I’ve been colonized by ficus. Tiger-bark figs, rock figs, strangler figs, willow-leaf figs, and other fig species. When I first began working with figs I would place the cuttings in spare pots with soil whenever I pruned. This is the recipe for filling your bonsai bench space with figs. I have finally accepted that I need to throw away the cuttings when I prune, even though, with minimal care, they could become small trees. I need the room for other trees!
My first ficus was a Tiger-bark (Ficus microcarpa) that I bought in March 2012 from Walter Andersen nursery in San Diego. It was sold as a “houseplant ficus”.
The tree after a summer of growth since it was first posted on this website.
The tree on the first day it was posted.
The “houseplant ficus” when purchased in spring, 2012.
Initial potting.
Four months of growth.
One year of clip and grow.
Second autumn.
Barerooted, new pot.
Branch-pruned, tree establishing itself in new pot.
Forked trunks.
Nebari forming.
Roots. The long straight root on the right was removed later.
Repotting.
Still hadn’t decided on the front, or even an overall structure for the tree.
New growth after August pruning. Leggy branches.
Still unsure of overall structure or front.
Some branch pruning.
Possible front.
Bare-rooted.
Too many large roots.
Awkward shape. I began considering removing one of the main trunks.
An alternative front using both trunks.
One trunk removed (and a new tree!).
New design, back in garden.
Back root of nebari is very straight.
Removed straight back root, re-scarified trunk wound.
Tree back in garden. I may carve the trunk scar in the future.
beginBonsai 
Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.
LikeLike