|
Sun, Apr 27, 08 at 11:54
| Hello all. I have a ficus benjamina that is two years old. It is actually five separate trees that I fused together to create a larger trunk and larger canopy. The trunk is about 3/4" thick and 7" tall. If I include the giant roots that I have exposed above the soil level, it is about 10" tall. I know exposed roots are something one strives for, but these things are just not pleasing to me. All of the fibrous roots grow off these fat roots so I don't think I can just whack them off. Right now, I have the big roots spread over a 3"diameter rock that is half buried in the soil (not for root over rock purposes but rather to fill in the empty space when I tried to expose these roots- you can barely see the rock). Is there a way to shave or chisel these roots back without harming the plant. I am out of wound paste so won't be making the cuts until I get some in, but I'd like to get an idea of what I am going to do to change the look of this thing. I don't know how to post pictures or I would. Might I also try air layering right above the thick roots to get more fibrous roots and then cut the thick ones off? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Well, if you can air layer the whole thing, that would certainly do the trick. Don't worry about paste - most bonsai-ists don't bother and some even think it can seal in trouble as much as anything else. You can just lop roots, but I wouldn't do it unless I had the tree out of the pot and was able to get a feel for which roots were supporting half the tree, and which weren't - and then I'd only do a couple at a time. So you have some choices, I guess, please come back and say which you decided on. You can post pix if you use e.g. Photobucket (a site that hosts easy picture posting and gives you links for us to follow when you post here). |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Bonsai Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.