rewarding for me...

 

[Don Blackmond]

I gave up on them long ago. Too much work to keep them happy in a temperate climate, especially in the winter. Without hothouses and/or humidfiers, supplemental light fixtures they're not growing, but sulking or gathering spider mites, or dropping leaves, or all three.

Too hard and I need a bonsai break in the winter. Outdoor trees are vastly easier and immediately more rewarding for me...

X1.........

 

[thams]

There are, most likely, a few reasons for this. First, as rockm pointed out, a great ficus or even great material can be a bit pricey. 2, they are tropicals. Many, including myself, do not want to have to set up special lighting and conditions all winter to keep them. If you live in a cold climate, you have to tend to them all winter as well as the rest of the year. Also, when pests move in on them and the tree is indoors, it becomes a hassle to spray and isolate the tree.

The other reason is probably because most of the ficus material out there is very young and not worth the years it would take to make it become even a mediocre bonsai.

Rob

I totally understand the hassle with all the requirements. I really just meant that people should give them a shot if they're at all curious. They're just great little trees to work on!

 

[mat]

Here, everyone has them, of course. Not that everyone has great ones..., but they're easy to keep alive. Some Ficus species respond perfectly to most any bonsai technique. pruning back to nothing, grafting, cuttings, backbuds everywhere, cramming into tiny pots, trunks continuing to thicken in small pots...a fun genus for sure. Even better a few hundred miles South.

Typing "taiwan ficus bonsai" into google yields some spectacular results.

 

[D'Angelo]

I've never understood why some people consider ficus to be throw away or amateur bonsai material. There are so many beautiful examples that I can't understand why someone would discount it so quickly. I know they're more difficult to grow in colder climates, but I think everyone should have at least one in their collection.

I agree!!!...Thats why I only have one in my collection...