Strangler Figs

[KayaMooney]

How many of you Floridians mess around with our Florida Strangler (F. Aurea)? I have a few that I've recently collected and I wanted to see what others have done with them and how they've dealt with their large leaf size and poor ramification. The only time I've seen this used as a bonsai before was one from Adam Lavigne's blog posts.

Link to the post for those that are curious:
http://adamaskwhy.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/strangler-fig-bonsai-say-what/

 

[Redwood Ryan]

There probably isn't a whole lot you can do with them. I haven't seen a follow up post for that tree, but the large leaf size is definitely an issue. He created a large tree, so that would probably be the only thing you can do, large trees.

 

[KayaMooney]

Obviously It'd have to be a larger tree and they may not be the most practical but they grow in my backyard... So why not? Saying large trees is the only thing you can do is kind of a broad statement too. There are many things I could do with the species, It would just has to be on a larger scale.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Obviously It'd have to be a larger tree and they may not be the most practical but they grow in my backyard... So why not? Saying large trees is the only thing you can do is kind of a broad statement too. There are many things I could do with the species, It would just has to be on a larger scale.

Sure, but how do you fix the poor ramification?Not all Ficus are made for bonsai.

 

[KayaMooney]

Sure, but how do you fix the poor ramification?Not all Ficus are made for bonsai.

You defoliate it, cut back hard and work around it. Why are you commenting in this thread if you're just going against the topic? I know of all the downsides with this plant but you're not being of any help.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

You defoliate it, cut back hard and work around it. Why are you commenting in this thread if you're just going against the topic? I know of all the downsides with this plant but you're not being of any help.

Wow, forgive me. I won't offer my advice to you anymore. I'm not going against the topic. You asked how to deal with the issues, and I gave my answer.


(P.S. That won't solve the poor ramification problem)

 

[KayaMooney]

Do you even have any of this species? I'm asking about people in Florida who've had first hand experience with the species and you don't seem to fall into either of those categories.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Do you even have any of this species? I'm asking about people in Florida who've had first hand experience with the species and you don't seem to fall into either of those categories.

No, because I know better. I've done my reading and know which species make good subjects and which don't. You've only been in this hobby for 2 years. Take it from someone who has grown the suitable varieties and knows what makes a good species. You seem so bent on wasting time with this species. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

 

[KayaMooney]

I'm not bent up on wasting time with it. It grows everywhere around here and It'd be fun to mess around with, obviously It'd never be a show quality tree.
I have tons of other trees to work on and I've grown plenty "suitable varieties" too, I've probably grown more than you have considering I don't have to bring my tropicals in for half the year.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I'm not bent up on wasting time with it. It grows everywhere around here and It'd be fun to mess around with, obviously It'd never be a show quality tree.
I have tons of other trees to work on and I've grown plenty "suitable varieties" too, I've probably grown more than you have considering I don't have to bring my tropicals in for half the year.

Whatever dude.

 

[thams]

Do you even have any of this species? I'm asking about people in Florida who've had first hand experience with the species and you don't seem to fall into either of those categories.

I've never grown a Strangler fig as a bonsai before, but you should contact (or visit if possible) Schley's or Wigert's. I've seen both nurseries selling Stranglers so they might have some resources they could provide you. It might be worth submitting a question on the topic to Jerry Meislik -- he might even post the question (and his answer) on his website.

Good luck!