Ficus Watkinsiana

[Glenda]

Hi everyone,

I have a number of watkinsiana (Australian strangler figs) grown from cuttings that are now getting quite large. As my collection is growing, I am wondering what to do with these figs, which are about 1.5 m tall and rather 'leggy'. Most have bases around 4-5 cm diameter. Are they any good for bonsai, or should they go on the compost heap?

[Edward Scissorhand]

Hey Glenda, Why dont you just weave them together and it will fuse into a large tree in some years to come? Then you got yourself an impressive bonsai.

[Glenda]

That's an idea, Edward. I wonder if any one has any experience with them as bonsai? Are they worth the effort?

Glenda

[Jamie]

they should be fine for bonsai

i would chope them low and regrow again, this will give taper and you can put movement it, they would make for a decent shohin/chuhin size tree and thats without even seeing them, weakving them together could be worth a try too, if they are 4-5cm in diameter you might have some trouble doing that though

[Glenda]

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There are four (two in the RH pot) that are genetically identical, as all cuttings were taken from one tree. The two in the one pot are a little smaller than the others, about 3cm diameter.

Are they two big to fuse together, even if not woven?
Do I take some bark off where they touch?
Do I tie them together, and if so, how do I stop the ties digging in?
Would they be better screwed together?

I know if I chop them they shoot well - that's how I got two in one pot. Chopped one off and stuck the top in the same pot- both grew well, but the bottom put out shoots with much smaller leaves.

Some help here would be appreciated.

Glenda

[Jamie]

if they were mine they look small enough to weave, bare root them, then put them together and braid, weave whichever, then wrap with graft tape or similar, they will take about 3 years to fully fuse, but they will fuse, with them being longer it will make it easier to get them together.

run a large diameter wire up the inside of them, 5-6mm. this will help when you go to put movement in. and will be fine as they will just fuse around it. once the graft tape is one, wire up the trunks and put movement in now as you wont get movement in later on.

jamie

[Glenda]

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How long should they soak in the Seasol? I am planning to tie them together tomorrow and get them potted.

I hope I haven't cut off too many roots from the largest two - they were such a mess. They were in large pots and almost no soil was left - just roots. This will be my first real major styling - previously has been clip and grow or a little wiring. I think they are too thick to bend, but the shape of them in a bunch should add interest to the trunk once fused (I hope).

Glenda

[Jamie]

yea you wont be able to braid them, get them really close together, cut the roots off that will stop them from touching, tie em up put em in some good soil and feed like crazy!!!

[Glenda]

Couple more questions

1. How long do I soak them in seasol?

2. If I use the graft tape to tie them together, how long before I take it off to stop it digging in?

Glenda

[Jamie]

seasol- anywhere from overnight to a few days. and the graft tape wont cut in to the brark if you apply it flat like it is ment to be used, graft tape will strech just watch it, i have reapplied mine a couple of times but thats just to be overcautious than anything and checking for bugs underneath or in between.

jamie

[Glenda]

Thanks Jamie. Will post a picture tomorrow when they are potted.

Glenda

[Jamie]

my pleasure

look forward to it i might get a pic of mine that i have had together for a while now it still hasnt fully fused but it will be a nice fluted trunk, might end up selling it later down the track.

[Glenda]

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Well, its done. The base is now 20cm across if the fuse takes. I left the tops at different heights to help with taper. Anything else I need to do?

Glenda

[AndrewM]

Good luck Glenda

If the fuse takes you will have one fat trunk Keep us posted on the progression

Andrew

[Jamie]

there is no doubt it will take, look forward to seeing in three years as it will take roughly that or longer to do it all properliy