Greetings from Italy Nigel! I really enjoy your videos 😊 you are also a good communicator, I like your thinking out loud while working on the trees, often positive and optimistic words and the accurate description of the context (weather, updates, fixed issues), all these together really makes your videos unique.
A very interesting comment about "cheater" branches. I agree that a hole while waiting for a better branch to develop is often the better choice than simply accepting the branch because it fills a spot. Truly looking to the long term future of the tree, and not necessarily one that will be realised in our own stewardship of the tree . . .
It's interesting how the bark on the benjamina is developing a tiger bark-like texture. Is there such a thing as a tiger bark benjamina? 😋 I like how the little ficus is coming along. All those large pruning scars give it quite a character.
Thanks Stefan, yes I love the bark on Ficus trees as they get old! I'm sure there are many different varieties of benjamina that would have variations in bark texture and colour.
Adding on to the how to develop trees I do something different and your first tree could benefit from this method. You let one unwanted branch (preferably in the apex or the tip of a branch) grown for the entire season untouched and cut it back entirely. Treat the rest of ramification like in refinement stage with usual prune back to 2. The large scar on the front will close faster, the trunk thickens more and your desired ramification produce reeeally tiny leaves. I do this on my english oaks and the leaves reduce to 0,5-1 inch. It’s amazing
I prefer the look of clip and grow trees, I feel wiring can be too much manipulation if overused. I like a balance between the way the tree grows and the way i want the tree to look. Sort of a 50/50 relationship. I prefer to look at a tree and marvel at the way the tree grew, not marvel at the manipulation of the grower.
.. Muy buen trabajo.. !! Utiliza Ud polisulfuro de cal como tratamiento preventivo anti plagas en invierno o que productos utiliza ???? Lo usa en ficus???? Muchas gracias
Really like all your vids I live up the road near Ottawa . Was wondering do you have any experience or advice. . I’m going to attempt Live Oak Quercia Virginians from seed . Outside in summer and indoor in winter . Do you think I should go full light evergreen in winter or allow some dormancy any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Hey Nigel, I wanted to know if you've ever worked on a citronelle geranium? I have a very large one I acquired last summer and want to try and bonsai it. It has a very large base that was under the soil line which exposed after I bought it. What experience have you had with that species?
You have a talent, Can you please make groot bonsai (tree which looks like a groot, or baby groot from film Guardians of the Galaxy) I will be super Happy if you make it 😉🌳
Hello Nigel and everyone! I have a 15 year old ficus Ben. And it’s about five foot tall. Could I possibly cut it down to about a foot? But it wouldn’t have any leaves on it down below? Is there anything I could do to it?
Can you start from scratch with a fatty store-bought ginseng ficus? That's where I am right now, and I don't even know where to start. I just repotted it at a more attractive angle, but now I've got this flat fringe of short foliage coming out of the top like a grown-out crewcut. Where do I start?!
Yes, the store bought Ginseng Ficus can make a nice bonsai! I cut the roots off at the thickest point and then plant the tree as a cutting, if it survives, you will get a nice radial root base and slowly your tree will become really nice!
I have a hard time keeping my ficus warm in winter only my macrocapa survive the winter here (i live in a caravan 10-15celcius inside) what ficus do uou think is most Cold hardy?
I think the Ficus microcarpa is the easiest to develop and shape, they back bud well , grow aerial roots and can be developed into something really special!
Greetings from Italy Nigel! I really enjoy your videos 😊 you are also a good communicator, I like your thinking out loud while working on the trees, often positive and optimistic words and the accurate description of the context (weather, updates, fixed issues), all these together really makes your videos unique.
Ficus’ are great any day of the week, but there is something special about Ficus Friday in The Bonsai Zone! 👍🪴
Thanks Jay, it's a good way to end the week and start the weekend!!
Ficus make Friday the best day of the week.
I agree!!! Thanks
Every new Ficus video reminds me that I need to buy a ficus or two for something to work on during the Autumn and Winter months. Lol
These little Big trees are so fun!
Then “Edward” said, “I’m gonna get the blue scissors” Words of dread for ficus’ living in the Bonsai Zone. ;-) Thanks, keep growing (and clipping).
😁Funny Matt!!! Thanks
It looks like a yoga skeleton. Cool.
Outstanding pruning on both trees. Tea time Nigel.
Thanks Tom, we got hit with winter weather here today!
A very interesting comment about "cheater" branches. I agree that a hole while waiting for a better branch to develop is often the better choice than simply accepting the branch because it fills a spot. Truly looking to the long term future of the tree, and not necessarily one that will be realised in our own stewardship of the tree . . .
This Benjamin ficus has the potential to become your most gorgeous bonsai!!!
Thanks so much, it's off to a good start!
Thank you for sharing Nigel! Glad you do ficus too. My first bonsai was a Ficus benjamina. I recently made a mame from a cutting. Come take a look!
Wonderful! They sure change a lot, even when you don't remove a lot. There are very visible changes.
I was excited to see you doing Ficus. I'm planning to start some cuttings with long-range plans to bonsai.
Cuttings are a great way to start a Ficus, they grow up very quickly!
Had to watch from the beginning since I missed the beginning. A great video in hand. This video goes great with a cup of tea.
Thanks Tom, it was nice to see you at the premier!!
Ficus 👋👋👋
There a rave happening behind your greenhouse? I hear a 60hz thump. Uhn tiss uhn tiss
That's the neighbors, they like to share their music!
The ficuses looks much better now! More ficus to come on sunday lol
Looking forward to it Xin, see you for Ficus Sunday!
Thanks nigel! Love ficus friday!
I have lots more Ficus to work on too!
@@TheBonsaiZone sounds perfect!!
Beautiful Ficus. I'm think I a major chop to my Ficus microcarpa the next time I work on as I don't think I want the straight tall trunk I have.
Lots of possibilities Sami!
Wonderful pruning of ficus looking good. Thanks
Thanks Krish!
It's interesting how the bark on the benjamina is developing a tiger bark-like texture. Is there such a thing as a tiger bark benjamina? 😋
I like how the little ficus is coming along. All those large pruning scars give it quite a character.
Thanks Stefan, yes I love the bark on Ficus trees as they get old! I'm sure there are many different varieties of benjamina that would have variations in bark texture and colour.
Save the Skeleton for October for a Halloween special. Frankin Ficus and Skeleton?
Love ficus fridays! I was interested to learn that the first tree’s lower branch was not sacrificial.
Beautiful!
Adding on to the how to develop trees I do something different and your first tree could benefit from this method. You let one unwanted branch (preferably in the apex or the tip of a branch) grown for the entire season untouched and cut it back entirely. Treat the rest of ramification like in refinement stage with usual prune back to 2. The large scar on the front will close faster, the trunk thickens more and your desired ramification produce reeeally tiny leaves. I do this on my english oaks and the leaves reduce to 0,5-1 inch. It’s amazing
In the second tree the back looks better to me as a front. Sorry if I come intrusive with the nitpicking haha Good video as always Nigel !
Thanks, a very good technique!!!
Yes, it's good to be able to have two nice fronts!!
Love it!
I just trimmed two of my ficus today also! I have officially run out of room for more cuttings, a good problem to have
Yes, it's nice if you have someone to give the cuttings too, but it's easy to get too many!
My favorite, Ficus trees. They will grow after hard pruning...
Wire could do wounders ! bonsai is an art !
I prefer the look of clip and grow trees, I feel wiring can be too much manipulation if overused. I like a balance between the way the tree grows and the way i want the tree to look. Sort of a 50/50 relationship.
I prefer to look at a tree and marvel at the way the tree grew, not marvel at the manipulation of the grower.
.. Muy buen trabajo.. !! Utiliza Ud polisulfuro de cal como tratamiento preventivo anti plagas en invierno o que productos utiliza ???? Lo usa en ficus???? Muchas gracias
Foist!!!!!
Nice!
Really like all your vids I live up the road near Ottawa . Was wondering do you have any experience or advice. . I’m going to attempt Live Oak Quercia Virginians from seed . Outside in summer and indoor in winter . Do you think I should go full light evergreen in winter or allow some dormancy any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Love it 🤩 from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰🇱🇰
Ficus friday > Taco tuesday
Both good days!!!
You can use the skeleton next to the tree of death, the one with the beaten up, weathered look
very interesting tips sir, I like it a detailed tutorial. have a nice day and god bless you sir. Greetings from Indonesia
Thank you very much!
Hey Nigel, I wanted to know if you've ever worked on a citronelle geranium? I have a very large one I acquired last summer and want to try and bonsai it. It has a very large base that was under the soil line which exposed after I bought it. What experience have you had with that species?
You have a talent, Can you please make groot bonsai (tree which looks like a groot, or baby groot from film Guardians of the Galaxy)
I will be super Happy if you make it 😉🌳
Hello Nigel and everyone! I have a 15 year old ficus Ben. And it’s about five foot tall. Could I possibly cut it down to about a foot? But it wouldn’t have any leaves on it down below? Is there anything I could do to it?
Like
Tuyệt đẹp ❤️❤️❤️✌️
Can you start from scratch with a fatty store-bought ginseng ficus? That's where I am right now, and I don't even know where to start. I just repotted it at a more attractive angle, but now I've got this flat fringe of short foliage coming out of the top like a grown-out crewcut. Where do I start?!
Yes, the store bought Ginseng Ficus can make a nice bonsai! I cut the roots off at the thickest point and then plant the tree as a cutting, if it survives, you will get a nice radial root base and slowly your tree will become really nice!
Very awesome.🛡✝️ Knight templers ⏲ 2 🌾
From my point of view, the current front is really nicer. :)
Thanks Di!
I have a hard time keeping my ficus warm in winter only my macrocapa survive the winter here (i live in a caravan 10-15celcius inside) what ficus do uou think is most Cold hardy?
The only ficus I know that do well in cold is Ficus Carica. The one that grow edible figs.
Yes, the Ficus carica is a good one, they loose their leaves in winter and then grow all summer! A great tree can be made from this species!
Where can I find your mailing address, Nigel ? I'm thinking of sending you a couple of things in the spring.
Hello one hobby from Indonesia
Hello, thanks for watching!
If you could only have one species of Ficus to bonsai, which one would you choose?
I think the Ficus microcarpa is the easiest to develop and shape, they back bud well , grow aerial roots and can be developed into something really special!
@@TheBonsaiZone cool! My cuttings are all less than a year old, so im looking forward to developing them :)
nigel please oil your turntable cheers
What is the scientific name of this ficus? Looks like ficus benjamina Daniëlle
👍🍎
Take that lower right branch off or at least shorten
Beautiful!