Nerifolia in new pot

I repotted one of my Ficus nerifolia's into a glazed green pot last weekend. Still not sure if I like it or not. These trees go thru such a diverse color phase after a leaf pruning ( red to yellow to light green to dark green ), that it's sometimes difficult to select a pot color. I'd appreciate some comments please.


Ed Trout Pembroke Pines, Florida USA

Ed,
I would like it even more if it were in my home in Montana! javascript:emoticonp('')
Jerry

HI. I would try something like this link.....
http://www.nebonsai.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=NEBG&Product_Code=PO_B&Category_Code=9TO12

or maybe this.....
http://store.bonsaipots.com/servlet/-strse-397/14%22-SHALLOW-OVAL-BONSAI/Detail

Or maybe something in black???
http://www.bonsaioutlet.com/11-Show-Quality-Yixing-YX49-P598C55.aspx

I want this one for myself.....http://www.bonsaioutlet.com/11-Show-Quality-Yixing-YX49-P598C55.aspx

I am not sure about the pot but the tree is awesome great nebari and amazing ramification.

I like this one! One of the better Ficus I have ever seen. This pot is okay for me...

Regards,
Hans

Outstanding tree Ed, overall composition, planting and pot choice... not convinced about the colour yet but look forward to your updates as the foliage changes, I suspect you may win me over.

Ed: I think shipping would be cheaper if you sent it to West Virginia and not Montana A wonderful tree...thanks so much for sharing....truly inspirational.

Regards,
Tom

Hi Ed,
very impressive tree: great taper, great nebari, great branch ramifications. What is the past history of this ficus viz. was it bought from a nursery or grown from a cutting? What mix do you use?
Thanks for sharing and keep us posted when the leaves start to appear. Indeed they change colour; I experienced it this year when I did my first defoliation on one that I have grown from a cutting. I will post a picture later.
Cosmos

The trunk is massive and the remification great! Super. Do you have a photo with leaves?

Very nice! I like the fact that you have developed a complex branch structure rather than accept the usual topiary haircut! How big is it?

I have found that pots with a brown-red tint work well with ficus NF..........................

Ed,

Although I am not fond of Ficus Neriifolia/subulata/salicaria/salicifolia, I think this is a good pot for this tree. It works well and adds more contrast to the changing colors. I also blends well with the red bark.

Kind regards,
Jose Luis

Hi Ed: I just love the base/quick taper/first 2 branches.(Just further re-scapled one w/nice base to copy you) I don't love that pot. The tree is too outstanding(and previously pot looked more like slab/subian. My personal opinion is go towww.langbonsai.com and check out Seafoam green or Frog glazes. I believe tree so great and angular taper you could go w/ oval or rectangle. Just talked to Ron Lang yesterday in Chicago and he makes up to 30 inches Dustin Mann

Man! That is one nice nerifolia!

You guys in southern Florida really tic me off!
That is a 10 year job in Ohio!

But, the pot doesn't do a thing for it, IMO.

If you want a little glaze color, how about something like this in an oval?

Dale

As others have said this is a fine tree! I appreciate how it manages to have a truly massive nebari while completely avoiding the grotesque 'sumo' look.

The thing I find most jarring about the pot pictured is it's newness. This tree looks old. It needs and deserves a more venerable pot with some degree of patina, or at least a little less gloss!

Beyond that, I think the general shape is good, pretty classic for the design of the tree, but I feel it could be a little larger. Maybe extending to the diameter of the first branch would increase the feeling of expansiveness.

Thanks everyone for their helpful comments;

Jerry & Tom....Do you want it sent UPS or FEDX ? I'm honored that you both would like to have this tree ! ( just kidding about the shipping it though )

Cosmos....This was a VERY large nursery tree that was cut hard to this new line 3 years ago. I am currently working on an article about the developement of this tree to this point. As usual, it's been a wonderful journey ! I will post more info regarding soil when I take the next photo.

As for a different pot, I should have posted the size of this tree, since the photo doesn't really show it well. The new pot is 22 inches by 16 inches by 2.5 iches deep. The tree itself is 19 inches tall, by 28 inches wide, by 20 inches in depth. The trunk is approx 12 inches wide at the base. The pot that Dale shows would be absolutely perfect ! Dale, do you have anything this size ? That's a beauty !

The tree has already leafed back out, and is currently in it's "gold/light green" stage. I will try to get a photo tonight when I get home & post it for those who asked.

Ed Trout Pembroke Pines, Florida USA

A tree as wonderful as this deserves a nice clean photo. I hope you don't mind

... and survey says

Ed,

Personally, I think Velodog2 hit the nail on the head...

"The thing I find most jarring about the pot pictured is it's newness. This tree looks old. It needs and deserves a more venerable pot with some degree of patina, or at least a little less gloss!"

To me, and I don't quite know how to say this, that pot looks way too "cheap" for a tree that nice. But I do understand the difficulty in finding the perfect pot in the right size - and all that jazz.

Russell

Rick,

Thanks for the virtual. Looks pretty good.

Russell,

I hear you ! I think you & Velodog & Dustin point out what was bothering me, but I didn't realize what until now. Although this pot did set me back over $160, it still does not "fit" the tree. It's a nice pot.....but needs a different tree. This is a nice tree.....but needs a different pot ! THEY HAVE TO GO TOGETHER ! I'll still post a photo tonight to see what everyone thinks of it with leaves. The Journey continues !

Hope you didn't get too much of that storm today.

Ed Trout

Ed,

Try a Lujin glaze pot. It is one of my favorites and it might fit the tree nicely.

Also, even if you change the pot, the elements have to merge. No matter if you place it in an unglazed pot, one can still see that both the tree and the pot have not blended with time.

Kind regards,
Jose Luis

another solution to diminish the glaze is acid etch.

I think the tree is ok Mr. Trout but the photography is excellent. How done you do this?

ciao.....Leonardo

don't ask me about the aesthetics of pots but that tree nigh made me weep. And I'm a geordie.

Thanks, Ed, just a bunch of rain this afternoon.

I like the pot in the virtual but I think it is too rough. Seems to me that a tree this refined needs a more subtle pot.

My thinking is something like this (if it works, technology is not my friend). I like this soft gray with the dark trunk, and I think it would look nice as the foliage changes colors.

Russell

Nice job Ed. The tree looks great. Defoliation really shows off the branch structure.

I have the same pot holding one of my large Ficus Nerifolia, and I too am not happy with it. I feel mine is too shallow for the tree. Here is a hasty shot from this evening.