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[img]file:///C:/Users/Justins/Pictures/2010-12-06%20My%20photos!%20MINE!%20%3bD/Bonsai%20%282%29.JPG[/img]

Not so pretty but looks good to me, any suggestions of what to do with it?

Anyone know how to put a photo on here? I'm confused

Justin,

We do not host pictures here. You must host them at a third party service and then link to them here. Here is a thread that gives some options.

[url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3724]How to Post Pictures & Photos on Forums[/url]

Norm

Thanks so much, I'm not the brightest crayon in the box

[img]https://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l612/Justin_Broughton/Bonsai2.jpg[/img]
Like it? I love it. Any ideas on what to do with it to make it look better? [/img]

Justin,

Any ideas on what to do with it to make it look better?

I always had a hard time seeing this species as a conventional bonsai. The bulbous roots make styling a little tricky, at least to my eye. For now though just try to learn about what it likes and dislikes. Let it grow for a while and by the time it warms up next year you may be able to begin work on it. Ficus respond better when temperatures are warm and they are in an active growth period.

Have you seen Jerry Meislik's site yet? Explore it throughly.
https://www.bonsaihunk.us/cultural.html

Norm

To pearl222:
It's a Ginseng Ficus, as I posted a while ago, it's not very pretty.
Some people think of it as a Bonsai some don't.
It's what stores call their commercial bonsai.

OK Justin,

I think it's time to move to the next step. You should start to learn a little about styling. Have you bought some bonsai wire yet?

The lower branches on your ginseng ficus should be wired more downward, or at least in a horizontal plane. In fact each of the upward growing branches could come down a bit and pruned a little too.

A part of bonsai culture is 'growing' and another is 'styling'.

Let's start 'creating'a little color in your crayon box. You're ready.

BTW - It's not commercial bonsai, maybe 'mallsai', possibly potensai. It's what you do with it.

Never thought this old post would come back to life but okay.

I do have wire (bonsai wire), but the branches are very.. woody. And as much as I try, with the wire, they don't budge.

All they want to do is grow upward.

Oh and BTW!: That's a very old picture.

If conventional coil wiring doesn't work you can try "tie-down" wires, gently pulling downward more and more over several months. This can be tricky but the results can be worth the effort.

Show updated pics when you can.

Alright. I will update photos soon.
And I will try the tie-down thing.

TomM wrote:If conventional coil wiring doesn't work you can try "tie-down" wires, gently pulling downward more and more over several months. This can be tricky but the results can be worth the effort.

Show updated pics when you can.

I second this. IMO tie downs or guy wires are a simpler way to wire a tree while you build up your wire coiling skills. Just be careful to protect your branches by wrapping the wire where it meets the branch in raffia or aquarium tubing.