Bulbous Roots on figs

[Gareth]

well today i had to do an unscheduled re-pot of one of my young figs that im trying to get some growth on, someone stepped on the grow box in the dark and crushed the styrofoam box, so out of the grow box it came and into a new one.

Since this will now be the thrid re-pot of this fig this year, as i did a quick one early on, and one about 2 months ago into the grow box, i thought i might have a closer look at the roots. when i put it in the grow box i simply transferred it and just teased out the roots a little, putting the fig with the root ball from the normal potting mix i had it in, into a diatomite blend.

So i though this time i would take a good look at the roots and see what im dealing with, i really want to start developing the nebari so i washed the roots right out to get a good looks. After all this is a fig, they can take a beating.

when i got into the depths of the root ball i noticed the development of some very bulbous roots that i dont like, and dont want as the root system on a fig, personally i think they look ugly.

So i cut them off, and cut the root system back flat, and put the plant on a piece of perspex to try and develop the nebari.

I also thought while i was at it a would try my hand at doing a toothpick job on it, i thought what the hell im already here may as well give it a crack.

so how do i prevent the formation of these bulbous roots? they are very much they same as what you see on pot bellied figs, of which i have one as well and have progressively been cutting down to get rid of the large swollen roots.

Will promoting flat growth of the root system prevent this, and is this root behavior only particular to one sort of fig or does it happen with all figs?

[Jamie]

hi mate,

what sort of fig is this one you have done the work too?

I found with those pot belly figs that they can get a good root system on them but the problem with them are the roots are very soft and pulpy, i did a ground layer on one that blasted away and only took 4 weeks to do (removed the base after 4 weeks).
after i removed it i put it in a diatomite/organic mix to develop it further, what happened after that i was amazed was that the soft pulpy inner wood of the roots had completely rotted out and was hollow, regan actually seen it.

hopefully it isnt the same sort of fig, anyways you can basically do a flat cut through the bole of the fig and treat it like a big cutting and you will have a new set of roots in not to long at all. planting it over perspex will definately help give it a flat root system, any large and ugly roots you dont like just cut them off and seal them so they heal or put a rooting hormone on them and you will have nice new neat roots.

jamie.

[anttal63]

This is natural behaviour especially if the tree is growing unchecked to put size on. You have done good to do what you have and just got to keep the work up. When you you have lots of finer well ramified roots and a more completed tree you are keeping in check you should find this lessens.

[buddaboy]

Try planting the fig on an old tile, helps stretch out the roots.
BB

[Gareth]

Hi Guys,

I'm not sure exactly what fig it is i was doing the work to, it was the on you recommended to put into the grow box jamie, perhaps a PJ but im not exactly sure, ill get a close up picture of the leaf tomorrow, and the bark, to see if you can give me idea of what it is.

I dont think it is the same variety as the pot bellied fig, (is this actually the name for them, i thought this was a marketing name?), it is not the same leaf or the same looking bark, but i am comparing it to a young plant i suppose.

It is interesting what Jamie said about the root system on the pot belly fig being pulpy, i have found this as well, but have had no problem with any rotting, in fact it was the opposite, in that the clean cuts, probably the size of A 50 cent piece, healed perfectly and shot new roots around the edges.

I did not seal the pot belly fig cuts either or the cuts on this one i just re-potted.

I do have them in very free draining mixes (90% diatomite 10% potting mix) but even when i had the pot belied fig in normal potting mix, and was SOAKING it nearly all the time by sitting the pot in a container of water, i never got any rotting.

Perhaps it is because you have a more humid/wet environment for a longer period that contributed to the rotting Jamie? this is the only thing i can think of anyway.

it will be interesting to see how my toothpick job goes and what sort of roots it yields, and what effect flat cutting the base, not sealing it and putting it on a flat surface does.

Gareth

[Jamie]

hi mate,

putting it in the box is the way to go

if it is a PJ or similar should be sweet, its just those "pot belly" figs (which i think are just F. microcarpa var. somecrapyoneis) that i found the rotting problem, like i said it rooted well, but the actual trunk that was in contact with the meduim rotted out completly, the tree kept growing, but after that happened it was a lost cause and the wire got removed and it put in the grow bed, if it comes back it comes back.

you are probably right about the clime causing the wood problem, it is realy soft pulpy wood on those pot bellies. i was nearly tempted to get another one a while back and try the same again to see what happened but it wont be for a while.

Jamie

[Glenda]

....... its just those "pot belly" figs (which i think are just F. microcarpa var. somecrapyoneis) .........
Jamie

Actually, they are Ficus microcarpa retusa

Glenda

[Jamie]

....... its just those "pot belly" figs (which i think are just F. microcarpa var. somecrapyoneis) .........
Jamie

Actually, they are Ficus microcarpa retusa

Glenda

it would be a variation of F. Mic. Ret. var. ??? (dont know the var.)

the retusa is a completly different tree with much better trunk characteristics and leaf shape.

[Gareth]

ok, got some photo's of this fig's leaves, can anyone help with a positive ID?

[Gareth]

bump. anyone?

[Taffy]

With the 'dot's on the leaf edges, the red petioles, the red sheaths on the new shoots and the shape of the leaves - slightly ovate (curving in 'heart shaped' at the petiole), I'd suggest it's a Port Jackson - Ficus Rubiginosa.