----- Original Message -----
From: "akrummel"
Subject: [IBC] creating an aerial root


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


Yes, I've done it several times in NE Ohio on some of my trees and on a
friends large ficus. Several varieties of Tropicals.
Strip off the leaves so they don't rot. You can also make some cambium
wounds and apply some rooting hormone as you would a cutting.
FYI, the arial root -straw shield also works well to keep those emerging
arials from drying up when you bring them into the house in the Fall before
they've quite reached into the soil and "attached". By Spring you'll have a
nice rooted ariel root.
Regards,
Dale Cochoy, Wild Things Bonsai Studio, Hartville, Ohio
http://www.WildThingsBonsai.Com
Specializing in power wood carving tools.
Yakimono no Kokoro bonsai pottery of hand-built stoneware

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