Strangler fig

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » February 13th, 2011, 3:34 pm

At the Wauchope (NSW) bonsai meeting, this month's demo was the creation of a strangler fig using a dead cork oak and 3 ficus obliqua. The figs had been grown in poly pipe tubes for two years to develop long roots. Two figs were attached to one trunk of the oak, then the roots wrapped around the trunk and covered with muck (50:50 potters clay and peatmoss). The other trunk has one fig and its roots covered in moist spaghnum moss and glad wrap. Here is the photo series.

Cork oak stump.jpg

Obiqua figs in original pots.jpg

Roots of the figs.jpg

Attaching the first fig 2.jpg

Figs attached prior to wrapping.jpg

Putting muck on one trunk 2.jpg

Spaghnum & Gladwrap the other trunk 2.jpg

Finished tree 3.jpg

Bretts · Post by **Bretts** » February 13th, 2011, 4:08 pm

Great stuff Steven thanks for showing. I became interested in this a few years ago from Lenard Webbers book. He noted that when he used deadwood it rotted away and wanted to try a living host tree.
After trying to find a host tree I ended up using a hackberry. Not great material but at least it was a start. Is the slowest fig to recover after an extra cold Winter so I am just hoping it survives next Winter at the moment while I still search for a good host to try a better one

mudlarkpottery · Post by **mudlarkpottery** » March 7th, 2011, 8:18 am

Great progression photos, Steve. I'm looking forward to an update and to see which works better - the muck or gladwrap and moss. Nice healthy looking trees too. Thanks for posting.
Penny.

Andrew F · Post by **Andrew F** » October 26th, 2011, 10:59 pm

Update plz.

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » January 22nd, 2012, 11:33 am

Here is an update on the fig. I haven't unwrapped the glad-wrapped roots yet as I want to give them as much time as possible to settle into the soil in the pot.

The trunk covered with muck has had the muck re-applied a couple of times now. The roots on this trunk are now over a cm thick.

I have also trimmed the top of the tree. Obliqua responds well to trimming, throwing out a lot of new, fine shoots.

Roger · Post by **Roger** » January 23rd, 2012, 2:34 pm

Great work Steve.
Also good to see you putting all that rainfall to good use...

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » February 15th, 2012, 8:36 pm

I unwrapped the spaghnum moss wrapped side to see how it went. It had good roots too, compared to the muck covered trunk. The main difference was that the spaghnum side had a few fine roots in the moss, rather than down the trunk. Based on this, I'd recommend using muck rather than moss.

Lorie · Post by **Lorie** » January 31st, 2017, 9:03 pm

Hey just new to this site. Looking to grog some strangler figs. Is it possible for you to post photos or diagrams of the initial growing process with the Polly tube and strawberry pot? Many thanks

Thymetraveller · Post by **Thymetraveller** » February 1st, 2017, 6:23 am

Fascinating progression!
I have several ficus microcarpa whips which I want to try this technique on.
Thanks for posting!

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » February 1st, 2017, 4:35 pm

Here is a picture of the down pipe sections i use to grow long rooted trees. These are mostly Little Ruby figs.

Figs in long tubes.jpg

Here is an update on the strangler figs. Freshly trimmed.

Figs in long tubes.jpg

Max · Post by **Max** » February 1st, 2017, 7:42 pm

Awesome work Steve....i lived in War Cho Pee for a while...should have joined then....keep up the great work

cheers
Max

AusBonsai

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