Ficus Microcarpa Tile (layer/tourniquet) & Fusing Experiment

[John P.]

To recap the methodology ... I'm using a tile to increase trunk base flare above the tile, and create new, horizontal root growth along the top of the tile. Not a new technique, but one that I haven’t pulled off yet.

I'm also planning to wrap the cuttings in garden tape once they root. I haven't seen someone combine the tile technique with a fusing technique before.

Anyway, I’m trying this with some ficus microcarpa cuttings that I collected from a boulevard tree growing along a street in Santa Monica, California USA. Ficus microcarpa, ficus benjamina, and ficus elastica line the streets of most cities here in Southern California. I chose microcarpa for it’s leaf reduction possibilities, back budding and chop-friendly characteristics, fast growth, etc. Essentially all the reasons it’s liked by other bonsai enthusiasts.

In my experience microcarpa also happens to root very well in water. I’ve tried with cuttings from the same donor tree with great results.

After the cuttings root, I will attempt to fuse them. More info and pictures here in case you're interested-->http://frankenbonsai.wordpress.com/2012 ... nkenficus/.

[Andrew F]

To recap the methodology ... I'm using a tile to increase trunk base flare above the tile, and create new, horizontal root growth along the top of the tile. Not a new technique, but one that I haven’t pulled off yet.

I'm also planning to wrap the cuttings in garden tape once they root. I haven't seen someone combine the tile technique with a fusing technique before.

Anyway, I’m trying this with some ficus microcarpa cuttings that I collected from a boulevard tree growing along a street in Santa Monica, California USA. Ficus microcarpa, ficus benjamina, and ficus elastica line the streets of most cities here in Southern California. I chose microcarpa for it’s leaf reduction possibilities, back budding and chop-friendly characteristics, fast growth, etc. Essentially all the reasons it’s liked by other bonsai enthusiasts.

In my experience microcarpa also happens to root very well in water. I’ve tried with cuttings from the same donor tree with great results.

After the cuttings root, I will attempt to fuse them. More info and pictures here in case you're interested-->http://frankenbonsai.wordpress.com/2012 ... nkenficus/.

Very interested in your results keep us posted mate, thanks.

[John P.]

Thank you, will do. I've been away from it for about a week, so there may be roots greeting me when I return home.

[The Hacker]

Hi John

This tile technic works will with trident maples as well

Regard's

The Hacker

[John P.]

Yeah, tried that already. Unfortunately I used inorganic bonsai soil, which wasn't very forgiving when it came to watering. All the seedlings turned into crispy twigs.

I plan to try again with amur maples (which I'm stratifying right now).

[John P.]

No huge progress yet, but I do finally have roots. I had the ficus outside, and the cool nighttime temps meant no roots at all. After bringing it inside and placing on a seedling heating mat, I had roots in no time. Several of the smaller cuttings died, which was no surprise. I'm getting more from the source tree this weekend to fill the gaps.

[kcpoole]

Now thats cool

Going to be a very interesting result methinks

Ken

[John P.]

Hopefully, yes!

Just took a bunch of cuttings tonight from the parent tree to replace the ones that didn't take.

Have to say, sure is nice to use cuttings instead of seedlings.

[Andrew F]

Hopefully, yes!

Just took a bunch of cuttings tonight from the parent tree to replace the ones that didn't take.

Have to say, sure is nice to use cuttings instead of seedlings.

Only thing better is hardwood cuttings

[Stewart_Toowoomba]

Cuttings can also be cut from different diameter host plants as well, to get a more asymmetrical random effect of the forest / group planting.

cheers and looking forward to watching this thread

Stewart

[John P.]

Hi all,

How about an update?

Before:


Last week:


Really glad I attempted this method!

More pictures and info here: http://frankenbonsai.wordpress.com

Best to you all.

[lackhand]

Thanks for sharing, John. I may have to have a go at that myself. Interesting way to get a bigger tree going.

[John P.]

Thanks, Karl. Surprised no one else seems interested at all, but oh well! You should give it a shot.

[DustyRusty]

Thanks, Karl. Surprised no one else seems interested at all, but oh well! You should give it a shot.

Hey! I'm interested. I'm doing similar things with my figs. Just don't want to post when I have nothing useful to say. Keep updating us.

[lennard]

Surprised no one else seems interested at all, but oh well! You should give it a shot.

Hi John.

I am following this thread from the start and you have done a great job.

Lots of people talking about advanced techniques but only a few, like you, do it!

The base on your future tree is going to be magnificent!

Keep us updated.

Lennard