Dr.GreenThumb
Sapling
Hello,
My name is Dr. GreenThumb, have ever had a problem growing...
... aerial roots on ficus ?
I have many projects going on in my "Bonsaï Research & Development project":
Here is the first and the easiest one:
How to get about 50 roots on (only) one branch, in approximately 3 weeks ?
25th of June:
26th of june:
The roots grow through the cut past.
6th of July:
The first root touches the soil, 15cm away.
16th of July:
11 roots touch the soil and there are a lot more coming !!!
I have only had 6 days of sun here in Norway (shity weather), but when it's sunny some roots take up to 2 cm per days.
If you are interested to do that, follow these steps:
1/ Make some scarifications in a trunk or a branch:
The scarifications I have done were following the damage made by a wire left too long on a branch, and were about 5mm Large.
I have cut it until the sapwood and removed the wood layers above.
2/ Apply some rooting hormones
3/ Close it with cut past.
Do do what follows, you need a draining soil that that retains enough water.
You tree will have a tuff time... but he'll like it.
I put my tree in pines bark (5 to 7 mm) 2 month before that.
4/ Place you tree in a green house completely closed and try to keep as much humidity as possible.
I have tested several techniques; it seems the best solution is to place the tree in a plastic box with the bottom filled up with 2cm of water.
Make sure the pot does not touch the water to avoid roots problems and I strongly advice to change the water everyday.
5/ Full sun up to 35 to 50°c.
- It seems that the stress provided by high heat stimulate the tree to make new roots; particularly when its environment is wet.
- Such temperatures allow the roots to develop really quickly; in my experience 1 or 2 cm per day when the green house reaches 40 - 45 in full sun.
Warning: Watch your tree very carefully, it could be cooked in a day.
The following picture shows the maximum temperature and relative humidity I had in the green house... hmmm, scary!!!! :
6/ Make sure to keep the aerial roots always wet until they reach the soil if not they will dry and die.
In my experimentation, I have put a plastic bag between the leaves and the soil:
When you think it's too dry, spray some water inside.
Note: Leave the plastic bag a little bit open at the top to avoid problems.
7/ Fertilize a lot your tree:
I used a chemical (23 - 6 - 10) fertilizer every 5 to 7 days depending on my mood and my mood depends on the weather by the way.
I don't recommend organic fertilizer in such environment.
8/ The most important advice, "Enjoy to watch them grow everyday" !
Dr. GreenThumb
My name is Dr. GreenThumb, have ever had a problem growing...
... aerial roots on ficus ?
I have many projects going on in my "Bonsaï Research & Development project":
Here is the first and the easiest one:
How to get about 50 roots on (only) one branch, in approximately 3 weeks ?
25th of June:
26th of june:
The roots grow through the cut past.
6th of July:
The first root touches the soil, 15cm away.
16th of July:
11 roots touch the soil and there are a lot more coming !!!
I have only had 6 days of sun here in Norway (shity weather), but when it's sunny some roots take up to 2 cm per days.
If you are interested to do that, follow these steps:
1/ Make some scarifications in a trunk or a branch:
The scarifications I have done were following the damage made by a wire left too long on a branch, and were about 5mm Large.
I have cut it until the sapwood and removed the wood layers above.
2/ Apply some rooting hormones
3/ Close it with cut past.
Do do what follows, you need a draining soil that that retains enough water.
You tree will have a tuff time... but he'll like it.
I put my tree in pines bark (5 to 7 mm) 2 month before that.
4/ Place you tree in a green house completely closed and try to keep as much humidity as possible.
I have tested several techniques; it seems the best solution is to place the tree in a plastic box with the bottom filled up with 2cm of water.
Make sure the pot does not touch the water to avoid roots problems and I strongly advice to change the water everyday.
5/ Full sun up to 35 to 50°c.
- It seems that the stress provided by high heat stimulate the tree to make new roots; particularly when its environment is wet.
- Such temperatures allow the roots to develop really quickly; in my experience 1 or 2 cm per day when the green house reaches 40 - 45 in full sun.
Warning: Watch your tree very carefully, it could be cooked in a day.
The following picture shows the maximum temperature and relative humidity I had in the green house... hmmm, scary!!!! :
6/ Make sure to keep the aerial roots always wet until they reach the soil if not they will dry and die.
In my experimentation, I have put a plastic bag between the leaves and the soil:
When you think it's too dry, spray some water inside.
Note: Leave the plastic bag a little bit open at the top to avoid problems.
7/ Fertilize a lot your tree:
I used a chemical (23 - 6 - 10) fertilizer every 5 to 7 days depending on my mood and my mood depends on the weather by the way.
I don't recommend organic fertilizer in such environment.
8/ The most important advice, "Enjoy to watch them grow everyday" !
Dr. GreenThumb
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