Ficus mallsai progression

[AcerSai]

I picked up this ficus "bonsai" at Wal Mart because I liked the curve at the base of the trunk. But the tree was the standard curvy S trunk with no branches except about 10 shoots growing out of the very top. I considered just chopping it down to size but I've had mixed results with doing that with ficus, and the buds never pop where you want them to. So I decided to let the shoots on top grow wild for a summer, then used them to thread graft branches where I wanted them. This is a progression of about a year and a half.





As you can see the "entrance wounds" had grafted nicely, so the top was cut off along with the donor branches.









After some time to grow...as well as some cuttings grafted on for the aerial root look...



Defoliated, and excess shoots removed, and a little movement into what will be the apex...



First real pot, not the best choice but it'll do...





And now, repotted into a glazed pot, that is admittedly too narrow, but will do for now.



Now for a summer of clip and grow. I'm excited to see how this progresses. Any thoughts or input greatly appreciated!

Peace! -Adam

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Very nicely done!

 

[bonsaidave]

Agreed nice work indeed.

This reminds me of some of the Vietnamese Bonsai videos I have been watching recently. I would suggest think outside of the japanese box on this one. It already has an interesting trunk and thick roots.

Go down the rabbit hole with this guy's videos on youtube (there is no English in the videos but the trees are interesting):
vinh nguyen bonsai

Have fun!

 

[just.wing.it]

Sweet!
That's a good Walmart find! All the ones I see there are grafted to the "ginseng roots"....

 

[AcerSai]

Yeah they usually are the ugly ginseng root ones, another reason I was attracted to this tigerbark

 

[bonsaidave]

Hey buddy those ugly ones can be fun too

Like my dreaded birthday gift bonsai. If you wonder the style. Drunk style. The only time I work it is when drinking
Can you tell?

 

[AcerSai]

hahaha I know that style well, actually. Nothing goes with a 3 hour wiring session like a 6 pack of IPA!

My mother in law has a ginseng ficus she's had for years. She saw my trees and wants to do something bonsai-esque with it. I'll show her your photos so she knows there's hope. hehe Thanks for sharing!