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Ficus air layer

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Post  steveb Tue Apr 07, 2015 1:10 am

I have had a ficus for 4 years that I originally trained as a root over rock.  The rock, I've decided, now needs to go.  

What is the likelihood of a successful air layer low on the trunk, right over the rock?  Of two internet sites I've read one says they air layer easily and the other say they don't.  I've successfully layered maples so am familiar with the process.  

Sorry I don't know the species but it was a gift.  I also apologize for the picture. I'm new to the iPad.


Ficus air layer Image10[/url]


Thanks
Steve
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Post  Precarious Tue Apr 07, 2015 3:41 am

I recently air layered ficus benjamina, canadian sphagnum moss wrapped in clear plastic, approx baseball size. In approx one week, I saw the first white roots at the edge of the plastic. By two weeks there were quite a few. By three weeks they were thickening and turning brown (I took that as a sign the roots were maturing enough). At 3-1/2 weeks I separated the top, removed most of the sphagnum (but not all- difficult job), planted it in my bonsai soil, and pruned off a third of the branches and leaves so the young roots could more easily support the canopy. It has been a week in the pot, and both trees seem healthy. That's much faster than I expected.
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Post  JimLewis Tue Apr 07, 2015 1:25 pm

They layer easily.

Looks like a willow leaf fig.
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Post  DougB Tue Apr 07, 2015 3:44 pm

David what were the temp/humidity conditions and how did you maintain them?
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Post  Kevin S - Wisco Bonsai Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:47 pm

JimLewis wrote:Looks like a willow leaf fig.

we all know how jim just adores having to turn his head sideways... Suspect

but i'm not so sure about it being willow leaf...
could you post better pics ?
(if you want it I.D.d)
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Post  steveb Wed Apr 08, 2015 2:10 am

Thanks for the replies. I took the plunge. I'll post pictures soon, hopefully with new roots. Thanks again.

Steve
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Post  Precarious Wed Apr 08, 2015 4:45 am

Sorry, thought I'd posted an answer to the question, but must not have hit send.

I keep my tropicals in the high sixties at night, mid 70's day. It's in a basement room, and I help the temp stay where I want with a small radiant heater. Humidity 45-55% using a portable humidifier.
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Post  steveb Mon Jun 08, 2015 2:14 am

There was a mass of roots that were wrapping around the plastic wrap air layer, so, I decided to cut below ringed bark. When I did the mass of spagnum moss and roots fell off in my hand. There was not one root sprouting from the upper part of the ringed bark. I'm thinking that there was one or two very vigorous roots growing below the ring that had filled up the plastic wrap air layer. When I cut the trunk, I cut the roots. I gambled and lost.
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Post  Precarious Mon Jun 08, 2015 5:17 am

A shame. Someone else would have to explain why the roots did not emerge from the top of the bark cut. I would have made the same cut at the bottom that you did.
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