Healthy ficus with unusual root problem.

Mortalis · 09-28-2008, 11:32 PM

I have a healthy ficus that I had done some experimentation with semi-hydroponics with. It has tons of great fine white roots from the experiment but all the thick roots I had cut back before hand have rot in the exposed wood in the middle of the large roots going up as far as 1 1/2" inside making it kinda like a pipe. Those large roots have healthy roots growing around the outside edge of the "pipe" Should I worry about that rot? So far it does not seem to be bothering the healthy roots. I was thinking about digging out the rot and filling it in with 5 Min Epoxy any suggestions?

Mortalis · 10-03-2008, 09:53 PM

Come on now.. someone has got to have the answer! LOL..

Mattbonsai · 10-04-2008, 07:54 AM

I took a while pondering this problem, Several things, ya don't want the rots to spread as it could disfigure the tree quite severely, but then the tree should be kicking in place its CODIT System, CODIT, or the Compartmentalisation Of Decay In Trees is where the trees put in place natural barriers to stop the spread of decay, there are four walls which the trees put up, Veritcal(Xylem / Phloem), Inwards (Growth Rings), Sideways (Rays of Growth seperating the rings into sections), and outwards to prevent reinfection (where the Cambium and new bark grow over the site of infection).

This system should stop it going up into the trunk, the fact that there are healthy roots on the outside suggest that the 2nd and last walls have worked to allow the outside to be healthy, but the vertical and sideways walls are failing.

I'd be tempted to say to carve out as much rot as possible and then seal the fresh wood to help the tree, I'm not sure how the tree would react to an Epoxy in the roots, but as long as its just inside the large roots, and not near the fine roots there shouldn't be a problem, as the large roots are just used for storage and transport of water.

-Matt-

Mortalis · 10-04-2008, 10:43 PM

Well after cleaning it out is there a way to strengthen those systems? I know silica helps a trees resistance to insects would it help for that too? Should I do this immediately or wait till I repot in spring?

Thanks much for the help

bonsaidad · 10-09-2008, 08:56 PM

What about a good quality wood hardener to stop the rot in its tracks?.
If its good enough for Harry Harrington, then its good enough for me.

Best regards BD Paul

Mortalis · 10-12-2008, 12:23 AM

I might try that.. My poor tree.. I should have experimented with a new one that I was not really attached to.. at least its not my midnight ficus.. My perfect beyond words wife gave me the midnight ficus for Christmas our first Christmas after being married.

bonsaidad · 10-12-2008, 08:07 PM

I have also noticed a small amount of rot on my Ginsing Ficus roots, so this week coming i will dig it all out and treat it with the wood hardener myself.

Best regards BD Paul

Prowler · 10-21-2008, 11:47 AM

Just came across this, have two ginsing ficus for years, they DONT like those fleshy roots wet causing rot.
How i stop this is to dunk, stop the water about 2inch from the top, they also dont need much water, winter nothing. you will easy know when to water, the roots start to crinkle?
I think the roots store water and feed, also dont bury to deep, another cause of rot, squeeze the roots on a new purchase, they should be as hard as a rock, if not? leave alone " to late was the cry" thats where the tubes come from,they rot from the inside out. Cheers.

bonsaidad · 10-21-2008, 08:33 PM

I am glad that you have stated that they do not need hardly any water over the winter period, as i have cut down on the watering as usual, but have not omitted it completely.
So i will just monitor the bark, as opposed to the soil.

Best regards BD Paul

Prowler · 10-22-2008, 05:48 PM

Yep, i have a large chinese pot, approx 26inchx16x2deep pot, " tray " ideal for these geezers, just rememember you cant alter the root system, the foliage yes, so pick nice ones.
The pot is a cream crackle glaze, so i intend to start a forest, just have to find nice trees, if you cut a root off it aint going to grow again.
Look in ornamental plants section, most are in there, dont worry about the compost, grit will do it. Cheers.

09-28-2008, 11:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mortalis Darkness abides him. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The 8th layer Malbolge. Posts: 45	Healthy ficus with unusual root problem. I have a healthy ficus that I had done some experimentation with semi-hydroponics with. It has tons of great fine white roots from the experiment but all the thick roots I had cut back before hand have rot in the exposed wood in the middle of the large roots going up as far as 1 1/2" inside making it kinda like a pipe. Those large roots have healthy roots growing around the outside edge of the "pipe" Should I worry about that rot? So far it does not seem to be bothering the healthy roots. I was thinking about digging out the rot and filling it in with 5 Min Epoxy any suggestions?

10-04-2008, 07:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 609	I took a while pondering this problem, Several things, ya don't want the rots to spread as it could disfigure the tree quite severely, but then the tree should be kicking in place its CODIT System, CODIT, or the Compartmentalisation Of Decay In Trees is where the trees put in place natural barriers to stop the spread of decay, there are four walls which the trees put up, Veritcal(Xylem / Phloem), Inwards (Growth Rings), Sideways (Rays of Growth seperating the rings into sections), and outwards to prevent reinfection (where the Cambium and new bark grow over the site of infection). This system should stop it going up into the trunk, the fact that there are healthy roots on the outside suggest that the 2nd and last walls have worked to allow the outside to be healthy, but the vertical and sideways walls are failing. I'd be tempted to say to carve out as much rot as possible and then seal the fresh wood to help the tree, I'm not sure how the tree would react to an Epoxy in the roots, but as long as its just inside the large roots, and not near the fine roots there shouldn't be a problem, as the large roots are just used for storage and transport of water. -Matt- __________________ Happy New Year To Everyone, I Hope 2009 Is A Good Year For All! Please Take The Time To Click On The Sponsored Links Around The Site, They Don't Cost You A Penny, But They Help Keep Your Site Afloat! -Matt- R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

10-09-2008, 08:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
bonsaidad Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: West Glamorgan Wales Posts: 159	Healthy Ficus What about a good quality wood hardener to stop the rot in its tracks?. If its good enough for Harry Harrington, then its good enough for me. Best regards BD Paul __________________ Old Chinese proverb says. Go to bed with itchy bum. Wake up with stinky finger.

10-12-2008, 08:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
bonsaidad Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: West Glamorgan Wales Posts: 159	Healthy Ficus I have also noticed a small amount of rot on my Ginsing Ficus roots, so this week coming i will dig it all out and treat it with the wood hardener myself. Best regards BD Paul __________________ Old Chinese proverb says. Go to bed with itchy bum. Wake up with stinky finger.

10-21-2008, 11:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
Prowler Deceased: 11/24/2008 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 361	ficus ginsing Just came across this, have two ginsing ficus for years, they DONT like those fleshy roots wet causing rot. How i stop this is to dunk, stop the water about 2inch from the top, they also dont need much water, winter nothing. you will easy know when to water, the roots start to crinkle? I think the roots store water and feed, also dont bury to deep, another cause of rot, squeeze the roots on a new purchase, they should be as hard as a rock, if not? leave alone " to late was the cry" thats where the tubes come from,they rot from the inside out. Cheers. __________________ Its hell out there, give them hell back.

10-03-2008, 09:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mortalis Darkness abides him. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The 8th layer Malbolge. Posts: 45	Come on now.. someone has got to have the answer! LOL..

10-04-2008, 10:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mortalis Darkness abides him. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The 8th layer Malbolge. Posts: 45	Well after cleaning it out is there a way to strengthen those systems? I know silica helps a trees resistance to insects would it help for that too? Should I do this immediately or wait till I repot in spring? Thanks much for the help

10-12-2008, 12:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mortalis Darkness abides him. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The 8th layer Malbolge. Posts: 45	I might try that.. My poor tree.. I should have experimented with a new one that I was not really attached to.. at least its not my midnight ficus.. My perfect beyond words wife gave me the midnight ficus for Christmas our first Christmas after being married.

10-21-2008, 08:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
bonsaidad Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: West Glamorgan Wales Posts: 159	Healthy ficus I am glad that you have stated that they do not need hardly any water over the winter period, as i have cut down on the watering as usual, but have not omitted it completely. So i will just monitor the bark, as opposed to the soil. Best regards BD Paul __________________ Old Chinese proverb says. Go to bed with itchy bum. Wake up with stinky finger.

10-22-2008, 05:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
Prowler Deceased: 11/24/2008 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 361	Yep, i have a large chinese pot, approx 26inchx16x2deep pot, " tray " ideal for these geezers, just rememember you cant alter the root system, the foliage yes, so pick nice ones. The pot is a cream crackle glaze, so i intend to start a forest, just have to find nice trees, if you cut a root off it aint going to grow again. Look in ornamental plants section, most are in there, dont worry about the compost, grit will do it. Cheers. __________________ Its hell out there, give them hell back.

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