I started trimming, then remembered to get a "before" picture! |
Foliage trimmed. (Forgive the picture quality.) |
The mix is a 5:3:2 blend of scoria, composted bark, and Turface; all particles are between 2 mm. and 3 mm. in size. Uniformity of particle size makes for better aeration, and makes it easier to discern the effects of any changes in watering or fertilizing.
Repotted and watered. The aluminum-wire staple is just to hold two roots in place until they take hold. |
Later this summer I'll enlarge the central cavity a little with my Dremel grinder: the tree keeps trying to close it up. Then I'll treat the wood with lime-sulfur, with a little India ink to give a dark-gray color. For any who don't know, lime-sulfur will both preserve the wood in the cavity, and slow the tree's attempts to close the gap.
Ficus recover from repotting (and other upheavals) faster than many other kinds of trees; so it might be safe to display this tree at the Fort Wayne club's Spring Show in two weeks. If so, I'll get a picture or two.
Like it much better!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! I do too. :-)
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