microcarpa gensing backbud

[DonovanC]

I found out the hard way that benjamina doesn’t care to be cut passed the last leaf, but I’m not sure if microcarpa feels the same way and I wouldn’t like to learn the hard way on this one. I’ve had plenty of new growth on the lower branches, I’ve cut back relatively hard once then later did another light pruning already this year. So it’s growing quite well.
But that stubborn leader refuses to do anything. Would it be safe to cut it back a bit or do I need to leave that leaf for the life of the branch?

 

[just.wing.it]

Hack away!
Ive defolitaed my microcarpa many times, never an issue.
Especially that cut, thats nothing.

 

[DonovanC]

Hack away!
Ive defolitaed my microcarpa many times, never an issue.
Especially that cut, thats nothing.

Encouraging.
With defoliating you’re leaving the node:


But I’m wondering if I can expect back budding where there is no visible node like one would with an elm or other deciduous tree?

 

[Forsoothe!]

Give it lots of sun and water, and it will grow.

 

[just.wing.it]

Encouraging.
With defoliating you’re leaving the node:
View attachment 252524

But I’m wondering if I can expect back budding where there is no visible node like one would with an elm or other deciduous tree?View attachment 252523

Ive also cut mine back to only bare wood, and it pushed out new buds all over.
As long as the tree hasnt been recently repotted or weakend otherwise, should do well.

 

[DonovanC]

Ive also cut mine back to only bare wood, and it pushed out new buds all over.
As long as the tree hasnt been recently repottedol or weakend otherwise, should do well.

Awesome news
I repotted it with the last pruning so I’ll maybe just let it go for this year and cut back next year. Thanks for the input!

 

[DonovanC]

Just an update on the Walmart F. microcarpa. Roughly a year. A friend got a whole bunch of these Chinese pots for like 75% off - they make for lovely training pots I think.
I’m letting it grow out as much as possible, but sadly I had quite limited space and many trees that need to come inside during the cold months, so can’t allow for too much growth - but I’m working special accommodations for this project. I’ll continue to update this thread.
Equipped with Lime Seltzer.

 

[DonovanC]

Realizing that I didn’t include the root work - I’ve posted this elsewhere but I wanted to include it as part of the progression thread. I chopped the tap roots off a while back and it was fairly successful. I do wish that I had been a bit more assertive and cut I bit more, but I’m learning to love it the way it is.

 

[DonovanC]

Just an update, also to transition this into an actual progress thread: the first picture I took of her.

And today:


And some digital pruning.

I’ll only be updating annually now unless something wild happens

 

[DonovanC]

Ok, it’s not been a year but I’m updating anyways
This has been the nicest day we’ve had for quite a while, o I took some trees back out for a photo session.

Cut back and brought in towards the end of September.


And today.

 

[Soup Dragon]

Ok, it’s not been a year but I’m updating anyways

I like that you have planted it deeper than it was originally. It is much more credible as a tree now.

 

[DonovanC]

I like that you have planted it deeper than it was originally. It is much more credible as a tree now.

I agree for now. I’m hoping for lots of roots at the current soil level that I can eventually expose and basically hide the lower bit of the trunk. If that makes sense.
so eventually I plan to have the tree at the original level, but with lots of exposed roots and eventually a nice flair.

 

[DonovanC]

Just posting to document her pre-summer vibe.

 

[DonovanC]

Nothing crazy, just an updated photo.
There is a beautiful root base forming below that moss, I promise