Author Archives: jerry@bonsaihunk.us

Ficus burkei ‘puberula’ can grow roots up from the soil and into the air and then back into the soil. Why they do this is a mystery to me but it also occurs with other Ficus species. In this case I removed the two roots and they sprouted foliage from the cut end. They will be styled out as bonsai.

The mother tree on the left and the two roots that were removed.

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Root-over-rock Ficus

Ficus are easy to develop into root-over-rock designs as they have aggressive roots that tolerate gradual exposture to air and the roots really do well growing over rocks. The photo is of a Ficus burkei ‘puberula’ cutting that was placed on the rock, roots wraped to keep them tight on the rock and then planted deeply so the roots were not exposed to air. Gradually over some years the soil was removed from the rock and the roots exposed. Done repeatedly the rock was elevated and more of the roots showing. This picture is about 10 years or so after the procedure was started.

The tree about ten years before the image on the right was taken

My new book is here, The World of Ficus Bonsai

My new Ficus book, The World of Ficus Bonsai


At long last it is here. The World of Ficus Bonsai by Jerry Meislik. I have been learning more and more about Ficus and how incredible they are
for bonsai and for growing in your home. I have expanded and added
new material to create an enlarged and updated book on using Ficus
for bonsai. The book is 324 pages full of great information and full of 
pictures. It is available as a e-book or as a soft or hard cover book. 



You can purchase it on: 
 
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/World-Ficus-Bonsai-Jerry-Meislik/dp/152553288X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+World+of+Ficus+bonsai&qid=1555519664&s=gateway&sr=8-1
 
Apple – https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-world-of-ficus-bonsai/id1460062986
 
Friesens – https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000056702445/Jerry-Meislik-The-World-of-Ficus-Bonsai



Ficus tremula

One of favorite species for bonsai is Ficus tremula. I have only recently been able to find the species and started growing it. I originally saw the species in South Africa in the collection of Hennie Nel, a great bonsai artist and grower.

The species grows easily from seed, cuttings and root cuttings. Leaves reduce well and it produces figs from the trunk at an early age. A few of my trees that are just several years old are shown in the photo.

I think all bonsai and fig lovers should give it a try

Three of my young Ficus tremula

Why won’t my Ficus cutting grow?

Some 6 months I have been waiting for a cutting of Ficus burkei ‘puberula’ to show some signs of rooting. This is a long time for this Ficus species to show no evidence of rooting.

I did see some foliage poking out of the soil in the corner of the pot. So, I unpotted the cutting and what did I discover?

The cutting actually had roots in the soil and at the end of the cutting. But, it also had roots and foliage coming from the “bottom” of the cutting!

Conclusion?? I had potted the cutting upside down! Despite this fact the cutting was completely alive and roots were coming out in two places from the cutting as well as sprouting leaves from the bottom or more accurately what should be the top.

I repotted the cutting and in a few weeks it will be growing normally and a lot more quickly. I do recommend that cuttings be placed properly oriented in the soil for the best results but the result indicates that figs can take this error in stride. Just another of the amazing capabilities of Ficus!

Ficus burkei ‘puberula’ cutting with some foliage coming out of the soil

Close up of the folaige
1. Roots growing from the cutting 2. Roots and branches and foliage growing from the “bottom” of the cutting

The cutting now planted the right way. Branches and foliage will soon grow back upright

Nearly 40 years

This is a Ficus rubiginosa grown from seed collected by a friend while traveling in Australia. I bought the young tree from him about 40 years ago. The photo shows how the tree has evolved from the left side photo taken in 1985 to the right photo taken in 2019.

Rubginosa is one of the strongest Ficus species that I have grown and responds really well to growing indoors under lights. Leaves are a bit large but with defoliation they reduce extremely well. Even aerial roots can form under moderately dry conditions.

I recommend this fig species for all growers.

In this Ficus microcarpa ‘melon seed’ I needed a left side branch. As you can see in image 1 there is no branch. Fortunately, several small branches sprouted in the right spot and to speed the development of the branch three of the sprouts were tied together with cable ties, image 2. Two of the branches were brought outward and used to develop side branches. All the branches were allowed to grow and to fuse. Side and front views of the branch show a nicely developing left main branch. Sometimes fusion will allow you to create a heavier and more detailed branch more quickly than with the usual techniques.

Ficus microcarpa ‘melon seed’ progression of fused branch on left

Tilting the bonsai

Sometimes a bonsai creation works well and sometimes a gentle adjustment in one factor can result in a great improvement. In this case a seed grown Ficus natalensis in the exposed root style appears to work quite well. Making a simple adjustment and tilting the tree to the right improves the design immensely. The left or original image shows a pretty much upright tree that is static. Tilting the tree to the right makes the design a bit more unstable but also allows the movement of the trunk to be emphasized.

Ficus natalensis on left shows good stability while the image on the right is a bit more unstable but seems to help the flow of the trunk

Ficus rumphii

A very worthwhile fig to grow is Ficus rumphii. It is used extensively in southeast Asia for bonsai.

The pictures show two rumphii that I grew from seed and that are now 12 years old. The bark on this species is light  in color as contrasted to religiosa which has a darker grey bark. Religiosa also has a longer drip tip on the leaves.

Upright style of rumphii, about 16″ tall

Slant style rumphii,15″ wide, the curving roots on the left will be removed.

Growing Ficus from roots

One method to propagate new plants is from root cuttings. This is a thick piece of root that I cut off during the potting  process. I selected a root that showed some nice movment and planted the lower end into bonsai soil. I watered as needed and in 6 month’s time the end of the root sprouted new leaves and stems.

Not all Ficus will grow from root cuttings but one fig that does particularly well is Ficus tremula.

Left root cutting, middle same cutting after 6 months, right trimmed back to start the bonsai training