Phil

I just thought it time that I do some follow up on my epiphytic Ficus project which can be seen in the Article section: “Creation of an Epiphytic Style Ficus”. Creation of an Epiphytic Style Ficus - vBadvanced Dynamics

This whole project was carried out just about one year ago and the Sphagnum moss has always remained in place from that time. I was very confident that there would be an abundance of aerial roots but I was not at all sure if the 13 cuttings that I placed on the host tree would have fused to each other much less fusing with the host tree itself.

It took well over an hour to gently remove the moss from amongst all the fine aerial roots that had amassed in one year’s time with a long tweezers and a small two forked “olive picker” that I absconded with some years ago for such tedious jobs? (my other half has no idea where it went!)
I was not only greatly pleased with the numerous amount of aerial roots and the fusing of the cuttings to each other but was also amazed at how the cuttings had fused with the dead host tree.

From the pictures I have enclosed you will notice that the heads of the nails have been immersed/over grown into the cuttings. In other words….you can no longer see the heads of the nails. In one picture I’ve circled a nail that has not yet become overgrown and “enclosed” by one of the cuttings but I’m sure it will be gone in about six to eight more months. You can also see from one of the pictures a very strong aerial root that has firmly planted itself into the soil. The host tree is actually becoming over taken and strangled by all of the aerial roots.

The base of the tree with the bonded/fused cuttings measures just over six inches. As you can see from the pictures of the entire tree that it is in dire need of pruning but I don’t feel that as of yet this would be the proper time to do so. I wish the tree to grow rampant and in good health so as to give it strength in giving nourishment to the cuttings. I may however give some pruning to the top so that I can see what I have to work with and with that I could easily get about twelve more cuttings which I’ll propagate for the rest of the summer and over the winter. It looks like one big monstrous growth right now with no styling whatsoever but that will probably come about this time next year. As for now I have a bit more work in placing the heavy growth of branches closer/intertwining to the host tree and a bit more nailing and also covering that with yet more Sphagnum moss and some wrap.

When I get the time I’ll add this into the article.

~Phil

Attached Images

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	E3.JPG (64.9 KB, 25 views)
	E6.JPG (65.7 KB, 30 views)
	E10.JPG (34.0 KB, 45 views)

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AlainK

A very interesting experiment indeed.

I will publicize it on French forums.

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Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
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Phil

Wow! Sure looks like you did. I've received 14 LineBacks to the thread in my email this morning! Of course every one was in French so I have no idea what was said. I'm still trying to get my English down!

~Phil

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Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

AlainK

Probably people saying:

"I can see the pictures in the article, but I can't see the ones in the second link (the "results"). do we really have to register?..."

(Me) "Oeuf corse (Corsican egg), you have to register, just like on zis Frrrench forrrum, you grrreenie..."

But if you allow me to copy & paste the photos you have posted, I'm sure it would be a great step towards the "entente cordiale".

Some people who don't speak French post on these forums from time to time, like Walter Pall, or Karl Thier: oeuf corse they speak German, but what can you do, forget latin and greek, English is the international language, and there's always someone to translate.

So it's either you register to French forums and become the hero of a new season of "Lost", or you give me the permission to show your pictures, with due credits and links, oeuf corse

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Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

Phil

Sure, if credit is given be my guest Alain.

~Phil

__________________

Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

AlainK

Done :

EDG Bonsai-fr.com

I added a comment saying roughly :

"BonsaiChat is a place I particularly appreciate. Though it is not as popular as other forums, there is a lot of interesting material, and "no feuds, no Mr WiseGuy, no lusty jokes".

(Hey, I like brawdy jokes sometimes, but this comment was for another forum, where the "café" seems to be more important than the other sections. )

You should meet my (Belgian) friend Roberto, he too started to experiment on ficus and now, that's his thing, he's become really good at it

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Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

ficusfanatic

i hope my ficus fusion experiments are half as successful. my whips were much smaller with few roots, so i expect some dieback. time will tell, they seem happy for now. have you done ant inter-species fusion? though about mixing retusa and benjimina, but decided not- and probably for the best....

JLDoggett

Mais nous tous parlons français ici, nes par, ou discernons ce que nous pouvons. Tous sont bienvenus ici. Pour ceux qui ont besoin de l'aide il y a toujours de Babblefish.com! Bienvenus des amie Alain, reposez-vous, ayez un verre de vin et d'un certain brie, et montrez-nous vos arbres.

Désolé mon Français est si rouillé.

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centaura

I have a very large ficus retusa that has the foliage of a ficus macrocarpa (Gold Coin) grafted onto it. The grafted branches are fusing well to the main trunk, if I get some time today I'll try to take some photos. I believe that most ficus species with fuse with each other, the trick is to find ones where the trunk colors match so you don't have obvious 'stripes' or other differences between the two trunks.

-Centaura

Phil

Yes, most species of Ficus will fuse but I wanted to keep the over all look uniform and not worry about the bark matching. That and the fact that I happened to have quite a few retusa cuttings and knowing that this species is very prolific and will take quite a lot of abuse. From all the years that I've had Ficus the retusa is one species that I found will grow quite profusely even during the winter under artificial light.
For a first time experiment I wanted the most hardy species to work on and it is indeed very hardy! I'm going to have to prune it down a tad before I bring it inside for the winter as its getting a way too large!

~Phil

__________________

Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008