Tag Archives: Ficus ‘ExoticaJS’

Ficus ‘ExoticaJS’ initial styling

Ficus ‘ExoticaJs’, probably another cultivar related to Ficus salicaria, is a great material for bonsai. In 2013 I purchased a pre-bonsai and did an immediate rough styling. The first image shows the result of an hours’ trimming back.

The second shot shows the tree rin 2018.  It is beginning to take a nice shape. I think a few more years of training and it will be an attractive bonsai.

On the left after trimming it back quite hard. On the right the tree some 5 years later.                To learn more about growing figs buy the definitive reference work on Ficus for bonsai. The book is a softcover, 8 by 10 inch volume, with 144 color pages, containing detailed information for the beginner as well as the advanced hobbyist.                                                                Click here for more information

Ficus ‘ExoticaJS’ and defoliation

This Ficus ‘ExoticaJS’ has been in training for only a few years from rough pre-bonsai stock. It is an excellent material for bonsai and it is not often available for sale.

Periodically I defoliate many of my bonsai figs. Doing this produces smaller leaves and makes the tree more showable. It also allows me to see defects or problems in the tree more easily than if leaves are covering the tree.

Ficus ‘ExoticaJS’ seen with all its leaves

After defoliation the structure of the tree can be seen and it is apparent that the right lowest branch needs thickening and more sub-branching while the left lowest branch is too thick and needs to be kept from growing too much