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#1
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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. |
#2
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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. |
#3
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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 +++++ |
#4
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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 +++++ |
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