Grafting Ficus in the Fall?

I have a Ficus microcarpa (Tiger bark) coming to me next week. From the pictures of it, I am thinking of cutting the top off and grafting foliage to it. I would like to use fresh cuttings from my Ficus benjamina 'too little'. I can wait until next Summer, but was wondering if I could do it now; hopefully with expectation of success. Does anyone have experience with grafting cuttings on ficus? Should I try approach grafting? Or, might I succeed with using cuttings and matching the cambium layers, tie them on, place plastic bags over them to keep them moist, etc.
Thank you for your help.
Todd

Benjamina don't graft well. Tiger bark works with self(approach graft easily) They need heat(no nighttime lows) and moisture. I have never been successful grafting willowleaf or green island. The rest of microcarpa OK. if can provide the 2 above conditions. I would not be concerned with slightly lower light level on short term basis. Dustin Mann

Hi,

Would you do that for the smaller leaf size? IMHO microcarpa has superior bonsai qualities, it's easier with back-budding and less prone to branch die-back, and the leaves also reduce quite a bit. I also once tried approach grafting TooLittle onto itself (due to back budding problems), it didn't take for 1 1/2 years and I gave up eventually (but then I'm living in a slightly colder climate too).

Best regards,
Stefan

sulrich wrote:Hi,

Would you do that for the smaller leaf size? IMHO microcarpa has superior bonsai qualities, it's easier with back-budding and less prone to branch die-back, and the leaves also reduce quite a bit. I also once tried approach grafting TooLittle onto itself (due to back budding problems), it didn't take for 1 1/2 years and I gave up eventually (but then I'm living in a slightly colder climate too).

Best regards,
Stefan

I agree it doesn't make sense to graft Ficus Benjy onto a Ficus Microcarpa.
F. Microcarpa is a better bonsai subject.

You can graft as long as you keep it hot and moist (indoors up north may not be moist enough.)

Todd Ellis wrote:I have a Ficus microcarpa (Tiger bark) coming to me next week. From the pictures of it, I am thinking of cutting the top off and grafting foliage to it. I would like to use fresh cuttings from my Ficus benjamina 'too little'. I can wait until next Summer, but was wondering if I could do it now; hopefully with expectation of success. Does anyone have experience with grafting cuttings on ficus? Should I try approach grafting? Or, might I succeed with using cuttings and matching the cambium layers, tie them on, place plastic bags over them to keep them moist, etc.
Thank you for your help.
Todd

Hi check this blog on my web page, maybe can help you.

http://josorl.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/3290715-ficus-green-emerald
http://josorl.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/2456576-bajando-altura-en-un-micro-carpa
http://josorl.webs.com/apps/blog/show/2446707-injerto-de-ramas-en-ficus

Hi Jose,

Thanks a lot for showing these techniques, they are really great! (Not sure though how long it would take in a northern climate to get the same results ... ;-)

Best regards,
Stefan

Thank Sulrich

YOu have reason, i dont know how long take if yo have this techinique in your country, but really funtion on any ficus. You can do it.

Sulrich,
Such beautiful work! Thank you for showing the techniques so clearly!

Chris

edit: I hope you don't mind that I added a link to your blog from my website!

Hi,

bonsaikc wrote:Sulrich,
Such beautiful work! Thank you for showing the techniques so clearly!

that was Jose ;-)

Thanks Jose for the unbelievable links. Never thought that something like this was possible...

Thanks for sharing

Ravi