Progression: Ficus Microcarpa Green Island Part 2

[Ricochet]

April 2013


October 2013 Front


October 2013 Left Side


October 2013 Back


October 2013 Right Side


Well there it is... mistakes and all! Really hard sometimes to make a cut but it is coming along nicely... falling into the form I envision it to be in another 5 to 6 years. The tree is under 8 inches and I will try to keep it under 10 inches so semi-Shohin???

One big mistake was probably the removal of very large root on the tree's left side... when I had raised the tree in the pot this one root swelled up and grew like crazy... to the point that it was completely out of portion. The scar left behind is awful just don't know what to do about it other than wait and see??? Another doozy was the removal of a lower branch but again it didn't fall in line with what I saw when I closed my eyes so... I hacked it! I removed a number of aerial roots over the years that weren't going in the right direction. I just learned about this straw method so I will see how this aerial root turns out... I want them to be relatively straight.

This tree has already had three figs. I have at least 12 cuttings growing now from this one tree and one of those cuttings already has had two figs on it!

BTW: this bonsai lives in tropical humid Thailand.

Let the constructive criticism fly I am ready!!!

 

[Ricochet]

A few more pics of the trunk and roots fro your kind review.




It has been advised to cut off the exposed jinned root (as it is too big for the tree) and to angle the left side root cut even further for an improved taper. Below are the suggested cuts and repairs in red:

 

[Redwood Ryan]

It has been advised to cut off the exposed jinned root (as it is too big for the tree) and to angle the left side root cut even further for an improved taper. Below are the suggested cuts and repairs in red:
View attachment 42345

I don't see why you would need to cut the root on the right back any more. The one on the left can be shortened, but the right one looks fine.

 

[Ricochet]

Not cut back in so much as just angled more to help it blend in with the rest of the trunk taper.

 

[cascade]

Aerial roots will create reverse taper. They are either used to feed certain parts of the tree and then removed, or they are growing right next to the trunk so they can be wrapped and fuse with the tree.
When choosing ficus material it is always good to look for a "fuser", a ficus that will readily fuse aerial roots/surface roots. Not all ficus fuse well, not even if they are of the same variety.

Aerial roots are great tools to manipulate and age a tree! Just saying.

Best,
Dorothy

 

[Ricochet]

Thanks Dorothy. Any training suggestions? What do you think about the exposed jinned root on the right of the tree (your left)? Appreciate any/all feedback. Have a wonderful day.

 

[cascade]

Thanks Dorothy. Any training suggestions? What do you think about the exposed jinned root on the right of the tree (your left)? Appreciate any/all feedback. Have a wonderful day.

Sorry for the late reply. If this was my tree I would airlayer in the middle of the trunk.

Best,
Dorothy

 

[Ricochet]

Pardon my ignorance but are you suggesting "air layering" more for the top portion of my tree or to restart/correct growth from the existing trunk and exposed roots?

 

[cascade]

Pardon my ignorance but are you suggesting "air layering" more for the top portion of my tree or to restart/correct growth from the existing trunk and exposed roots?

You will end up with 2 trees. The upper tree will have a much more solid base and better proportions for your top. You have developed some thicker branching already and you will need to match top to base.

The lower tree still needs to have the big root cut, yes.

Best,
Dorothy