Hellobetty
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2016 4:09 pm

Ginseng ficus root rot?

Hi everyone.

I'm hoping for some firstaid help for my bonsai.
I got a ginseng ficus from IKEA in April. It hasn't been smooth cruising so far though.
Here she is
Image

Long story short: I moved it outside. It dropped all of its leaves. The two branches it had died, so I cut them off.
Image

Then! it got some white fungus from sitting in a humid container (aerial roots). I used hydrogen peroxide on it and it has disappeared now.

But... One of its roots is looking a bit dodgy now...
Image

Oops, the bark "fell off".
This is where I need some advice: do I need to cut it off? The root?

Seeing that all the new little green branches has just come out within these last three months-ish, I've been reluctant to take it out of its pot to look at the roots or do anything drastic.
Image

If my only option is to cut it off.. can I cut off any of the underground roots too and plant the plant deeper in the ground?
I'm not a fan of the bulging roots on top.

Honestly, I don't know if I should just let it grow to get some good branches now? And does this mean setting it aside for a few years before the fun can begin? (Styling etc)

I hope someone out there can help me and Bonbon

-Betty

tomc
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 2661
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:52 am
Location: SE-OH USA Zone 6-A

I might try a cousin fig (benjimena?). Ginseng rooted ficus just isn't that long lived.



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