Contemplating buying decent sized fig?

The Specimen · Post by **The Specimen** » February 11th, 2012, 11:40 pm

Hi Guys

I came across a good sized Port Jackson Fig in a nursery that has been styled as a bonsai. It is root over rock.

The guy told me it hasn't grown well for over 1 year and is rather weak as it looks.. the leaves are quite yellow and only few as compared to healthier trees.

I know without a picture is rather hard though the price is $250 and should I be able to revive - I believe its a good price.

What is the tree telling me if it has yellow leaves and growth is week?

MattA · Post by **MattA** » February 12th, 2012, 1:20 am

With yellowing leaves my first guess would be it needs a feed, but if its getting fed, it could indicate a problem with the roots. Personally I would be wanting a nice fat discount on the asking price due to its health

anttal63 · Post by **anttal63** » February 12th, 2012, 6:07 am

Hey Spec, Yes it is hard to confirm without photos. How ever $250 is a piss in the ocean for a good tree, especially if you like it !!! In my experience figs always come back from this state. A good clean and change of soil does wonders !!!

The Specimen · Post by **The Specimen** » February 12th, 2012, 7:03 pm

Thanks for the advice.. with the yellowing of the fig leaves, would it the problem be due to either lack of feeding or root problems?

Is there anything I can do to get the leaves to flourish green as I have other figs that are yellowing?

Joel · Post by **Joel** » February 12th, 2012, 7:42 pm

Personally I would never recommend that anybody purchases a tree that is not healthy. If it really is a superb tree and you think it is worth the risk that it might die (and you lose your hard earned) then that is a choice you have to make. You shouldn't be afraid to ask to see the root condition, smell the soil and ask what fertiliser regime has been used. If you are not completely satisfied that you can fix whatever it is that is wrong then I would advise you do not purchase the tree. $250 is not too much for decent material but it is a lot to throw away. This is significantly different to purchasing unhealthy material from regular nurseries in the half priced section...

Joel

Post by **kcpoole** » February 12th, 2012, 8:09 pm

Good advice Joel

If money was not important to you and you were skilled in recovering sick trees then maybey..

Get them to get it back to health and show singns of new growth then get it

Ken

phantom · Post by **phantom** » February 12th, 2012, 8:45 pm

Every one has given you good advice, you have to aske yourself why is the tree being sold so cheap.figs are tough you can cut most of the roots of and they will survive,you can cut alll of the leafs of and they will survive.Like ant said $250 for a good tree is a piss in the ocean thats my

Andrew E · Post by **Andrew E** » February 12th, 2012, 8:59 pm

usually yellowing leaves is a sign of a deficiency. A bit of a feed will help but pulling the tree out and checking the roots will give you a much better idea of whats going on. If there are few leaves then there is likely to be few roots as they usually mirror each other. Figs are hardy and a root prune, seasol and repot into good soil will do the trick.
Gotta agree with Joel, I don't recommend buying sick trees, especially for that money but as mentioned as well, its not alot for good material. If your not afraid to lose it, money and tree, then give it a go.

Andrew

anttal63 · Post by **anttal63** » February 12th, 2012, 10:08 pm

phantom wrote:Every one has given you good advice, you have to aske yourself why is the tree being sold so cheap.figs are tough you can cut most of the roots of and they will survive,you can cut alll of the leafs of and they will survive.Like ant said $250 for a good tree is a piss in the ocean thats my

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS you got that right If there is anything wrong under the soil, as long as you are in the middle of summer when the nights are warm you can just go ahead and flat bottom it, grow new roots in a month . So there goes that threat. The only threat left now is money. If you cant afford it then dont buy it.

This is a PJ FIG, Murder she wrote, Nothing to be afraid of !!!

pS thanks for the heads up Phantom...

The Specimen · Post by **The Specimen** » February 15th, 2012, 11:18 am

Thanks guyz.. can always rely on sound advice from members here..

Great forum! Cheers will update how I go.. that is if its still there..

.. one more thing. Can you just flat cut it at the base with no roots ??

MattA · Post by **MattA** » February 15th, 2012, 4:44 pm

The Specimen wrote:Thanks guyz.. can always rely on sound advice from members here..

Great forum! Cheers will update how I go.. that is if its still there..

.. one more thing. Can you just flat cut it at the base with no roots ??

Given it's poor health I wouldn't. Get it healthy first & while thats happening you can plan your next step. I haven't flat chopped but I have been almost as brutal with a healthy fig without any hassle.

Guy · Post by **Guy** » February 15th, 2012, 6:05 pm

if possible remove it from the pot-see how rootbound it is--if there are new healthy roots on the outside of the root ball it should be ok---when you get it home just whack it into a slightly larger pot( dont disturb the roots) with a good draining mix and seasol and neutrog it for a season--see what comes up

AusBonsai

Contemplating buying decent sized fig?

Contemplating buying decent sized fig?

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