The Funky Ficus Project

[Fonz]

A while ago I came across a post where someone (don't know who anymore) seriously cut back the roots of one of those $15 grafted mallsai ficus.
Since I had one of those that I wanted to get rid off I decided to try the same.

The tree as it looked 14 days ago:



You can see the 2 different types of foliage:



I cut of and trimmed back the grafted part:



Next I pruned the original rootstock:



The I took my saw and removed the top from the ugly roots:



I potted them up using a pumice and akadama mix with a layer of sphag moss on top:

 

[Fonz]

Today, 14 days after I potted the cuttings up I checked the original rootstock stump and noticed that roots are already starting to grow from where I made the cut.



No sign of roots on the grafted part cutting yet...

 

[just.wing.it]

That's how its done!
Cool!

 

[Cypress187]

I'm soo gonna do this to my tree, but I'm afraid I will kill it.

 

[just.wing.it]

I'm soo gonna do this to my tree, but I'm afraid I will kill it.

Mine got similar treatment....and much more abuse since...and it's still rolling.

 

[Fishtank307]

Nice!

 

[Fonz]

I'm soo gonna do this to my tree, but I'm afraid I will kill it.

I kept the cuttings indoors (in my "veranda") and sprayed them 2-3 times a day. It seems they root easy if you keep them wet.

 

[Fonz]

Ok, 4 years and a lot of pruning later I repotted the thing in a real pot today.

 

[19Mateo83]

Looking good! Now that’s how you polish a turd