Creating a bonsai from these aerial roots of a wild fig

[avz10]

I planted these aerial roots from a wild fig end of last year

This was the initial " air root" that is now the stem (The one on the right). Please note the oblique cuts.





Currently







A picture of a wrapped wild fig


Some questions:

1. Should I trim the oblique ends to give it a more natural look?
2. Can I wrap it to get these aerial roots to fuse and to perhaps develop new aerial roots?

[Hackimoto]

You are indeed fortunate to be able to find such aerial roots from figs that will produce shoots. I have tried to grow many Australian fig species from root cuttings without success, and as far as I know it is not possible with the Australian species. I did stumble on the fact that some exotic species of fig would produce shoots from root material, when a Natal Fig (Ficus natalensis) sent roots into the ground, which were cut off, left in the ground and they shot into branches and leaves. I suspect that it is Ficus natalensis that you are using to get these propagations. I have managed to graft shoots onto aerial roots but the roots must be vigorous and have a thickish cambium layer to be successful.

In answer to you two questions
1 cut the oblique ends back to just above the new shoots and they will blend and taper with time and more growth.
2 Looks like you have already wrapped them.It will help them to fuse together and produce more aerial roots.

Nice going, you are doing just the sort of thing that I love doing.

[kcpoole]

Nice experiment going on there

Re the Wrapping thet will work well to help fuse them. Dunno about Helping create more tho as I have never tried

Ken

[avz10]

Thanks for the responses. The covered fig in the picture was not mine!

I covered the roots with a mix of peet, compost and bonsai soil today. This is how it looks now.







I have 2 questions-

I struggled to seal the top and bottom of the Glad Wrap- I suppose I need to get the best tight fit as possible? I am worried that it will not keep the moisture in. Any ideas there. I have read about tin foil??
How long should I leave it like this, a year?

Then a question about this "fig over a rock" which does not have a proper rock!. Should I dig some of the roots open and push a rock in that fits to some degree and use Glad Wrap to tighten it to the rock or should I wait till after the winter? Perhaps I should take the whole tree out at the end of winter???



Thanks

Albie

[shibui]

Albie,
You can't seal the top of the wrap because the tree has to poke out??? just pile some soil up around the base to cover the bottom of the wrap and make sure it gets watered from the top to allow some water to filter down inside the wrap. That's the best you can do.
re root over stone fig. Yes dig the whole thing out and find it a better rock. Fig roots should be reasonably pliable so you might be able to reorganise them to fit better on a more appropriate rock with some character. try not to have any roots under other ones because as they thicken they will push your other roots away from the rock so cut off any growing under the base of the tree before you try to place it in position.

We find it better to work on fig roots when its warmer. Growers in the warmer parts can work on figs all year round but where winter is cooler we leave them alone in winter and repot and prune in summer.

[avz10]

Thanks for the advice

Will wait a bit till spring and then get a good rock, etc.

Thanks again

Albie