creating arial roots

mr.schefflera · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject: creating arial roots

hi, could any one tell me how to form arial roots on ficus without grafting

Stymie · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: creating arial roots

Wrap with damp sphagnum from the branches down and wait. Its almost like air-layering.

yamadorinige · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject: Re: creating arial roots

If I remember correctly I think Tom(TB420) posted something on here last year about using drinking straws to form aerial roots, you might want to do a search using the purple tab at the top

kamivy · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: creating arial roots

I recently had success creating aerial roots by drilling little holes in the bark down through the cambium and packing in some rooting hormone and then tenting the fig in cling wrap to make a very humid environment. You could try that.

Smithy · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:35 am Post subject: Re: creating arial roots

Got any photos Kara.

kamivy · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject: Re: creating arial roots

No sorry smithy, I've been very sketchy with recording or documenting anything these last few months, our house just finished getting built and we've been moving house etc etc. Finally settled, but still havn't brought my bonsai's over as have nowhere secure to put them .

The idea for aerial roots was simple enough, I found some info on it online for use on figs and scheffleras. I tried to find the link again but can't seem to locate it right now. I would have to say it was only moderately successful - the scheffleras produced no results at all, the figs produced many aerial roots due to the humid environment, but only a few on the lower branches I had drilled (I use the term drilled lightly - I actually just used a sharp implements to stab a small hole). The ones that did come through on the lower branches came through exactly where i had drilled though, so I figure even if success rates are low, you have a better chance directing where you want the aerial roots to grow if you use the procedure than relying soley on the tree.