Category: bonsai

  • Ficus 3 – Ficus Benjamina

    Ficus 3 – Ficus Benjamina

    This tree was a clipping from a 10′ tree we had in the house from the early 2000’s. The original tree died but the clipping live on. The clipping is 15 years old.

  • Ficus 2 – Ficus microcarpa

    Ficus 2 – Ficus microcarpa

    This tree has been neglected for about 15 years. I purchased this tree 20 years ago and it was 17 years old at that time making it 37 years old today, April of 2020.

  • Ficus 1 – Ficus Rutusa

    Ficus 1 – Ficus Rutusa

    This Ficus Rutusa was purchased in 1995 and it was 15 years old at time of purchase. Today it is 40 years old. Many of my other trees originated from this tree.

    Update: March 4th, 2020
    Woke up this morning to a pot that cracked and 1/3 broke off. Not good at all. Clearly I had to replant this tree today. Here are few of my discovery images.

    Cracked pot
    Removed broken pot section

    The first task is to prune down the roots by about a 1/3, clean up any root rot and prepare to replant in a new pot.

    Here are few images before pruning.

    Root ball before pruning
    Bottom of roots before pruning

    Pruning took about an hour as I had to take care not to cut the roots too deep and too clean out the dead root thoroughly.

    Here are the post pruning images.

    Bottom of roots after pruning
    Side view post pruning

    Now it’s time replant this 40 year old tree in a new pot. First, add a half inch layer of bonsai soil to the new pot and let that soil soak up water from the drain holes. The soil always take longer to soak the first time.

    New bonsai soil soaking in a casserole dish of water.

    This tree is tricky as it is one-side heavy so placed good sized rock under truck in the soil to support the weight and a few counter-balance rocks on the other side.

    New pot with fresh soil before adding counter-balance rocks.
    Added counter-balance rocks.
    Notice the rock under the trunk to support the tree.
    Soaking in water for a few hours.

    Here is the full gallery of images taken during this emergency task.