My First Planting on Wood

[Fish]

Gday again all

Just thought I would put up this pic, ficus on driftwood. If anyone could tell me exactly what sort of ficus it is would be great. All I know is it is "variety". Anyways I have put Sphagnum moss around root system and kept it moist and it has survived for a while, so let me know if i should do something else or change it.
Look forward to your input
Cheers
Fish

[hugh grant]

Great work trying to do something a little different. Are you trying to plant the tree over the wood to try and create an epythytic fig were the tree strangled the host tree or just plant the tree in the dead wood.
I've been experimenting with creating the eputhytic style figs lately. Here's an exame of what I've been doing:

viewtopic.php?f=104&t=6295
I also have 2 more that I'm going to start within the next year, just growing the stock for it first.

Hugh

[Fish]

The idea is to produce trees that have grown from a fallen tree. The idea came to me when I was walking with the kids and saw some old trees knocked down by cyclone larry, on these life had sprouted.

Fish

[Taffy]

Hi Fish.
Your tree is a Variegated Ficus Benjamina I have two of them. As it's very young, be careful with the wire. They are very vigorous growers and before you know it, you'll have wire marks on your trunks.

By the way, your setting looks good. Did you treat the wood to prevent it from rotting away?

[Fish]

Cheers Taffy for the input, I have also rewired the tree twice since I started training, saw that it does grow fast. As for the treating of the wood, thats a no. My theory is to learn. Learn about root structure, training, how long it takes to harden etc. If the wood rots out I am not too worried. I have actually collected a massive one that I am going to plant on next. What is the process of treatment you recommend. I got it from the local floods, washed up from somewhere in the mountains. VERY BRITTLE. What do I do

Cheers
Fish

[Taffy]

I use Earles Wood Hardener - available from the 'B-store' but you should be able to get it in a decent hardware store as well.
Good thing with this stuff is that you can use it on damp wood. It will still soak in and harden and preserve the wood.

I wouldn't use it on the piece you've already used because it shouldn't come in contact with the roots of your tree - it does soak in quite deep and would kill fine roots, but would be good for the next one you're going to do.

[Fish]

Cheers for that mate.