Finally broke down and bought a benji...

[TooCoys]

I got tired of looking for these, so I broke down and bought this Ficus Benjamina at the Depot today as well.

I liked the flare of the main trunk. I’m going to leave it alone until I figure out what I want to do with it.

I’d kind of like to do a bro style of tree with it, and maybe something different with the smaller stems.

Any suggestions?

 

[TooCoys]

I think I’m going to air layer the smaller stems off to make a few more trees before I try to split things up. It appears that they are all fused or from the same root.

Once the new trees are made I’m going to cut it down to the center trunk only, and start working on it.

 

[barrosinc]

@ColinFraser chopped these and planted the cuttings.

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/a-tale-of-four-ficus.20205/

 

[barrosinc]

@ColinFraser chopped these and planted the cuttings.

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/a-tale-of-four-ficus.20205/

 

[MHBonsai]

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/big-benjamina-freebie.30722/

I grafted a branch down low to start a new top on mine. I wouldn't worry about air layering...cuttings are pretty easy to root, even big ones. This was a cutting taken just this spring. I've got several more like it of various sizes. Keep them in high enough humidity and they'll root quick-like.

 

[TooCoys]

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/big-benjamina-freebie.30722/

I grafted a branch down low to start a new top on mine. I wouldn't worry about air layering...cuttings are pretty easy to root, even big ones. This was a cutting taken just this spring. I've got several more like it of various sizes. Keep them in high enough humidity and they'll root quick-like.

We live in our RV and while we have TONS of filtered light inside, we keep our humidity at 50%. I do have it sitting on a tray of pebbles with water in it to keep the humidity a little higher at the tree base.

 

[MHBonsai]

I put mine in plastic bags....literally I'll use two gallon size zip locks (or whatever I have laying around) and nest the bags together creating a humidity tent for the cuttings. I leave the bags loose, with just enough gap for a bit of air flow. Put cuttings in some good soil and keep them moist and they'll root.

 

[AZbonsai]

grafted a branch

Just got my grafting tool....looking forward to figuring out how to use it!

 

[TooCoys]

Just got my grafting tool....looking forward to figuring out how to use it!

Grafting tool? There’s a tool for that? Do show us...

 

[MHBonsai]

Just got my grafting tool....looking forward to figuring out how to use it!

The tool that I used was a hand saw and a chisel... I'm talking about making big approach grafts.

 

[AZbonsai]

Here you go guys in all its GLORY!

 

[just.wing.it]

a bro style of tree

Wtf is Bro Style?.....bro.

 

[TooCoys]

Wtf is Bro Style?.....bro.

"BRO" style is "broom" after its been fat fingered on the keyboard.

 

[just.wing.it]

"BRO" style is "broom" after its been fat fingered on the keyboard.

Hahaha!
Oh....
Sorry bro...

 

[TooCoys]

Started air layering the 4 smaller stems. Once I get these going I’m going to cut them off and get them planted, and then start work on the single center trunk.

I also put a bunch of cuttings in water to see how many of them I can get going.

 

[TooCoys]

Couldn’t stand it so I air layered the 5th stem which is the main center trunk. I figured if I was going to just chop it down for redirection anyway then might as well save the top.

Just to confirm, you only have to remove the green bark layer correct? You don’t have to go any deeper than that for proper air layering?

 

[TooCoys]

It’s worked!!! It worked!!!! Now to cut them and repot them!!

All 5 have roots!!!

 

[Cadillactaste]

I personally have never air layered. But seeing photos of ones who did. You may wish to hold off on more roots before removing it.

 

[TooCoys]

I think the picture don’t show them well, but there are a lot of roots in there. I might let them go another week or two.