To tourniquet or to cut? I have a definite outcome in mind but I'm not sure how to get there.
This is the mother to all my projects so I would be devastate if she didn't make it so I want to make sure I make the right moves and I want your professional opinion.
Basically I want to remove the large tuberous roots and grow out a nice nebari.
[img]https://img819.imageshack.us/img819/6923/oldhag1.jpg[/img]
In these pics you can see [imo anyways] where the character of the tree really starts and where I want to remove everything below it.
[img]https://img860.imageshack.us/img860/574/oldhag2.jpg[/img]
...
[img]https://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7219/oldhag4.jpg[/img]
My question is, should I go with the tourniquet route or is the growth so minimal right now that I would be safe with a straight cut? Keeping in mind that the aerial roots will remain. Also it is currently coming back from a cutback.
This is basically what I want
[img]https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2856/oldhag5.jpg[/img]
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[img]https://img812.imageshack.us/img812/3298/oldhag6.jpg[/img]
Thoughts?
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Intriguedbybonsai
- Senior Member
- Posts: 262
- Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:03 pm
- Location: Escondido, CA (USDA Zone 9-10)
This is an interesting method you have planned. For what these plants are worth(I got mine at Ikea for under $20), I say go for it.
I also have a ginseng ficus, which I assume is what you have as well, but I've never bothered to do anything with it. The bulging root system is a head scratcher.
[img]https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/Skeletor619/0409121706.jpg[/img]
I also have a ginseng ficus, which I assume is what you have as well, but I've never bothered to do anything with it. The bulging root system is a head scratcher.
[img]https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/Skeletor619/0409121706.jpg[/img]
When you say a 'cutback' how far back did you cut it? Because if it was an intense cutback then I would let it be until it fully recovers then do it. I would of done what your thinking of doing, right after the cutback while it's still under some stress so it doesn't have to go through a whole another stressful time again. I like your idea, so go for it. If its cutback is major, don't mess with it. If it was a small cutback, just go for it.
It was actually a very minor cutback. I only mention it because the leaves are so few and I'm not sure how that would impact a straight cut versus a tourniquet.
If I go the tourniquet route, I'm sure it will be fine for the next while as it wouldn't be impacted nearly as drastically and swiftly than if I literally lopped off everything below the line. I'm just wondering if I have enough aerial roots to sustain it until it throws some new ones if I do cut it.
If I go the tourniquet route, I'm sure it will be fine for the next while as it wouldn't be impacted nearly as drastically and swiftly than if I literally lopped off everything below the line. I'm just wondering if I have enough aerial roots to sustain it until it throws some new ones if I do cut it.
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
I don't have an answer to your question, but it is interesting. The large tuberous roots are generally considered to be what makes ficus ginseng interesting and unique. I never found it particularly attractive myself, but that's just personal preference. Lots of people do make bonsai out of them maintaining the root system as the plant is programmed for.
[img]https://www.bonsaitreeanswers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ficus-ginseng-bonsai1.jpg[/img]
I have to wonder, if you go to all the work of separating the plant from these roots without killing it, won't it eventually just grow them back? I thought it was part of the genetic makeup of the plant, just as the shape of the leaves is.
[img]https://www.bonsaitreeanswers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ficus-ginseng-bonsai1.jpg[/img]
I have to wonder, if you go to all the work of separating the plant from these roots without killing it, won't it eventually just grow them back? I thought it was part of the genetic makeup of the plant, just as the shape of the leaves is.
manIK,
I'm jelous you generate so much interest where no one responds to my recent thred doing something similar to yours except I split my tree into 2 keeping the bottom one as well.
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44265
IMHO, I'm no professional I see 3 options. 1. do nothing wait until the aerial roots faten before cutting. Cut and root the whole thing like a giant cutting. 2. scar or ring cut the trunk at the final cut location so the aerial roots will take over and increase size fast. 3. Perform (2) like an air layer. 4. turnik or use zip tie with moss wrap around it.
Nice project, keep us updated!
I'm jelous you generate so much interest where no one responds to my recent thred doing something similar to yours except I split my tree into 2 keeping the bottom one as well.
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44265
IMHO, I'm no professional I see 3 options. 1. do nothing wait until the aerial roots faten before cutting. Cut and root the whole thing like a giant cutting. 2. scar or ring cut the trunk at the final cut location so the aerial roots will take over and increase size fast. 3. Perform (2) like an air layer. 4. turnik or use zip tie with moss wrap around it.
Nice project, keep us updated!
Thanks for the insight everyone.
I had a thought - does anyone think something like this might work?
[img]https://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5822/testqhw.jpg[/img]
So basically, make the cut at the line in the pics. Embed a small bottle of water in the center of a pot and back fill around the water bottle with some soil for the aerial roots to live in while the trunk sits in water to propagate some new roots.
Thoughts?
I had a thought - does anyone think something like this might work?
[img]https://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5822/testqhw.jpg[/img]
So basically, make the cut at the line in the pics. Embed a small bottle of water in the center of a pot and back fill around the water bottle with some soil for the aerial roots to live in while the trunk sits in water to propagate some new roots.
Thoughts?
good idea, wanna take one for us and try it? You made me think of how I built a aeroponic/hydroponic propagator out of plastic storage bins, water pump, pvc pipes, micro sprayers fire clay pebbles and net pots. I was able to generate roots on the yucca plant and tomato plants super fast. It might work for a ficus tree as well, especially you already have other aerial roots supporting the tree with soil.
Although generating roots in water is fast, one still has to transition the roots into soil for them to harden and thinken up in soil. . . just my 2 cents.
Although generating roots in water is fast, one still has to transition the roots into soil for them to harden and thinken up in soil. . . just my 2 cents.