JoeLewko
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Posts: 348
Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:29 pm

New Bonsai (Ficus?)

I recieved this bonsai as a gift form the same person who gave me the juniper. He didn't know the exact species, but I'm almost positive that it's a ficus, just not sure what type (if anyone has any ideas on thta, please let me know). The past owner had it for 18 years, so I think it's in its early 30's/late 20's. Any thoughts are welcome. Sorry about the not-so-great picture, I'll try to get some better ones up today. I'll also put up exact measurements later, but it's about 2 feet high. Comments? Thoughts? I hope you guys enjoy this bonsai as much as I do.

[img]https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m204/joelewko/Ficusforinternet.jpg[/img]

JoeLewko
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Posts: 348
Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:29 pm

Some better pics. the height is approx. 23".

[img]https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m204/joelewko/Ficus_2good.jpg[/img]

The back

[img]https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m204/joelewko/Ficus_2goodd.jpg[/img]

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Gnome
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Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

Joe,

You have yourself a pretty good looking tree there. I agree that it is almost certainly a Ficus, perhaps a benjamina variety. Sorry I can't say with any certainty. You can verify that it is indeed a Ficus by removing a small shoot and looking for the milky sap that is indicative of Ficus. Thanks for posting the pictures.

Norm

ynot
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Location: USDA Z:5a Sunset Z. 41 IL

I also agree this is a Benjamina, It strikes me very odd that someone has a tree for 18 years and doesn't know what it is?

What the...?

It looks like the back was pruned recently?

I would make it far far shorter to emphasize the trunk girth and absolutely lose that crossing branch [I would cut it all back almost that far actually :twisted:].

ynot

JoeLewko
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Posts: 348
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Well it does Bleed a milky sap, so it is a Ficus, I know that much.
It looks like the back was pruned recently?
I did have to cut some foliage, (if that's what you meant). The last owner, as I said was getting too old and tired to take care of them, hence why he gave it away, so it was growing a bit wild.

absolutely lose that crossing branch .


Someone on BonsaiTalk suggested the same thing. If I were to shorten it, that'd be fine, but as of now, it supports too much of the foliage on the canopy to remove.

ynot
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JoeLewko wrote:but as of now, it supports too much of the foliage on the canopy to remove.
When would it not? Only you can change that...And tis the season.

ynot



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