Ficus rubiginosa beginnings

This shows an approximate four month progression beginning in July of 2014.  I hope this turns out to be a long term project.  Tom

Nice progression Tom.

This is the first time I see this species as Bonsai. Does the leaves reduce... ?

Ficus rubignosa has a brown hairy underside of the leaves, does yours have it?

Love and Light

Thanks, Andre....good to hear from you. As I recollect my friend and teacher Jerry Meislik has indicated that the leaves will reduce over time....maybe others who have experience with this species will chime in as well. Regarding the leaf underside, I actually do not know. I will check.

Best regards,
Tom

The Ficus Rubiginosa, is an Australian native it has common names such as rusty leaf fig Australian rusty fig.
Here in summer we defoliate to get smaller leaves and to assist in ramification.
This is done in the summer months, in some states growers have done this up to 3 times a year.
It does work in leaf reduction and ramification, but the tree must be healthy, and well fertilized.

Regards Darky

A photo. of the tree with a better background....planned for late spring/early summer of 2015 will be initial branch selection and potting up....until then I plan to let the tree grow unrestrained.

Hi Tom,

this is not rubiginosa, it is Ficus macrophylla.

Best,
Dorothy

o.k. Dorothy, thanks....I will let the greenhouse know of their mistake in nomenclature. Guess I need to switch gears and research the culture of this cultivar.

Tom Simonyi wrote:o.k. Dorothy, thanks....I will let the greenhouse know of their mistake in nomenclature.  Guess I need to switch gears and research the culture of this cultivar.

Tom, both ficus look identical. However, Andre is correct, the distinct brownish hair growth on the underside of the leaves will correctly identify the rubiginosa aka Port Jackson Fig. One can clearly see and feel it.

I am working on a rubiginosa ficus right now. They are challenging in ramifying and budding back on the branch. They will rather bud back on the trunk- in my backyard.

Perhaps Jerry has more info about both ficus.

Best,
Dorothy

Thanks, Dorothy....I have been in touch with Jerry and he has provided clarification. Considering my location (northern West Virginia) I am pleased with the progress of this tree so far and am looking forward to continuing to work with it. I agree with you in regarding the future challenges of developing ramification and inducing backbudding.

Best regards,
Tom

My experience leads me to believe that Tom's tree is rubiginosa. Although any ID from afar is not totally reliable.
The red under leaf hairs can be present on both rubiginosa and macrophylla. Further confusing is that some rubiginosa do not have red underneath the leaves. Ficus rubiginosa 'Australis' has no underneath red.
I have several rubiginosa with some showing red underneath and some no red underneath the leaves.
Macrophylla is very coarse in growth but the definitive ID depends on seeing figs/syconia.
Rubiginosa does back bud and branch very well and leaf reduction is superb; one of the best materials for bonsai in my opinion and in the ratings of Australian bonsai growers.
Sorry to add confusion to this process.
Jerry
See http://www.bonsaihunk.us/ficusforum/FicusTechniques/FigTechnique50.html

No confusion Jerry....certainly appreciate your input. There is no red underneath the leaves of this particular tree that I have noticed thus far; however, during the initial reduction I do remember removing branches that had fruit evident..I believe it was pea-size and green with some reddish tinge at the time (it was mid-July when the initial reduction was performed).

Tom,
Do you have pictures of the fruit/syconia? That should help nail it down.
Jerry

Potted up recently.....if it is a macrophylla I am hopeful that the leaf size will reduce over time?

Beginning work on branch selection....

Updated photo.

Wow, looks vigororous, Tom!

The tree is beginning to fill out a bit....seems like regular leaf pruning has resulted in some budding back and foliage that is somewhat reduced in size....at least at this point in time.

Tom

Tom,, Your ficus is also looking really nice ! It sure was a big tree you started with.. take care John

I would have layered the top and made a second tree. I see some reverse taper.
love the lower part of the tree.

Earlier in this thread Jerry Meislik had asked for a picture of fruit if possible.  He thought it might add in distinguishing this tree as a rubiginosa versus a macrophylla.  Dorothy S. had indicated that she thought it was a macrophylla.  I would appreciate help in that regard if possible.  Thanks in advance.  

Tom

Tom, this are not the fruits. They are new buds. The fruits will be yellowish orange and then mature to a purpelish color, if it is a rubiginosa. The leaves in your photo do look like a rubiginosa indeed, after seeing them up, close and personal.

Best,
Dorothy

I continue to be amazed at the vigor of this cultivar....summer growth so far has been great and foliage seems to be reducing nicely albeit a little sporadically....

Tom

Moved into the greenhouse for the winter months.

Very nice, coming along quickly. Well done Tom.

Really great job bringing the foliage in tight.
Are the branches thickening?

Any plans for a darker container, perhaps?