PJ Ficus Advice

[Dzou]

Hey guys,

I bought this Fig tree as a stock plant from a nursery about a month ago and it is beginning to take shape.
I am really happy with the trunk at the moment and the overall shape so I don't feel the need to develop it toooo much further.
The pot isn't really doing too much for the tree (I don't like the shape or depth but at least it is still promoting growth) but I'm
not worried about that for the moment.

I have a few questions though and I would really love some opinions.. Firstly, I would love to start developing taper on the branches (its one of the main things it needs), what
is the best way to go about this? I have been reading and watching as many articles and videos as I can but I am still a bit unsure about branch
taper and I don't want to do anything destructive without reason.. So, do I need to cut the branches back? and if so, some of my branches only have
growth right on the end and not all along the branch so where would I cut back to? Is it too late in the year to do this?

As you can see I have done some air layering to promote aerial roots... I really love that banyan style. I live in Sydney near the coast, does anyone know
how long would it take to be able to safely remove the layering?

Also I have done some wiring to the branches but not all the way along the branches, i just want to make sure they spread away from each other nicely. I dont
want to or feel the need to wire the whole branch at the moment.

I really appreciate the time taken to read this post and any help that can be offered.

Cheers,
Dean

The Stock Tree



Repotted and Defoliated



Now - Front (Removed a lot of excess branches over the last month)



Back - (Does the large root on the left need to go?)

[Jason]

Welcome to AusBonsai mate!

Some nice material you have to work with there, can't give much advice still being a newbie myself, so will leave that to someone a bit more knowledgable

[Isitangus]

Hi dean not a bad looking tree from a nursery.
Air layers:sorry dude they're not for promotion of aerial roots-they are used when you want to create "a cutting with a root system" and would plan to chop it off. How long have they been on?
Re how hard to cut back-it's still pretty warm so you can cut back quite hard, leave an inch or two on the flexible shoots, wire them down/flat (not pointing up). I think Jason just bumped a wiring topic-pretty good read.
Cutting back and plenty of food will promote back budding which will improve ramification.
Re the root that starts circling around...if it's flexible enough to move you could do that but it may need to go eventually.
Make sure it's well fed-plenty of dynamic lifter, plenty of seasol and it should kick on.
Try to get along to a club, advice is always better when you can get hands on,rotate,tilt etc.

[Dzou]

Thanks for the reply mate! With the air layering, i know it is used for creating a new tree out of an existing tree but i have also heard it
can be used to promote aerial roots... I didnt cut back all the way around the branch, i only cut back on the bottom. Surely it will create the
roots i am after (the small feeder roots) i dont see how it wont?

[kcpoole]

Cut back harder to start the branches to ramify them, and taper will come as well. Cut back to a node and they will shoot new from there and further back as well.
A fig in Sydney now is the time to work them

I have no idea about layering to create aerial roots, high humidity will do that by themselves. You can put a bit of spag moss around the entire trunk to encourage them as it will hold moisture to the tree. Layering will only generate new roots so you can sever the branch/ trunk to create a new tree.

Ken

[dansai]

As others have said, air layering is to create another tree. When you remove the wrapping and expose them to the air they may dry out and die.

However it will create some roots that you can train down to the potting mix. Like Ken said, high humidity around the plant will help. Another way is to split a straw along its length then place it in your mix and put the root/roots in the straw. This will keep the humidity up and allow the root to extend until it reaches the mix. It will then expand in girth fairly rapidly and you can remove the straw, (thats why you split it first). You will only produce straight roots with this method though.

As to when you can remove the wrap, well once you see roots. The layers look like they are only small, so if its ariel roots your after, I would remove as soon as you see the roots as they can be brittle and hard to handle if they are wrapped around inside the plastic too much.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[Brian]

I would wrap a clean cotton cloth around the buttress and roots and keep the cloth damp. This will help thicken the root system above the soil and fuse together.