Bonsaify | Basics of Bonsai: Trimming and Wiring a Ficus Tree

If you recently received a bonsai tree as a gift; if you're beginning to learn about bonsai and to collect your first few trees; and if you want to learn how to take care of a bonsai tree, this video is perfect! Watch and listen as Eric explains how to trim and wire a ficus bonsai to improve its look.

Learn about when to use different sizes of wire, and how to decide if you should use anodized or non-anodized aluminum wire. Eric shows you how to apply wire properly and use wire to control the shape of the ficus branches.

Watch until the end to see how Eric wires and trims the entire tree, creating a new design for this ficus bonsai!

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[TheModoodle]

Can you continue to do more basic technique videos? They’re very helpful for someone like me who’s pretty new to the art. Thanks!

[DarkSparkle]

I'm an avid gardener and wanted to try bonsai for awhile. Recently won a bonsai Ficus at a fun fair so scouring around for tips and info. And I gotta say, I think I'm too dumb for this. Or maybe I need to watch loads more videos because, while I do literally see what you did there, it was way too much to feel like I can just try this. Plus, mine is much smaller and I believe in order to get a bigger trunk like on the one in this video, I'd have to do wiring over years. What an adventure!

[TrondOleJensen]

Just got a small ficus, looking forward to seeing it grow into a bonsai. Thanks for sharing the knowledge 😊

[mysticamethyst]

Ive never heard anyone pronounce it "bone-sye"

Awesome info. Learning how to do mine

[shohinandmame]

Hi! Nice transformation! My first bonsai was a ficus which I got indeed as a gift from my ma. That is over 20 years ago. I do propagate it a lot from cuttings. It is a ficus benjamina, which is suited especially for mame.
Thanks for sharing! I am looking forward for your new videos.

[aaronleslie]

Good video! I wish I saw this before I wired my tiger bark ficus! But I think I did ok for a rookie and the tree is going to come back from what I did!

[cherylandrews]

ok so I want to know how you knew I just got one of those as a gift.... :) perfect timing!

[diskasiTv]

Helps me a lot starting out with my 2 ficus thanks much

[Applexxx]

Hi, can you tell me how long do you leave the wiring in normally for this type of tree? I'm guessing you have to remove them until you have reached the desired shape. I have the same type of bonsai and I'm a beginner of all beginners. Hope you can let me know. Many thanks 😊

[nancystephen]

This was a great video. Read through all the comments too. Will be coming back to check out additional videos.

Hoping some them include side by side pics/videos of before vs. after.

Did you keep the wiring on this plant? Do you have pictures or videos taken of thr same plant months/years later?

[MrRolandMichel]

Instructions unclear, the tree pruned and wired me...
please send Help! 😄

[garretttrang]

Nice transformation! I've been looking for a golden gate ficus for a while but the only ones I could really find are the classic S shaped ones. Might just have to pull the trigger on it.

[heleavila]

Can i send you a photo of my ficus tree so u can recommend what to do as a start, appreciate your reply. Thanks

[Sayef_Li]

What's the point of giving the branches shape? The leaves never get smaller than this so all of the branching would be hidden by the leaves

[ericluna]

I was gifted a golden gate ficus for Father's Day by my wife. Been enjoying it for the last few weeks. At what point should I try my hand at trimming and wiring? Is it ok to start while the tree is a little small or wait until it grows some more?

[carloseduardoramosmidence]

I like how it ended. Are you taking the leaves on the branhes that faced downward after wire? The pads look very nice.

[rhysjones]

How do you encourage leaves and branch’s to form closer to the trunk to thicken up the canopy. My fiscus just just shooting from the end of branch

[laflp]

What season should you prune and not prune? Asp Summer?

[NoQuarter]

How do you know when you can remove the wires?

[jeps]

Yeah my ficus dropped almost all leaves. Now it is alive and growth some leaves. But its not Growing well