Dear All

Strangler fig, Ficus aurea, is a particular species found in Florida. It is a
sort of parasite. Its seeds sprout on the forest floor. Then the seedling

Also not so true... In my experience with the South African stranglers
they are not parasitic at all. A parasite is "a plant or animal living
in or on another and drawing nutriment from it" (ancient, 1942, Pocket
Oxford!). Parasitic plants have specialized structures that tap into
the host plant and steal water and or nutrients from the host plant's
vessel system. A plant that is just using another for support and not
sustenance is not parasitic.

finds the nearest tree and climbs up it as a vine, to reach the light. As it gets
to the top, it grows more stems and branches around the host tree, eventually
smothering it and becoming a free-standing tree. Ficus aurea can be grown as

Our strangles start off as seedlings in forks of branches and their
roots grow down to the soil. A net of roots is created, surrounding
the support plant, which effectively ring barks the tree and eventually
kills it.

own, or grow it on a sacrifice tree to get the multiple trunks.

You don't need to use a living tree. You can develop a strangler over
a stump of one of you failed bonsai attempts. Design wise you want to
create a more tropical feel rather than a exposed mountain tree that is
often achieved with phoenix grafting. I have grown a root-over-tree
(as opposed to root-over-rock) using a dead Olive stump and a living
Natal Wild Fig (Ficus natalensis). The roots have bonded well and the
canopy is now being developed.

Carl Morrow
Cape Town

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++