Port Jackson Fig - Large Branch Cutting

[Ryan1979b]

Hey all,

I am working on a job site that has a large Port Jackson fig (10m high) set to be cut down. It is in good health with a lot of the lower sweeping branches producing mass Aerial roots. I was wondering what are the possibilities of taking a branch cutting say 30-50mm where there is a mass of Aerial roots & cutting it back & planting in a large pot. I would try to cover about 90% of the roots to encourage the growth. I would be excellent If it was possible to do as there are heaps of branches like these & i could get multiple cutting to try with. I have attached a quick sketch or what I was thinking of doing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am new propagation & need as much help as possible to be success full. Do you think that a branch this size would be to much. I have also attached a picture of the tree I am talking about but its a bit hard to make out the branches.


Cheers all look forward to you advice.

[john tapner]

At this time of the year, and knowing the ease with which PJFs will set roots from cuttings, go for it.

John T

[Pup]

I would PM Jerry Meislik. He has an excellent book on Ficus. There also one by our own Leon Kwong from Sydney.

From your sketch it looks like you are trying to Air layer is this your intention?. If so you should not have any problems. As they air layer well.

As for complete cut off and planting the roots this is something I have never done so I cannot advise other than getting in touch with Jerry.

Pup

[techpetal]

Have a look at Leongs book specifically page 53 if you can get bottom heating.

Just chop it mate!

[Ryan1979b]

I'm looking at buying "Ficus Bonsai in the Temperate Climate - By Hoy Leong Kwong" But I have to get these cuttings very soon as the tree won't be around for long. When I bury the cutting should I put all the aerial roots under the soil or leave some exposed. Will it hurt if I have to cut off all of the foliage or should I keep some if possible?

Is it wise to you root hormone powder on the cut or should I leave it as is?

Cheers all

[Grant Bowie]

Just cut it off anywhere you like, stick it in a tub of propigation or even plain river sand and it will strike easily. Only thing is you wont get the natural flair and taper of a seed or young cutting grown tree in a short time.

I did exactly that when I lived in Sydney about 30 years ago but have long since sold it off.

[MasonC]

chop it! figs grow from anything and if it already had ariel roots to give it nutrition than it would strike pretty easy

[Jamie]

being aireal roots it doesnt need to strike roots as they are alreay there, if these are in a porpagation mix and you do the right after care it will be sweet!
seasol would help encourage more root growth and you should get buds to burst later down the track.
you could make a sweet raft style bonsai from something like this!

[anttal63]

piece of pie ryan! follow what grant said you'll be fine.

[Petra]

Yep, put it in some river sand roots and all, ya half way there if there are more roots.I t will soon get growing. But dont over water.

[Jamie]

if it has the roots there already then why does it need to strike??? the roots are already there arent they? what you need to do is develop finer feeder roots yes?

[Ryan1979b]

Hey Jamie, the roots look pretty fine & dry So I'm not sure how healthy they are, I though If I just bury them all I would have more of a survival chance. They are about a 300mm & each are a 1m max thick in mass bunches. I might try & take a few different cuttings & experiment?

[Ryan1979b]

Well I have taken a fair few cuttings, I scouted out the branches which had more natural taper & cut them close to a branch intersection where it thickend out a but. I ended up with a cutting oF about 12omm base & 80mm branch a few about 60mm about 9 x 10mm cuttings & about 20x 5-10mm cuttings which I have used in an experiment. I have posted my idea on a separate thread before. Since I had so many cutting I decide to try & create a fusing fig at propagation stage so it can just grow in this format. If it fails, nothing lost. All the cutting & Fusing attempt have been put in propagation sand with a light dip in root powder & then covered over with cling wrap to make a nursery. I slightly dampened the soil an located them in a fairly protected area with partial morning sun. There is a pic below, it looks fairly ugly & random at the moment but if they all strike or even 80% it will be very interesting. I have left the top two leaves on each cutting. The rock will be re-shaped at a later date as well, its just there as a functional formwork at the moment. Its very Hap-Hazard..hehehehe

Fingers crossed

I am going to try & fuse some of the other 10mm cuttings once they strike & are healthy in the future.

Cheers

[WiggityWestman]

Hey Ryan,

How did you go with these? I've just taken a few cuttings with aerial roots but have planted them by themselves, After the fact i found this forum & was wondering how they went.

Cheers