New Ficus Help

klatia snob

I bought this 22" tall (inc pot) Ficus earlier in the week. Having no experience at all with ficus I'm not too sure exactly what type it is, but it was advertised as "Ficus Retusa Moretown Bay Fig" Does that make sense? It was a bargain at £22.00 though. My first thoughts on getting it home are that I would like to encourage new aerial roots. I have wrapped the base of the tree in sphagnum moss and will mist-spray it with a mixture of Superthrive and water in which I have steeped willow cuttings. Should this work?
I live in Surrey, which is in the South-East of England and intend to keep it wintered in my conservatory. It can get pretty cool in there over winter, but never below a few degrees above freezing.
regarding the rest of the tree, I will have to consider that, but any suggestions and/or critisism would be very welcome.
Many thanks and best regards.

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klatia snob

And from the other side:

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Adam_MA

Klatia,
The name does make sense. As for the winter situation this tree will not do well much past 50 degrees F or 10 C. And by not doing well I mean it will lose it's leaves and stop growing. At much past 45F or 7C this tree will die. For the winter it will be best to keep this tree inside in a sunny window. It sounds like you are on the right track for encouraging more aerial roots, although many will argue that the superthrive in your misting bottle is a waste. But if it does well for you and you don't mind adding the cost it won't do any harm. As for the tree itself.. I like it! It has an interesting trunk line and once the canopy fills in it will look very nice. I wouldn't recommend doing much work to it now, or at least for a couple of weeks. This tree is new to you and your environment, so it may have an adjustment period. One thing I would check though is the soil. From the picture it looks to be very high in peat content. If so, you should think about a repot of this tree. Being in the middle of the summer (where I am in the US anyway) makes it the perfect time to repot tropicals. Maybe some one on the forum that is near your area could suggest a soil mix that works well in your part of the world.

Hope this helps.
Adam

mr_burninator

In addition to Adam's good advice I would just like to say that i like your second pictures as the front. I think it shows off just as much trunk movement with a much better display of the aerial roots. Another big factor to deciding on a front is the nebari since it can be one of the harder aspects to change. Happy growing, and if you really want the aerial roots to be a major component of your design you should research banyan style.

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

klatia snob

Thank you both for your good advise. I will certainly keep it in mind and act upon it. I hope some day to report back with something a lot more pleasing to the eye.
Adam, it looks like I'll have to turn the heating on this winter, no great shakes I guess. I only had the central heating on for about five days last winter.
I think you are right about the peat content in the pot. I have to hand Akadama, Kanuma, fine sharp grit and some regular organic plant potting compost. Apart from the Kanuma, I think these have a pretty neutral Ph. Of course I'm willing to get whatever else is necessary.
Mr. Burninator, I agree completely with you about the front. I will look up Banyan tonight. It's been quite breezy here today and I'm off to collect some fallen maple seeds now.
Thanks very much again to you both for your kind advise.
Take good care.

El Dolo

personally, I prefer the original front. True the back shows off more rootage, but the movement is better from the front. The top of the tree looks more centered over the base in the front. I cant really describe the feeling i get, but the overall balance just seems "right" from the front, with it's smoothe curves, were as the back has sharper turns. Unless your going for a slant style and plan to change the potting angle, Id stick with that front.
As for showing off the roots in the back, your already in the process of making new aerials, so I wouldn't be too worried about the back having more at the moment. Good luck.

-Roy-

Johnny2000

Its actually a morton bay fig from australia.