Shohin Willow Leaf Ficus

[coh]

I've found that my willow leaf ficuses will hold their leaves most of the winter, but will eventually start shedding interior leaves and sometimes weaker interior shoots - unless I thin them out to get more light inside during the winter.

 

[markyscott]

I've found that my willow leaf ficuses will hold their leaves most of the winter, but will eventually start shedding interior leaves and sometimes weaker interior shoots - unless I thin them out to get more light inside during the winter.

Exactly my sense about them too. A light thinning before winter and lots of light until you get them back out of doors. They don’t grow mock in the greenhouse, but they don’t drop many leaves either.

S

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Sorry to thread-jack, but I keep my WLF in pretty neglected conditions through the winter, east-facing basement window, under the deck. It gets almost no sun, no supplemental light, no increased humidity, like a houseplant. It sheds about 1/2 the interior leaves through the winter and doesn’t grow at all, but also doesn’t show signs of suffering. I set it in the shower every 3-4 days and soak it down. My winter is also pretty short, inside from mid-November to late March.

Scott, yours is looking good. I’ll have to remember this technique.

 

[Carol 83]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the tips. Really nice tree @markyscott, gives me something to shoot for.

 

[markyscott]

Getting ready for the show. This tree will be part of one of the shohin displays. Thinking about changing clothes - I’ll repot right before the show.


And I defoliate the whole tree a couple of weeks ago to force a new flush of growth.


S

 

[Vin]

Definitely!

 

[markyscott]

Best Shohin Tree at Bonsai on the Bayou

 

[Shun]

Amazing tree, mr markyscott! Congratulations on the award!

 

[Silentrunning]

Best Shohin Tree at Bonsai on the Bayou

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Congratulations. That is the type of display that sets a new standard.

 

[Michael P]

Congratulations!

 

[amcoffeegirl]

Best Shohin Tree at Bonsai on the Bayou

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Congrats! Nice pot and great display in general.

 

[Carol 83]

Congratulations, and thank you for taking the time here for your very helpful advice and instruction.

 

[Silentrunning]

Getting ready for the show. This tree will be part of one of the shohin displays. Thinking about changing clothes - I’ll repot right before the show.
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And I defoliate the whole tree a couple of weeks ago to force a new flush of growth.
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S

Scott my WLF is no where close to as nice as yours but it held all its leaves this winter and they are looking ragged. Would it be a good idea to totally defoliate it now in zone 7? It is 4 years old and putting new growth at the branch ends.

 

[markyscott]

Scott my WLF is no where close to as nice as yours but it held all its leaves this winter and they are looking ragged. Would it be a good idea to totally defoliate it now in zone 7? It is 4 years old and putting new growth at the branch ends.

I do not recommend totally defoliating a tree in development.

S

 

[Ali Raza]

I see the manifestation of your hardwork. Good work Pal.

 

[jason biggs]

well deserved.

 

[Nanuk]

Congrats on the win sir.
Great looking tree.

 

[MHBonsai]

Awesome tree! Can you explain your process for healing big wounds with ficus? What sealant? Do you re-score each year or anything different? Looks like you did some work to keep this one healing....

Thanks,

 

[markyscott]

Awesome tree! Can you explain your process for healing big wounds with ficus? What sealant? Do you re-score each year or anything different? Looks like you did some work to keep this one healing....

Thanks,

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Hi MH. I rescore the wound every year and apply this stuff:

 

[Bezalel Nebari]

First defoliation a couple of weeks ago.

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S

This little tree looks dope man. Inspires me to buy a similar looking one from my local nursery. I saw it the other day but didn't get a chance to really study it yet. I'll try to take some photos and maybe you could give me your thoughts on its potential?