GRAFTING FIGS - Advice Needed

[The Specimen]

So many of us have various FIGS with many at different levels of development and I encourage others to ask questions here too to the more experience BonGurus.

I've got a Grafted Banyan Fig which has compact rounder foliage. However as there is root root that has caused big holds in the roots, can I just graft another Graften Bayan Fig to cover up the holes?

I''ve taken a cutting from that tree which is now a tree in its own right now however the leaves are not compact and round like the grafted fig.. can I still use it as a graft?

What advice would you give on grafting figs as I'd like to develop long-term projects to this

[mashby]

Hi,
Hoy Leong Kwong's book, "Ficus in the Temperate Climate" has some excellent advice regarding grafting. As does Jerry Meislik in his book "Ficus :The Exotic Bonsai".

From reading these book specifically on Ficus, and from other bonsai related books contining information about grafting, and from my own observations etc, grafts need to be either from the same tree ie aerial layer, thread graft etc, or from a tree of the same species and character ie. nature of bark, size of leaves etc, or else it will always look like you have just "stuck" another tree onto the existing one. Therefore, what would happen is not only does the tree end up not looking right but the graft will tend to draw people's eyes to the graft rather than looking at the tree as a whole.

My suggestion, and bear in mind my "minor" bonsai status, would be to take several cuttings from the existing ficus, grow them on and then use those as the material for your graft. It may take longer than you initially had intended but as Ficus strike very easily, the time will be worth t and the end result will be very much better.

Any of the "Senior (bonsai) citizens" have anything to add? I am open to criticism because if I am passing on wrong information, I also need to know.

Good luck

[The Specimen]

Thanks for detailing guyz..

The root rot holes are quite large and I am wondering how to best cover this and make an interesting tree still..

Think I will have to take photos to better demonstrate

[anttal63]

Hey Spec, you should have been at the North West meeting last Monday. The one, the only QV did a demo on figs, with 2 examples of grafting. Lots of talking on root grafting Figs.Check it out mate ... http://www.bonsainorthwest.com.au/#!current-month

[mashby]

Hi "anttal63" and other members of the Bonsai North West club. I have just had a look at the photographs posted on the North West website showing "QV" demonstrating grafting as well as a number of great looking ficus. In the photographs numbered "bnwFeb2012_0005.jpg", "bnwFeb2012_0004.jpg" - to the very right of the photograph, "bnwFeb2012_0023.jpg", "bnwFeb2012_0021.jpg" - the tree at the far right, and "bnwFeb2012_0025.jpg" (I think they may be all of the same tree), the roots appear to either be supported by some black tubing, or the tubing is being used as a guide so the roots are directed, and grow, into the grower's desired position.
Can you please explain if possible.
Thanks
Michael