PJ fig ROR advice

[Ces]

Hello Ausbonsaiers ( ),

I have a question about a ROR attempt that I have in training at the moment. Its a PJ fig (Ficus rubiginosa) that I may have over fed in its formative years. It gets a constant 10 mm layer of DL on top of the soil, bi-weekly full strength nitrosol and monthly seasol. The growth has been great but I'm wondering if the trunk might be outgrowing the rock I planted it on.

I'm aiming for a shohin sized tree... (I dont want to start a debate, particularly as I'm nowhere near well read enough to comment but in my mind I'm taking the measurement from the top of the rock to top of tree. The tree is planted over the rock, not on the side or in the rock)... and was planning to trunk chop next season but I think the trunk base may have outgrown the rock by then.

If you notice in the second photo there are quite a few low branches below my fingers and at these points and below, the trunk flares 50-70% more than what you can actually see in photo 2.

What do you think? Chop now or wait till next season?

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any and all advice/opinions appreciated.

Cheers,

Ces.

[Bougy Fan]

I would just let it go if you want the roots to thicken. Plus I would think it is getting a bit late for a fig down your way before winter ?

[Ces]

I would just let it go if you want the roots to thicken. Plus I would think it is getting a bit late for a fig down your way before winter ?

You're right about the roots Tony. It's only been on the rock about 10 months and I want to let it go but dont want it to look like a root over pebble. I should have picked a bigger rock basically .

Right on the timing too but mine seem to be powering on abnormally compared to this time last year. Its remained warm for longer I guess.

Leaning mostly towards letting it go wild though.

Thanks for the advice mate.

[shibui]

Over thickening is definitely a problem with figs. I have a twin trunk that is quite old but now has the junction of the 2 trunks halfway up the tree
Some of my trident root over rock plantings also grow too big for the rock when planted in the ground so I only leave them in for 1 year now before checking. if you think the trunk is getting too thick (though still looks ok from your photos) I'd slow growth with a bit of pruning - no point having great roots but an overgrown trunk??? On the other hand groth should slow over winter so probably not much more thickening anyway???

[DavidWilloughby]

Hi Ces,

If there is no rush to do any work to it, I would wait until next Spring/Summer before doing anything. It looks to be in great health and that will serve it well over the coming cooler months. Also with ROR's, provided you have used a rock that you can source readily, you can always add more rock to the rock and that will save a lot of heartache.

I have found a few of my figs still motoring at this time of year which is unusual for me but I do think the seasons are getting slightly later in arrival and depature, but the fact I have done work on a couple of my figs (comp entries) that I normally wouldn't do at this time of year, I would expect snow in Sydney next week lol.

Cheers

David