Ways to help induce aerial roots on Arboricolas?

[Space]

Hi guys and gals,

I bought an Arboricola bonsai from a reputable bonsai nursery about 6 months ago and so far I've not had a single problem with it. It's currently still rocking that small plant in a pot look, though it does have hard bark. It does not have anything approaching aerial or "Banyan" roots though and I was wondering if there are any ways to help achieve them?

It currently stays outside in partial shade and the high humidity of the Houston area.

[Gnome]

Space,

I have only been growing Scheffs for a few years now so I don't have a lot of experience. Recently I noticed a few buds that I take to be the beginnings of aerial roots. I did not do anything special to mine but now that I noticed them I tucked some long fibre moss around them. I have been giving them a few mistings a day and hope to see some development.

Anybody else have any thoughts?

Norm

[Space]

Gnome, thanks for the reply.

Are you fastening the moss with anything in particular?

[Gnome]

Space,

No, I'm using moss with long strands and found that I can just tuck a wad of it between several branches. If you want to try this perhaps you can use a peice of the plastic mesh that onion bags are made of.

Norm

[The Helpful Gardener]

I have simply built a mound of long fibre sphagnum around a trunk and gotten great air roots; have done it with both S. arboricola and S. actinophylla. Just have at it; the results are gratifying...

HG

[Space]

I have simply built a mound of long fibre sphagnum around a trunk and gotten great air roots; have done it with both S. arboricola and S. actinophylla. Just have at it; the results are gratifying...

HG

Nice, I'll get on that. Do you do that during a specific season? And do you "water" the moss or water the plant around the mound?

[The Helpful Gardener]

Oh most definitely water the moss. Pretty much as much as you'd like...

HG