I stripped back a few Ficus nerifolias today. The root cuttings make good new trees. Ideal for ROR or just grow them on. Very easy to do and fits with the Frugal Bonsaist budget very well. For the cuttings I don’t put them in any super mix, just common old nursery potting mix will do.

I firstly remove all the old soil and stretch out the roots to determine what is not needed by the main plant, cut the roots off as close to the base of the trunk as possible. I put them in ST or similar for a few hours whilst they what patiently for me to start potting them up. You can tie them straight to a rock now or alternatively I like to wait and make sure they grow first so I don’t waste all the time associated with that step. The nerifolias develop really quickly also for an added bonus.

Chinese elms are another good candidate for this procedure, I am sure there would be more and would love to hear about any that you have tried and found success with.


I really could have got a lot more from this exercise but that’s about as many as I want and they are all good ones, I will probably give a few away to mates and be left with just enough for me. All in all a good days play