Ficus are easy to develop into root-over-rock designs as they have aggressive roots that tolerate gradual exposture to air and the roots really do well growing over rocks. The photo is of a Ficus burkei ‘puberula’ cutting that was placed on the rock, roots wraped to keep them tight on the rock and then planted deeply so the roots were not exposed to air. Gradually over some years the soil was removed from the rock and the roots exposed. Done repeatedly the rock was elevated and more of the roots showing. This picture is about 10 years or so after the procedure was started. The tree about ten y ..read more

One of favorite species for bonsai is Ficus tremula. I have only recently been able to find the species and started growing it. I originally saw the species in South Africa in the collection of Hennie Nel, a great bonsai artist and grower. The species grows easily from seed, cuttings and root cuttings. Leaves reduce well and it produces figs from the trunk at an early age. A few of my trees that are just several years old are shown in the photo. I think all bonsai and fig lovers should give it a try Three of my young Ficus tremula ..read more

This is a Ficus rubiginosa grown from seed collected by a friend while traveling in Australia. I bought the young tree from him about 40 years ago. The photo shows how the tree has evolved from the left side photo taken in 1985 to the right photo taken in 2019. Rubginosa is one of the strongest Ficus species that I have grown and responds really well to growing indoors under lights. Leaves are a bit large but with defoliation they reduce extremely well. Even aerial roots can form under moderately dry conditions. I recommend this fig species for all growers ..read more

In this Ficus microcarpa ‘melon seed’ I needed a left side branch. As you can see in image 1 there is no branch. Fortunately, several small branches sprouted in the right spot and to speed the development of the branch three of the sprouts were tied together with cable ties, image 2. Two of the branches were brought outward and used to develop side branches. All the branches were allowed to grow and to fuse. Side and front views of the branch show a nicely developing left main branch. Sometimes fusion will allow you to create a heavier and more detailed branch more quickly than with the usual ..read more

I started working on this tree nearly 20 years ago. It was a large Ficus salicaria, Willow leaf ficus, purchased from a Florida nursery and selected by my friend and bonsai artist Joe Samuels. Joe passed away some years back and was a great help to me in advancing my bonsai knowledge. The tree was a huge piece about 30 inches tall and with little or no low or inside foliage. I grew it for several years and decided that to become a good bonsai it would need to be reduced in size to bring the focal point back to the heavy trunk and large aerial roots coming from the trunk. I reduced it prett ..read more

It is getting close to Christmas and the holidays. If you have a bonsai friend or Ficus lover that needs a great book please consider buying a copy of my new book, The World of Ficus Bonsai. You might even want to buy one for yourself. I will sign your copy and even add a custom note in the book if you desire. You can order a soft cover copy by going to PayPal and sending $35 to bonsaihunk@hotmail.com Please include your e-mail, name, mailing address and your wish for a custom note or not. The book will be mailed via USPS Media Mail and should get to you before Christmas. Thanks ..read more

Many of us do not have easy access to larger materials and must use small plants or cuttings to develop their bonsai. One way to utilize smaller material is to cultivate cuttings from a desirable plant. In this case it is a Ficus concinna with lovely new foliage that is quite red in color. I took multiple cuttings from the mother tree and rooted them. You can see the rooted cuttings in the first photo. Each is about 2-3 feet tall and in separate growing containers. One after another is brought as close together as possible by removing interfering branches and roots. They are then held with ..read more

The mother tree on the left and the two roots that were removed. I ..read more

Ficus are easy to develop into root-over-rock designs as they have aggressive roots that tolerate gradual exposture to air and the roots really do well growing over rocks. The photo is of a Ficus burkei ‘puberula’ cutting that was placed on the rock, roots wraped to keep them tight on the rock and then planted deeply so the roots were not exposed to air. Gradually over some years the soil was removed from the rock and the roots exposed. Done repeatedly the rock was elevated and more of the roots showing. This picture is about 10 years or so after the procedure was started. The tree about t ..read more

My new Ficus book, The World of Ficus Bonsai At long last it is here. The World of Ficus Bonsai by Jerry Meislik. I have been learning more and more about Ficus and how incredible they are for bonsai and for growing in your home. I have expanded and added new material to create an enlarged and updated book on using Ficus for bonsai. The book is 324 pages full of great information and full of pictures. It is available as a e-book or as a soft or hard cover book.  You can purchase it on:    Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/World-Ficus-Bonsai-Jerry-Meislik/dp/152553288X/ref=sr_1_1?keyw ..read more