[Tutorial] How to Develop Dynamic Figs Quickly

[Ash]

Thanks John, Thanks Hugh,

It has been very very wet here- possibly just too wet for the method. I will try it again another season.

cheers guys
Ash

[Steven]

Sorry to hear some of you haven't had success with this method but glad to know it has inspired you to give it a go. John, yours look healthy enough!

I pulled my one out today and proceeded to step 7. Due to some issues I had earlier in the year I haven't stuck to the time frame of the booklet but. . .

March 2011.jpg

March 2011 out of the pot.jpg

March 2011 root detail.jpg

March 2011 underneath.jpg

March 2011 ready to pot up.jpg

March 2011 roots spread over mound.jpg

March 2011 potted.jpg

I watered it heavily to wash the diatomite and then watered with some Seasol. I'll put a layer of slow release fert and dynamic lifter on the top of the pot in a few weeks time and then let it grow untouched until the weather warms up again next October or November.

Thanks and regards,
Steven

[kcpoole]

Hey steven
where do you get you clay balls?

I have been using Scoria in the base of my pots to stop the mix falling out

Ken

[Bretts]

I got some a few years ago from a local hydroponics/tabaco store (local being just over 1 hour drive away ) I believe they still have them. I was never that keen on them because of he roundness.
Price was OK about $30 for a big bag.

[Ash]

Thanks Steven et al. I might try to use a more forgiving fig species next time or perhaps some young F. rubiginosa seedlings. I think the method would likely work very well with a vigorous young seedling (as a replacement for taproot chop).

cheers
Ash

[Steven]

Hey steven
where do you get you clay balls?

G'day Ken,
I got them a few years ago from a hydro shop on Victoria Rd.

Thanks Steven et al. I might try to use a more forgiving fig species next time or perhaps some young F. rubiginosa seedlings. I think the method would likely work very well with a vigorous young seedling (as a replacement for taproot chop).

G'day Ash,
My one was from an older and not necessarily vigorous rubiginosa. I would have thought that up your way the heat and humidity would only help
Perhaps the diatomite you used retained too much moisture for them?

Regards,
Steven

[NBPCA]

Hi Steven,

This is an interesting technique. I have only seen this done once before, to a wisteria, it was successful also. Should be interesting to see how this one develops - keep us updated.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[jonro]

Awsome Tut, so would this work on Port Jackson figs - Ficus rubiginosa., Moreton Bay figs - Ficus macrophylla we commonly see in australia? also can this be done to small poorly elongated, established figs? Or just cuttings?

Much thanks.

[Pup]

Awsome Tut, so would this work on Port Jackson figs - Ficus rubiginosa., Moreton Bay figs - Ficus macrophylla we commonly see in australia? also can this be done to small poorly elongated, established figs? Or just cuttings?

Much thanks.

In short yes. Make sure the tree is healthy, and the right time of the year for your area. We had a demonstration of this type of thing being done at our last Bonsai meeting.

Pup

[gku]

This is excellent info Steven. Thanks so much.

[schwinn]

Hi, I'm a noobie and don't mean to ask the obvious, but are the times/seasons mentioned in the guide specific to southern hemisphere or northern hemisphere?

[Matthew]

its the southern hemisphere. Work figs in the hot months and decidious like maples, elms etc in winter, early spring b4 bud break.

[Steven]

It's almost time to start this technique of 'developing dynamic figs quickly' so I thought I should should post an update of my trial.

I last repotted and checked the roots in March of this year and have just been letting it grow freely since then. I have been fertilising HEAVILY every week over the last month or so alternating between Miracle-Gro and Charlie Calp. There is also a health dose of slow release in the potting medium and a large fist full of Osmocote Native over the surface.

2011 August.JPG

2011 August base.JPG

2011 August base b.jpg

2011 August callus.JPG

Has anyone else got any going that they would like to share with us?

Regards,
Steven

[Rockybonsai]

Thats just what I needed...great job.

Any chance you could put it in a pdf format or something so people can print it out. Because when I tried printing it out it would just be blurry because
the pictures are too small. Or maybe put bigger pictures so we can print it out since its such a great thing

Edit: Dont worry I figured it out...it was my mistake, it prints nice and big now Cheers

Hey Levuccio how did you print it out? When i tried it was all fuzzy too

[boom64]

Hi Steven,
Took a few quick photos, they are growing OK. The bases seem to be callusing, one has a few roots growing from the top. Hope it is OK. Will check under the soil when it gets a bit warmer.
Regards John.