Ficus home deco tree

Paul Williams · 11-01-2009, 07:08 PM

Hi all
Well when my friend said "I don't want this thing any more it takes up too much space on my front porch." I went out to his home and cut off the top six feet and about 2/3ds of the roots. that was several months ago and it has sprouted a lot since this picture. Next summer will be a time of development it is a weelsee.
Good growing
Paul

Paul Williams · 11-01-2009, 07:17 PM

Woops, that's a projection I did. Here is the tree as it was just after I cut it down.
Good growing
Paul

treebeard55 · 11-01-2009, 10:43 PM

Oboy, oboy! Great piece of material.

F. benjamina?

Paul Williams · 11-02-2009, 03:28 PM

Hi treebeard55
Thank you for your comment, and yes it is a Benjamina. To give a scope of it's size the pot is 18". I hope it backbuds enough to become the tree that I am hopeing for.
Good growing
Paul

Phil · 11-02-2009, 07:01 PM

If you're planning on getting it anywhere near your "projection" I would suggest a few things.
One would be to cut a few notches on the inner part of the trunk(s) and then surround the entire are with sphagnum moss. Wrap that section up in aluminum foil, or with whatever seems to do the trick and then to keep it moist and leave it that way for about two years although you might be able to get by with one year. That is something were only you can make the best decision. You will be amazed at what you will see when you unwrap it and clear away the moss!

~Phil~

Paul Williams · 11-03-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

One would be to cut a few notches on the inner part of the trunk(s) and then surround the entire are with sphagnum moss. Wrap that section up in aluminum foil, or with whatever seems to do the trick and then to keep it moist and leave it that way for about two years although you might be able to get by with one year. That is something were only you can make the best decision. You will be amazed at what you will see when you unwrap it and clear away the moss!

~Phil~

Hi Phil
First thank you for your responce. I an curious, what do you mean by the "inner part" of the trunk? the back? Also what will be the result of this, backbuding, or air roots or something else?
I have done approach grafts on Ficus and air roots started at the sight so yes they can be incouraged by wounds. This tree has a lot of very fine air roots, one project would be to fatten them up. Anyone have any ideas there?
Good growing
Paul

noissee · 11-03-2009, 06:42 PM

Have you tried straws? cut length-wise and cover the thin roots. wrap a loose wire around to hold the straw together. The extra humidity should aid them. Also, since you are in Fl, you can do more extensive root work (to the bottom) that will encourage increased flow of nutrients through the aerial roots.

Paul Williams · 11-04-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noissee

Have you tried straws? cut length-wise and cover the thin roots. wrap a loose wire around to hold the straw together. The extra humidity should aid them. Also, since you are in Fl, you can do more extensive root work (to the bottom) that will encourage increased flow of nutrients through the aerial roots.

Hi noissee
No I've never tried that, I have never had ocasion to develop them till now. But I have an antidote to relate, at a local fish house here, there is a small ficus (perhaps 30 ft or so tall) in the ground at the side of the place. There's a plethora of air roots and they have put the small ones in one to two inch clear plastic "hoses". Now the "cracker" who owns the the place has been around for a while so it must work. I wonder if it is better to use clear tubes?
Your comment about the root work is interesting, that's worth putting in the old memory bank, thanks.
Good growing
Paul

Phil · 11-04-2009, 08:56 PM

Sorry, my mistake in saying the inner part of the trunk.
Anywhere you wish to is just fine but just a few nicks here and there should suffice. As for using straws that can be a real pain but of course you must first have aerial roots to work with. My article on Creation of an Epiphytic Ficus might make things a tad more clear.

~Phil~

Paul Williams · 11-05-2009, 11:16 PM

Hi Phil
Ok got your drift now, when I did the approach grafts that time and the air roots started it was a clue. Thanks for the link to the Epiphytic Ficus art. I hadent seen it before nice job, how about an update with some pix.
Good growing
Paul

11-01-2009, 10:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 510	Oboy, oboy! Great piece of material. F. benjamina? __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

11-02-2009, 03:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Paul Williams Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mid Florida Posts: 111	Home decko tree Hi treebeard55 Thank you for your comment, and yes it is a Benjamina. To give a scope of it's size the pot is 18". I hope it backbuds enough to become the tree that I am hopeing for. Good growing Paul

11-02-2009, 07:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phil A bit "Windswept" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago, Ill. USDA Zone 5 Posts: 1,042	If you're planning on getting it anywhere near your "projection" I would suggest a few things. One would be to cut a few notches on the inner part of the trunk(s) and then surround the entire are with sphagnum moss. Wrap that section up in aluminum foil, or with whatever seems to do the trick and then to keep it moist and leave it that way for about two years although you might be able to get by with one year. That is something were only you can make the best decision. You will be amazed at what you will see when you unwrap it and clear away the moss! ~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

11-04-2009, 08:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Phil A bit "Windswept" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago, Ill. USDA Zone 5 Posts: 1,042	Sorry, my mistake in saying the inner part of the trunk. Anywhere you wish to is just fine but just a few nicks here and there should suffice. As for using straws that can be a real pain but of course you must first have aerial roots to work with. My article on Creation of an Epiphytic Ficus might make things a tad more clear. ~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

11-05-2009, 11:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Paul Williams Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mid Florida Posts: 111	Home deco tree Hi Phil Ok got your drift now, when I did the approach grafts that time and the air roots started it was a clue. Thanks for the link to the Epiphytic Ficus art. I hadent seen it before nice job, how about an update with some pix. Good growing Paul

11-03-2009, 06:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
noissee Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: florida panhandle Posts: 206	Have you tried straws? cut length-wise and cover the thin roots. wrap a loose wire around to hold the straw together. The extra humidity should aid them. Also, since you are in Fl, you can do more extensive root work (to the bottom) that will encourage increased flow of nutrients through the aerial roots.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode