Help please. Reducing retusa leaves

I started this tree with cuttings in 2004:


I did a lot of growing and cutting:


And a lot of work on the roots:


Here it is today:


Can anyone give me some tips on reducing the leaves? Thanks for the help!

pootsie,


don't bother with the leaves at this point, i think it would be wiser to concentrate on the ficus branches ramification, let it grow wild first (branches), don't mind it if it turns ugly while in the process of growing branches. with the size of your tree youl easily get the right trunk and branch proportion. your ficus is sexy with a good sway and trunk tapering. even presented without leaves, but with a good base, a tapered trunk and branch well ramified your tree will look stunning.
good luck!

jun

Looking good Pootsie. I would say building ramification through regular leaf pruning and trimming will get the leaf size down. More leaves is the key.

Along with the leaf pruning, lots of sun....not sure if it sets next to the bunny as its regular home.

Pootsie,
Great job developing this lovely tree from a cutting. Wow!
Good advice to continue the process of ramification at this point. Grow and defoliate and grow and defoliate should do it.
Another year or two and you have a show stopper.
Jerry
www.bonsaihunk.us

Thanks all for the input!

No, it does not usually live by the bunny. I brought it into the office for a short time just to enjoy something in here, but it lives outside in warm months and under flourescent lights in the chilly Ohio winters.

I had not considered presenting it leafless. I will defo need much more ramification for that!

Back to the sun with you, shohin ficus retusa var. goldengate!

Howdy Pootsie,

First, I love, love, love your Bunny Buddha. Where did you find it?

Second, great job developing that cutting into a fine tree. This is the kind of thing I wish we got to see more of on our site. It's good motivation and direction for newbies to follow.

Your getting really good advice here and I can't add much to it other than it seems you are going for a "pine" style for this tree. It's not how I prefer my ficus, but I think it looks good on this little guy.

Again, kudos.

Ed

All the advice sound(getting ramification /branches first) With a Shohin, once you get the ramification, let a leader branch grow tall(leaves will get big) but other leaves will come out smaller, then cut leader(s) off. Dustin Mann

EdMerc wrote:First, I love, love, love your Bunny Buddha. Where did you find it?

Second-hand store. I call it the Bunnysatva

EdMerc wrote:Second, great job developing that cutting into a fine tree. This is the kind of thing I wish we got to see more of on our site. It's good motivation and direction for newbies to follow.

Thank you very much, and thanks to everyone else!

I guess I'm just being impatient. It's only been 6 years! Nothing in bonsai time.

I may reconsider the "pine" shape, but that is where I headed with the trunk and now I have the trunk.