Pretty spectacular results Randy.

Not familiar with the species or tropicals in general but a Google about shows some pretty fantastic specimens by a chap called Jim Smith in Florida.

Worth checking out.

Hey Randy,

Lookin good man! I like the nebari of this ficus as its well distributed. One thing about ficus I don't care much for is when they are let grow too wild and one or two roots totally take over sometimes swelling larger than the trunk. Good job on it!

In a few years of training this will be a fine tree.

BTW, is your bonsai soil from a local source? I like it.

Matthew
Ouwinga

Hi Tim

This tree actually came from Jim a few years ago when our local club did a forest workshop.

Hi Matt

Many ficus do have butt ugly root systems. IÂve not read any research on the subject, but over the years something seems to sick out. Years ago I rooted plants with a straight cut across the stem. The past few years I went to cutting at a 45-degree angle. The angle cut gives you more surface area, so more area to develop roots all the way around the stem. My cuttings as a whole have much better surface root systems than the cuttings I took in the past.

I mix up the soil myself. It costs way too much to pay someone else to do it :-). I get the 2 sizes of haydite for less than $20.00 a yard and the organics in 3 cubic foot bags for about $4.00 a bag. I live on an acreage, so there is plenty of room for storage.

randy

Hi, Randy:

Don't know how I missed this post...very nice material - good luck with it - our club is scheduled to do a salicifolia workshop later this month - I am looking forward to it.

Regards,
Tom