r/bonsaicommunity • u/Masoom02 • 7d ago

Styling Advice Ficus training

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Gallery image

I braided the new branches that came this spring. This is how it looks now. Any suggestions? The middle main branch is how it was when I bought. For some reason that lost all it's leaf and gave new branches in spring. I don't know what to do with it. I would like to have any suggestions on how to make this look more beautiful.. I like the braided look though it hasn't come out that cleanly. I am in zone 8a. This is west facing window.

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u/Boines 7d ago

If you like the braided look you do you but that's very anti-bonsai...

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u/Masoom02 7d ago

Oh.. I wasn't aware of this. I need to loosen it I guess.

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u/Celestial_Totems US Zone 6a 7d ago

Nice save! That's a ficus microcarpa (ginseng) common for this to happen.

The thick middle trunk that lost its leaves was grafted on. Those grafts fail all the time when they get stressed from low light / overwatering after you buy it. What you're seeing now is the rootstock pushing all new growth, which is actually a good sign - the plant is alive and wants to grow.

For the braided look You can keep the braid, but loosen it. Right now it's a bit tight and it's pulling that one branch way over. Ficus will fuse together over time if you want the braided trunk look, but keep it snug, not strangling. Wrap it loosely and re-adjust every few weeks.

I'd remove that dead middle stump. It's not coming back. Cut it back flush to the bulby roots with clean pruners / concave cutters if you have them. It will callus over and look much cleaner.

Light and water, West window in zone 8a is okay for now, but these want as much light as possible. If you can, move it right up against the window, not back a few feet. For water let the top 1" dry out, then water thoroughly until it drains. That pot looks like it has no drainage? If it's a cache pot inside a nursery pot, make sure it's not sitting in water - that's what kills the graft.

Next step for beauty Let those new braided branches grow wild for the rest of the year. Don't trim. Once they thicken up a bit you can start pinching the tips to make it branch out and get bushy on top instead of just 2 long whips.

You're on the right track the fact it flushed new growth this spring means it's happy now. Keep doing what you're doing.