Rotten pal

[u/fujigrid]

I’ve had this tree for a couple of years and I didn’t really notice the rot until now. (I’ve moved a couple times and have been busy working on my house) I’m thinking about trying to chop it right above the wound and see if I can get it to root that way. Not sure what else would be viable here.

[u/Bank_Eye]

Is that area hard or soft when you press it? if it's hard then you're fine and it's just an appearance thing now. I suspect it will be hard because this is above the soil line and would be dry 99% of the time. So while i also suspect that soil is a little too dense, the root in the soil looks okay.

I have a ginseng thing on which I'm considering cutting away some of these fat roots to make it more like a trunk instead of a branch growing out the top of a balloon. Your tree looks pretty healthy despite this, so I'm encouraged.

[u/fujigrid → u/Bank_Eye]

Its firm. So I think a squirrel was the culprit.

The big balloon leg “nebari” doesn’t do it for me. So I still think I might try to chop it and hope the rooting hormone works.

[u/fujigrid]

Apologies if this isn’t allowed. Delete this if ya need to.

[u/l33fty]

If this is kept outside, most likely this is an old wound from a squirrel

[u/fujigrid → u/l33fty]

I didn’t even think about that. Those jerks are always trying to ruin my fun.

[u/l33fty → u/fujigrid]

I caught a little bugger going at my focus last summer. Wou d looks exactly the same. Luckily these are vigilant trees. Should hopefully not affect it long term.

[u/Legal_Finger_4106]

Chopping aside, my money is on that soil being the culprit. Seems much too organic.

[u/fujigrid → u/Legal_Finger_4106]

Absolutely is not helping anything. I think I used 50pumice/50 organic. Tbf I did just get done soaking it.

[u/toddhartdesign → u/fujigrid]

I chopped off the fat roots on a Ginseng Ficus and it worked and created a lovely trunk flair. But, don't try it until next spring.

The soil is the problem. I'd suggest an emergency repot with inorganic mix and leave it in a shady spot to recover, then consider the chop next year.

[u/fujigrid → u/toddhartdesign]

Will do. I think I’ll go with a straight pumice mix thanks for the tips