Major Work to My Ficus microcarpa, The Bonsai Zone, May 2024

[@ScottTheExperimentalist]

You’re my hero. I can always count on you to go “full Nigel” on the roots! 😅

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I sure did on this one!!!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

That is one cool looking Hibiscus in bloom. This is one thought out pruning of the roots and adding the container to grow new. I have to say, you are not afraid to take a chance. That is what it takes to make a great bonsai master in which you are, Bonsai Master and Master Root Surgeon, Dr. Sanders. Great video.

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Brave man. Like Peter chan is saying. Sometimes, you need to bite the bullet . I like this very much. Yes, I am one of those people who didn't like the 2 big ariel roots on the top. They are not gone, but I hope this will look better😅

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope so Christopher!!!

[@chrismarshall8321]

OMG big cuts today. Bet that wasn't easy to decide to do. Good work. 👍 can't wait for the unveiling in the fall.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, very tough to do, but if it works, I'll be so happy!!!

[@romtom8588]

Wonderful presentation as always Nigel, and very informative regarding aerial roots. Such a big decision probably feels even more daunting considering that this bonsai started as a seed! Always learning something new from your work, fingers crossed for awesome results!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope it works, time will tell!!!

[@austinmead5754]

So exciting! Can’t wait to see the results next year

[@BlueJayBonsai]

The artists vision has to change when the medium he creates with is alive and growing!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Big changes for sure!!!

[@mattbrennan647]

😬😬😬 Good luck Nigel. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻🤞🏻Thanks, keep growing

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Matt!!!

[@artfx9]

Holy Sheet, that Hibiscus! ❤

[@Denkar11]

Wow, I saw the title, but didn't expect quite THAT much carnage! I can't wait to see how it turns out!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Lol, yes, no click bait in the title!!!

[@angieb6899]

Holy cow I didn’t expect that 😮 It’s going to be interesting. Please keep up the updates on this one Nigel. Thanks for sharing. 👩🏻‍🌾🪴

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Big changes!!!! Thanks Angie!!

[@Mr_GlicK]

such a gutsy major work sir 🧿 Please do keep us updated

[@rudolfringgenberg425]

This was a brave decission! Please keep us updated

[@NoDecaf7]

I'm thrilled to see that thick straight root be removed!! I wouldn't have been brave enough to cut any others 😅

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope this works for me!!!!

[@Tybold63]

This is invaluable inputs to address the "problem" with ficus aerial roots.. My ficuses are still very young but eventually we all gonna meet this "feature" of thickening roots and you provide us who are behind (in growing time) good ideas on how to think about this.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, a bit of a scary operation, I sure hope it works out!!!

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Well that wasn't what I expected to see!! I sure am right curious though! Fingers crossed it does what you hope it will!! Definitely big changes!!

[@evelynesimon5758]

You are a champion 💪.

[@notionbonsai]

Big decisions in this one! Will be interesting to see how this one goes over the next few years!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, what will happen? Now I have to wait, the hardest part!!!

[@baldyeti]

I am digging this technique! You’re the Man, Nigel good sir.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks, it will be interesting to see what happens!!!

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

OMG, it looks great!

[@lukasmihara]

That's another pretty big rework this year. I hope everything will turn out nicely!

[@BonsaiForRoman]

Thank you for sharing. Very impressive presentation and explanation

[@MikeSmith-yf8dz]

Might try this Nigel. I have real difficulty growing aerial roots.

[@KennetDeBondt]

Time will tell Nigel!

[@ToddBrittain1963]

Very nice work Nigel. What you've done here is effectively a below-ground air layer. Hopefully you'll get prolific root growth coming from those cuts that you can train and reshape into a buttress at the base of the tree.

[@Silvangreen]

Radical!

[@treesbonsaiperfect8420]

nice ❤🌳

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks ✌

[@trybonsai]

That in a very interesting take, and piece of work you did... I'll be eagerly awaiting the follow ups.... Great work my friend 🎉🎉

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A very scary operation, that could go wrong! If it works, I'll be so happy!!!!

[@trybonsai]

@@TheBonsaiZone I hope it works because you will introduce another method of designing your trees

[@TheBonsaiZone]

@@trybonsai Thanks Shellon!!!

[@bhargavtank3784]

U should allow long horizontal branches and aerials droping through them would give it mighty look

[@averyprice9422]

The bonsai shuffle 😂😂

[@RADsLife]

Some big big cuts today 😵

[@jasonbeers5511]

This was such an awesome and brave decision. You have features this tree many times and the major thick aerial root always bothered me. You made a great decision to remove it and ramify the roots. I can't wait to see where this tree goes in the future.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Jason, time will tell!!

[@dkstott29]

Definitely some big cuts on the ficus. Personally, I'm not a fan of aerial roots, so pruning them is my choice. I'm very excited to see what the tree looks like later this summer. ❤❤❤

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Dave!!

[@Punki001]

Finally 👍

[@PedroLuis-yp9ed]

So even you feel sick when you make these changes lol. I just got my first ficus ginseng so lets see how this bonsai grows.

[@igorcostadasilvaleite1572]

Nigel, i've made a procedure in my Benjamina, that you may like, i had big arial roots all over my trunk, so i devide all of then in the midle,making a cut all over the root (trunk to the soil), than a wrap the trunk on black plastic. The roots realead really well, i can send you Photos from the before and after if you want.

[@bhargavtank3784]

Cut aerial roots and plant them they will grow root cutting an amazing plants

[@martinlehtonen]

I have been scared like you when you do the 'big cut coming up' parts. But I have never thought you made a wrong decision after seeing the results after a year. You have the expierience to make these big decisions. Don't doubt your self. Like you I thought the ficus needed some drastic measures. It had become too busy and the areal roots didn't give miniature.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Martin, time will tell if it was a good move!!!

[@bonsai_life_style]

I have the same problem with my Ficus trees. Green Island grows aerial roots even faster than microcarpa. I hade to cut some major roots from my root over rock because they were ticker then trunk.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, root work never ends with a Ficus!!!

[@pela1100]

Será muy interesante ver como reaccionan las raíces con el trabajo que realizaste. Suerte, espero los resultados. Salud.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Gracias, espero que funcione, podría ser un desastre!!!

[@pela1100]

@@TheBonsaiZone 🙏

[@Putnamjennings]

👍👌

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

How about splitting the thick root?

[@t3dwards13]

My you do love to torture yourself Sir Nigel! Lol I'm surprised you didn't add some cinnamon or other rooting hormone to the soil. At the very least, it will be like unwrapping an extra birthday present...You're never sure if you'll like what's inside. 🙈🎉

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Fingers crossed, I hope it works well!!!

[@bigjeo123]

Would those thick roots, root as cuttings?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Maybe, but it's better to use branch cuttings!!

[@bonsaisn]

Hello

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello!!

[@chamaramendis7505]

Why don't you split roots

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I thought about it, but I'm not sure they would look natural and it would take years before they did!!

[@trombadude]

nothing ventured, nothing gained. ✌

[@reywashere5284]

I can spell foist right here, at least

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A foist it is!!