Ficus Benjamina

[gin_boon]

My 22 year old ficus is struggling to reshoot after it was straggly and I cut it back! I know this type of ficus can be very temperamental with back budding.

It gets little green shoots and they don’t grow much then they disappear.

Any thoughts?

I’m
In Adelaide and it’s been a few summers and I’m very concerned.





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[TimIAm]

F. benjimina don't bud back anywhere near as reliably as the other popular Ficus bonsai species like PJF, Moreton Bay and obliqua.

They are quite temperamental and will readily give up on a section of branch if there isn't an existing bud. Because they are difficult in back budding they are even a pain to chase growth back on leggy branches.

I find you have to keep a benji growing strong (so no regular trimming to shape) then the tree will start putting out buds and then you can cut back to the closest buds along the branch to the tree. Then you have to wait a while for it to send out a bunch of new growth before you can repeat the process.

If you want a more personalised answer can you tell us:

- When was it last repotted
- How would you describe the drainage of the soil it's in? Does water drain through or pool? Does the soil stay damp?
- What sort of access to sunlight does this tree have? Does direct sunlight hit the new buds?
- Did you feed the tree at all in the last growing season?

[gin_boon]

Yes, I know this about benjamina but have previous success with them back budding fine and I’ve had others say the same.


It’s been in full sun and also morning fun, afternoon shade- nil difference

I’ve misted regularly - no difference

I’ve fertilised and will get A flush of little sprouts but they never grow and eventually disappear

Potted in regular bagged potting mix. Last repotted last year

Someone said maybe the buds are being eaten - doesn’t seem likely?

I was wondering if I should place it in a greenhouse with high humidity?


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[gin_boon]

Oh and yes regularly liquid fertilised and seasol

Water drains through quickly. Sometimes a little on the damp side


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[Kedron Brook]

Perhaps it's about temperature? I don't personally know what the symptoms of cold damage are, I think I read somewhere the leaves become black and the wood softens. Another possibility I only read about is that in colder climates new buds emerge but won't shoot until spring. Some of the variegated figs are slow to shoot buds here in subtropical Brisbane. Maybe we will only learn the truth at the autopsy. By the way, I like those tangled roots. I reckon (if the patient recovers) you try and stretch those outward, to create a very broad base.

[gin_boon]

I think you’re right! I’ll try a greenhouse otherwise I’ll return him to Townsville


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[kcpoole]

I have no issues Growing healthy Ficus Benji in Western Sydney, Adelaide a bit drier than here, but so long as you dont get below a few Deg C they shdou be fine there

Ken