Tony the Tiger Bark Ficus Retusa progression

Any part of a Ficus that touches the potting media will probably throw roots. In autumn, it may not happen until spring but it will happen. In a hot, humid June or July, it can happen within days. Strip a little bark off the underside of the branch, just remove enough bark to expose the cambium, you don't want to go deep enough to eliminate all cambium.  where it touches the ground, the exposed cambium will definitely throw out roots. Rooting will happen at temperatures above 70 F, it will progress much more slowly at cooler temperatures. If your winter spot is bright and warm, you could do it now. Or wait until end of May or early June.

You certainly can use a long thin branch from higher in the tree to "create" aerial roots. A thin branch sprouting from the underside of a larger branch would be perfect for creating a "aerial root substitute". Once the branch roots, and shows it is growing, cut off the growing end and you will have a functioning aerial root. Once they get some size the botanists refer to them as secondary trunks. This is an excellent way to create the image of lots of aerial roots, even though the tree is being grown in an area where humidity and other conditions are not ideal for forming aerial roots naturally.

But remember, where the branch used to make the "root" exits the branch or trunk, the angle of the exit needs to look natural. A branch from the underside of a larger branch is good. Branches coming off the trunk, usually come out at an upward angle, if the "root" heads up before going down it will not make a convincing root. The branch used should either come out perfectly horizontal or at a downward angle from the trunk. You might have to cut a wedge out of the underside where the branch exits the trunk before you bend it down, so that the angle looks natural. But this is all very do-able. Great idea.

Leo Schordje wrote:

Andre, you are a crazy, creative nut, love your virtual.

Thank you Darling....


Whos Babs?

Andre Beaurain wrote:Whos Babs?

who'da thunk an old skool ex-punk would be able to quote barbara striesand
(i thank my folks for their unintended musical osmosical effect)

and thanks leo !

every now and then it throws a branch from the underside so i will keep my eyes open on that lower branch
but gotta get a different wider pot first