Q: Branch cuttings can grow roots??????

eeiko321

hi all

i tried sending this new thread yesterday but it didnt work

i had recently did a major prune work with my ficus tree......
nearly half the tree had to go......

there was alot of Branch cut outs....
however, the person that helped me with the cuttings, said that if i plant the branches into some soil, it can actually grow its own roots after a while.

is this true??
she also said to keep the branches out of the sun in clean soil in a normal pot......water it daily.

well how long would it grow roots? i am giving it a try, its been 6 days since i planted it.....i had a quick look..........nothing has changed at the stem.

so can anyone give anything that could aid this growth any ideas??

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weeble

Ok, grasshopper, with plants you need to think in terms of weeks and months, not days. Leave your cuttings alone until you see new leaves growing from them. Then treat them gently for a month or two more, before you figure they're fully rooted.... This can take a season or two, although in general once a cutting starts to root it'll take off nicely.

By 'treat them gently' I mean do not let them dry out, don't overwater, and keep them out of direct sun in your area. Since it is a ficus, indoors on a windowsill where you can check the soil moisture easily and they DON'T get knocked around by wind and critters AND SOME BIG GOON CHECKING FOR ROOTS is what I would recommend! Every time you wiggle them, you can be breaking off fragile new roots, so resist the temptation! Just watch for new leaves to start, then leave them be for a bit more!

With ficus, if you (and I mean you, there is no need on part of the plant for you to see the roots) really HAVE to see if its growing roots, take a cutting and stick it in a glass of water. Keep the water level up, and watch how the roots develope. It takes a fair amount of time!! I'd clip another SMALL branch off your main tree, instead of messing with the ones you've already potted up, if there is enough of it left!

Maryjane

aka Weeble

Whistling Fish Pottery

ripsgreentree

Good advice from Weeble, I would add that you not be discouraged by the outcome of your first attempt. Ficus is propigated almost 100% by growers taking cuttings and there is no reason that you cannot also learn to produce material this way. I am a strong believer in finding someone who is succesful at what I want to learn and then taking the best of what they do and trying to improve on it. Second best is a good book on propigation techniques. You will find this information in the Nursery Traid. In any event, weather you take one cutting or 1,000 you will find it very satisfying to know that you can reproduce your favorite plants.

Glenn

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ripsgreentree

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PatArizona

G'day Eeiko...

Good advice from Maryjane...and others...

And here's more...

Learn somthing about horticulture...

Learn something about cuttings...

Learn something about the plants you are working with...before you acquire them if that's possible.

This could go on and on and on.............ond on...

Eeiko...it's time for you to do something to help your self...

How about this...you obviously have the time to post to this forum. It looks to me that you should be able to make time to attend club meetings and take a class.

Slow down grasshopper...patience...

I doubt that you will find anything that will sprout roots in six days. Everything we do in bonsai takes time. Nothing happens magically.

Listen to the advice that is being give so freely...

Did I say patience?

Pat

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THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

eeiko321

why, whats wrong with the one now?
i only checked it once?, & copped one hot day 40deg ...u recon that i should give up on these existing ones? coz probably got no chance now?


so from now if i was to take cuttings off the tree, should is tick them in a glass of water for how long?...then plant it as soon as roots develop.. is the better way to kick-start things?


heya pats......
i know what u mean about reading,....
my mind wonders off when i read boring things....no matter how useful.
and specific things u want to know may not readily be available.

trust me, i find this more apropriate for me and more efficient by asking questions.
so excuse me if i can get annoying or irritating...

thanks

newt1

"why, whats wrong with the one now?
i only checked it once?, & copped one hot day 40deg ...u recon that i should give up on these existing ones? coz probably got no chance now?"

Never give up on a ficus cutting.


"so from now if i was to take cuttings off the tree, should is tick them in a glass of water for how long?...then plant it as soon as roots develop.. is the better way to kick-start things?"

Anything that will grow roots in water will grow roots better in soil, do not start in water. Roots need air as well as water and nutrient, no air in a glass of water.


"heya pats......
i know what u mean about reading,....
my mind wonders off when i read boring things....no matter how useful.
and specific things u want to know may not readily be available. trust me, i find this more apropriate for me and more efficient by asking questions.
so excuse me if i can get annoying or irritating..."

Reading about bonsai should not be boring if you truly love it! If you are unwilling to do some leg work on your own people will tire of the questions very soon. You may want to learn to focus your mind. At the very least learn to use a books index. Then you can read only what you are interested in at the time. Don't take that the wrong way, just my feeling. As for rooting ficus or ficus care in general get Jerry Meisilk's "ficus the exotic bonsai".

FYI ficus cuttings (or any cutting actually) will take better in 100% humidity so it is best to propogate in a bag (with holes poked in the bottom to let out any excess water) or a propagation flat that has a clear dome to keep humidity high. With this set up the soil will not dry out on you and you should flush the soil with fresh water once a week.

Newt

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Connection with gardens, even small ones, even potted plants, can become windows to the inner life. The simple act of stopping and looking at the beauty around us can be prayer. -Patricia R. Barrett

Mcspeed

Not a slap, a nudge maybe but newts got a good point, especially when you tell people that you don't want to so you do it for me. Instant gratification is just that, an instant, then people catch on.

Learn to learn then the world is yours.

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nfimb

I am fairly new to bonsai myself But when i heard about propagation from cuttings. Of course i tried it. I stuck a cutting in water and a cutting in soil the one in the water Quickly died, probably a week and a half later, But the one in soil was still very green and still felt strong. as with the one from water i just eventually broke it down and pushed it down in the water, now whatever i cut, i just throw it in there too... i dont really know why. But The one in soil has been in for ... about a month now and since its still january i knew it only to be an experiment. But i pulled up the stem and looked and there was quite a big bulge and the tip

Maybe this means roots might come out, Or maybe because i just pulled it up they wont grow now, I guess ill just find out in a couple more months when i stick the plants in separate pots and place them outside. ill have to check then.

i recently bought some Clonex red, i only bought this kind cause it says its more potent and also was only a couple more dollars... And also a root riot plant starter

Just somethin to mess with i guess. Maybe get a couple little trees started hopefully, but who knows. like i said, Just an experiment.

ElGringo

Hey eeiko, read up on something called 'willow water'. You may find it interesting, and it may help your cuttings come along.

Some species of tree have 'pre formed' roots inside the stem, special cells that are poised and ready to grow as new roots whenever the need arises. This is true of ficus, their long, heavy branches support themselves by sending out roots to the ground below.

Rainforest trees often grow in this manner; the soft, thin soils they grow in cannot support them, so they send out aerial roots from the branches. These grow down to the soil and function as buttresses, stabilizing the tree.

It's often referred to as 'banyan', and you can see it as a bonsai style. It's generally more common in SE Asian bonsai.

Therefore your ficus shuold grow roots in no time, if you adhere to what everyone has said.

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