Double Air Layering On Same Trunk - Ficus Racemosa / Cluster Fig Tree

Tree species : Cluster Fig Tree (Ficus Racemosa, Indian Fig Tree, Goolar Fig)
Collected on : July 29, 2015
Air-Layering started on : Jan 25, 2016


Part 1 - Growth history from a collected small sapling ! 

 
Jan 25, 2016 - Time for my first air layering ever !

  
Cutting the container into 2 halves makes it easier to remove later, after rooting. Holes melted in with a soldering gun. No, the plastic fumes did not kill me. If you are the paranoid type, don't do it.
 

Filled with cocopeat and watered.

I don't believe in making it air-tight. Air is very much needed for the rooting process and to prevent mold growth. Air-layer 2 will happen later. Let me see how this goes.

20 days later, new roots appear.


 

New shoots appear above & below the air layer.

Started air-layer 2 at the top, a month after air-layer 1.

Thick mass of air-pruned fibrous roots in both cases.

Both were potted into a nylon net bag (meant for storing vegetables in fridge) and placed into a regular plastic pot. The bottom 1/3rd of the pots are filled with rocks and the net bag rests on them. The rocks on surface are to weigh it down and offer stability. I hate wiring them. Too lazy for that.

These nylon bags are superb for root aeration & automatic air pruning of roots that reach the edges or base (same as a colander but much cheaper ! besides, I already had those black pots). I have had good results with them and vouch for them. Drilling / melting countless holes into a regular plastic pot, just isn't as good.

 I will boldly go further and say that using deep bonsai pots for training, with just 2-4 holes at the base is a bad idea. Regardless of what substrate you use, I think you will end up with root bound plants. I can understand bonsai pots for a near-finished bonsai but for training - absolute no !

Must watch videos here : Air-pruning roots automatically