What to do with a Ficus Ginseng?

Hey all,

Now, before you go and blow my head off, I do not currently own one of these. I was wondering though, what you could do. I have been told you can do nothing with them. But, a member on another forum posted pictures of a Ginseng that he had split up. The tubers were all connected, but he split them up and managed to make a couple trees from the tubers. Anyone have experience with these ugly things? Since the tubers do have their own root systems, could they, in theory, survive on their own? Here is that thread (almost a year old):

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4305&page=2&highlight=ficus+ginseng


Thanks!

First they are not really "tubers" but just fat roots.

They should have roots, but if not they should root like any other Ficus cutting.

The URL required joining to see the photos and I don't want to bother.

I think it would be interesting to lay one of the roots on its side.

I was given one to rehab, but the fat roots had rotted and I removed them.

I suppose you just bury everything and then cut off the bottom when more rots formed higher up.

Sorry about that, here are the pictures. These belong to Bob O of BonsaiNut

You have to understand that these storage roots will not sprout branches, so the canopy will be high up on a bare trunk. You could try cultivating a long branch for a thread graft, but is it worth the trouble?
Also, some of them exhibit inverse taper, making them useless as bonsai.
Iris

Best thing is to consider it a house plant and not a bonsai as it really doesn't look like the essence of a tree.

hey man! i have also bought a ginseng just because i wanted to try a little experiment... i thought, because figs can grow aerial roots i figured i would just cover up the whole fat rootball with aerials and grow it banyan-style

Why bother? I'm sure normal Ficus are available in Sweden, so you would start with something much better. If you want to grow aerial roots, Put the tree in a fish tank or terrarium.
Iris

I haven't tried with one of these but why not. You might end up with really interesting results. It's exactly the time that people start saying 'don't bother' that I get itchy and go and buy one, just for the challenge. I think, given the material, that that chap did a good job.

Of course, you know what I would do with it, Ryan. <g>

JimLewis wrote:Of course, you know what I would do with it, Ryan. <g>

You'd find a nice, trash can sized pot for it, and at this point, I think I would too