Producing Aerial roots on Ficus

[Duckbed]

Hi all,

It's been a while since my last post.. Mostly because I move from WA to Central Coast NSW and sold all my Bonsais.

I've picked up a few small Ficus of different varieties (plus a bunch of other pre bonsai stock) to kick off my habit again.

I've have been thinking of trying to create a Shohin with a display of Aerial Roots. So I was hoping for some advice on where to start.

What varieties of Ficus are best suited to producing Aerial roots?
What techniques have people tried to produce Aerial roots?
Feed / Don't feed...?

I did a bit of a search but didn't find any threads specifically on this topic.

Cheers!

[Hackimoto]

Have a look at this. viewtopic.php?f=133&t=11827&p=124735&hi ... ge#p124735

[DustyRusty]

Go with a PJ! (ficus rubiginosa)

The problem you'll have is that you're in Perth. Perth, as far as I'm aware is a low-humidity climate. But heat + humidity = Aerial roots. By far the best displays of Aerial roots on this site come from growers who are located North of Coffs Harbour. Because of the heat + humidity.

But you can compensate for this by constantly misting your tree or sticking the pot on a brick over a pool of water.

Two tips: 1) the tree needs to be growing to want aerial roots - if you're constantly pruning it it won't have a need for more roots. 2) a good canopy really really helps.

Happy figging

[Rory]

Go with a PJ! (ficus rubiginosa)

The problem you'll have is that you're in Perth. Perth, as far as I'm aware is a low-humidity climate. But heat + humidity = Aerial roots. By far the best displays of Aerial roots on this site come from growers who are located North of Coffs Harbour. Because of the heat + humidity.

But you can compensate for this by constantly misting your tree or sticking the pot on a brick over a pool of water.

Two tips: 1) the tree needs to be growing to want aerial roots - if you're constantly pruning it it won't have a need for more roots. 2) a good canopy really really helps.

Happy figging

Actually, he is on the Central Coast, in NSW, which is what he says in his post

You shouldn't find any problems with getting aerial roots on the central coast. I'm on the central coast, and mine have developed naturally just fine without even encouraging them. I would suggest Moreton Bay Fig personally, as I find them to be tougher, and more naturally inclined to produce aerial roots.
Just my

[DustyRusty]

Actually, he is on the Central Coast, in NSW, which is what he says in his post

Oops.

Sorry just read the location setting and didn't read the first line carefully enough.

[hugh grant]

Welcome to the coast mate! Port Jackson and Morton Bays love it here. I've found that alot of Aerial roots seem to appear around January/February all on there own, on my trees anyway. Just keep up the humidity around the trunk as they begin to develop to prevent drying out before they take root.

[shibui]

Even on the Central coast warm and humid will help produce aerial roots better and quicker Note that Hugh says roots appear Jan/Feb = warm and humid so if you enclose your trees to keep the temp and humidity up you should get aerial roots even sooner. When the air dries the aerial roots slow or stop growing so keep the humidity up to keep them growing until they reach the soil.
Spagnum moss should encourage roots to grow even quicker and will help the roots to keep growing.

[jezz_39]

As has been stated, humidity is the key. Whether it be in the form of spaghnum moss on the surface or tree on a pot of water, each way will yeild results. It seems as though a rough styling with high amountts of humidity will yeild the best results. You can either letthem develop themselves or do the split straw tecnhnique and attempt to grow these roots in order to thicken a portion of the tree

[Ash]

HI, I am speaking from experience in north Queensland so it may not all translate to cooler climes.

My preferred Ficus species selection for aerial roots: Ficus microcarpa 'White Bark', Ficus rubiginosa, Ficus obliqua and Ficus virens in no particular order. To grow aerial roots maintain high humidity, reduce airflow, grow in moist shallow containers, let the plants get root bound in the container (they are strangler figs they will send out roots to find a better bit of soil), let the plants grow a thick healthy canopy of leaves and don't over trim them because the added shade humidity and water requirements to feed the leaves will encourage aerial roots. Apply fertilizer and root hormone on the trunk, leaves, branches and soil. I also use slit drinking straws to direct aerial roots and make then drop vertically. Laying sphagnum moss on the top of the pot may increase humidity, bagging also would work but up here I have never had to try. Aerial roots pop out everwhere and it is more a matter of pulling off the ones you don't want.

Good luck

Ash

[Duckbed]

Thanks everyone for the information most appreciated!! I looked up some of the posts about the split straw technique and this looks like a good way to get the roots located where you want them too.

This warm weather is making me think I could get a good head start!

Now that I'm settled on the Central Coast does any one have any tips for good places to pick up potential stock..either nurseries or potential Dig locations??

Thanks Again.

[Graeme]

As everyone has said, humidity is the secret to aerials. One sure fire way to increase humidity in your area (not quite as good as Ash's area ) is to place your tree on a brick inside a 'styro box, punch a couple of holes in the box a bit below the level of the bottom of the pot and keep the box topped up with water to that level. The sides of the box will direct the air laidened moisture up through the tree, so it will be in a constantly humid micro climate.

By the way, the holes in the side of the box are to ensure the poor old tree never drowns in the rain.

[Rory]

Now that I'm settled on the Central Coast does any one have any tips for good places to pick up potential stock..either nurseries or potential Dig locations??

Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursery : 26 Sagars Rd Dural NSW 2158 ....(02) 9654 1893
Bonsai Art : 18 Myoora Rd Terrey Hills NSW 2084..... (02) 9450 2802

They are the 2 best bonsai nurseries if you live on the coast, (even though they aren't on the coast). It is about a 1 hour drive to either of them from the coast. You can go to them both in the one day, because they are kind of on a loop if you map it on google maps from here.

Ray Nesci has the best stock, the most variety and the cheapest prices. Bonsai Art (Megumi) has a nice selection, but has only about 1/3 of the stock and variety of Rays nursery.
But if you get the chance, taking a gander at Megumi's private collection (Terrey Hills) is a must. Ray has some absolutely drop dead gorgeous hand made pots right out the front of his shop, that have a gnarled corked bark look (sorry, don't know the name of the designer), but she makes the ones on the shelves out the front, even though they aren't cheap, it is worth getting a few for the real gems of your collection.

[DustyRusty]

As everyone has said, humidity is the secret to aerials. One sure fire way to increase humidity in your area (not quite as good as Ash's area ) is to place your tree on a brick inside a 'styro box, punch a couple of holes in the box a bit below the level of the bottom of the pot and keep the box topped up with water to that level. The sides of the box will direct the air laidened moisture up through the tree, so it will be in a constantly humid micro climate.

By the way, the holes in the side of the box are to ensure the poor old tree never drowns in the rain.

Wow what a great idea. I imagine the white box also reflects the light around as well. Will have to try this!

[Duckbed]

Thanks bonsaibuddyman - I'll definitely check them out.

Thanks Also Graeme - I'm now in search of foam boxes

I did pick up one of those cheap Three shelf hot houses and put a bunch of small trees in there with Sphagnum moss around the bases and a container of water to keep the humidity and temperature up. It's in a semi shady spot so I'm 99% sure I won't cook them

Is there any particular type of feed that can be used to stimulate or speed up root production in the soil that anyone knows of. Thinking of experimenting to see if I can get a couple of them quickly root bound and if that brings on aerial root production quicker.

but for now I suppose its just the waiting game.