Ficus - defoliate or not? Then which tree is better to show?

[Manix5]

I took a workshop last September given by The Indianapolis Bonsai Club. In the workshop we were given a Ficus Philippinensis pre-bonsai to trim, style, and pot.

I've managed to keep it alive through the winter and now I am wondering if I should defoliate the tree in hopes that the leaves will grow back smaller or should I just trim the leaves to open things up a bit? Any ideas?

Also, in May we are supposed to bring our best tree to show at the monthly meeting. My choices are between this Ficus and the Fukien Tea pictured below. Which should I take to show? Thanks for the help.
Brad Brown
New Palestine, IN

[img]https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/Manix5/Ficus1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/Manix5/Ficus2.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/Manix5/Ficus3.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/Manix5/FukienTea1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/Manix5/FukienTea2.jpg[/img]

[TomM]

Hey Brad, First off I'm glad you have joined a club and are taking workshops. Great experiences for yourself and to share the interaction with the 'teacher' and other students in the group provides so much "hands on" that you can not get from just reading.

Personally I'm not a big fan of defoliation with a young tropical tree that lives in the northern regions (short growing seasons). That's not to say "don't do it". Only that I would prefer waiting until you have had it maybe 3-4 more years and then only if it is very healthy at that time.

I would rather see you "open it up" more as you say. It is all leggy from winter growth. Prune back and thin out. Tighten it up into neater pads of foliage areas. You will get new back budding that way - closer to the trunk line.

Same with the fukien tea. It has a lot of nice twists and turns. It tells an interesting story. But prune back also. I like both your trees. Nice start. Given the chance to vote a choice for your May show I would probably go for the Fukien. The ficus needs more 'aging' and refinement. Get it ready for next years show.

Suggestions - Fresh top dressing for the soil. It looks blah. Add moss when the weather permits. Try to get new pics of your trees but from a lower angle - more at eye level - rather than this downward angle. And make the last photo position your 'front'. It shows the best focal points.

MY TWO CENTS - Great start Brad. Keep us posted.

Tom

[Manix5]

Hi Tom thanks for your reply here and in the other post I made a few weeks ago. I think you are right about waiting and giviing the ficus some more time to develop. I will give it a trim to thin the leaves out a bit and promote some new growth. I will try to get some more photos at eye level as you suggested and try to find some top dressing for the fukien tea when I show it in April. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. Looking forward to Spring getting here so I can do some repotting and move a few of my trees outdoors for the summer.

[TomM]

I hear you. SPRING - BRING IT ON !!!

I want to commend your bonsai club for encouraging new people to show off their new workshop trees and to learn about display. At some club shows newbies feel intimidated, thinking "I'll never have trees this good" and they might get discouraged and give up the effort. The inspiration to learn and improve is one thing. Hands on experience is priceless.

[TomM]

Another thing you might consider Brad - your ficus has interesting root over rock features along one side. These will develop nicely over time and will provide a focal point. But you might want to add some visual balance by placing (semi buried) another similar colored, but larger, rock on the other side to help fill that void.

Tom

[linlaoboo]

I'd go with the Fukien, it looks better. Ficus takes defoliations quite well. If you have any concerns of the tree not being healthy enough, can always try partial defoliation.