Jeff Isom wrote:


Subject: Banyan style Ficus

I have a couple of Ficus trees that I'd really like to develop into
banyan style (with air roots), but for the life of me I can't seem to
get any started. I've read that you can get them by 1) Keeping
humidity high, 2) Keeping light low, 3) Combination of 1 & 2, 4)
Feeding with Super Thrive. Now that summer is almost over here, I'm
looking to set up my grow room and I'd like to optimize at least one
area for the Ficus trees. I realize I'd do much better by moving to a
tropical area and growing them, but let's pretend that's not a option.
What can I do with a combination of outside in a very short summer and
inside during the rest of the year? Any help here would be greatly
appreciated!


If the variety of ficus is predisposed to growing aerial roots, I've
found it's strictly humidity that controls their production. My
Benjamina bonsai threw out lots during our recent three week period of
high humidity. Of course, the humidity dropped back down juuussst before
any of them reached the soil and established themselves. Jerry's advice
about the plastic tent is definitely the way to go. Just watch for
scale (I'd just kill them after the roots are established rather than
risk the roots by dropping the humidity or spraying in the tent).

Mike Pollock
Westchester County, NY, Zone 6 "ish"
Webmaster for www.yamakibonsai.org



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