Air layer or not

[Vasyl]

This is my little fusion project with Ficus Retusa. I was planning to airlayer next summer to get rid of the gaps between the three trunks at the bottom. But I am itching to do the airlayer now and add a few more twigs to be fused with the trunk. Is it still safe to do it now or should I wait till next summer?

 

[Cypress187]

Maybe graft a root in the gap?

 

[Vasyl]

Maybe graft a root in the gap?

I've never done it. Maybe I should try

 

[BrianBay9]

In Illinois you must be getting ready to bring your Ficus indoors? If you don't have an optimal indoor set up to keep your tree growing strongly all winter, I would wait until you have it back out next spring for the air layer. You want to air layer when the tree is healthy and strong, not just getting by. It really depends on your indoor lights, humidity, etc.

 

[Vasyl]

In Illinois you must be getting ready to bring your Ficus indoors? If you don't have an optimal indoor set up to keep your tree growing strongly all winter, I would wait until you have it back out next spring for the air layer. You want to air layer when the tree is healthy and strong, not just getting by. It really depends on your indoor lights, humidity, etc.

It is going indoors in a few days. It does ok with the artificial lighting I provide but doesn't grow much during the winter. The tree has a lot of surface roots so I am considering cutting off the bottom half of the root mass instead of airlayer and repotting deeper. But I do agree that it would be better to wait

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I would wait until rapid growth in early summer.

 

[Vasyl]

I would wait until rapid growth in early summer.

Thank you, Leo

 

[CasAH]

Ivan just sent out an email saying October 4th is the last day for tropicals to be outside in the Chicago Area.

So get in , and leave it alone till next Summer.

 

[Vasyl]

Ivan just sent out an email saying October 4th is the last day for tropicals to be outside in the Chicago Area.

So get in , and leave it alone till next Summer.

Will do