Tag Archives: fusion

The evolution of a large Ficus microcarpa – Part Two

The first 5 years of progress with a Ficus microcarpa, Chinese Banyan, was outlined in a previous blog see http://www.bonsaihunk.us/public_html/?s=part+l

This is an update on how this fig has progresse as of April, 2015. It still has some years of refinement to undergo before it can claim its position as a mature bonsai.

Two procedures were accomplished today that are helping bring this bonsai in training a step closer to its end point. One, is to reveal the thickening produced by the second set of fusion grafts of rooted branches that were started 5-6 months ago.

Apex dated as a single sprout of very thin dimension

Apex as a single sprout of very thin dimension, allowed to grow wildly to thicken it up, 2013

First set of fusion grafts are successful but not yet thick enough, 2014

Second set of fusions at apex current appearance, 2015

Roots from fusion in moss conduit leading to plastic container to the bonsai pot

Plastic pot of soil leading roots down to the soil in bonsai pot

Roots can be seen already growing into the bonsai pot

Roots can be seen growing into the bonsai pot

Red arrow shows the path of the roots from the apex fusions to the bonsai pot

The second procedure was the approach graft on the right . Previously 3 approach grafts were tried and all failed for various reasons. A fourth approach graft was done today to once again try to get a branch established in this position. Since it it is the first branch and lowest branch on the right side of the tree it is crucial to have this set in proper position of good size and of the right shape as it will be key to setting the design of the rest of the bonsai tree.

Bonsai with first branch on right grafted and first set of apex fusions underway at the top of the tree, 2014

Close up of the graft showing already severed from the origin and soon to be knocked of and grown on its own to become the 4th approach graft

Close up of the lowest right graft already established on its own but soon to be accindentally knocked off – planted and grown on its own to become the 4th approach graft

Rooted cutting flipped vertically and graft held to stock with wire

Above cutting, rooted, flipped vertically and graft held to stock with wire

Approach graft’s root are led into the pot of soil, 2015

As of 2015 the process is now 5 years along since started by Jack Pollock and the tree is moving along amazingly well. I am guessing that another 3-5 years will pass by before the tree is an attractive bonsai. In the meanwhile the tree has provided me a lot of reason to continue to learn and grow in the wonders of the bonsai world.

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Reverse taper

Trees ideally should have a wide root base that tapers up into the trunk. A bulge or lack of proper taper often ruins the visual flow from the rootline to the apex of the tree and is called reverse taper.

In this case several root cuttings of Willow Leaf fig, Ficus salicaria, were bound togeter in about 2006 and fused together to form a larger trunk accomplishing in a shorter time than it woud take to grow the same diameter trunk in my plant room. Fusion was helped greatly by using a large container and allowing free growth of the tree.

The first shot is taken in 2009 when the fusion was successful but the fusion was not totally complete.

2009, with trunks partially fused

A picture of the tree in 2014 shows good fusion and a reverse taper with the roots and base of the tree appearing narrower at the left side of the base than a bit farther up the trunk.

2014 showing the left side of the base of the tree with weak footage

2014 showing the left side of the base of the tree with weak rootage

Three roots were moved around from the left front and left back of the tree. Two of the three roots were fused to other roots at the base and a chisel was needed to separate them from the base, allowing the roots to be moved. One root at the back was just up-rooted and moved around to the left side.

The lowest root on the back was simply dug out and easily moved around to the front

Side root is fused to the base – it is separated with a chisel

2015, the moved roots now enhance the base of the tree and eliminate the reverse taper

Ficus infectoria or is it Ficus virens

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Multiple trunks fused together from separate seedlings

Ficus infectoria is an invalid name, according to the botanists, and should technically be called Ficus virens. This material shows a coarser grower than some of my other virens. It seems to be quite happy in container culture with no special needs.

This bonsai is actually 3 or 4 root fused trees that were grown from seed. The seedlings were never separated to their own containers so that over time the root and bases fused to form one tree.

Defoliated once or twice yearly to improve branching, produce smaller leaves and to allow visualization of the branches

As the trees grew they naturally fused to each other so that now this is one root connected tree.

Fusing figs

One way to get larger bonsai material is to fuse smaller figs together. Basically tieing together several figs that are genetically identical can produce larger trunks. Growing a tree in a larger container or in the ground will produce faster trunk growth but is often not suitable for indoor growers.

Fusion is a useful technique for rare or unusual materials and for adding in branches, roots etc. to a fig that needs these parts.

Bind the trees together with anything that will distribute the compression forces over a wider area to lessen scarring and use a binding material that does not stretch. Allow rampant growth of the materials to speed the fusion.

Marks left from the electrical ties can be reduced by allowing a year or two of un-restrained growth after the ties are removed.

For another article on this topic see http://www.bonsaihunk.us/FusedFig.html

Ficus natalensis only one year since the start of fusing

Lower trunk with fusion remaining to be accomplished with more growth

Ficus virens ‘Thai’ with multiple rooted cuttings pulled together with electrical ties

Close up view of the ties and some marks left from earlier ties that were removed

Ficus natalensis (type two) allowed wild growth to speed the fusion process

Close up of the lower trunk showing nicely fusing trees

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Tag Archives: fusion

The evolution of a large Ficus microcarpa – Part Two

Reverse taper

Ficus infectoria or is it Ficus virens

Fusing figs