Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
+2
leatherback
Ryan
6 posters
Page 1 of 1
Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Hey all,
I took a trip up to a local bonsai nursery last weekend in the hunt for some new stock. I'm a Ficus guy, so naturally I got more Ficus. This tree is one of the new trees I picked up. It's got a very attractive base, but there are very few bottom branches. I just thought I'd gather some opinions on what you all would think would work best in terms of creating some bottom branching. Would you all just chop and hope for the best? Would you root some cuttings and fuse them? Any comments overall on this tree are welcome, thanks!
I took a trip up to a local bonsai nursery last weekend in the hunt for some new stock. I'm a Ficus guy, so naturally I got more Ficus. This tree is one of the new trees I picked up. It's got a very attractive base, but there are very few bottom branches. I just thought I'd gather some opinions on what you all would think would work best in terms of creating some bottom branching. Would you all just chop and hope for the best? Would you root some cuttings and fuse them? Any comments overall on this tree are welcome, thanks!
Ryan- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Depending on where you are.. Probasbly if you get the tree nice and strong, and then trim it all off, it would sprout with branches all over the place. But a more gentle approach would be to use the few basal branches, and do a threadgraft with them & their side-branches.
leatherback- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
leatherback wrote:Depending on where you are.. Probasbly if you get the tree nice and strong, and then trim it all off, it would sprout with branches all over the place. But a more gentle approach would be to use the few basal branches, and do a threadgraft with them & their side-branches.
Yeah that may just be my best option, get the tree super healthy then really begin chopping it back...
Ryan- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
You could graft new branches on wherever you want them.
FrankP999- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Ryan wrote:leatherback wrote:Depending on where you are.. Probasbly if you get the tree nice and strong, and then trim it all off, it would sprout with branches all over the place. But a more gentle approach would be to use the few basal branches, and do a threadgraft with them & their side-branches.
Yeah that may just be my best option, get the tree super healthy then really begin chopping it back...
This is what I was going to suggest Ryan. You do great work with Ficus. Feed strong and cut hard.
I just did that with a Ficus Kinmen that I took down to about 4 inches from 12 inches and I'm getting buds all the way down to the base. I removed all the branches and only left 2 leaves. All the foliage was up top.
I don't know your climate though. We're at peak heat here in Raleigh. I assume you are too. It sure looks healthy from your photos.
Keep us posted.
Sam
Sam Ogranaja- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
That's a nice fat Willow Leaf on the second picture, on the right. Have you shown that here before?
Have a great weekend!!!
Sam
Have a great weekend!!!
Sam
Sam Ogranaja- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Sam Ogranaja wrote:Ryan wrote:leatherback wrote:Depending on where you are.. Probasbly if you get the tree nice and strong, and then trim it all off, it would sprout with branches all over the place. But a more gentle approach would be to use the few basal branches, and do a threadgraft with them & their side-branches.
Yeah that may just be my best option, get the tree super healthy then really begin chopping it back...
This is what I was going to suggest Ryan. You do great work with Ficus. Feed strong and cut hard.
I just did that with a Ficus Kinmen that I took down to about 4 inches from 12 inches and I'm getting buds all the way down to the base. I removed all the branches and only left 2 leaves. All the foliage was up top.
I don't know your climate though. We're at peak heat here in Raleigh. I assume you are too. It sure looks healthy from your photos.
Keep us posted.
Sam
Thanks Sam. I definitely plan on feeding strong, and it's in a bigger pot now, so hopefully it really starts to push some growth. Ficus are prolific back budders, so I should be fine regardless if I cut it back.
Ryan- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
I like it a lot.
Thanks for showing me.
Have a great weekend!!!!
Thanks for showing me.
Have a great weekend!!!!
Sam Ogranaja- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Ryan, where is this local bonsai nursery that you go to? I like your ficus, especially the fat Willow Leaf!
Thanks,
Todd
Thanks,
Todd
Todd Ellis- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Sam Ogranaja wrote:I like it a lot.
Thanks for showing me.
Have a great weekend!!!!
Thanks, it'll get there!
Todd Ellis wrote:Ryan, where is this local bonsai nursery that you go to? I like your ficus, especially the fat Willow Leaf!
Thanks,
Todd
It's Meehans bonsai nursery up in Maryland, great place and wonderful people.
Ryan- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
I haven't been to their "new" nursery since they moved from Boonsboro, Maryland. Hugh and Martha are great people!
Todd Ellis- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Todd Ellis wrote:I haven't been to their "new" nursery since they moved from Boonsboro, Maryland. Hugh and Martha are great people!
You should go! It's a huge place, I fall in love every time I visit. Hugh and Martha are wonderful caring people, I agree.
Ryan- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Hello,Todd Ellis wrote:I haven't been to their "new" nursery since they moved from Boonsboro, Maryland. Hugh and Martha are great people!
Have you guys been down to see the guys at "gardens unlimited" in ladysmith ...i think off of exit 104 on I-95?
We have over the years got some unique items from them.....but my dads best ficus actually came from merrifield garden center of all places!
Bryan
rrubberbandman- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
That is a great Ficus!!! I love it. I wish I had one like that.Ryan wrote:By the way Sam, here's a picture of that Willow Leaf after a trim tonight to select the main branches. Tried wiring them, but they're much too thin for my big hands to work with
Are you coming to Carolina Bonsai Expo this October? Arthur puts on a great show.
Sam Ogranaja- Member
Re: Creating Bottom Branching on Ficus
Wish I could, but it's too far of a drive for meSam Ogranaja wrote:
Are you coming to Carolina Bonsai Expo this October? Arthur puts on a great show.
Ryan- Member
Similar topics
» creating aerial roots on a ficus
» Working on another Bald Cypress
» Creating deadwood
» f. Getting the best from your forum Part Three: Posting / Creating new Topics
» Creating the right "Type" of deadwood
» Working on another Bald Cypress
» Creating deadwood
» f. Getting the best from your forum Part Three: Posting / Creating new Topics
» Creating the right "Type" of deadwood
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|