Ficus airlayer project TOP

[ArtAtkinson]

The top part of a two part project. A project that I've been meaning to do for a couple years.
The more experienced growers have seen it all before but maybe the newer ones may find it of interest.
The ficus philipinensis was too tall so I set about to make two hopefully acceptable trees from an unacceptable one by air-layering.
This is the 'before' shot.

[ArtAtkinson]

I waited until the roots on my ficuses were growing strongly which is July in this part of the world. (Caribbean)
I cut around the trunk at a point where I wanted the nebari of the top tree to be. (The roots spring from the bark at the point of the top cut) The width apart of the two cuts was about the diameter of the trunk. I then removed the bark and the cambium (The softish layer beneath the bark). If you don't remove the cambium completely you wont get a good spread of roots.

[ArtAtkinson]

I then cut a plastic pot as shown.

[ArtAtkinson]

I then placed it around the trunk lacing together the slit side and tying it up to a couple branches to stop it falling. It could be propped from below. The pot was filled with a mixture of soiless potting mix and grit (more mix/less grit than my usual potting mix). The complete cut area was covered. I did not apply rooting hormone as I find that ficuses do not need it.

[ArtAtkinson]

This a shot of the pot in place.

[ArtAtkinson]

Four weeks later (watering both top & bottom) new roots were protruding from the bottom of the plastic pot. I waited two more weeks and then removed most of the leaves in preparation for the separation.

[ArtAtkinson]

With the pot removed.

[ArtAtkinson]

A close-up showing how many and how well distributed around the trunk the roots were.

[ArtAtkinson]

Ready for separation, but I first wanted to remove some branches while I still had the tree on a solid base. A thick back branch on the right trunk (neither a trunk or a branch) and the lowest thin branch on each trunk.

[ArtAtkinson]

With branches removed.

[ArtAtkinson]

The separating cut was made as close under the new roots as I could manage.

[ArtAtkinson]

The roots radiating/combed out with a chopstick and settled into a training pot awaiting potting mix.

[ArtAtkinson]

Potted. But I realise that I have to remove a branch to the front of the left trunk that I previously thought I could keep.

[ArtAtkinson]

With offending branch removed.
In about a year... If I remember and find the time, I should repot it into a bigger wooden box to encourage the now buried roots of the nebari to grow and thicken. Now, it needs some TLC. In this smaller pot I can keep a watchful eye on it. I also now need to wire the smaller branches and the new ones into position, - this I will do in about two months when the growth slows.
Sorry to be so long.
See the other thread for the BOTTOM half of this project.

[Gadiel]

I really like this project.
allso you are using my favorite ficus (ficus philippinense)

[CharlesBevan]

I like what you have done. Keep us updated on how it is looking.

[ArtAtkinson]

Where I see this going.

[LivingArt]

i made this virtual as soon as a saw this thread. it's less pretty then urs but i think it's funny how close they are.
good growing
LA

[LivingArt]

ok ok mines a lot more ugle but i only spent 10 minutes on it max i swear:D

[CharlesBevan]

Art is really good at those.