Ficus

[Jabobo]

Hi everyone,

I just bought this ficus and I was looking to get some advice. I am a total beginner at plants in general.




I was thinking I would like to air layer the top off, but when would be the best time for this? I think it also probably needs a re-pot. I guess I would like suggestions on how to proceed.

Cheers

Jacob

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Jacob and welcome. Being that you live in gods country and permanent home of the state of origin trophy now is a perfect time. I would put the layer on and just throw some DL in the pot. Then in about 8 weeks when you take the layer off you can think about a repot then. Have fun and keep reading

[Jabobo]

Thanks Bougy fan,

Now I am scared lol. It is great that I can start the airlayer straight away, but it also means I have to actually make a decision and cut into it lol I'll have to look closely to the upper branches to see where the best place would be.

Just for a little more reference on size. The base of the trunk is about 45mm in diameter, It is 800mm tall and the top aerial root sits a 280mm from the base. Like I said, I know next to nothing about trees but for 20 bucks I am happy.





Well I am off to think about it, expect another consultation before anything happens lol

Cheers

Jacob

[kcpoole]

I woiud layer acrass te botton of the second branch and to do that you will have to lose the 1st one.
Your top can then be a twin style if you wish and regrow a new apex on the base

Ken

[Jabobo]

Thanks kcpoole,

I Like your suggestion. would I also have to cut off the top of the tree as well. I was reading about trunk width to height and if you follow that guide it would need another layer on top (roughly where the top red line is on the pic-there is still a bit of tree left to go after that line)

And for the bottom air layer, is this about the amount I would need to expose (between bottom two lines)? How about the angle that the main trunk would end up- similar to its current position or straighten it up a tad?



Also I was wondering about the bottom branch- Can I just cut it off like a cutting? I have heard that ficus may be forgiving when forming roots.

Sorry about the noob questions,

Cheers

Jacob

[Boics]

I wonder whether there might be merit in chopping a fraction higher.
This would start with a wider base and could promote a better and wider Nebari in a shorter time.

Did you view this too Ken?

See pic.

[kcpoole]

Yes Boics that is about what I was thinking of

Good Idea Jabobo re taking 2 Layers at the same time

Ken

[Jabobo]

Cool, thanks for the help guys.

I will start this as soon as I have the time to find some moss.

Once the roots have formed, does the air layer then go into another larger pot to recover and for the roots to strengthen or does it go straight into a bonsai pot?

Cheers

Jacob

[kcpoole]

Cool, thanks for the help guys.

I will start this as soon as I have the time to find some moss.

Once the roots have formed, does the air layer then go into another larger pot to recover and for the roots to strengthen or does it go straight into a bonsai pot?

Cheers

Jacob

Into a Grow pot to develop the tree further.
A bonsai pot is the last step to "finish off" the tree

Ken

[DustyRusty]

Don't be surprised if you get some serious dieback on this species when you get round to working on them. I've got a weeping fig that has lost a couple of good trunks (multiple trunk style) from too-heavy pruning. I wouldn't worry about it, but don't think anything is wrong if half the trunk starts to wither and rot.

[Ash]

Don't be surprised if you get some serious dieback on this species when you get round to working on them. I've got a weeping fig that has lost a couple of good trunks (multiple trunk style) from too-heavy pruning. I wouldn't worry about it, but don't think anything is wrong if half the trunk starts to wither and rot.

In recent years I have heard many people say they get dieback in Ficus benjamina when it is cut back hard. This has not been a major problem for me in NQld. Perhaps dieback is partially an artefact of growing it outside of its natural climate?

Ash

[Jabobo]

If dieback is a common occurrence, I can live with that,I can use it as an excuse if I screw things up too badly lol

[lackhand]

Don't be surprised if you get some serious dieback on this species when you get round to working on them. I've got a weeping fig that has lost a couple of good trunks (multiple trunk style) from too-heavy pruning. I wouldn't worry about it, but don't think anything is wrong if half the trunk starts to wither and rot.

In recent years I have heard many people say they get dieback in Ficus benjamina when it is cut back hard. This has not been a major problem for me in NQld. Perhaps dieback is partially an artefact of growing it outside of its natural climate?

Ash

I don't have extensive experience with ficus, but I've never noticed dieback after heavy pruning either growing indoors when I lived in Colorado or here in Phoenix where they stay outside most of the time.

[kcpoole]

Don't be surprised if you get some serious dieback on this species when you get round to working on them. I've got a weeping fig that has lost a couple of good trunks (multiple trunk style) from too-heavy pruning. I wouldn't worry about it, but don't think anything is wrong if half the trunk starts to wither and rot.

I think possibly because, for fig, they do not back bud on old woods very well. I have one that it took a few layers off and had trouble getting it back bud on the stump.

Ken

[Ash]

They thread graft super easy so perhaps you could get some nice strong shoots down low long before you 'chop'.
cheers
Ash