ficus defoliation question

[Aaronkslater]

I am about to defoliate a very vigorously growing Ficus, I have only done this once before on a different ficus with good results, but, I have two questions:

1. When you defoliate your ficus do you leave the unopened buds or remove them also?

2. I am hoping to get some backbudding on a few leggy branches, should I cut the branches back at the same time? Only to active buds or can I cut back to old wood and expect budbreak?

thanks for any advice.

 

[mat]

What kind of Ficus?

In general - leave buds on branches where you want leaves or branches. I would cut the leggy branches back at the same time.

Edit - Did you mean leave the terminal bud on the end of the little branches? If I'm happy with the branch's thickness, I cut the tip off. If I still want it to thicken more, I leave it.

 

[Aaronkslater]

What kind of Ficus?

In general - leave buds on branches where you want leaves or branches. I would cut the leggy branches back at the same time.

Edit - Did you mean leave the terminal bud on the end of the little branches? If I'm happy with the branch's thickness, I cut the tip off. If I still want it to thicken more, I leave it.

Mat,
when you cut the leggy branches back do you have to cut back to a bud or leaf? Can I cut back to where there are no buds or leaves and expect new budbreak on old wood?

I don't know what kind of ficus. It was an office tree many years ago so maybe benjamina? I'll post a picture when I can and maybe someone will I.D.

thanks!

 

[zelk]

Ive heard that Benjamina does not respond well to total defoliation, die-back can occur if some foliage is not left on the tips of the shoots. I kind of agree, they are susceptible to die-back but I have never defoliated one. Hopefully somebody with more knowledge can clear this up.

 

[mat]

The species does make a difference. Benjamina isn't a good one to cut way back past the first bud (though it's not always a death sentence). Willow leaf will throw tons of buds from wherever you cut it back to. Pictures would help.

 

[Giga]

Ive heard that Benjamina does not respond well to total defoliation, die-back can occur if some foliage is not left on the tips of the shoots. I kind of agree, they are susceptible to die-back but I have never defoliated one. Hopefully somebody with more knowledge can clear this up.

The species does make a difference. Benjamina isn't a good one to cut way back past the first bud (though it's not always a death sentence). Willow leaf will throw tons of buds from wherever you cut it back to. Pictures would help.

Not true look at my big ficus thread in the tropicals and I prove this wrong. As long as it's strong you can cut back pretty hard. Just cut back where you want thing to be for the future. If there's a bud at a leaf base and I'm leaving the branch there I leave the bud, this goes for leafs up and down the branch.

 

[michaelj]

I've chopped benjaminas to nothing and had them bud out like fiends. Only did it to five trees, all large (4" diameter), but all are thriving.

 

[sorce]

I have 3 different benjamina that all respond to pruning differently.

I've defoliated the worst backbudder and it lived.

I wouldn't do it again. There's really no benefit. Just weakens the tree.

It sounds like you could just use a hard cut back. In which case, leave a 1/4in stub at a branch, and a 1/2 inch stub at a bud.

Don't cut anything that's not as thick as you want it, or you'll never get there.

Till Pics.

Sorce

 

[Aaronkslater]

The tree is bushy and growing robustly... The right side is refined and pretty well ramified.

The left side has leggy branches.... Most are around the thickness I am looking for, some I would like to fatten up.

Leaves and bark for id.

This was a 7 foot tall office plant that I found in the trash about five years ago. I would love to defoliate and do root work at the same time as I have seen many others do. I have done partial defoliation with decent results and I have done root work. But never both at the same time. When I have done root work the tree often drops a bunch of leaves which leads me to believe that doing both at the same time could work out fine.
The left side needs backbudding closer to the trunk and more ramification I think that if I only cut back in this area it will not be as effective as if I cutback hard everywhere or try total defoliation for similar effect.
Thanks for looking all advice is welcome!

 

[Anthony]

Fertilise heavily for a month and then do what you need to a ficus.
Remember this comes from a tropical island [ 40 to 80 % humidity - temp - 90 to 66 deg.F ]
Good Day
Anthony

 

[aml1014]

I've done total defoliation to my benjamina and it did respond well, except for 2 tertiary branches that died back which was no big deal. I feel the tree may have felt those branches didn't deserve to stay so whatever.

 

[sorce]

View attachment 77189 The tree is bushy and growing robustly... The right side is refined and pretty well ramified.
View attachment 77190
The left side has leggy branches.... Most are around the thickness I am looking for, some I would like to fatten up.
View attachment 77191 View attachment 77192
Leaves and bark for id.

This was a 7 foot tall office plant that I found in the trash about five years ago. I would love to defoliate and do root work at the same time as I have seen many others do. I have done partial defoliation with decent results and I have done root work. But never both at the same time. When I have done root work the tree often drops a bunch of leaves which leads me to believe that doing both at the same time could work out fine.
The left side needs backbudding closer to the trunk and more ramification I think that if I only cut back in this area it will not be as effective as if I cutback hard everywhere or try total defoliation for similar effect.
Thanks for looking all advice is welcome!

I don't know how I missed This. Did you defoiliate?
Look a prime for a hard cutback.

Sorce