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Leaf Reduction in Ficus Watkinsania

Posted: April 21st, 2021, 2:32 pm
by Redsonic
I thought I would share my experience with this species. I own the grand total of one tree, which I purchased as tube stock from a specialist native nursery 4 years ago.
I have read on here that Watkinsania (Strangler Fig) has large leaves and long petioles that do not readily reduce in size. That has not been my experience with this little guy. I have also read that they are prone to branch die back if pruned to bare wood - that has definitely happened.
This little fig had moderate branching and very small leaves before I pruned and repotted it a couple of months ago. All branches promptly died off, but a new flush of leaves has grown from the trunk. I plan to prune more judiciously once it develops some new branches to work on.
Anyway, here 'tis:
FicusWatkinsania2021_1.JPG
FicusWatkinsania2021_2.JPG
As you can see, something has been having a munch

Here it is shortly after purchase in 2017:

FicusWatkinsaniaMay2017_8Resized.jpeg

Re: Leaf Reduction in Ficus Watkinsania

Posted: April 21st, 2021, 7:49 pm
by melbrackstone
So are you going to let the branches grow for a season, and then try to ramify?

Re: Leaf Reduction in Ficus Watkinsania

Posted: April 22nd, 2021, 12:18 pm
by Redsonic
melbrackstone wrote: April 21st, 2021, 7:49 pm So are you going to let the branches grow for a season, and then try to ramify?
That's the plan. Aiming for a broom style with lots of foliage.

Re: Leaf Reduction in Ficus Watkinsania

Posted: April 22nd, 2021, 2:09 pm
by melbrackstone
It'll look good as a broom style! Good luck!