How to Cultivate Banyan Aerial Roots? Practical Tips You'll Get at a Glance

To adapt to the rainy, hot and humid environment of the south and to survive better, the banyan tree has grown aerial roots, which help with respiration. For banyan trees, whether potted or planted in the open ground, aerial roots will appear. Potted banyan aerial roots can also improve the ornamental value of the tree. Let's take a look together at the methods for cultivating banyan aerial roots below!

How Banyan Aerial Roots Form

1. Natural formation: Many fibrous adventitious roots often grow on the trunk and side branches of the banyan tree, growing vertically downward. Some hang in the air, while others, upon reaching the ground, immediately insert themselves into the soil, forming woody pillars like tree trunks that serve supporting and absorbing functions.

2. Artificial formation: To increase aesthetic appeal, in places where roots are needed, physical or chemical root stimulation is used to force the banyan tree to grow aerial roots.

Preparation for Cultivating Banyan Aerial Roots

1. Tree species selection: For root-inducing tree species, choose mainly native plants of the genus Ficus in the mulberry family (Moraceae), especially the small-leaved banyan (Ficus microcarpa), the hill banyan (Ficus altissima), and the Leizhou banyan (Ficus drupacea var. pubescens), which have relatively well-developed aerial roots.

2. Cultivation time: Banyan root induction can be carried out in all four seasons, but spring is the most suitable, because in spring the temperature gradually rises and rainfall increases, which is favorable for plant growth.

3. Aerial root selection: For the sake of safety and ease of work, generally choose aerial roots within about 5 m from the ground, and select aerial roots with appropriate spacing according to landscaping or rejuvenation needs.

Methods for Cultivating Banyan Aerial Roots

1. Approach grafting method: Similar to approach grafting in grafting, but there are also differences. The approach grafting here is to attach a small banyan tree with more roots, together with its pot, onto the branches and trunk of the banyan tree to be shaped. The method is the same as approach grafting. After success, remove the soil between the pot and the roots, and let the roots of the small banyan tree grow.

2. Half-broken branch method: Choose a side branch where you want roots to grow, cut a slit near the main trunk deep enough to reach the xylem, gently break it by hand, and seal the wound with mud. Before long, many lateral roots will grow from the break, and by guiding the lateral roots to grow downward, a landscape of a single tree forming a forest can be created.

3. Binding method: According to the shaping requirements, choose the branch where you want aerial roots to grow, wrap it once with iron wire, and tighten the iron wire with pliers, forcing the sap to stop flowing, and cover the wound with damp moss. Before long, milky-white root buds will grow from the wound. At this point, use a plastic pot to make a removable sleeve, and place moist fine sand, vermiculite or sawdust inside the pot. Plant the roots in the pot and gradually guide them. Once the requirements are met, remove the removable sleeve.