Hello everybody, I think it is my first post in this forum and I would like your suggestions about this Ficus:



I have bought this Ficus benjamina with the idea to make a bonsai with it.

I know only a little about bonsai but enough to understand the global shape it should have and before it becomes too cold I want to prune a few branches and give a little shape to this one.

I think there is a branch that is really low but I am not sure about cutting it as it also can help for the trunk to grow more fat, here is a picture with a red mark on the branch I think about cutting:



There is another branch in almost the same direction that is growing upper and there is also a little rear branch that would probably profit from all the energy it would get if the low frontal branch was cut.

Here is a rear view to show the small rear branch growing on the left:



this little one is also very low I think but maybe it's better to keep it? I guess it can help to give depth to the whole tree structure and also help the trunk to develop.

I would really like to hear what you guys think about the tree in general and what branch should I keep or cut according to you?

I also think about actually defoliating it then check the structure before cutting anything but I am affraid it would not like it much. Do you think I could defoliate it right now?

I bought the Ficus and changed it's pot for a bigger one with fresh substract after a few days about 2 months ago but did not do a drastic cleaning of the roots so it kept growing fine (probably as if I did not change it's pot.) and I see a lot of new growth.

I have a lot of other questions so I might ask them in this thread too, thanks for answering!

Welcome, Kitsune!
I would leave it alone for at least a couple of seasons, as it needs to thicken (a LOT) and to get stronger.
After the trunk and low branches are thick enough, I would chop it down.
I would not defoliate it until refinement stage (some years from now).

Clicio wrote: Welcome, Kitsune!
I would leave it alone for at least a couple of seasons, as it needs to thicken (a LOT) and to get stronger.
After the trunk and low branches are thick enough, I would chop it down.
I would not defoliate it until refinement stage (some years from now).

Thank you for your answer, so I guess I should not torture the little buddy until a while from now. What about wiring it to give a few shapes to the branches? Should I wait too then? I guess it's easier to do it once it is defoliated so I will probably wait until I can do that.
If so I will wait and be patient until it's time to act!

Hi and welcome. To make decision easier for you, I would do the oposite of what our dear Clicio suggested
I would cut right away just above the lowest branch and only after that I would let it grow for 2-3 years to build a trunk with some movement

Mimo wrote: I would do the oposite of what our dear Clicio suggested
I would cut right away just above the lowest branch...

But WAIT!
Aren't you the now famous "Chop-Chop Mimo"??
I see. I see.

Yes, you are right, he can also chop it down right now and will be looking at a bare trunk for some time.
Then, little shoots.
After, twigs.
Then, branches.
Some seasons away, anyway...
:woohoo:

You bet I am

Thank you all for your answers and thanks Clicio for your patience with us newbies!

Mimo wrote: Hi and welcome. To make decision easier for you, I would do the oposite of what our dear Clicio suggested
I would cut right away just above the lowest branch and only after that I would let it grow for 2-3 years to build a trunk with some movement

Well that seems a bit radical Mimo! :evil:

If I wanted to give some movement to the trunk can't I just wire it instead of chopping it all off and look at a matchstick for 3 years?
I have other cuttings from this Ficus that I will use to try a few crazy shapes but I am not sure if I wanna really do something so drastic to this poor little thing as it is already developping well to my taste.

I thought I would let this tree grow in a more "natural" way letting it take it's own way and maybe do some minor shaping.

I have another question about pruning, now I understand I should let it grow for a long time but should I just let the Ficus grow wildly for a few more seasons or can I still prune a few branches out of place to stop it going out of control?
I had plans in my mind to prune a few growing branches here and there to keep it's overall shape under control then let it alone from october until next may/june. Is it a good strategy or should I just let the thing grow like crazy to let it thicken?

Thanks again for answering!