F. Benjamina multi-fusion on its way

[Per PF]

I created this small multi-fusion (I think I used about ten cuttings) Ficus Benjamina about three months ago and following the advice I was given about this other fusion:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29889&p=291354&hilit=Sloppy#p291354
I decided to rewrap as it started to bulge.

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The fusion is on its way but I noticed that the roots on one side went more under/to the side than radially out so I opted for a repot/repositioning to sort them out.

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In the spur of the moment, to encourage radial roots, I attached a plastic disc with a screw. The screw did separate the trunks a bit but I think the wrap (gift wrap + zip tie) will fix it eventually.
I'll check it again if it bulges otherwise come spring/summer (5 long months away...) it will hopefully have turned into something interesting!

[greg27]

Nice one, you'll get a cool little tree out of that. I have a few F. thonningii cuttings that I might need to do something similar with.

[Per PF]

Cheers, I'm particularly stoked about this one since I really like ficuses *and* Banyan-style.

[Per PF]

Spring is around the corner over here and my indoor ficuses have started reacting to increasing daylight length.

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Since there was bulging my plan was to re-wrap the trunks.

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However I found them sufficiently fused and decided to set it free!

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I'm hoping for some nice rugged looking bark once it heals over - like my other ficus fusion (update coming!): viewtopic.php?f=7&t=29889&p=291354&hilit=Sloppy#p291354
When it's really starting to grow in summer I can prune branches and put it in a bonsai pot.

[shibui]

Good call to untie this one and I agree that it is looking very promising.
I've had some bulge badly at the top of ties and the results are not pretty.
Keep a close eye on this one now it is untied. The fusion may not be as complete as you hope yet so subsequent thickening might start to push the trunks apart.