figs?! it's only for decoration. However figs belong to the same range"Ficus" but it's not that kind.This kind is called " Ficus Benjamina" , while figs are called "Ficus Carica"
I recently re potted my ficus bonsai and i also wired it..... i was wonder if it is ok to put my bonsai back under the grow light i have it under right after re potting?
I think this bonsai looks amazing, I just recently got into bonsai this year. watching videos of your collection inspires me to expand mine. thanks for all the info&tips -fonzi
You do cut off most or all of the leaves, but you only do it on a healthy tree whose branch structure and styling are complete or mostly so, and you usually do it in May or June, so that the tree refoliates quickly.
I would not totally defoliate a Benjamina -- they bleed too much sap, and they can die rather suddenly if you take off all the leaves. I intend to do a partial defoliation on this one in the spring when I do the next branch pruning.
Looking forward to that update. I'm really quite taken with the trunk flair. I know its going to look great after the leaf reduction. What did you use to seal the trunk chop. Looks like latex paint.
I've been using either Zinser or Bullseye, both are available at Lowe's. It dries to an off white, and some of the folks at OCBS have been using it on deadwood instead of lime sulfur.
Fair enough. I am letting that ficus carry more foliage than a finished bonsai would, and the leaves are too large. The tree is too early in its development to be defoliated, and I haven't even begun work on secondary ramification. This will all be covered in future videos. That tree will likely return before the cameras in April or May 2010 for more intensive work.
How about you post up a video or two of yourself working on your trees so we can all benefit from your expertise? I think that would be much greater help.
It got that thick from 30 years of growing in a flowerpot. If you want to do it in less time (like 3 years or so) then plant the ficus in the ground, and let it get ten or twelve feet tall, and then prune it back down to bonsai height every so often.
I also have a very nice ficus that i recently just potted out of a huge pot. I am letting it get over the shock, but it is in very bad need of a trim. Ill make a video and post it soon.
Luke: I like that -- do it as a response to my video. I have another big ficus that my wife bought at our last show (she's the tropical bonsai enthusiast) and I am still working on shaping ideas for it -- I hope to get to it before summer is over. I'd like to see yours just to share ideas.
@chasnsx how much could this tree be sold for I see ficus bonsai trees so expensive online
knipdyoif 6 months ago
did you grow this from a sapling? awesome tree... and to the comment below, i killed my juniper by overwatering!!!
smashedism 8 months ago
@smashedism I believe he said he got it from a neighbor who had it on their porch for 30yrs
Miniak 8 months ago
how often do i need to water my juniper bonsai? is wet soil okay
reptwb 10 months ago
do you ever get any figs growing on this?
lateboy4 1 year ago
@lateboy4 LOL !
figs?! it's only for decoration. However figs belong to the same range"Ficus" but it's not that kind.This kind is called " Ficus Benjamina" , while figs are called "Ficus Carica"
silkyroad9876 6 months ago
i love the white bark
pyromaniac53 2 years ago
I recently re potted my ficus bonsai and i also wired it..... i was wonder if it is ok to put my bonsai back under the grow light i have it under right after re potting?
bef1082 2 years ago
good vid. don't worry about the nay sayers
jlg329 2 years ago
why the hell did you cut it ?
MrMMABoy 2 years ago
@MrMMABoy ...Bonsai!
meandmynaps 2 years ago
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paalamna 2 years ago
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paalamna 2 years ago
I think this bonsai looks amazing, I just recently got into bonsai this year. watching videos of your collection inspires me to expand mine. thanks for all the info&tips -fonzi
aybfonzi4life 2 years ago
how do you defoliae ??? you just cut all the leaves off ?? how far back can you cut ??
zzzxppix 2 years ago
You do cut off most or all of the leaves, but you only do it on a healthy tree whose branch structure and styling are complete or mostly so, and you usually do it in May or June, so that the tree refoliates quickly.
chasnsx 2 years ago
Ive had bad luck defoliating totally so I keep the leaves at the very end.
paalamna 2 years ago
I would not totally defoliate a Benjamina -- they bleed too much sap, and they can die rather suddenly if you take off all the leaves. I intend to do a partial defoliation on this one in the spring when I do the next branch pruning.
chasnsx 2 years ago
Looking forward to that update. I'm really quite taken with the trunk flair. I know its going to look great after the leaf reduction. What did you use to seal the trunk chop. Looks like latex paint.
paalamna 2 years ago
It is actually primer -- if it will keep the bugs, mold and mildew out of your bathroom walls, it will do the same for the tree trunk.
chasnsx 2 years ago
Have you used it long? Can you give me the brand name, I might want to try that.
paalamna 2 years ago
I've been using either Zinser or Bullseye, both are available at Lowe's. It dries to an off white, and some of the folks at OCBS have been using it on deadwood instead of lime sulfur.
chasnsx 2 years ago
Fair enough. I am letting that ficus carry more foliage than a finished bonsai would, and the leaves are too large. The tree is too early in its development to be defoliated, and I haven't even begun work on secondary ramification. This will all be covered in future videos. That tree will likely return before the cameras in April or May 2010 for more intensive work.
chasnsx 2 years ago
How about you post up a video or two of yourself working on your trees so we can all benefit from your expertise? I think that would be much greater help.
chasnsx 2 years ago
learn to accept constructive criticism... also just trying to help... and he is right look at the size of those leaves! too big for a bonsai!
Adrao 2 years ago
how do you make the trunk of the ficus like that?
NoobHunter45 2 years ago
It got that thick from 30 years of growing in a flowerpot. If you want to do it in less time (like 3 years or so) then plant the ficus in the ground, and let it get ten or twelve feet tall, and then prune it back down to bonsai height every so often.
chasnsx 2 years ago
thanks
NoobHunter45 2 years ago
I also have a very nice ficus that i recently just potted out of a huge pot. I am letting it get over the shock, but it is in very bad need of a trim. Ill make a video and post it soon.
coolhoundluke 2 years ago
Luke: I like that -- do it as a response to my video. I have another big ficus that my wife bought at our last show (she's the tropical bonsai enthusiast) and I am still working on shaping ideas for it -- I hope to get to it before summer is over. I'd like to see yours just to share ideas.
chasnsx 2 years ago