Can you grow a bonsai tree from another bonsai?

Question

ok i have a bonsai tree but i would like to make a second one. its a ficus and i have had it for almost a year now so its about 4 years old but i dont know if it is possible to make a second tree with it. if you could help then please do. thanks!

Answer 1

Yes, you can propagate your ficus tree. The level of difficulty ranges from "easy" to "will grow like weeds" depending on the variety of ficus you have.

Here is the simplest method - I use it regularly with good success. You don't need any special equipment, soil or rooting hormones for this method.

1. Pick a branch you want to become the new tree. It should be a healthy, mature branch. Not this years growth. You can use any part of the branch, you don't need to cut it off all the way back at the trunk. It needs to be at least a few inches long so you can handle it.

2. Cut off the branch with clean (use alcohol) sharp scissors or pruners.

3. Remove about half the leaves on the branch. Leave the top leaves - take off the lower leaves to halfway up.

4. Put you cutting in a glass container (clean) of water. Don't have any of the remaining leaves in the water - just the stem. Use rainwater if you have chemically treated tap water. Keep the container filled to this level. Keep it in a bright location - but not full sun.

5. Within a few weeks - could be shorter or longer, lots of variables here - you'll see roots developing in the water.

6. IMPORTANT - It's time to move the plant to soil once the roots get going. "Water roots" will change into "soil roots" for only a short time, while they are new. If you continue to leave the roots grow in the water, they may have difficulty changing over to soil.

7. Pot your cutting up in bonsai soil if you can - it will promote better root growth. Keep the new cutting very well watered for another week and mist the leaves often. It's been growing in water and needs to get used to being in soil.

8. Gradually cut back on the water and misting until it is back to being watered like a regular ficus.

You now have another tree to start training. Leave it alone for a while, don't do any pruning or wire training until well after you see signs of growth on the cutting.

It's a good idea to do more than one cutting at a time. There is always the possibility of failure with all propagation.

Answer 2

Its still a tree.  But if it doesn't actually bear any fruit, then its seed cannot be planted.  So it depends if it does that or not.  I would guess no.

Answer 3

You can propagate trees into bonsais either from standard or previously bonsaid trees,  though you'll likely have more vegetative growth from a plant like a Ficus that is not previously bonsaid.  That said, many Ficus are fairly easy to propagate, usually I find the air layering technique to be the most succesful. Choose a reasonably mature piece of stem, either the previous year's growth, or current years that's a few months old.   This involves making a cut an inch or so long on part of the stem,  just lifting up some of the surface bark - it doesn't need to be totally removed from the plant,  though can be lifted, using something to keep it from sealing back up, like a little match stalk etc.  You then start surrounding this part of the stem with something like sphagnum moss, and enclosing this by using some string tied around it.  Adding some hormone rooting gel or powder will encourage rooting,  before you cover it with moss.

Keep the sphagnum moist, enclosing within a tied down pieve of plastic, and you should start to see roots forming into it, from the Ficus stem. If the moss is too wet, it can cause some rotting,  so beware of this.

When there is a good root system that's formed,  you can cut this piece of your plant away from the parent, using a sterilised knife, just below the area that is wanted,  and immediately above your parent plant's leaf buds, where it will subsequently grow shoots from.

Keep your new cutting enclosed in a polythene/plastic cover, to help preserve humidity levels, and plant into a well draining potting soil.  Once more fully rooted,  it can be fertilised, and managed as you would your other bonsai.

Otherwise you can propagate Ficus from seeds,  produced by plants that flower and are pollinated - your current plant may not be at this stage at its current age.  It doesn't matter if the seed comes from a currently bonsaid plant or not,  its genetic material will be the same, and it will grow according to the prevailing conditions.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Rob

Answer 4

Technically, you can start a new plant but it won't be a bonsai until the new plant has been miniaturized.

Genetically, it's a standard plant when it is propagated. It's like people who have had their teeth straightened. Their children still have the genes for crooked teeth.

Answer 5

The genus 'Ficus' can be propagated by seed, cutting or air layering. Some species are more receptive to specific types of propagation.

Answer 6

are you crazy?!?!

do you have any idea what that would do?!

lol

Answer 7

no way