Olive stump with NO ROOTS!!

[chefmateo]

So I bought this little olive off of eBay. I've gotten a few things from this seller that are still alive & doing well. I repotted this guy today & was shocked to find NO ROOTS!! It's got growth on it & I'm curious how this is possible without any roots to feed it.

 

[Adair M]

Stick the part that’s supposed to have roots in some sand. Keep it watered. It’ll grow roots.

 

[chefmateo]

I put it in some special bonsai soil mix., that drains well. I don't have any sand. Will it not root in anything but sand? Thanks.

 

[Adair M]

Describe “special bonsai mix”. Components and particle size.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Stick the part that’s supposed to have roots in some sand. Keep it watered. It’ll grow roots.

Explains why this is in sand! I was wondering about the substrate choice...I bet same seller. This was an eBay purchase...an Olive as well.
Sept 2018 just had little nubs of budding out. Assumed recently collected with no branching.


April 6th 2019 after applying wire.

 

[chefmateo]

Explains why this is in sand! I was wondering about the substrate choice...I bet same seller. This was an eBay purchase...an Olive as well.
Sept 2018 just had little nubs of budding out. Assumed recently collected with no branching.
View attachment 240160

April 6th 2019 after applying wire.
View attachment 240161

3m.bonsai was the seller. I contacted him/her and they were willing to send me another. They told me to wait about a month or two & it should grow roots, but if not they would replace. I'm fine with that. I'll just bide time & see what happens.

 

[Cadillactaste]

3m.bonsai was the seller. I contacted him/her and they were willing to send me another. They told me to wait about a month or two & it should grow roots, but if not they would replace. I'm fine with that. I'll just bide time & see what happens.

Wow, that's a really nice seller. They didn't have to do that. Yes...same seller. When a tree is so underdeveloped...one has to assume it could be a cutting. I think sand is the best substrate for growing roots. Adair is a student of Boon...and is very familiar with this species. That would be your best route.

 

[chefmateo]

Wow, that's a really nice seller. They didn't have to do that. Yes...same seller. When a tree is so underdeveloped...one has to assume it could be a cutting. I think sand is the best substrate for growing roots. Adair is a student of Boon...and is very familiar with this species. That would be your best route.

Well shucks..looks like I'll have to get some sand & re-pot it then. Thanks.