Ficus Fusion Project

[Redwood Ryan]

Shoot, my ability to build traffic cones is incredible. I should become a construction worker

 

[coh]

I would think you'd want to build some imperfections into those cones? I think the perfect tapered cone doesn't make for very interesting (or realistic) trunks.

I have been thinking that this hollow trunk approach could be beneficial because it would reduce the weight of the tree. Something that's becoming more important to me as I get older and my joints start failing...

Chris

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I would think you'd want to build some imperfections into those cones? I think the perfect tapered cone doesn't make for very interesting (or realistic) trunks.

I have been thinking that this hollow trunk approach could be beneficial because it would reduce the weight of the tree. Something that's becoming more important to me as I get older and my joints start failing...

Chris

I mean I've thought about adding some twists or something, but I first just want to see how well this will work (and I'm uncertain of how to go about adding movement).

It will definitely make for a lighter tree.

 

[jkd2572]

Shoot, my ability to build traffic cones is incredible. I should become a construction worker
View attachment 39326

2nd cone looks like the one for me. You make me want a bunch of trident maple cuttings!!! You might have encouraged me to seek these out. Those that say this is cheating have not seen what happens to a bonsai that is planted in the ground and not trimmed. Way to go Ryan. Make this happen.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

2nd cone looks like the one for me. You make me want a bunch of trident maple cuttings!!! You might have encouraged me to seek these out. Those that say this is cheating have not seen what happens to a bonsai that is planted in the ground and not trimmed. Way to go Ryan. Make this happen.

Thanks, this'll certainly be a long term project though. I've got some cuttings that have rooted, just waiting to move them outdoors. Then I'll get them into better soil, feed them like crazy, and see how tall they'll grow.

 

[jkd2572]

If I wanted a quick hobby I will drive to the casinos. I could see my losses immediately. I like to invest and wait for the gains......

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Ahhh roots:

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Alright so I might cave and buy a clump of those benjaminas. They seem to be a popular choice for fusion, so I might just have to make a small cone, and wrap them around it, just to get a feel for how to go about wrapping them. Hmmm.

 

[GrimLore]

I think I am happier with ordering my Wife some Banyans(same basic visual effect) - I have no clue how anyone has enough time to do all you do and photo journal it! I admire your effort and energy

Grimmy

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I did finally manage to track down a benjamina. All the ones at Lowes had braided trunks, which I didn't want to waste my time with. A nursery up the road from me has a huge one for sale for $100. However, since I'm there literally multiple times a week, they've knocked it down to $70.

It's probably 15 feet tall with a 4 inch +/- trunk. I'd get tons of cuttings from it.

Just thought I'd get your opinions on it. The base is interesting...

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Just about all of the cuttings have fused now. I'll let them grow a little bit longer, then move them into bigger pots, fertilize, and let run wild.


Oh and in case anyone was wondering, you can hot glue Ficus together with no ill effects. In case anyone was wondering

 

[Poink88]

Won't the hot glue become obstacle between plants to properly fuse? I won't do it unless to glue a tree to the wire cage....never in between.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Won't the hot glue become obstacle between plants to properly fuse? I won't do it unless to glue a tree to the wire cage....never in between.

Nah, they'd just grow right over it with the way I applied it. It would work just like wire ties, where it'll just grow over.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I think I would save your money on this one. Although for cuttings it would work, I enjoy the natural growth pattern on my 'Christine' variety benjamina. And, the base although not braided would need just as much work as a braided one since the roots are so two dimensional. Also, benjaminas can often be found for free in a weakened state when they start declining in an office environment. Keep an eye out and I bet you can find one much cheaper if not free.

 

[tmmason10]

Just about all of the cuttings have fused now. I'll let them grow a little bit longer, then move them into bigger pots, fertilize, and let run wild.


Oh and in case anyone was wondering, you can hot glue Ficus together with no ill effects. In case anyone was wondering

You mean rooted, not fused I'm assuming?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I think I would save your money on this one. Although for cuttings it would work, I enjoy the natural growth pattern on my 'Christine' variety benjamina. And, the base although not braided would need just as much work as a braided one since the roots are so two dimensional. Also, benjaminas can often be found for free in a weakened state when they start declining in an office environment. Keep an eye out and I bet you can find one much cheaper if not free.

Yeah I'm definitely going to pass on it. It's just too big for me to handle anyway, and I'd never spend that that much on a benjamina

You mean rooted, not fused I'm assuming?

Wow, uh, yeah....it's been a long day...

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Oops, somehow my threads got crossed. I was trying to reply to the $70 benjamina thread.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Oops, somehow my threads got crossed. I was trying to reply to the $70 benjamina thread.

Same thread, different page

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Potted up 5 of the cuttings today, and noticed that one of them has the start of some fantastic nebari. I guess I pushed the cutting down into the pot enough that it was touching the bottom of the pot, and that's the only place where the roots came out of. They're flat as a pancake and come out in a radial pattern:

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Here are the others:



More on the ground, and there are more inside that need to come out: