Large Willow Leaf Ficus

[tmmason10]

I thought I'd share my new addition, a Willow Leaf Ficus I got from NE Bonsai. I really liked the way it looked and couldn't leave without it. It is currently in a 10 inch pot, and has about a 1.75 inch trunk. The plan is to just leave it alone until I start with some intensive classes in April, where I assume it will be going into it's first pot. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Especially in what size/shape/color pot, and possible planting angle. Thanks!

 

[treekutter]

nice tree !

 

[edprocoat]

I would say a nice blue pot, but I always choose blue pots! I think the angle its at right now compliments the tree perfectly, it looks like a tree recovered from a damaging storm growing towards the sky again.

ed

 

[Kirk]

As the tips bud out, they will look red. That may give you a few more choices for pot color. I usually select a nice green, cream or blue (not cobalt). You can repot in spring but they really like to be repotted when the outside temps are nice and warm in summer.

Kirk

 

[tmmason10]

Thanks for the responses. I was thinking a rectangular cream pot myself. I agree the angle seems to be right too.

 

[tmmason10]

I was looking through Naka's techniques I for inspiration and I think that plate 3, a silverberry, would be a perfect example of where I should take this. Thoughts?

http://www.betterbonsai.com/profiles/eleagnus/eleag1s.jpg

 

[treebeard55]

Sah-WEET tree! If you can't figure out what to do with it, don't tax yourself; I'll be glad to take the dilemma (and the tree) off your hands.

I think the present angle is pretty good: the tree looks very natural. I can imagine it lying across a clearing in the rain forest, a clearing it created when it toppled part-way.

 

[tmmason10]

This tree went through hell and back. Total disaster once I brought it home but now it's finally healthy. Major leaf drop, and an emergency repotting in April. Longer story but the pictures about sum it up.

 

[tmmason10]

And now let's try some with leaves. Ed, you got your blue pot! (only one big enough I had lying around)

 

[tmmason10]

Anyone ever heard of the Divi trees from Aruba? My wife heard of them from co-worker and she said they look like your ficus. Couldn't agree more, looks like perfect inspiration on a direction for this tree. Man, I wish I was on those beaches right now.

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

Just curious, are those humus pellets on the soil?

A friend of mine got married in Aruba and got to see this tree in person. Sadly he's not a bonsai enthusiast. lol

 

[tmmason10]

Just curious, are those humus pellets on the soil?

A friend of mine got married in Aruba and got to see this tree in person. Sadly he's not a bonsai enthusiast. lol

I'll try and get an updated pic this weekend, this has really filled out in the last month. Though that sounds delicious, no they are not hummus that I know of. It's these. I spread them out on the soil and then liquid fertilize weekly.


http://www.nebonsai.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=NEBG&Product_Code=OFP3oz&Category_Code=FERT

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

Ahhh, sorry: humus* hahaha

 

[tmmason10]

Ahhh, sorry: humus* hahaha

Haha well then. Clearly I was too tired to respond. Or hungry...

 

[Hoosteady]

Glad the tree is budding back after the leaf drop. Least you got a free, unimpeded glimpse of the branch structure.

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

Haha well then. Clearly I was too tired to respond. Or hungry...

Lol, no worries. It was my fault...I had Mediterranean food on the brain.

By the way, very nice tree. I think I may've looked at this one before. . . . When you said "NE bonsai," were you talking about New England Bonsai?

 

[edprocoat]

Those pellets are like a slow release fertilizer, the only difference is the organic pellet stuff can clog your soil causing problems like root rot, also left outside they organic stuff tends to draw rodents and squirrels that may eat your plant as well as drawing many types of bugs. I'd rather use the chemical pellets, the stuff that looks like either white or green or grey little plastic bb's, its slow release fertilizer too, only with less undesirable side effects associated with it. You see the stuff in nursery pots all the time.

ed

 

[tmmason10]

Those pellets are like a slow release fertilizer, the only difference is the organic pellet stuff can clog your soil causing problems like root rot, also left outside they organic stuff tends to draw rodents and squirrels that may eat your plant as well as drawing many types of bugs. I'd rather use the chemical pellets, the stuff that looks like either white or green or grey little plastic bb's, its slow release fertilizer too, only with less undesirable side effects associated with it. You see the stuff in nursery pots all the time.

ed

Yes, it sure is a slow release pellet. I haven't had any problems with animals yet, but you're right it does cause some problems with the soil. Mostly I need to rake the top of the soil, so the water can penetrate. Can you explain how root rot is a problem with these pellets?

 

[tmmason10]

Well, I know no one asked but I thought I'd post some updated pics since I thought the foliage was looking fuller. I was going to leave it alone for a year, but I may bring it to my next class in a month for some work.

 

[ericN]

Thanks for the update Tom, It looks very happy.

Eric