Colander growing Ficus

[Jeremy]

Ok, we have all read or experienced the benefits of growing in colanders/air pots etc but I thought id throw this out there..

This may not apply to many people and may be a case of growing in humid conditions, but are there any real benefits to growing Ficus in colanders? At present I only have one F. Obliqua in my mostly inorganic mix (roughy 80% diatomaceous earth 20% coir peat) in a colander. Its only been potted for 6 months so Im not ready to take it out and see results for myself.
What I have noticed is being a Ficus, when the roots escape the colander they are not subsequently air pruned .. they just keep going like aerial roots. Some days the tips dry out but a few days later they are sprouting again. I largely put this down to my climate and humidity. Aerials need no protection here, if they dry out they will bounce back and eventually hit soil.

Without being ready for a repot and inspection, do you think root division is happening inside the colander or is it a waste of time trying to grow Ficus like this?

 

[edprocoat]

I have thought about that too and my conclusion is it would not hurt nor help a Ficus. I have had rootbound Ficus throw roots over the side of the pot and grow like aerial roots. It may be a bit harder removing it from the colander with roots growing through the holes all around the colander though.

ed

 

[cmeg1]

If the roots just keep growing out the colander and don't air prune,I would would just manually trim them off as this happens until safe repotting time.

 

[carp]

I would have to say it's most likely going to be a waste of time. Maybe not a waste, but I don't see any reason for it to have any substantial benefits vs growing in a regular pot. Every species is different and will react differently in their growing environments. That being said; ficus don't even need soil. So why waste our time with pots?

 

[Jeremy]

Well yeah, technically they don't need soil being epiphytes. But for optimum health and results its obviously safer to keep them potted hehe.
And yeah, I suspect the purpose of the colander is probably useless in this case. If anything, its a nice deep training pot

 

[M. Frary]

The collander is still working but instead of the air pruning the roots you will be when you see them. You wouldn't be able to this in any other container which let's the roots just circle around.

 

[bonhe]

I have a ficus in the colander for at least 6 years. I never saw its roots come out from the colander. I place it on the concrete. In spite of unchanging soil for years, the tree has been growing well. Its trunk base diameter is almost double size since I got it in 2007.





Bonhe

 

[Jeremy]

I have a ficus in the colander for at least 6 years. I never saw its roots come out from the colander. I place it on the concrete. In spite of unchanging soil for years, the tree has been growing well. Its trunk base diameter is almost double size since I got it in 2007.

Very nice base. So you haven't repotted since '07?
I will follow up with a photo of the one I have in a colander. All my Figs seem to grow through their pots and will happily 'strangle' my timber benches. Their roots even pierce through polystyrene boxes. Gotta sleep with one eye open or they might engulf my entire house

 

[bonhe]

Very nice base. So you haven't repotted since '07?
I will follow up with a photo of the one I have in a colander. All my Figs seem to grow through their pots and will happily 'strangle' my timber benches. Their roots even pierce through polystyrene boxes. Gotta sleep with one eye open or they might engulf my entire house

It has never been repotted for at least 6 years.
Bonhe