Port Jackson Fig - Darkened & spongey above-ground root

[batsuncat]

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this forum (and relatively new to Bonsai as well). Several years ago I was given a very old Port Jackson Fig Bonsai (approx 60-70 years old).

It's due for repotting this year in October but I noticed recently that one of the large above-ground roots has become quite dark, the bark is damaged, and in some places it's very soft and a little spongey. Because of its size I wasn't able to fit it in my car today to take it to Bonsai and Beyond (where I plan to get it repotted), so instead I could only get some advice from them to scrape out the soft area and coat with lime sulpher a few times. The tree otherwise appears to be healthy. There are a lot of leaves, none of which have died or changed in any way.

I'm very worried about the tree, so I thought I'd look for a bit of extra help and advice, general thoughts, anything really.

The first thing I'm wondering is whether I should consider the repotting early (out of season) in order to check and treat any below-ground rotting roots. Aside from that, any other experience or related advice from dealing with any similar problems would be fantastic to hear, as my own experience here is very limited.

Photo of the root here:


Many thanks

[Mitchell]

If it was my plant, I would remove dead/dyeing/rotten/saturated bark back to the live vein on the under side. You can see the live vein is quite healthy, though that rot will continue and kill it eventually.

Once stripped back, I would carve out any rotten heartwood, treat with lime sulfer then seal the wounded vein so it can heal and callous over. If the plant has not been going down hill since the rot set in, then I am not so concerned with the tree, cut that live vein and remove the root if it's not needed.

Me thinks at least it is a nice opportunity, to practice root shari's.

[Jamie]

gday mate,

welcome to the forum firstly

matey, that root is well, rooted. cut it off to the trunk with concave cutters and seal it. you can then take a few cuttings from your tree, strike them and graft them in to replace the rotted root. theres not much point going into carving and everything else as the root is going to be easier to cut off and graft a new one in then try and cut back/carve/harden etc.

good luck

[Mitchell]

theres not much point going into carving and everything else as the root is going to be easier to cut off and graft a new one in then try and cut back/carve/harden etc.

It's easier to grow cuttings and graft in replacement roots then carve back and seal?
The technical skill required in getting root grafts to take/blend/replace a large root, would seem to me several times harder than carving back and sealing whilst keeping the live vein. Not to mention the several months for the cuttings to develope.
Seems like a side project in itself.

If the rest of the trunk has a lovely nebari bar this root, then sure I'd go the effort of doing cuttings and grafting. Though if the root pictured is the norm than I see no reason to remove it yet, fix it/seal it if it dies back you can still try the grafting approach.

Regardless though I was just giving my opinion as it is a 5 minute carving/sealing job to fix, I would need to see the rest of the tree before telling any one else to give that route a go.

[bonzaidog]

Hi Batsuncat, the plan the boys laid out (Mitch and then Jamie) sounds like the go,Mitch's plan first then Jamie's later on in the year if plan A doesn't work....Any chance of a few more pics of the whole tree? Sounds interesting ....Dog.

[batsuncat]

Hi again,
Firstly just wanted to say thanks very much for the help and advice. I decided to remove the rot and coat with lime sulphur, and so far (touch wood) the situation seems to be nicely controlled. The tree's health is still looking perfectly good, and the softness in that root is gone.

I'll try to get some pics to post, although it must be said that since inheriting this beautiful tree, I've been a bit slack at deciding the overall shape and structure I want to pursue with it.

Many thanks again