FrankP999

I have a Ficus "Too Little" that I am air layering to get rid of ugly roots. The roots developed a large bulb like thing that resembles a rhizome on an iris in my garden. I have seen the term "caudex" referred to describing this kind of thing. I find it ugly so I am layering it above this bulb.

My question for ficus experts is how to develop a proper nebari while avoiding the bulb type thing. Are there special techniques used for ficus to develop a flat plate like nebari but not the bug bulb?

Thanks

Frank

treebeard55

Well, I don't claim the title "expert," but I do have some experience with Ficus. One effective way to avoid those tuber-like roots is to keep the tree in a fairly shallow container. Effectiveness may vary according to the species of Ficus.

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Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

FrankP999

Thanks. How shallow are we talking about? 1 inch? and how big a pot?

Also, what pot colors and shapes do you like with a Green Island or a Willow Leaf?

My two are in an 8 inch nursery pot in sandy loam that drains slowly. I am waiting for warmer weather to repot them. Cool snap here tonight temps in the 40's.

Since these are in pots about 4-5 inches deep, how do you suggest I proceed for putting in a shallow pot? Should I just cut off all but one inch with a knife then remove the old soil? Will they tolerate such drastic root chop?

I know that's a lot of questions. I appreciate your advice.

treebeard55

Don't worry about "too many questions!"

Depth depends in part on the size of the tree, but I'd say no more than 3 inches. Unless your tree is quite small, that should be shallow enough.

Some Ficus species, like F. salicaria (willow-leaf fig), can have 90% of their roots removed and, with some TLC, regrow a full set of roots within one season. Jerry Meislik has a little article about such a case, at this link: <http://www.bonsaihunk.us/ficusforum/FicusTechniques/FigTechnique42.html>. I also have willow-leaf fig to which I applied that approach last summer. It's thriving. I want to get it repotted within a few days, and when I do, I'll post some pictures.

Now, can that be done to F. benjamina? I've never tried it on a benji, nor have I heard of anyone trying it. That doesn't mean it hasn't been done, of course.

But F. benjamina can be persnickety about their response to pruning of the top, so I would personally be more cautious with pruning the roots. I would take those tuber-roots off in stages over 2-3 years, sealing cuts as I did.

As for pot color, medium blue goes well with many ficus, because they have a blue tint to their leaves. (Check for yourself. ) That's true for willow-leaf, and I think it's also true for F. benjamina.

__________________
Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

fore

Hi Treebeard, btw, you've got some gorgeous trees posted online...Congrats!

Regarding slowly removing those tuber roots over 2-3 yrs. Do you mean to just cut one off at a time each yr? Or cut the length of the root shorter each year in a repot till you can cut it off at the trunk? Just trying to get an idea of how you approach reducing these ugly roots over time.
Thanks
Chris

treebeard55

Thanks for the kind words, Fore. Glad you like them.

Talking about bulbous roots (which the plant grows as water storage) on F. benjamina: I would remove one large bulbous root at a time, at the trunk, and leave the rest alone for at least 6 months. (Six months minimum, and then only if the tree is thriving.)

With Ficus salicaria or microcarpa I'd be more aggressive, because I know from experience they can take it. But as I said, I have less experience with benjys.

__________________
Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

fore

Thank You Very Much Treebeard55! That is exactly what I wanted to know.

And Thank You FrankP999 for bringing this topic up. I didn't know I could do something about them.

FrankP999

I did an air layer on my ficus "Too Little". It only put put a few roots at the layer but I separated it anyways. That was about a month ago and it is now outside under 50% shade cloth and putting out lots of new growth.