Moreton bay fig

[Andrew F]

Hi Guys,

I was lucky enough to be given this fig today by another member Andrew E, it is 25 yrs old and is due for repotting.
It has a few nice aerial roots that id like to retain and i'd like to promote more but can anyone suggest styling for this tree???

Where to chop and what to keep, visual suggestions are always appreciated.

Sorry for the quick snaps, i wanna make a start tomorrow if possible.



I like this side as the front:




Thank you.

[cuwire]

Hi VS

In no way an expert or greatly experienced but for the sake of being involved this is what i would do with what i would use as the front of the tree .. however it goes i think you are going to do a bit of chopping.

fig040112.jpg

Cheers

[Hornet]

Is it just the pics oris there some reverse taper there? All i'd really do is cut that thickest branch back and if there are reverse taper issues do some work on that and then just let it grow

[kcpoole]

Looks like swelling around the first branch stub whcih has the reverse taper look about it

A repot and hard prune and see where it shoots. Maybe a short tree with short first branch where the swelling is to hide that section.

Ken

[Andrew F]

Is it just the pics oris there some reverse taper there? All i'd really do is cut that thickest branch back and if there are reverse taper issues do some work on that and then just let it grow

Your right dude, there is a bit around the left furthest aerial root. Ill try a few different virts, thanks for your imput John.

Thats what im thinking too Ken.

Be back.

[Paulneill]

The areial roots are causing the reverse taper. bypassing the base adding size farther up the trunk . I would fatten it up and then layer it. you could also try grafting the areial roots to the base before layering it.

[Hornet]

The areial roots are causing the reverse taper. bypassing the base adding size farther up the trunk

That makes sense.

4 more idea's
1) How about potting it deep to get plenty of roots, then raise it after sufficient roots have formed to hide the reverse taper?
2) as paul said, air layer it.
3) Encourage more arial roots and train them down to hide the reverse taper.
4) Take a bunch of cuttings, then bind them around the trunk?

[bodhidharma]

Hi VSL, it will definitely need cutting back but the question i have is..are you sure it is a Moreton.

[Andrew F]

Hi VSL, it will definitely need cutting back but the question i have is..are you sure it is a Moreton.

Hi Bodhi, that was just my guess does it look different to you?

Heres where i was planning on chopping it back to:

[Dario]

Hi Velvet, I like the option you have for chopping it back! it gives you a whole lot more movement and taper and you could wire the aerials to the trunk as Jamie suggested to me before...or obviously do as you wish!
Chopping back as you outlined would however leave a big wound in the tree...can someone please tell me if a wound of this size poses an issue with figs? (wound size compared to tree size that is)
Would the tree eventually heal the area entirely? or could this lead to an unhealed portion creating rot etc?
Would love to know.
Thanks, and best of
luck with it Velvet
Cheers, Dario.

[Andrew F]

Hi Velvet, I like the option you have for chopping it back! it gives you a whole lot more movement and taper and you could wire the aerials to the trunk as Jamie suggested to me before...or obviously do as you wish!
Chopping back as you outlined would however leave a big wound in the tree...can someone please tell me if a wound of this size poses an issue with figs? (wound size compared to tree size that is)
Would the tree eventually heal the area entirely? or could this lead to an unhealed portion creating rot etc?
Would love to know.
Thanks, and best of
luck with it Velvet
Cheers, Dario.

Hi Dario,

I too am interested in the healing and callousing, so if anyone can shed any light it would be greatly appreciated.

Had a look see this morning and below the soil she gets even wider in the butt on a Kardashian scale hopefully this rain doesnt set in before i can dig her up and have a gooood

[bodhidharma]

Hi Bodhi, that was just my guess does it look different to you?

Heres where i was planning on chopping it back to:

Yes it does, but i am no expert on figs. Difficult to grow here. I would say a p.j. I would also include the third leader from the left and chop off the middle one. Gives you better options down the track.

[Andrew F]

Hi Bodhi, that was just my guess does it look different to you?

Heres where i was planning on chopping it back to:

Yes it does, but i am no expert on figs. Difficult to grow here. I would say a p.j. I would also include the third leader from the left and chop off the middle one. Gives you better options down the track.

Hi Bodhi,

I by no means are an expert on them either but i thought that Pj figs were alot more darker in colour and alot smaller leaves naturally????

Thanks for the tip mate, if any thing the extra leader will help with the awkward taper.


Edit: Heres the finished product for now.




The back:



And a neat little cutting to add to the collection




I need to take my rotary tool to it once it settles in, then start pumping DL into it and keep it in the right conditions to promote more aerials.

Thanks guys

[Dario]

Sweet Velvet, well done!
I would still like to know about the healing of a wound this size in relation to the tree size of figs in general, and its potential for callousing etc...but I guess if I stay tuned I will find out.
Cheers, Dario.

[Andrew F]

Sweet Velvet, well done!
I would still like to know about the healing of a wound this size in relation to the tree size of figs in general, and its potential for callousing etc...but I guess if I stay tuned I will find out.
Cheers, Dario.

Hahahaha im still keen to find out too but i guess ill have to just see what works, for now, ive used maneuka honey to seal the wound, then i want to get stuck into it with the rotary tool, im going to leave a lip around the area and hopefully that will help it "roll over and Heal" making what would look like a natural hollow if you know what i mean.