Hello all,

I received a ficus about 10 years ago from a friend who was moving, and I have no way of knowing how long she had it before then, but I think it was at least another 10 years. The thing is 6 feet tall, but could be 15 ft+ had I not trimmed it away from my ceiling regularily. It has two main trunks, but since I don't know the history, it could be one plant with two main trunks or it's two separate plants sowed in close proximity.

Anyways, just trying to give you a visual. I have been pinching off the growth at the bottom of the trunk for years now, but this summer, it really really wants to grow out there. I have 6 very vigorous shoots coming out along the bottom of the trunk at various heights. I was thinking about trying to train these shoots, and coild them along the main trunks. Has anyone done this? Does this sound crazy? Does anyone know if I were to lightly wire them in place coiling up the trunk, would they eventually fuse to a trunk(s) that is already so old?

I asked this question at GW in the house plants forum, and got an answer that the lower shoots, called sacrificial roots, help thicken the main trunk, and are cut off afterwards. After researching bonsai's a bit afterwards I now know what they mean, but this is not at all relevant to what I was asking it seems to me.

Anyone have any insight?

Dunno if an answer is still needed for this, but yes ... the old & new will eventually fuse. Makes for a very strong trunk on a larger tree like yours, too!

I've experimented on my ficus this way a number of times - coiling, braiding, etc & they fused every time. I found that I could use everything from long twist ties, flexible plastic strips, plastic coated wire - pretty much anything that could be manipulated easily enough to tie or twist firmly.

It cuts some of the time frame if you lightly scrape the trunk of the older wood where it makes contact w/the newer. Be watchful to make sure you can readjust the restraints as the plant grows thicker, too. If not removed when it's fused or adjusted as it gets thicker, the binding material can get overgrown. Ever seen a fence that's been semi-absorbed by an old knarly tree? Trippy!

Hello!

Yes, that does help, thanks ! I left the shoots grow all winter, they are still too thin to do anything with, or rather nothing I can't afford to wait to do later when they are growing more vigorously. I'll wait till I put them balcony where I can leisurely "sculpt" them. : )

Gen, I did not see this post till now. The braiding on ficus is what makes them look so cool. I like Pithy's how-to...rubbing off where they meet to grow into each other. Maybe you should start to bend/braid now before the branches get too stiff? Hope you post pics of them. Good luck.