ficus natalensis

[Timothy]

hi all. i removed this aerial root from a massive old tree in the winter of 2012. this one and it's buddies stood still for a very long time before they started to move.since then i've just fed and trimmed it. will that mass of roots between the rwo 'trunks' eventually grow thicker and fuse ?i thought of planting some rooted cuttings at various angles and letting it fuse with the two thicker stems? any advice/comments welcome. thanks. cheers from cape town.

[shibui]

I don't know F. natalensis but if it is anything like our F. rubiginosa those roots will certainly thicken and join up. One of my figs is 3 plants root over rock but have now completely enveloped the rock so now it really is a root OVER rock style
All of my figs continue to thicken and develop even since planting in small bonsai pots.
For now, just concentrate on developing the trunk and branching. The roots will develop by themselves. Your tree will look great when those roots do join up.

[Timothy]

thanks so much for the advice and interest.

[Andrew Legg]

How dee mate. Why don't you come along to Oyama Bonsai Kai meeting on Wednesday this week and bring it along for any advice you may want. We are in Plumstead.

Cheers, Andrew

[Ash]

HI, Yes Ficus natalensis roots will thicken and eventually fuse. They will do that well especially if you keep it over-potted, well fed and well watered and don't over trim the canopy. I like them, very strong tree and a pleasant leaf shape. Ash