Root Pruning a Problem Ficus, The Bonsai Zone, July 2021

[@ChuckReel1]

Nigel, you've turned me into a sidewalk crack moss harvester. My neighbors are perplexed, but it works great! Thanks!

[@averyprice9422]

😂😂😂😂 people over here in the hood think I am crazy

[@CoNkOrE]

It's absolutely the best way!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome Charles, it's best to do it right out in the open, if you do it early in the morning or late in the evening, people will begin to talk! Lol!

[@DavidMFChapman]

This is very helpful and timely, as I need to repot a ficus. I have learned a lot from watching your videos, and have gained the confidence I need to work on my trees. I have had good success using unscented, non-clumping cat litter in my bonsai soil mix. I pass it through a colander and only use the coarse grains.

[@brandonglossup510]

I am really curious to see how this one recovers. Finger's crossed!

[@Ow3nX1]

it will. theses ficuses are one of the strongest species i know. i have done so many hard prunings, and they always come back. truly a miracle.

[@andersnrregren9087]

My little girl say you tree is "not Looking nice but roots looks like a Fairytale" so now i like The roots to

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Anders, I'll let the roots recover and then the work will continue on the top of the tree!

[@CoNkOrE]

I really like this style for some reason even with how ridiculous it is but I have never seen it anywhere really other than your videos

[@twodogsyyc6729]

I see part of the temple you were casting is out looking great on the bench. Hope we return to that project someday. Great video today the tree looks so much better and I'm sure it will be happier for it. All the best to you

[@alicer3423]

Nigel I have started praying for the little ficus. That was a lot of cutting on the little guy.

[@OddBonsai]

I like your strive for perfection and petseverence especially when it comes to roots. And what I like even more is that most of the times the tree survives these big cuts and al the effort pays off.

[@davidmorgan3508]

Aussie Dave here Nigel, I have many ficus including a Morten Bay fig.. but have never tied such server root pruning..well done..

[@rebeccahunter725]

Although "drastic", it is strangely soothing to watch your root work. I have planted a couple of collected trees in a grow bed and find my self discussing the radial root development in my head with a Canadian accent! We will see what they look like when I dig them next spring . . . My Moreton Bay Fig is due some root work, so it might be next!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I hope they do well Rebecca, I think the Canadian accent will help a bit!

[@matthewkizziahcuzia...gott9632]

This one should be named the butchers block ficus. Holy cow Nigel.

[@MitchellMasilun]

"This video isn't for the faint of heart when it comes to root pruning" *Maniacal cackle*

[@marysoldeeley2218]

That Ficus is neat! I love starting seeds.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Great job on the ficus Nigel.👍 The bog forest already is looking like an old forest, I can’t believe it’s only been since spring. ❤️

[@Obsidemon]

Nigel : Cuts basically every roots the tree has. The tree survives and grows well. Me: I move my Bonsi 10 cm away from the usual spot . The Bonsai dies

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Lol, this tree is still doing really well!!

[@Obsidemon]

@@TheBonsaiZone little OT, I have a Ginkgo plant that I've been growing from seed , planted it last year, it's the first Winter for her, what should I do? It lost all of the yellow leaves, it's only a stick right now, better outside in the cold? Inside the house? Into my cacti greenhouse? Here in Italy we can reach low -5/10 max during winter :) Thanks!!

[@raymondplodzien7459]

I have the same type of ficus and had to do a severe root pruning on it this spring and it bounced back with no problems at all.

[@denisemac118]

Love the ficus! I wonder if it is possible to grow from the cut root?

[@DakotaDS]

Thanks, Nigel!

[@KingCarl66]

Cool! A Livestream! How's it going Bonsai friends?

[@sophiaangelini4368]

Thanks to the Zone for the root pruning se

[@jasonkresock2196]

Such a great video. Thanks ! Sometimes roots do need a severe rebuild! Can't wait to see the progress from here. Gorgeous specimen. The small leaves really are a draw, even w/ the blimp roots. Lol 💪🤠👍☁️🌙☁️

[@taggertA]

Don’t underestimate the value of this tree. I see great potential and even more importantly you must appreciate the love hate relationship. The big rivalry between what you want and what lnature gives you. A constant challenge with little rewards along the way

[@matthewcampbell5877]

Another great video Nigel, thank you so much! Do you have any seeds you would sell & send to my amateur self in the U.K?

[@Robert_McGarry_Poems]

Bonsai police! 🤣 Good to see they didn't knock on your door...

[@TheBonsaiZone]

What you gonna do when they come for you?!!

[@hugolafond5545]

Amasing roots pruning you a Master

[@ig7806]

that potato at 5:10 :O holy cow! those roots will be in my nightmares. and yet somehow, the most satisfying videos are the ones with the most brutal root-chopping in them. it almost seems like you're doing everything you can to kill this tree, but it just keeps coming back for more. i guess trees like that earn a begrudging respect, of sorts. :P

[@GraftingTactick]

Great video 💕👌

[@houghtonbonsai]

nice tree nigel, i dont have any ficus in my collection, might invest in one in, another great video ;)

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Houghton Bonsai!!

[@patricknunes4430]

Hello Nigel, My ficus only has bulbous roots with water roots at their tips. I cut them almost all back once hoping to get more water roots and less bulbous ones, but that didn’t work. Just finished repotting and sadly I ended up with more potato roots. I’m growing it in a deep pot to grow my ficus faster because it is still in training. Do you have any pointers on what to do? Would really appreciate your professional advice. Thanks ✌🏽 Patrick

[@hyperionhelios190]

Hi Nigel you mentioned Safe T Sorb as part of your soil mix. Peavy (previously TSC) doesn't seem to carry that anymore. Do you know if Qualisorb (Calcined Diatomite) from Canadian Tire would be an acceptable alternative?

[@BlueJayBonsai]

I just bought some at my nearest Peavey (Bradford) 2 weeks ago. I just checked the website and I see it listed. Search "40lb industrial safety absorbent" - $19.99 ..

[@hyperionhelios190]

@@BlueJayBonsai Well I'll be! Thanks so much. Safe T Sorb on the website didn't come up with anything close. looks like some Home Hardwares also carry it so that's my backup.

[@Derrick8WLee]

You can also order online at Home Hardware. They will ship to one close to you so you don’t have to drive around. I just got three bags from the one near me in Toronto. I ordered on Thursday and it was ready for pick up the following Tuesday. Pretty fast.

[@dim2035]

Can you do anything with the larger roots you removed? Can you pot them to see if they will grow new shoots or anything?

[@RosarioCostanzo]

Hi Nigel, it's a shame this species of ficus grows thick fat roots, but you made a great work

[@iqbalyozanda9036]

Really thats the smallest yet healthy ficus benjaminas leaves Ive ever seen. Its hard to get to that point with this species. I love the new root, looks better in proportion 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

This variety has naturally small leaves, I have seen them with even smaller leaves on a well developed one!

[@tomsmith2215]

in in MA and i think you could find nice eastern hemlock or hophornbeam where you live!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I have a small Hemlock on the go, and they do sell the hop hornbeam's at the garden center!

[@tomsmith2215]

@@TheBonsaiZone heckof foliage color on them in offseason

[@benjaminreynolds4374]

When is the best time of the year to root prune a ficus ?

[@MeggaSweetSmiles]

oh so would it be best to graft this variety of ficus onto another so this becomes the branches only?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I'm sure you could graft the smaller foliage to a regular Ficus benjamina, maybe worth a try?

[@sunilusk]

Nigel sir, 1. never seen you apply any sort of fungicide on those big cuts on roots or branches. How come ?? And 2. How you prevent seedlings from dampingoff infections and growup??

[@Light00121]

I have one in a huge pot and I want to transplant it out in the garden. I don’t want to dig really deep. Can I cut most of its roots before I transplant it? Will it survive?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Generally yes, it is is watered well and has good soil!

[@fishmanroly7450]

Could another ficus grow from those roots you removed?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, they will grow from root cuttings!!

[@christianartavia2811]

Im sure you’ve already answered this but will you have your 3D pots for sale somewhere ?

[@jonijamessantos6791]

Just asking if you're using fertilizer to your bonsai?

[@arcakoray164]

From a unique rooted bonsai to an ordinary bonsai !

[@TheBonsaiZone]

My aim is to grow miniature looking trees!

[@GREENWOODS_77]

We're did you get the root rake

[@dk2614]

Hi Nigel, better late than never! Were you aware that Ficus benjimina is classified as a Strangler Fig? That's something I stumbled upon fairly recently.

[@craft-o-matic2377]

Interesting!

[@haymuchoslucas]

hey Nigel, would you consider doing root pruning more often since the ficus is a hardy tree?

[@TropicalBonsai]

The roots become too large and potato like but you can do this kind of work to them and they bounce right back.

[@Vataran14]

What soil do you use?

[@waterlover]

Wonder if that tree will live after all the root removal

[@jameswalker3416]

I've removed all the roots on my ficus before and it still likes.

[@mirandusings]

Ficuses can take it

[@gabrielprodanovic]

Ficuses can take a lot more. pines and junipers would be considered dead at that point

[@tommyboy3737]

Hi, I just subscribed to your channel cause I just got me frist Bonsai and I believe its a Ficus. I want to know if I could get get your email so I could send u pictures of it? I want to know how to take care of it, how long I should leave it in the pot it came in, and when I will be able to repot it in a real Bonsai pot I like the look of the square ones. If u could get back to me I'd really appreciate it. Thanks alot for the videos. Tommy for Wisconsin..

[@lynnceria7775]

Pretty 😍

[@Derrick8WLee]

Nigel, have you tried growing the root cuttings? Does it work for this ficus?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I've tried root cuttings, but no success. They can be grown from root cuttings, but it is harder to get them going than top cuttings.

[@iqbalyozanda9036]

Mr Derrick, Ficus farmer here used combination graft small Bud into root cuttings. They said most of ficus species, the root alone cant grow new leaves.

[@willmarsandoval6366]

Amazing work! How did you get those little leaves on your ficus benjamina? I still watching your videos from Venezuela, best regards, and Thanks!!!

[@Kjbrunzo]

This particular Ficus benjamina is a special variety called "Too Little" and naturally has very small leaves for a benjamina. This variety used to be patented but the patent is now expired and is free to propagate.

[@SorrowPolaris]

i think you should prune the top of the tree too if you cut so much roots especially you will help the tree to recover faster

[@bonsaihaidubai3884]

Đẹp quá chú ơi

[@rokimbonsai8112]

Ikut belajar master

[@gajendran01]

Nigel what is ur age ? And what is the work do u like in making bonsai ? I like root work and purning mostly 😊😊

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Hello Gajendran, I am 59 years old, I enjoy all the aspects of bonsai, it's a lot of fun developing ordinary trees into nice bonsai!

[@SabirChdhry]

What are the dimensions of the Pot??

[@MaybeBonsai]

I feel like I need to hand you a hammer and a chisel so you can sculpt the roots!

[@giovannimarquez2249]

awesome

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Giovanni!

[@Douglas-Heffernan]

How old is this Tree?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

This tree is about 15 years old now!

[@rabeesyed6629]

Hi Nigel, have you heard about Azadirachta indica(neem tree), I would like to suggest you to look for it on the internet. Can you please make a bonsai out of it? I would like to see it:)

[@rabeesyed6629]

*Fun fact:* Neem is a really great natural insecticide and fungicide.

[@beth7467]

I wonder if it's a losing battle to try to get the ficus roots to grow against their nature. Not criticizing; just wondering out loud.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The roots can be controlled and I have seen some really amazing specimen trees with awesome root bases!

[@SabirChdhry]

What is your soil mix?

[@tomsmith2215]

he likes half perlite half safetysorb

[@SabirChdhry]

safetysorb? Thanks

[@tomsmith2215]

@@SabirChdhry oildri

[@chamaramendis7505]

cashew tree sap is like acid be careful when prune it, specially protect your eyes

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Chamara, I'll wear gloves and eye protection!

[@vishwapat3]

Today I truly realised why Ficus bonsais get problematic.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, they need constant work to keep them in check!! They are growers!

[@vishwapat3]

@@TheBonsaiZone absolutely! Just the other day, me and my friend saw a Ficus microcarpa Bonsai at a cafe here in Pune. It was kind of in a rough condition. Your video made it more clear to me. Thanks

[@brucedeacon28]

👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Thanks Bruce!!!

[@NancyCase]

Oh no! :( don't cut off the turtle back.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

It did look like a turtle!

[@sofaking9343]

That table isn't level

[@seanfilderar2377]

LOL BONSAI POLICE

[@LetsDoBonsai]

Foist

[@dubsydabster]

Let's GOOOO Bonsai!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Lets Do Foist!

[@LetsDoBonsai]

@@TheBonsaiZone Got to be good at something lol myabe this is it