Ficus, Need Pruning Advice

[dzielonka]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum. I'm at, what I think is a critical stage with my ficus. How far do you all think I should cut back this new growth shown in the attached photo? I've kept it very closely pruned but it's thriving in it's new home and I'm contemplating letting it grow taller and wider. Any thoughts?

 

[Shibui]

That's a very skinny Ficus trunk with a very few branches up top.
Before asking what to do you need to decide what you'd like to achieve:

• Skinny trunk with a few branches up top = trim new shoots regularly.
• Impressive thicker trunk that looks like a real tree = Feed heavily, possibly move to a larger container and allow lots of growth then chop back in 3-10 years followed by rebuild branching to suit the thicker trunk.

There are many more options open to a tree of this size and quality.
Just wondering what 'taller and wider might look like? If the trunk stays skinny I think a taller, wider canopy would look unbalanced. Larger canopy tends to make the trunk look even more spindly that it already is but the extra foliage and branches would help the trunk thicken a bit.

Taller could allow you to build a few more branches into the tree which could make it look a little more tree like?

 

[dzielonka]

That's a very skinny Ficus trunk with a very few branches up top.
Before asking what to do you need to decide what you'd like to achieve:

• Skinny trunk with a few branches up top = trim new shoots regularly.
• Impressive thicker trunk that looks like a real tree = Feed heavily, possibly move to a larger container and allow lots of growth then chop back in 3-10 years followed by rebuild branching to suit the thicker trunk.

There are many more options open to a tree of this size and quality.
Just wondering what 'taller and wider might look like? If the trunk stays skinny I think a taller, wider canopy would look unbalanced. Larger canopy tends to make the trunk look even more spindly that it already is but the extra foliage and branches would help the trunk thicken a bit.

Taller could allow you to build a few more branches into the tree which could make it look a little more tree like?

Thanks so much, Shibui. Can I ask one more question? When you mention larger container, do you mean a larger bonsai container, or just a plain planter pot?

 

[Shibui]

When you mention larger container, do you mean a larger bonsai container, or just a plain planter pot?

That's entirely up to you. More root space usually means more growth up top. More growth up top usually gives more trunk thickening. Doesn't matter whether the container is glazed or stoneware or plastic.

One word of caution though. This appears to be Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) which is known to be reluctant to back bud on older and bare branches/trunks so you will need to manage growth a little rather than letting it grow real big and chopping to a bare stump as we can with most other Ficus sp. Benji is also less tolerant of severe root pruning so probably only reduce roots by 50-75% rather than the 90%we can do with many other Ficus.

 

[dzielonka]

Thank you @Shibui. I very much appreciate your help.

 

[dzielonka]

@Shibui Thanks again. Here’s how it ended up.

 

[Shibui]

Just be aware that the larger pot and more soil that has no roots in it will not dry out as quick as before so I'm almost certain you'll need to change your watering schedule. Check the soil moisture before watering because it can be very easy to create waterlogging which can then become root rot and dead tree.

We did not discuss your location and you have not put a location on your profile. You will see that the regulars here have included a general location in their profile. Many things we do with bonsai are seasonal and seasons depend on what part of the world we live in and that location helps us give more specific advice. I would have advised patience before repotting Ficus because it's very early Spring in the North and mid Autumn down here in the South. Neither of those times are ideal for repotting Ficus which do much better when repotted in warmer weather so I'm hoping you are either from a warmer part of the world or the tree is indoors in warmish temps and that you didn't remove a lot of roots when changing the pot but that advice is already redundant.

 

[dzielonka]

I’ll update my profile today.

I live in Portland, Oregon. But the plant is inside and temp controlled. In addition, it’s in a room with good diffuse light from a skylight. And finally, I didn’t remove any of the existing roots. I will definitely heed your advice about the watering.

And thank you again! This is a great forum and I’m happy I found you all. I’ll share a photo of my other bonsai project with this post.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Is that’s Japanese maple in last picture inside? Plans to put outside when temps break? Not sure plans or weather there

 

[dzielonka]

Is that’s Japanese maple in last picture inside? Plans to put outside when temps break? Not sure plans or weather there

 

[dzielonka]

Yes, Japanese maple. Started as a seedling from the big tree in the yard. And yes, it will be moving outside in a few weeks.