aerail roots

brook41 · White Belt Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

Does anybody know of a way to encourage aerial root growth on a FICUS RETUSA?

Stymie · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: Re: aerail roots

I understand that some people wrap sphagnum moss around the area where they wish roots to grow. I haven't done this. In fact, I am more likely to cut aerial roots off but it is common knowledge that I am weird. Oh my head!

imholte · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: aerail roots

I think Dick puts the whole tree in a clear plastic bag to keep the humidity up.

apisto · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: Re: aerail roots

steve · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: aerail roots

The humidity treatment is the way I've heard as well but watch for fungus as there won't be any air movement.

TB420 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:31 am Post subject: Re: aerail roots

Plastic bag, wrap with sphagnum moss, move to the tropics, they all work. I created another aerial root on my retusa by ground layering a branch then after it rooted I cut off the foliage end leaving an aerial root. That is by far the fastest way to make a fat aerial root.

Tom

kamivy · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:31 am Post subject: Re: aerail roots

You can also make a small hole down to the cambium and plug it with some rooting hormone powder before putting it under a plastic wrap, - doesn't always work but it does sometimes - the advantage being you can have an aerial root right where you want it obviously.