Ficus b. (too ugly)

[will0911]

i like photo two for the front...has more movement...good luck with your cutting!

 

[MrFancyPlants]

The cutting took... Not real strong yet, but it took. I know because I repotted it a few weeks ago when it wasn't drying the pot out fast enough. And now it has some new leaves. I do like the compact growth on this cultivar. Other than the big leaves, it almost looks like the real deal.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

A quick before and after haircut on the cutting portion of the Ficus b. I was keeping in mind that Pablo Picasso quote that someone has on their signature about how art is the removal of the unnecessary. My wife and I had a laugh about how taking out the trash and using the restroom would also qualify as art in that definition. Of course, I ended up being pretty conservative with the removal of green since it is only ~6 months since it was rooted as a cutting. I mainly just wanted to get some light and air inside the structure.
I have much more to be thankful about this season other than the apparent success of this cutting. I am three weeks into an exciting new job at an exciting new (to me) company after being laid off in early October. It was a stressful month of unemployment especially with having just bought the house this past April, but I certainly cannot complain about the duration of my job search.

Happy thanksgiving,
David Fancyplants

 

[JudyB]

View attachment 44973View attachment 44974View attachment 44975

I am three weeks into an exciting new job at an exciting new (to me) company after being laid off in early October. It was a stressful month of unemployment especially with having just bought the house this past April, but I certainly cannot complain about the duration of my job search.

Happy thanksgiving,
David Fancyplants

Am very glad for you and your family. This level of stress cannot be understated, and having gotten thru it is extremely relieving. And to be excited about your new job is also not to be taken lightly. Thanksgiving indeed...

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Mother plant looking better

I favored the cutting for a while, but mama scored some points with the new pot. Repotted at a home and garden expo with the club. I thing I need to plant much deeper the next time around and do a slow emerge to try and put some fine feeders over those dreadful wiring scars.

 

[KennedyMarx]

Looking good.

I bought a benjamina to play around with a couple of weeks ago. Not sure of the cultivar. I worked the roots and repotted it. I need to chop it lower still (and root the top).

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Here is an update on the boring straight section after a clean-up. The leaves are looking a little ratty from constant fertilizer, but is hard to water the roots but not the leaves when they get this small. I'm tempted to defoliate the old leaves, but only if nice new buds set after this trimming. Too bad I lost that first branch during my holiday vacation in December. It will have to do without for now. I was letting the top run free in favor of a new leader near the mid-point, but I figure it won't hurt to whip the sacrifice growth into shape to drive more energy to this new set of buds or in case I either keep the top or turn into another cutting.

 

[Neli]

I dont think it is ugly...Be careful...it is a B...dont cut branches back without lleaving foliage on them...they will die...You the wedge method to trunk chop it or layer it...it can be a nice tree.
Sorry I did not see page 2...he he he!

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Here is an update on the cutting. I am thinking of reducing to the third branch from the top.. It is easier to see in the older pictures above,but it would add a bit more movement and I can start a new cutting. I was also thinking about taking out the long hook root on the next potting, but I guess it depends on what is underneath.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

The ficus aren't putting on tons of growth this indoor season due to an array of pests and a bit of neglect. I've been busy extending my own lineage(baby boy) and haven't had much time for these three generations of clones. The mother plant has been ata standstill since I repotted at the same time as bringing it indoors. Generally, I would say these can handle 10 to 20 insults a year, but going forward, I am only going to do one insult at a time including bringing them indoors as an insult. Also the benjimina really don't like it in my LED tank either due the humidity or less airflow. The leaves will pick up a sooty looking mildew, so they get the boring t5 and Saharan dryness. I trimmed both if these up figuring some more airflow would do them some good. These are 100% clip and grow. Sorry for the blurry photos.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

The mama (more like big sister) plant is doing pretty well. I just trimmed it up as I brought it in for the winter. With two little(human) ones and a new job, I didn't have much time to work on my trees this past growing season. Consequently, winter is my new growing season for tropicals. Development is much increased when I turn up the LED, hydroponic, fertilize every day, system. Little sister is doing fine too; i’ll Post after I give her a haircut and maybe some minor amputations.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Here is an update on the little sister. It is pretty congested, and might benefit from removing a bottom branch or two. And/or maybe even a defoliation?

 

[MrFancyPlants]

My brother in law helped on (did) the wiring after it’s second trimming for the winter growing season.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Not bad for two months growth... hydroponic bonsai for you.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

The little sister could use a haircut, not to mention trimming her toenails. I kept her in the aquarium long than normal as they actually do better in the LED/hydroponic aquarium than they do outdoors for me these days... maybe just because I give them more fertilizer than.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I could/should take off some duplicative branches and open up the front, but I just changed out the water legs and will put outside, and they can sulk through the transition. Maybe I’ll take to a workshop to talk me through some decisions someday.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

It was tough, but I am pleased with the result. I removed the bottom two branches. I think it is a more balanced and it shows of the grotesque trunk.
I’ll
Try to bring in or replace those branches on the right. It is tricky because in you get them too close in then the leaves just cover the trunk.

 

[LanceMac10]

.....you not careful, that things gonna' take up pottery and buy a damn Harley!!!!!

I could/should take off some duplicative branches and open up the front, but I just changed out the water legs and will put outside, and they can sulk through the transition. Maybe I’ll take to a workshop to talk me through some decisions someday. View attachment 244938View attachment 244939

great lil' fig!!! Nice!! @sorce chinbraid and all!!!!

 

[sorce]

.....you not careful, that things gonna' take up pottery and buy a damn Harley!!!!!


















great lil' fig!!! Nice!! @sorce chinbraid and all!!!!

Lol legit...

Im still laughing!

Sorce

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Time for a haircut for the momma: