Root Chopping A Ficus??

D3rutat

I've just read an article on a bonsai magazine where they completely removed the roots from an almost 10 cm thick Ficus Carica. They sawed the root base completely bcos it was ugly and then they added some rooting hormones and repotted the tree. After a few years a beautiful oil-spill kinda nebari was formed. Is this possible?? If so, does it work only on figs?? Thnx

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Bonsai Club Romania

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TreeBay

It also works on olives, bald cypress, bougainvillea and other easy-to-root species. Basically, you're treating the tree as a large cutting.

Regards,

Matt

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D3rutat

do you happen to know what soil mix should suit it better??Thanx

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Bonsai Club Romania

TreeBay

>do you happen to know what soil mix should suit it better??Thanx

Not really, it depends on what you can get and how you water. Pasteurized (steam sterilized) soil is always better for cuttings. Less disruption from weeding and fewer mold spores. I don't see why your regular bonsai soil won't work. Be sure to bury the rootline 4 or 5 inches below the soil surface. That area needs to be kept dark, warm and somewhat moist. If it is too light or dries out too often or too long, it won't succeed.

I think you'll see some photos of the types of chamfered cuts Doug makes around the perimeter of his olives \__________/ on his website:

http://www.dugzbonsai.com/olivehead5.htm

That article starts here:

http://www.dugzbonsai.com/olivehead1.htm

Regards,

Matt

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Cre8tive

Excellent article Matt. And to think I was concearned about treating these trees too rough.

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thejimmyrigger

Cre8tive,
You should check out the rest of his site, he does some really neat things to a bucket of maple seedlings.
jim

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Jimmyrigging is much like jerryrigging, just go a bit lighter on the duct tape and wire coat hangers, and hit said broken item more. Remember: if it isn't broke don't kick it.