Blog – Page 10 – The Art of Bonsai

Taking a tree apart to improve it

This is a young rooted cutting of Ficus natalensis but the two roots as indicated did not look right to my eyes. So I split the tree and allowed it to sprout back. I like the two new pieces and with more growth I think each may work out to be a reasonable bonsai tree.

December 6, 2016

Grafting figs

Grafting is a very useful way to improve a fig. It can add branches, new roots or thicken trunks. One factor to keep in mind is to graft identical parts together. Simply use material to graft, the scion, and the stock that are genetically identical. If this is not done the bark and foliage will…

November 29, 2016

Aerial roots

Aerial roots grow faster than the trunk. A fact to keep in mind as you design and change your bonsai over time. I am not sure why the aerials grow faster but it seems that they do.

November 17, 2016

Thickening the trunk of a bonsai

There are several ways to thicken the trunk of a bonsai. One way is to take aerials that are near the trunk and pull them over to touch the trunk and hold them tightly in place. Over time the aerials will fuse to the trunk enlarging it, as well as creating improved surface rootage/nebari. Aerials…

November 8, 2016

Willow Leaf fig has small leaves suitible for small trees

Willow leaf fig is a terrific species to use for smaller bonsai since its leaves are already small and will be in good proportion for smaller bonsai. An assortment of Willow Leaf figs is shown that are all grown from cuttings and are less than 10″. The definitive reference work on Ficus for bonsai. The…

November 4, 2016

Slave branches

Slave branches are used to thicken a bonsai trunk or even branch. By allowing wild and untrimmed growth of these branches the trunk or branch can be thickened. Once the thickening is done the slave branch can be removed or trimmed back. The branch thus thickened, as in this case, now has a proper…

October 31, 2016

The “Too Heavy” root

In dealing with a fig that has too heavy a root there are several ways to handle the situation. One, is to simply use soil and moss to partially or completely cover the thick root. Another solution is to cut the large root completely off. After removing the root seal the cut with cut paste…

October 18, 2016

Some steps in creating a bonsai from raw material

This is a young plant grown from a root cutting of a Ficus natalensis. The root cutting sprouted three branches. To develop a new apex and create a better transition to the new apex, two of the sprouts were pulled together with electrical ties. A month or two passed and the ties were removed. The…

October 17, 2016

Aerial roots and growth

Aerial roots are one of the most unique and wonderful features of figs. Aerial roots start out as small fine filaments from the trunk or branches and grow down to the soil. Once rooted into the soil they thicken and can become as thick or thicker than the trunk or branch from which they originated. Growth…

September 17, 2016

Ficus virens/infectoria

Seed grown and kept close together these trees are now fused at the base. I think this might be called a clump style. Ficus virens is the species but in some areas it is called infectoria. Leaves removed to show the nice branch structure that is developing.

September 8, 2016