Fast Growth Method

[Gerard]

I have been trying to grow some pj figs root over an old tree stump. After about three years I had very little growth and roots were barely clinging to the stump.
After wraping the roots in cling wrap to keep them close to the stump I placed a layer of dynamic lifter in a plastic bin then the stump and backfilled the whole lot with diatomite, another thin layer of dynamic lifter and it went crazy.
9 months later it looks like this

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Average height has gone from 10cm to 70cm, with very little growth since April (they have been under shelter to protect them from the frost)
Another 2 months and I will unearth them.

[Graeme]

Thats good growth Gerard, not surprised at the growth rate from April, or lack there off. As I said in another post, I dont know how you folks live in Melbourne - it's to damn cold down there.
The most interesting part of your experience is that the "Fast Grow" system actually was invented in Melbourne, by a Melbourneian.

[Bretts]

I'm in to give this another go this year. Growth last year was good but I reckon I can do better!
Same tree as last year trimmed and going into a fresh mix.

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[Jamie]

thats a nice bar branch there brett!! gonna remove it?

I will give this another crack this year in a little more of a controlled environment. when I get things sorted and the chook poo, will put up a progression

[Bretts]

Doesn't have any branches yet

[Jamie]

what happened to these two????

fig.jpg

did you cut them off?

[Bretts]

I have to have something to hold the leaves

[kcpoole]

I have to have something to hold the leaves

Why?
Just cut them off and defoliate

Unless of course they are sacrifices
Ken

[Bretts]

Everything is sacrafice at the moment KC. Just growing the trunk.

[Bretts]

I took a picture of the fig agian today as the Guys over at Bonsai south thought it might be dead. In fact they deleted the whole thread about this technique in case it taught beginners the wrong thing.
Well it is still going strong.

fig.jpg

I tried going earlier in the growing season this time and I think that was a mistake because it was some time before it started to grow well and agian I am guessing that most of the fertilisers goodness was wasted when the tree was not growing. Most of my Figs did not get going until December this year after a frosty Winter.
I am going to go agian but make sure the tree is growing well before I put it in the fresh DL. I am still just amazed that it is so happy in this stuff and it has encouraged me to add lots more DL to my other Figs!

[Graeme]

Deleted.

[NathanM]

Now that I’ve got a little more space available, I think I’ll give this a crack  i’ve got two near identical little Moreton Bays figs (or maybe they are PJ’s, I can’t remember ) But I’ll pot one into the normal, large plastic pot with the normal mix and normal fert regime, and I’ll put the other in bow if I can get hold of one and smash it with DL. Will smash the DL whether it’s in a box or not!!

[Bretts]

I was just about to load this guy up in the shohin comp as I was sure I had never used wire but just double checked the old pics and see it did have a little wire on at one stage
Oh well might as well update the thread anyway. Since I followed some more instructions from Graeme such as adding more fertiliser as I go the growth has improved dramaticly. I will cut all branches off soon and start to find the shape of my trunk this year.

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[Bretts]

Since I don't have to wait for the end of the month I decided I might as well give it the chop before I put it back out. Don't like doing this without seeing the base but I guess this will do for now

fic.jpg

[Graeme]

R U still messing with that rubbish Bretts? How many times do you have to be told, it does not work and will only kill trees!!

Matter of fact, I am thinking I might throw a couple of Qld SL Figs I have here into some foam boxes and see what happens myself. Don't know why, they will probably not grow that well, if at all.