Big Ficus Help

[mcgee]

Hey everyone.
Scored this ficus today and its extremely pot bound and straight.. had to give it a hair cut to fit it in my corolla
It needs to be root pruned and cut back significantly and i was wondering if you can recommend where i could chop this back too and can i root prune as well.. or do one or the other..
Got the tops of the tree too and thinking about trying to root these thick cuttings if possible and whats the best way to do this.
Cheers

[shibui]

It looks like it could be Ficus benjamina. I'm told they do not always respond as well as PJs but I still think that now is a great time for root pruning and you should be able to shape the top at the same time.

Fig cuttings generally strike quite easily but I'm not sure how you'll go with those huge bits you've cut off. I would try some thicker cuttings as well as some smaller pieces.

[mcgee]

Yeh the cuttings are a bit of a hail mary haha.. cheers

[brodoyouevenbonsai]

I have just done similar with a benjamina and cut the roots right back. Did quite a chop on top too. It hasnt had a problem with the root chop as is growing out the bottom already but as said with benjamina they dont back bud extremely well so i left a bit on top similar to yours so i have options down the track.
I just did the chop, seasol and put in greenhouse for a few weeks and is doing well atm.
Hope this helps
Chris

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[mcgee]

Hey Chris,
Yeh thanks for the input.. yeh i knew i was going to have trouble with the back budding.. going to try and get some of the smaller cuttings to strike and maybe attempt some grafts.. or even get some layers and drop the roots down over the stump

[brodoyouevenbonsai]

Yea i wish i kept more of the branches after cutting it back for possible grafting.
Best of luck.
Chris

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