Ficus root pruning
 

I have a ficus that I bought 2-3 years ago and it has been doing well
since it was placed in a pot that is 11" round and 8" deep. The plant
itself is about 26" high and has been growing rapidly indoors over the
last several weeks. The plant gets about 2-3 hours of early morning
sun. The climate outside is still harsh with plenty of snow on the
ground.

I would like prune the root as described he
http://www.bonsaisite.com/fatfig.html

i.e. remove all roots and then prune them so that I can create a
"tapering trunk and proper nebari". My questions are as follows:

- When is the best time to prune? I thought the pre-spring would be
good time as the plant would be dormant but it seems to be showing a
lot of growth (best in some time) and is far from dormant.

- Any other tips on performing this procedure?

The goal is to create a "large" ficus with a thick trunk and aerial
roots.

Thanks.

I have a ficus rianne that I bought 2-3 years ago and it has been
doing well
since it was placed in a pot that is 11" round and 8" deep. The plant
itself is about 26" high and has been growing rapidly indoors over the
last several weeks. The plant gets about 2-3 hours of early morning
sun. The climate outside is still harsh with plenty of snow on the
ground.

I would like prune the root as described he
http://www.bonsaisite.com/fatfig.html

i.e. remove all roots and then prune them so that I can create a
"tapering trunk and proper nebari". My questions are as follows:

- When is the best time to prune? I thought the pre-spring would be
good time as the plant would be dormant but it seems to be showing a
lot of growth (best in some time) and is far from dormant.

- Any other tips on performing this procedure?

The goal is to create a "large" ficus with a thick trunk and aerial
roots.

Thanks.

On 20 Feb 2005 at 23:00, Jim wrote:

I have a ficus rianne that I bought 2-3 years ago and it has been
doing well
since it was placed in a pot that is 11" round and 8" deep. The plant
itself is about 26" high and has been growing rapidly indoors over the
last several weeks. The plant gets about 2-3 hours of early morning
sun. The climate outside is still harsh with plenty of snow on the
ground.

"2-3 hours of early morning sun is NOT enough light. Ficus need
light most of the day (though F. benjamina, of which yours is a
cultivar/variety, can SURVIVE in less and lower light. Note the
word SURVIVE.)

You need a bright fluorescent set a few inches above the plant
for 12-15 hours a day to ensure healthy growth.

I would like prune the root as described he
http://www.bonsaisite.com/fatfig.html

i.e. remove all roots and then prune them so that I can create a
"tapering trunk and proper nebari".

Well, if you "remove all roots" the tree will die. Period.
Someone said that site was from Australia; you are from
somewhere that it snows heavily. There is a BIG difference.

And, I question whether you're getting good info there, anyway.
Removing roots won't improve trunk taper, and "proper nebari"
isn't a given from root pruning -- though it can help when
pruning is done judiciously.

My questions are as follows:

- When is the best time to prune? I thought the pre-spring would be
good time as the plant would be dormant but it seems to be showing a
lot of growth (best in some time) and is far from dormant.

In the northern hemisphere and in the cooler temperate zone
(which you seem to be in), tropicals are repotted (transplanted
and get root work) in the heat of summer. As you have already
noted, there isn't a real "dormancy."


- Any other tips on performing this procedure?

Yes. Get a book on tropical (indoor) bonsai. There are a few.
Check the book review section at www.internetbonsaiclub.org.
Jerry Meislik, who used to post here but who seems to have
abandoned the list for the more dubious pleasures of the gallery
has an all-ficus book -- "Ficus the Exotic Bonsai" -- that would
help a lot.


The goal is to create a "large" ficus with a thick trunk and aerial
roots.

VERY difficult to do anywhere it snows unless you grow in
greenhouse conditions (and inside the house doesn't qualify).

Jim Lewis - - Hit THINK before you hit SEND

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

On 20 Feb 2005 at 23:00, Jim wrote:

I have a ficus rianne that I bought 2-3 years ago and it has been
doing well
since it was placed in a pot that is 11" round and 8" deep. The plant
itself is about 26" high and has been growing rapidly indoors over the
last several weeks. The plant gets about 2-3 hours of early morning
sun. The climate outside is still harsh with plenty of snow on the
ground.

"2-3 hours of early morning sun is NOT enough light. Ficus need
light most of the day (though F. benjamina, of which yours is a
cultivar/variety, can SURVIVE in less and lower light. Note the
word SURVIVE.)

You need a bright fluorescent set a few inches above the plant
for 12-15 hours a day to ensure healthy growth.

I would like prune the root as described he
http://www.bonsaisite.com/fatfig.html

i.e. remove all roots and then prune them so that I can create a
"tapering trunk and proper nebari".

Well, if you "remove all roots" the tree will die. Period.
Someone said that site was from Australia; you are from
somewhere that it snows heavily. There is a BIG difference.

And, I question whether you're getting good info there, anyway.
Removing roots won't improve trunk taper, and "proper nebari"
isn't a given from root pruning -- though it can help when
pruning is done judiciously.

My questions are as follows:

- When is the best time to prune? I thought the pre-spring would be
good time as the plant would be dormant but it seems to be showing a
lot of growth (best in some time) and is far from dormant.

In the northern hemisphere and in the cooler temperate zone
(which you seem to be in), tropicals are repotted (transplanted
and get root work) in the heat of summer. As you have already
noted, there isn't a real "dormancy."


- Any other tips on performing this procedure?

Yes. Get a book on tropical (indoor) bonsai. There are a few.
Check the book review section at www.internetbonsaiclub.org.
Jerry Meislik, who used to post here but who seems to have
abandoned the list for the more dubious pleasures of the gallery
has an all-ficus book -- "Ficus the Exotic Bonsai" -- that would
help a lot.


The goal is to create a "large" ficus with a thick trunk and aerial
roots.

VERY difficult to do anywhere it snows unless you grow in
greenhouse conditions (and inside the house doesn't qualify).

Jim Lewis - - Hit THINK before you hit SEND

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