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14-03-2003, 05:32 PM

In article , (akrummel)
wrote:

I have a green island ficus with some aerial roots. It also has a fairly
new and low branch on the trunk. Could I pull that branch down to the
soil and ground layer it? Then after it has rooted cut off the leafy top
that remains beyond the rooted branchthus having only the branch down to
the soil and the roots. I suppose the branch would have to reverse its
flow of sap and nutrients. Has anyone ever tried this? Those of you who
know the Physiology of plants, is it possible?

thanks

Art Krummel

It's possible in theory, although I don't know whether some trees take to
this method of aerial root making better than others. A lot of trees do
it naturally. I'm waiting until the forsythia (did I spell that right) in
my garden to root its own branches - they're nearly touching the soil and
in a few weeks will be putting out roots. Then I can just propagate the
tree by snipping off the branch, although that's obviously not your reason
for wanting aerial roots.

I suppose it comes down to this - what have you got to lose?

I'm interested in the aerial root making techniques, myself. One way you
can do it is simply to layer the trunk with damp moss. That way you get
swathes of roots around the base of the tree - quite effective.

Liam