Root Bound Alii Ficus

[Mixmaster]

Hi,

My wife just bought me a Alii Ficus that looks VERY root bound. It has 1/4" roots that protrude from the soil surface as they coil around the perimeter of the pot. How much of this mess, if any, should I cut back when repotting?

Thanks in advance, Mike

[Kevin]

I asked the same question on the gardenweb forums and got this very detailed response:

In your zone, Ficus alii ( ay -lee-eye) is probably able to be repotted almost anytime w/o complications. If I had to select the best time, I would say at the spring equinox (around mid-March). All trees are good candidates for root-pruning. The key is to eliminate the largest roots, allowing needed room for fine feeder roots to establish. Bare-rooting (removing all soil) is the best method. This is one of the requirements of repotting bonsai trees that are passed from generation to generation. If you examine the roots of these perfectly healthy trees, you will note that there are no coarse roots, only fine, feeder roots. Not bare-rooting will eventually cause the hardening of soil in the old, original root mass, making air & water penetration impossible. When this occurs, the first symptom is the death of individual branches accompanied by an overall lack of vitality.

After soil is removed, reduce the size of the rootball so you can return it to the same pot if you wish. Then, remove an additional 1/3 of the largest roots. All the Ficus tropical species will easily tolerate this kind of reduction. Repot in a fast draining spoil & allow to get very dry before watering again. Alii is well adapted to dry conditions. Repot in a fast draining soil, using dull chopsticks to work soil into all the air pockets. Make sure the fine roots do not dry out during the operation. Spritz frequently while working with the roots (if it's hot - spritz yourself and the roots).

Trees treated this way often sulk a bit, but the subsequent growth push always surpasses plants that are only 'potted up' to larger containers. You can begin a fertilizer program a couple of weeks after new top growth is noted. Start with 1/4 recommended dosage, then move to 1/2. Low concentrations & frequent applications of fertilizer are much better than more infrequent full doses. Never fertilize a dry or declining plant, please. ;o)

[Mixmaster]

Wow, thanks for the info!!

Mike