I love this series! I have an S shaped Tiger Bark Ficus that I got as one of my first bonsai. As ive learned more about bonsai I’ve decided it looks too contrived. I have implemented your technique to try to get air roots to help improve the trunk and perhaps a trunk chop as well. Thanks!
I just love this series of vids! Really helps me visualize the steps required, and the time needed to produce interesting shape. Always look forward to these updates!!
Really enjoying this series - it's fantastic to have incremental longitudinal follow up like this for bonsai instruction. Thanks for the efforts you've made, I look forward to trying it myself on my S bend mallsai!
Maybe by the end of summer...but I'm not 100% sure. At this point I need to wait for some roots to form as well as the new shoots to come out and elongate about 18".
I did a similar technique on a F. Benjamina to encourage a better root flare which worked fairly well. I’m sure you’ll get some usable roots to add veining.
Hi Eric, thanks for this series. I like seeing the progression, and look forward to the next videoI did a search for this book and can not find one. I also see other from BNut have been looking for one. Any suggestions on where to find one? Maybe one day on Bonsaify? LOL!
This is his website: www.sidiao.com/index_e.htm It looks like he may have someone in the US distributing, but if I recall, I had to order it from him directly. But the cart may not be working....hmm. The website is also pretty out of date so I wonder if the contact info listed is bad?
Eric - is the perlite/coco coir mix suitable for getting some growth on a Fukien Tea? It was a gift and is tiny, in a tiny bonsai pot and in full akadama soil. I watched your soil video and know to pot it larger and give it a different substrate to allow it time to grow! Love your content!
Glad to hear that for your tree - unfortunately, mine isn't cooperating quite as well. It's got a few small roots forming, but I'm waiting to see them get bigger. What I plan to do is this: Any roots dropping from branches would be wound back around the branch to the trunk because I don't like the "stilts" look on ficus. Then having them grow down around the trunk to improve the irregularity of the trunk. Will see if I manage it in time!
I think in my climate I'd cover them. If I lived in Miami I'd probably just let them go. Keep in mind that winding them will cause at least some damage/stress. But I'm assuming that they are a bit more adaptable than regular roots.
Yes, but I've found over time that the coco breaks down too quickly for long-term pine growing. Fine for seedlings (keep in mind it's wetter.) but as you pot up, adding fir bark seems to be better. And I've tried Fir Bark/Perlite/Lava also...seems to work well for pines. But the key in any pine mix is particle size - the roots need a lot of air. So make sure to remove particles less than 1/8" and all the dust.
tree looks good but aerial roots are just a problem on Ficus tree they get tick and then you have to cut it and try to make them again and again on the end, and that is very short period of time you have to cut it off becouse root is ticker then trunk so you end up with mega scar. I have 1500 Ficus trees and I was happy to get some aerial roots on beginning now I just cut that problem off.
Hey man can I cut off all the leaves of a willow leaf ficus? I have a beautiful one similar to this but it’s only got tiny leafs on the tips of the branches and the branches are getting a little bit long. Will it survive if I get them back?
It sounds like it may be not healthy - e.g. it should be more full naturally if it's getting enough light, water, fertilizer and air. If you're growing indoors, try putting it in full sun (although this will probably fry the existing leaves...). But answering your question - yes, they back-bud well, but as is typical of most trees, only when healthy.
@@Bonsaifyawesome sounds like the reason. It’s been in full sun and outside. Definitely haven’t been feeding it well enough. And I had to slip pot it into a better pot as it would dry out too fast. Looks like it’s getting better now. I force fed it some dynamic lifter from Yates. It’s essentially chicken poop with added fert. Very scared to cut it. I’ll take it to the guy who initially grew it and get his recommendation as he grew it for several years before generously selling it too me, but don’t want him to be disappointed if I’ve neglected it. Should I cut early spring? It’s coming into winter now here in QLD Australia
@@TheSunnyTrails I saw your comment and noticed Eric hasn't got back with you yet. I would personally wait till beginning of Summer at earliest when the tree is getting the most sunlight in a day, so...December for you? Just my personal opinion. I grow some Ficus as well and I do my heavier pruning with those in Summer, June/July where I live.
Just using a grow pot for plenty of room and good growth. Also, plastic pots don't break. I could use an Anderson flat, but I don't want really wide nebari on this tree...
One of the best bonsai step by step evolution series ever
Hi Eric great job bro it is very nice and thank u for such a great teaching ideas love u sir
I love this series! I have an S shaped Tiger Bark Ficus that I got as one of my first bonsai. As ive learned more about bonsai I’ve decided it looks too contrived. I have implemented your technique to try to get air roots to help improve the trunk and perhaps a trunk chop as well. Thanks!
I just love this series of vids! Really helps me visualize the steps required, and the time needed to produce interesting shape. Always look forward to these updates!!
Very interesting work. I'm looking forward to the next episode!
Looking good Eric, getting closer with every video!!
Really enjoying this series - it's fantastic to have incremental longitudinal follow up like this for bonsai instruction. Thanks for the efforts you've made, I look forward to trying it myself on my S bend mallsai!
Please put it on ficus playlist as its missing there 🤗
Merci pour le suivi de ce bel arbre bravo très beau travail 👍
It looks great! Congratulations on your driving and greetings from Brazil!
Nice ficus better even nicer shirt, ERIC.
O was waiting for this one!! Thanksss
And now i cant wait for part6! How long Will take professor ?
Maybe by the end of summer...but I'm not 100% sure. At this point I need to wait for some roots to form as well as the new shoots to come out and elongate about 18".
I did a similar technique on a F. Benjamina to encourage a better root flare which worked fairly well. I’m sure you’ll get some usable roots to add veining.
Hi Eric, thanks for this series. I like seeing the progression, and look forward to the next videoI did a search for this book and can not find one. I also see other from BNut have been looking for one. Any suggestions on where to find one? Maybe one day on Bonsaify? LOL!
This is his website: www.sidiao.com/index_e.htm
It looks like he may have someone in the US distributing, but if I recall, I had to order it from him directly. But the cart may not be working....hmm. The website is also pretty out of date so I wonder if the contact info listed is bad?
That's a great start for the ficus.
Great job, Eric. It's got the potential to be a cool shohin 🌳
Nice video tks forma sharing
Will patiently wait to see the outcome. Looks promising.
Thanks
Could you take cuttings and incorporate them around the base and do pseudo root grafts to create the look your trying to achieve?
Try to make thumb size cuttings, and split the cuttings into 4, the roots will spread nicely and you will get faster taper and nice trunk contour.
Eric - is the perlite/coco coir mix suitable for getting some growth on a Fukien Tea?
It was a gift and is tiny, in a tiny bonsai pot and in full akadama soil. I watched your soil video and know to pot it larger and give it a different substrate to allow it time to grow!
Love your content!
When do you anticipate part 6? I did a similar operation on getting aerial roots and I can see a ton through the opaque plastic
Glad to hear that for your tree - unfortunately, mine isn't cooperating quite as well. It's got a few small roots forming, but I'm waiting to see them get bigger. What I plan to do is this: Any roots dropping from branches would be wound back around the branch to the trunk because I don't like the "stilts" look on ficus. Then having them grow down around the trunk to improve the irregularity of the trunk. Will see if I manage it in time!
@@Bonsaify that’s awesome! I was planning to wrap some roots too. Would you cover the wrapped roots initially or leave them exposed to the elements?
I think in my climate I'd cover them. If I lived in Miami I'd probably just let them go. Keep in mind that winding them will cause at least some damage/stress. But I'm assuming that they are a bit more adaptable than regular roots.
Thanks! Can’t wait to see part 6
What did you do to the top that you cut off?
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Hi Eric, can you use your 80% perlite and 20% coco coir mix for growing black pines from seed. Is there a better mix? Thanks.
Yes, but I've found over time that the coco breaks down too quickly for long-term pine growing. Fine for seedlings (keep in mind it's wetter.) but as you pot up, adding fir bark seems to be better. And I've tried Fir Bark/Perlite/Lava also...seems to work well for pines. But the key in any pine mix is particle size - the roots need a lot of air. So make sure to remove particles less than 1/8" and all the dust.
tree looks good but aerial roots are just a problem on Ficus tree they get tick and then you have to cut it and try to make them again and again on the end, and that is very short period of time you have to cut it off becouse root is ticker then trunk so you end up with mega scar. I have 1500 Ficus trees and I was happy to get some aerial roots on beginning now I just cut that problem off.
Eric, I thought you were crazy before, no worries...
Hey man can I cut off all the leaves of a willow leaf ficus? I have a beautiful one similar to this but it’s only got tiny leafs on the tips of the branches and the branches are getting a little bit long. Will it survive if I get them back?
It sounds like it may be not healthy - e.g. it should be more full naturally if it's getting enough light, water, fertilizer and air.
If you're growing indoors, try putting it in full sun (although this will probably fry the existing leaves...). But answering your question - yes, they back-bud well, but as is typical of most trees, only when healthy.
@@Bonsaifyawesome sounds like the reason. It’s been in full sun and outside. Definitely haven’t been feeding it well enough. And I had to slip pot it into a better pot as it would dry out too fast. Looks like it’s getting better now. I force fed it some dynamic lifter from Yates. It’s essentially chicken poop with added fert. Very scared to cut it. I’ll take it to the guy who initially grew it and get his recommendation as he grew it for several years before generously selling it too me, but don’t want him to be disappointed if I’ve neglected it.
Should I cut early spring? It’s coming into winter now here in QLD Australia
@@TheSunnyTrails I saw your comment and noticed Eric hasn't got back with you yet.
I would personally wait till beginning of Summer at earliest when the tree is getting the most sunlight in a day, so...December for you? Just my personal opinion. I grow some Ficus as well and I do my heavier pruning with those in Summer, June/July where I live.
Part 6 for early fall? Or an update short?
Yeah. At this point I think I have one aerial root barely going. Maybe an update on why it's not ready for an update. lol.
@@Bonsaify sorry to hear about the lack of roots. Would love to learn from your experiences
do you defoliate your fiscus trees
Why a taller pot instead of a wider shallow pot (not a bonsai pot)? Thanks!
Just using a grow pot for plenty of room and good growth. Also, plastic pots don't break. I could use an Anderson flat, but I don't want really wide nebari on this tree...
Ahh ok that makes sense!! Thanks!!
Are ypu intetested in fivus webbiana, austrocalidonica, squamata, vaccinoides, sycamorous, cordata, vasta, watkinsiana, aspera, ignens, virans, brandeegei, abutifolia, oblique, habryphollia, coronata?
I have 63 species