Hi bbf,

Congratulations on your new Schefflera! I also recently purchased the Schefflera ~ mini arboricola which I want to Bonsai. A fabulous article was shared with me that has all kinds of info and photos. The way I understand it, the banyan style is created with the roots that grow out of the trunk and branches. I think you'll find this very helpful. Here is the link: www.bonsaihunk.us/info/ScheffleraBonsai.html

Leslie

Another way to create banyan roots (Which are atually roots that originate from branches ) whould be to use the naturaly ability fo plants to create air roots. The technique posted earlier will give the illusion of air roots. However, they are just a showing off of washed-away soil around the normal roots. It may look nice, but they are not true air-roots.

Schefflera is capable of creating air-roots of its own. All that is needed are suitable conditions. Note however that most plants will only create these roots when they are somewhat older. One species especially good at creating air roots is ficus. I have a ficus Elastica that has over 15 1/2 inch thick air roots from all over the plant. Main thing: Make sure the plant is moist often; For Schefflera I think you can stimulate air-roots by spraying often, and e.g., slightly damaging (trimming) the normal roots in the warm growing season. This way the plant will try to create assistence to the original roots.

In my case, the ficus i have started with tiny little roots on the stem. When I started misting these for a few weeks, the started growing down like crazy. Make sure you train the roots to the right spot in the soil or you'll get a mess around the plant (Sigh, I know I should have organized them).

great article, thanks Leslie!

thanks, i have read a lot that these trees make arial roots easily, but i haven't yet read of how to actually induce the growth.
none of my trees have come close to creating air roots yet, but most of them are still very young. if you know any more specific details on this, please let me know. you have a picture of your plant?

Is he coming to Cape Town or another province?

joncoh101 wrote:

Is he coming to Cape Town or another province?

Well, the last mail I got from him he said he's coming to cape town in September. Will drop him a mail again just to confirm and I will let you know as soon as I know.

hein wrote:

joncoh101 wrote:

Is he coming to Cape Town or another province?

Well, the last mail I got from him he said he's coming to cape town in September. Will drop him a mail again just to confirm and I will let you know as soon as I know.

or.. You check his website: robert-steven.ofbonsai.org/bonsai-teaching-trips/

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- X FELAB – Guadeloupe – 2014

That's what I love about these forums. There is always someone who can help.

Thanks Leatherback.

You are more than welcome, bbf! To be honest...leatherback gets the credit because he is the one who so kindly found this link and shared it with me so, I'm just passing on his kind deed.

Leslie

Hi J,

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and the suggestion to mist...great idea! Wow!...your Ficus Banyan is amazing!!! The photo shot is brilliantly done and makes the tree look monsterous in size. How large is it in real life? Thank you for sharing the photo. Fantastic work you have done there.

Leslie