I'm no newb when it comes to growing trees, but the art of bonsai is more complicated than I thought...

The 1st Ficus is very old, this tree was neglected for a couple years but I have been obsessively caring for it ever since. I haven't ever really thought about making any major changes to the style but I want your guys opinion. I'm sure I should be wiring it but I just don't know where to start...
















The 2nd Ficus was grown from a cutting of the 1st Ficus and is growing wonderfully. Is it too early to start wiring and styling this one?





With both of these I would not be afraid to heed your advice and make some major structural changes if they will benefit in the long run.

Both are grown in perlite, outside in mid-Wisconsin. They are fertilized regularly and sparingly trimmed to keep their shape. I basically want your guys advise on where to go from here.

Can't get my pictures to load...any suggestions?

FleetFarmer wrote:

Can't get my pictures to load...any suggestions?

Resize 'm.

So much suspense, I can't wait to see them now.
I would recommend joining a club so that you have people who can actually see the trees in person that can help you with style choices.

www.bonsaiempire.com/locations/clubs/us#Wisconsin

Ed

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I would plant them in large plant pots and let them thicken up for a few years before working on them.

Also, these are ficus microcarpa. Ficus retusa is an extremely poorly-documented round-leafed ficus that hasn't really left Indonesia.

Very old? I doubt this tree is older than 3-5 years. Let it grow on a big container or ground for a few years.

2 things

1: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, well I am the beholder. Every tree is beautiful. Considering this tree had less than a dozen leaves on it when I started, I think it looks great.

2: I've had this tree well before I was married, and I got married 8 years ago. I mentioned it was neglected for the better part of its life.

Anyway, back to the point.

So I will put my BEAUTIFUL ficus microcarpa in a larger pot, since I live in Wisconsin unfortunately I can't put it in the ground. Is that it for advice though?

Should I cut the bigger branches off the top of the tree?

Is it worth wiring if I'm going to put it in a bigger pot?

Should I even be trimming it if it's going in a bigger pot?

And I love my trees please don't hate on me bra, I'm new