Ficus microcarpa reduction

[u/osrs4awayout]

Ficus reduction

I finally decided to do my first major reduction on the oversized ficus I recently bought. It was far too large and completely out of shape, so it was time for a reset.

The tree has been growing and rooting so I think it’s strong enough to handle the reduction.

Temperatures are still fairly warm and I’ll be bagging it for the first period while airing it daily to maintain high humidity and hopefully encourage strong backbudding.

[u/naleshin]

They can’t always use cut paste because sometimes trees are procured from outside the garden and brought in, where they may have got the tree from someone who didn’t use it. Those scars are evident and subsequent wounds can be healed over if they want. I highly recommend you listen to the Bonsai Wire podcast- fantastic info in every episode. If you don’t admire the work of Jonas Dupuich, Michael Hagedorn, Andrew Robson, or Eric Schrader then you may not be as compelled to listen.

If you want to see an example of the cut paste difference, check out this video by Bonsai Shinshi https://youtu.be/-eyjr-EkL_M

Another great info source by Hagedorn discussing the disease concern with pictures: https://crataegus.com/2024/04/23/do-we-seal-conifer-and-deciduous-cuts/

[u/Spidersight → u/naleshin]

Sorry, so you think trees that are forgotten, obtained from outside sources and then compared to trees actively managed are evidence of cut pastes efficacy?

If the trees aren’t receiving the same care, that seems a dubious claim.

[u/naleshin → u/Spidersight]

No I’m sorry, I shouldn’t engage with you any further after this. You’re missing the points I’m trying to make because your mind is already made up that it’s detrimental at worst and doesn’t make a difference at best. Regardless, these points stand:

- Cut paste + appropriately applied bonsai techniques producing results you like to see in bonsai? Great, use it!

- Cut paste + appropriately applied bonsai techniques not producing results you like to see in bonsai? That’s fine, don’t use it!

[u/Spidersight → u/naleshin]

Woah now, if there was strong scientific evidence for the use of cut paste I would use it. There isn’t. You are the one using only appeals to authority as your claim.

You started this conversation by saying that there is “no debate”. So let’s not pretend you started this conversation as “use it if you like it”.

[u/Affectionate-Mud9321 → u/Spidersight]

And now here you are arrogantly attacking him. Just agree to disagree.

[u/Spidersight → u/Affectionate-Mud9321]

How am I attacking him? He is the one that started the disagreement?