I have 2 Ficus trees I am hoping to grow some aerial roots on (a benjamina and a microcarpa).
I've read that the best way is to keep them very humid, but don't water them much so the soil stays a bit dry. But I have them outdoors for the summer, and it's been raining nearly every day for the last several weeks, so there's no keeping the soil dry unless I move them under the eaves.
Despite the daily rain, the humidity has been around 50-70%, which I don't think is enough to get aerial roots. I've been misting them 3 or 4 times a day, at least when it isn't raining.
I've also been keeping them on my patio which gets consistent light shade throughout the day, since I've read that aerial roots grow better in the shade.
Is there anything else I can do to encourage aerial roots? I know about putting a straw over them to protect them once they start to form, but I can't seem to get any to start.
Oh and the trees seem happy and are putting out new growth.
I've read that the best way is to keep them very humid, but don't water them much so the soil stays a bit dry. But I have them outdoors for the summer, and it's been raining nearly every day for the last several weeks, so there's no keeping the soil dry unless I move them under the eaves.
Despite the daily rain, the humidity has been around 50-70%, which I don't think is enough to get aerial roots. I've been misting them 3 or 4 times a day, at least when it isn't raining.
I've also been keeping them on my patio which gets consistent light shade throughout the day, since I've read that aerial roots grow better in the shade.
Is there anything else I can do to encourage aerial roots? I know about putting a straw over them to protect them once they start to form, but I can't seem to get any to start.
Oh and the trees seem happy and are putting out new growth.