Willow Leaf Ficus from Meehans

Hi everyone,


A friend and I took a trip up to Meehans Miniatures, which is about an hour from where I live, to get a look at the place. Well, for me to take a look. He goes about once a year. Anyway, the place is great. They've got about 3 or 4 greenhouses stocked with mostly tropical trees. There are tons of outdoor trees as well, but they were, of course, outside. While wondering around I found this little gem, a Willow Leaf Ficus with about a 2.5 inch trunk. I really like it, but I don't think it is ready for a finished pot just yet. There are some roots I am going to remove as they don't fit. So tomorrow I'll repot it into a shallow pot and let it grow, then work on some of those roots. Thoughts, especially on creating new nebari?

These trees don't mind having a severe rootectomy conducted on them, and I can see that you might want to get rid o that FAT root in your third picture. However, merely planting this tree about an inch deeper into the soil will cure most of its visual root problems. This is a good time of year to work on fig roots, too.

JimLewis wrote:These trees don't mind having a severe rootectomy conducted on them, and I can see that you might want to get rid o that FAT root in your third picture. However, merely planting this tree about an inch deeper into the soil will cure most of its visual root problems. This is a good time of year to work on fig roots, too.

Thanks again Jim. I know how tolerable these can be when it comes to rootwork, I'm just a bit more cautious on a more expensive tree. I've thought about planting it deeper, but the trunk flares out more below that root, and I would like to keep that all exposed.

In Vero Beach, I have seen Jim Smith remove all the foliage and most of the roots from F. saliciaria, he used a hatchet on the roots.

Billy M. Rhodes wrote:In Vero Beach, I have seen Jim Smith remove all the foliage and most of the roots from F. saliciaria, he used a hatchet on the roots.

Thanks Billy. I have several Willow Leaf Ficus, and I usually remove most of the roots from them, but I'm more hesitant on a more expensive tree

Repotted and ready to grow:

Planting it deeper did help. If I were you, however, I would have wired the root bacause it still visibly dips straight down.

Did you cut the big tuber under the soil? In Florida I would not hesitate to do it, but in a temperate climate it might be wise to go slow. However that tuber will continue to swell underground and will only become a bigger problem in the future. Good luck with it.

Rob Kempinski wrote:Did you cut the big tuber under the soil? In Florida I would not hesitate to do it, but in a temperate climate it might be wise to go slow. However that tuber will continue to swell underground and will only become a bigger problem in the future. Good luck with it.

I have not cut anything quite yet. I'll let it grow and recover for a bit, then cut the big root up front, and attempt the wire down the root that is still visile.

Ryan, cut it while you still have some summer left. it wont care at all.

Picked yourself a very nice tree!!! you must be going for a larger tree in the bigger pot??? looking good take care john

Picked yourself a very nice tree!!! you must be going for a larger tree in the bigger pot??? looking good take care john

I agree with Mike. Do your root work now while it is hot outside, then keep it shaded for a week or two. This way next season you will not have to slow the tree down by working on the roots and you can maximize your outdoor season. I live in zone 5 and must take full advantage of the summer weather for the few tropicals I have.

Todd

I'll keep you all posted on what I do with the roots. I tried to move that big visible root in the picture, but it's so thick and hard that I couldn't. I'm wondering now how I will be able to wire it if it is already set where it is.

Ryan, if that was mine I would just cut it flush and grow a new one or leave a half inch stubb and cover it with dirt

MIKEB wrote:Ryan, if that was mine I would just cut it flush and grow a new one or leave a half inch stubb and cover it with dirt

Thank you Mike. That is what I originally wanted to do.

Why dont you call Martha Meehan for her recommendation? She would gladly talk with you about it.
Just last week at our club meeting our pres. repotted his large willow leaf. He reduced the root mass by about 50%. I have literally sawed horizontally through the rootball of my weeping fig, which was made up largely of tubers. Hardly phased it.

[quote="Ryan"]Hi everyone,


A friend and I took a trip up to Meehans Miniatures, which is about an hour from where I live, to get a look at the place. Well, for me to take a look. He goes about once a year. Anyway, the place is great. They've got about 3 or 4 greenhouses stocked with mostly tropical trees. There are tons of outdoor trees as well, but they were, of course, outside. While wondering around I found this little gem, a Willow Leaf Ficus with about a 2.5 inch trunk. I really like it, but I don't think it is ready for a finished pot just yet. There are some roots I am going to remove as they don't fit. So tomorrow I'll repot it into a shallow pot and let it grow, then work on some of those roots. Thoughts, especially on creating new nebari?

Hi Ryan, do you mind tell you how much did you paid for it? Thanks.

roberthu526 wrote:
Hi Ryan, do you mind tell you how much did you paid for it? Thanks.

Sure, I paid $70 for it.