MTM - Schefflera banyan progression thread.

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

After thinning the top branches on Aug 3rd, I'm getting new growth on branches below. Looking under the canopy I saw a few aerial roots that attempted to grow and dried out. I read that chopping the roots like I did when I repotted it will cause the tree to shoot new aerial roots out. Which would be fine in a tropical environment but not mine.


What I'm guessing is a grasshopper is feeding on some of the leaves, I didn't find one upon inspection.


Also getting good root growth along the soil, and what looks like tree frog poop. Hopefully they ate the grasshopper.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Prior to starting this banyan project, I purchased a small Schefflera to practice on, the small one is in inorganic bonsai soil, and doesn't grow half as well as this one I have in organic soil. Leaves aren't as green, not much back budding, & the overall health is night & day between the two. Just an oberservartion I'd like to share and remember.


I found some Aphids while trimming it back again today. Growing really great all Summer.


I sprayed the tree to help get rid of the Aphids. I'll keep an eye on it.


I think this weird leaf growth is from being pressed against the porch railing, not a 100% sure.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Just a trim before it goes inside for the winter. Lot's of new growth, & new branches.





I had some help.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

After the Oct 3rd trim I brought this inside on Oct 16th and put it in the grow tent to grow more areial roots. It only take six weeks or so for the AR to reach the soil. Then it takes around the same amout of time before the AR harden off so I can remove it from the grow tent and let it 'rest'.

Pic of back taken on Nov 16th.



Ten days later. Same side (back for now) different zoom level.


Front from ten days ago


Now.


I'm going for something like this.

or this


Whichever comes first.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I'm watering too much in a high humidity. Oops. I increased the exhaust fan time, and cut back on watering after seeing this. It's in a "Ooga Booga" grow tent.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Brought this outside for a trim. It's been in the grow tent most of the winter. I removed a branch and contemplated other design decisions, lost count of how many AR I removed. It was a mess. No before picture per usual.



There's roots circling the pot and all kinds of surface roots. I trimmed off the roots crawling out of the pot. I'll have to repot it this summer, not sure if I should go to a smaller pot, but it needs to slow down somehow. I need to do more clip-and-grow further down the branches to put movement in them.



I did get this in March (25"x15x2). The current container is 20"L x 15"W x 5"H. Still not sure if I'm going to use it in the repot. Weighing the pros and cons, and frankly just wondering if it's the right decision at this point.




Here's the back.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Did a lot of branch pruning. I didn't go full Nigel Saunders on it yet, because I want to see the result these cuts will bring. Removed some branches & pruned some back to the leaf scar to try and direct the way the next branch will grow. I removed old big leaves and some aerial roots. I want to repot into a smaller container once all the new growth and back budding comes in, mid July.

Front

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Repotted my Dwarf Schefflera banyan attempt into a smaller pot.



I used a saw to cut the root ball in half, then started the hours-long process of raking out the roots.






The hardest part was identifying and removing the surface roots.



The base started to get flimsy, and that made it difficult to pick up properly, This is the last picture I took of working the roots but they got another hour of separating the aerial roots and removing surface roots.



The front.



The back



So, I'll see if it lives, & start working on the branches more if it does. After seeing what Nigel Saunders does to his Schefflera I'm not really worried about it.

 

[oranjeaap]

I'm hoping to start something similar from a neglected Schefflera kept as a room plant.
I'm already getting backbudding and root growth after pruning and slip potting but no way I will ever get aerial roots in my climate.

 

[nuttiest]

MTM- I really enjoy the look of photo 1 with no pot. I always wonder if tweaking these trees right can result in a better display without one.
But I like the tray you chose.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I'm hoping to start something similar from a neglected Schefflera kept as a room plant.
I'm already getting backbudding and root growth after pruning and slip potting but no way I will ever get aerial roots in my climate.

I used to think the same thing about aerial roots (AR), but it's definitely doable. I used the late great Jerry Meislik advice on getting AR. Now I grow my AR in the winter when it's in a grow tent. It's definetly not doable in my climate without some help.

https://www.bonsaihunk.us/BanyansStranglerEpiphytes.html

You can see the way I got/get AR in the first few posts of this thread. Schefflera are tough and can take a lot of work. Check out what Nigel Saunders does to his on YouTube

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

MTM- I really enjoy the look of photo 1 with no pot. I always wonder if tweaking these trees right can result in a better display without one.
But I like the tray you chose.

I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying no pot at all? The plant base was way to bendy, lifting it without a pot, and I'm not sure where the soil is in your scenario. A slab might be cool.

 

[nuttiest]

I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying no pot at all? The plant base was way to bendy, lifting it without a pot, and I'm not sure where the soil is in your scenario. A slab might be cool.

Yeah. like a slab where you let some roots dangle in an edge of (spaghnum maybe?) and show them as part of the whole. But they would have to be all downward roots so I don't know how you could keep it like that all year. I have one I am trying to do in a round, I am just trying to drag you into it I think. I will ping you if I post a photo soon.
Meanwhile, great looking tree!