Ficus Nerifolia/Salicaria...roots pushing up & out of its pot???

[Poink88]

I bought a ficus nerifolia/salicaria on February. It came in bare root so after removing 2 big roots (which are growing well on their own now) it was planted as shown here. (photo was taken on April, 2012).

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee6/poink_2003/Bonsai/P1120255.jpg

Late last month, I moved it in my garage for winter protection. It sulked and dropping lots of leaves. I was cleaning the leaves last night and noticed that the original soil surface is much higher now and seems like the root system is pushing it up. Soil/Turface is actually falling between the pot and the newly formed rootball.

Anyone noticed the same in such a short time?

 

[coh]

I've seen that happen in even less time with my brush cherry, which has a tendency to send big roots to the bottom of the pot...where they start circling and pushing the plant up.

What is the size of that ficus? I have one that looks similar that I'm working on, though I think your tree is somewhat larger...

Chris

 

[ericN]

Its normal. I aggressively prune my ficus trees every year and every time I re-pot, its always packed with so much roots that it seems like 2/3 of the soil was gone. They tend to push themselves out of the pot too!

Hope that helps
Eric

 

[Poink88]

Chris,

I will double check later but I am estimating about 2.25" at the base (I believe the pot is 8" wide). I haven't done anything to it other than the root chop and potting (not even pinch). I am considering throwing it (or one of the other 2) in a 15 gallon pot and just let it run.

How is the roots impacting your design? It seems like it can potentially grow almost like a ginseng ficus!

BTW, I bought 2 for $35.00 each and even got a 3rd smaller freebie

 

[coh]

Chris,

I will double check later but I am estimating about 2.25" at the base (I believe the pot is 8" wide). I haven't done anything to it other than the root chop and potting (not even pinch). I am considering throwing it (or one of the other 2) in a 15 gallon pot and just let it run.

How is the roots impacting your design? It seems like it can potentially grow almost like a ginseng ficus!

Are you referring to the ficus or the brush cherry? The ficus has a nice wide surface root spread completely unlike any ginseng...the brush cherry is a different animal, the larger roots seem to be originating from deep within the root mass. I need to investigate that at the next repotting.

BTW, I bought 2 for $35.00 each and even got a 3rd smaller freebie

I guess that's one of the benefits of living someplace where ficus are more available...

Chris

 

[Poink88]

Are you referring to the ficus or the brush cherry? The ficus has a nice wide surface root spread completely unlike any ginseng...the brush cherry is a different animal, the larger roots seem to be originating from deep within the root mass. I need to investigate that at the next repotting.


I guess that's one of the benefits of living someplace where ficus are more available...

Chris

Referring to the ficus. Good to know that the roots behave like that. You see the roots on these are massive...just a little smaller than the trunk and I had to chop one above the current soil level...leaving a large chop mark on the main root. I need to work on the roots come spring.

Actually, I cannot find them here locally so I bought mine from Puerto Rico. The shipping cost me less than $10 per tree since I bought 6 trees (I believe) that time and got 2 freebies. I will post some of the big logwood/campeche I got with this later.

 

[Poink88]

Ryan,

If you see this...is this regular salicaria/nerifolia? Thanks.


View attachment 39098 View attachment 39099

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Ryan,

If you see this...is this regular salicaria/nerifolia? Thanks.


View attachment 39098 View attachment 39099

Good question. I'd say it's a regular though, as the growth on '89 isn't as tight and compact as this.

 

[Anthony]

Dario,

I will check for you tomorrow, but there is another listing for a ficus will willow type leaves, other than the popular one in the U.S.

Yes, they tend to lift out of the container. They can also be treated as a big cutting when repotted, which will give you the chance to refine the surface roots.
Good Night.
Anthony