Willow leaf ficus has tiny leaves this year…. hmmm

[amcoffeegirl]

My willow leaf ficus grow small leaves like your first photo after thinning in late spring or early summer, then being grown in full sun with lots of water and fertilizer. I associate this with vigorous summer growth. When temperatures are cooler and light less intense, the trees produce the larger leaves as in your second photo. Your tree looks good to me.

I agree with this.

 

[PattyB]

My willow leaf ficus grow small leaves like your first photo after thinning in late spring or early summer, then being grown in full sun with lots of water and fertilizer. I associate this with vigorous summer growth. When temperatures are cooler and light less intense, the trees produce the larger leaves as in your second photo. Your tree looks good to me.

Thank you! This tree surprised me with this smaller growth this year and I should have realized my chopping back had been the cause. The tree came to me from Florida with those larger leaves in 2019 so I assumed that would be the normal size, live and learn. I hope this winter while growing inside that it will keep most of its leaves. It is in full sun all day currently and seems to be happy. Thanks again

 

[PattyB]

A little update on the Willow leaf. The tree has grown very well and the leaf size has indeed increased somewhat. It is much fuller now and looks better. I plan to bring it inside before it gets too cold this fall as I would like for it to hold onto its leaves a bit longer than last winter. I will defoliate in the spring though I will not chop it back as drastically as I had before.

I want to add the pot is by Rob Addonizio, Taiko Earth

 

[penumbra]

Healthy plant, beautiful pot, what's not to like.

 

[hinmo24t]

i remember seeing someone mention they dont want full sun, semi sun for this type of ficus.
not sure if it was @just.wing.it or someone else, but better health was achieved by backing away from direct sun

mine is strategically behind a fig plant that shades it out some

 

[Cadillactaste]

Gotta love the willow leaf foliage. Well explained by others what causes small foliage to turn larger.

I finally added one this year. The foliage is a charming feature with this one. You have a nice tree/pot combo as was mentioned.

 

[penumbra]

i remember seeing someone mention they dont want full sun, semi sun for this type of ficus.
not sure if it was @just.wing.it or someone else, but better health was achieved by backing away from direct sun

mine is strategically behind a fig plant that shades it out some

Whereas most or at least many of my ficus are in strong sun, my Willow Leaf are kept in dappled shade / sun.

 

[PattyB]

Healthy plant, beautiful pot, what's not to like.

Thank you, I am happy with the turn around as it looked pretty lousy in the spring and was slow to wake up. I fell for the pot, just something about it.

 

[PattyB]

Whereas most or at least many of my ficus are in strong sun, my Willow Leaf are kept in dappled shade / sun.

I try giving full sun as Wigerts suggested though our deck has two large oaks that shade us for afternoon sun. Morning sun is pretty full on but the scorching afternoon, especially this time of year, is a little less. Our deck is a southern exposure.

 

[PattyB]

i remember seeing someone mention they dont want full sun, semi sun for this type of ficus.
not sure if it was @just.wing.it or someone else, but better health was achieved by backing away from direct sun

mine is strategically behind a fig plant that shades it out some

I believe you are correct, just.wing.it did mention this and he lives in my area. My tree seems to have thrived in my exposure, I do water it more often as it dries quickly. This time of year I have more afternoon shade or dappled shade due to a couple of large oaks near our deck. It is getting full sun in the morning until noonish.

 

[PattyB]

Gotta love the willow leaf foliage. Well explained by others what causes small foliage to turn larger.

I finally added one this year. The foliage is a charming feature with this one. You have a nice tree/pot combo as was mentioned.
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The foliage was sooo tiny when it finally leafed out this year! I had chopped it too far yet it bounced back with such petite leaves compared to what it previously had I was a bit surprised. It has grown well this summer. You have a nice little fatty I see, I’m sure you will enjoy it, looks great! A large willow leaf is impressive, I’m just partial to the little guys. Good luck with yours

 

[Cadillactaste]

The foliage was sooo tiny when it finally leafed out this year! I had chopped it too far yet it bounced back with such petite leaves compared to what it previously had I was a bit surprised. It has grown well this summer. You have a nice little fatty I see, I’m sure you will enjoy it, looks great! A large willow leaf is impressive, I’m just partial to the little guys. Good luck with yours

Thanks...yes, yours looks like it rewarded you with health abundantly this spring. Their foliage is so charming coming in. I too...love the little guys. Ones you can hold in your hand. Easier on the back...and also easier wintering up north. An amazing species... I had "just" enough room if I found the right one. I'm a sucker for sumo trunks.Thanks for the kind words.
~Enjoy your journey.