Ficus Audrey fusion

[Jfxmedia]

First post, bonsai newbie.

I bought three Ficus Audrey, about a foot tall each, young. I've just attempted the initial steps fusion on these three with a soft layer then zip ties and twine so as not to scar the trees.

My question is not something I can seem to find posted here or elsewhere, would scarring or bark scraping or cutting a divot in the trees where they touch for fusion, help aid in the tree fusion? I would imagine, since you can use a tree to form an aerial root by cutting them sealing together, it would aid in fusion doing the same for the tree trunks, no? Tell me why this wouldn't work, I am searching for an answer to no avail.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Yes it should work as long as the wounds touch each other.
But that's hard to do with three trees. I would wound two and connect them, and do the third after the first two have healed and made a solid connection.

Maybe looking at approach grafting can help you, because it's the same principle except for the practice where the roots of the scion are eventually removed. Thread grafting might also give you some clues.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Wellcome to crazy!

Audrey @sorce

 

[Jfxmedia]

Yes it should work as long as the wounds touch each other.
But that's hard to do with three trees. I would wound two and connect them, and do the third after the first two have healed and made a solid connection.

Maybe looking at approach grafting can help you, because it's the same principle except for the practice where the roots of the scion are eventually removed. Thread grafting might also give you some clues.

Thanks so much! I'm going to try some minor wounds on a couple, just order a 5 foot indoor mini greenhouse and a upgraded grow light, excited for this.

 

[Srt8madness]

I saw a demo by Pedro of Puerto Rico yesterday, he mentioned this. You can do it and it will help, but they will also fuse without it, so personal preference really.

 

[sorce]

In that the terminology is "wound", I wouldn't, sounds counterproductive.
Productive being "fusing" which can take place without it.
Attempting to save 2 years with "wounds" that will take you from 7, to 5 years in a 25 year process, for me, isn't worth the risk of the wounds.

Requesting an update in 2050.

Sorce

 

[19Mateo83]

Ficus Audrey is actually a ficus Benghalensis, it is a banyan tree that is so famous in India. It is also their national tree. It is known for its sprawling canopy and huge tangles of fused aerial roots and trunks. If you plant your trees close they will eventually fuse on their own. As sorce said, it can be a long, time consuming process but it is a natural process and will happen eventually without wounding.
ALSO…. Welcome to the nut house! I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love to see the material you have to work with. I also have one I got from Wigerts this summer, that I’m looking forward to playing with once it recovers from being repotted. My plan is to air layer it off just above the low branches.