Fertilizer on Aerial Roots.

[dansai]

Figs do shed leaves and obviously this one can't sustain the ones it's got, but I doubt you have killed it. Roots will be forming, and as you mentioned, it will produce new buds and these will power their growth.

I'ld leave the old leaves as the tree will draw some nutrient from them and they will still be producing sugars. If you haven't already, cut off all the terminal buds and then just keep it moist. It should be right to have sun too. It will give you shorter internodes and better growth. The old leaves will probably all drop as new buds elongate.

[Pearcy001]

Thanks Dansai.

I take it the point of removing the terminal bud is to direct the energy to replacing it's leaves?

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[dansai]

Yep. The terminal bud sends hormones back down the branch to stop side branches forming. If you leave it the branch may just keep extending.

[Kevin]

Hello Pearcy,

Due to my recent experience with MB in Sydney, i definitely would NOT COMPLETELY defoliate at this time of year, especially while the plant has no roots. However, you will need to manage the plant's transpiration rates after root prune.

I hope i will never be forced into having to perform the two procedures together (root prune and defoliation), especially during the waning of the growth season. Just too much stress for the plant as it has to rely too much on its stored reserves to initiate regrowth of the roots which once actively growing (not slowing due to cooler nights triggering dormancy) then generates the hormones for apical growth to commence.

The plants own cycle of life can easily be disrupted in bonsai culture. Ideally you want the plant to be creating more fuel for storage rather than depleting a limited facility.

Having said that, if you had a 'hot house' and artificial lights with the appropriate Kelvins, all should be okay - dependant upon the plants health prior to its recent works and your ability in managing the plants environment, effectively 'tricking' the plant out of its 'memoried' or normal annual growth cycle.

Good Luck,

Kevin

[Pearcy001]

Thanks for the replies guys.

It appears the yellowing leaves are only to about the 1/3 and does not appear to be spreading any further, fingers crossed. A couple of the already yellow leaves have begun to fall already with a slight touch. It's currently having a seasol bath at the moment and I have removed the terminal buds as Dansai suggested.

Due to the roots being in shock I have been misting the foliage when I remember (only once a day tops) to try give it a bit of a drink. I have been letting the roots dry a bit - but not completely - between watering as I don't want the root rot to take off again, especially due to the substrate staying too wet from the roots not taking up much water yet.

Unfortunately no hot house here Kevin. It's getting moved out to a nice sunny position today from under my pergola, and for the next couple days it will be placed it in my garage at night while temps are under 15, until it warms again in a couple days.

Cheers for the assistance.
Pearcy.

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[Pearcy001]

2 weeks after a brutally rough repot and it's on the mend. Thanks for the help guys!



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