Ficus benjamina defoliation questions

[Ces]

Hey guys,

I have a large (2 man) benjamina that was collected as urban yamadori. When it was given to me it was just a stump but then grew new branches extremely vigorously and all over the tree (from the base to the top).

I have been reading recently that benjamina dont like to be defoliated and before i had read this i was training the branches as i would a PJF in Sydney, preparing it for a complete defoliation in the future.

Should I not do this? I'm nervous about benji recovery rates now, even though this tree received the most extreme root treatment of any tree I have 'collected' (and was bare) and has not skipped a beat.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.l

Cheers guys,

Ces.

[dansai]

From my limited experience, a complete removal of foliage will see some back budding but it can be a bit random as to where it will bud. Also small branches tend to die back. A multi trunk tree I cut back hard had 2 of the trunks produce buds where I didn't want them so I rubbed them off only to have them not produce any more buds. That was before I found out about back budding issues with benji's.

I would recommend leaving foliage on any branch you want budding on. Maybe someone with some more experience may chime on.

[Bougy Fan]

If the tree is completely defoliated there are no problems. SOMETIMES with a partial defoliation there can be branch dieback. I have had the same experience as Dansai where buds will not occur where I want them.

[Paulneill]

I have the same issue with my 2 man benji. I am yet to touch it.
From what I understand there are different species and some respond better than others.
I intend on air layering a branch or 2 off mine and see how they respond to defoliation .
I agree that the tree needs to be fully defolated to preven redirecting vigour and causing die back

[Ces]

thanks for the advice guys.

A little off topic in my own thread but as I work nights and study in the day, I am unable to attend any clubs or schools at the moment but the members of this forum are so generous with their knowledge that I'm still able to learn.

As I said off topic but

Full defoliation it is.

Cheers,

Ces.

[Tambrand]

Hmm,

not sure if anyone will see this, but here goes. Fertilise for a month before defoliating. Check and see if you really need to defoliate, or simply start a practice of removing large leaves. You can do this slowly over time say 10 or fewer a week.
Later.
Tambrand

[Ces]

Hmm,

not sure if anyone will see this, but here goes. Fertilise for a month before defoliating. Check and see if you really need to defoliate, or simply start a practice of removing large leaves. You can do this slowly over time say 10 or fewer a week.
Later.
Tambrand

Hey mate,

I've seen it. All my figs are covered in DL year round and get liquid fertiliser bi-weekly. I'm still growing the bones of the tree. the trunk is done but all the branches need to catch up, so i have been letting them run really long. If i start by removing large leaves will it pop closer to the trunk? I'll soon be starting on secondary branching and they're bit bare close to the trunk.

thanks for the help, Tambrand.

Ces.

[Tambrand]

Ces,

I am afraid I can only give a general response, as I am in the Tropics and you are most likely Sub-tropical, the tree responses can be very different.

Plus,Ficus Benjamina, if it came from South China, would be sub-tropical as well.

I can defoliate, and the tree will completely re-foliate. However, I have seen someone defoliate a Ficus B. in Philadelphia, and nothing grew back. Done in September.
So perhaps, not by cold, but shortening daylight, the tree was going dormant ?

What I can suggest is always grow 3 to 5 expendables to experiment on. Never try to learn on your pride and joy.
This is why when someone starts Bonsai on my side they are encouraged to have up to 300 trees in training.
Best to you.
Tambrand

* Though we are tropical, our days grow shorter for Winter and from around the 25th of December until the end of February our night temperatures [ 5.00 p.m. - 8.00 a.m.] go to 20 - 18 deg.c. Our trees sleep.

[Timothy]

Sorry 4 the high jack. I got an oldish f.benji today from my in-law. Totally root-bound. Gave it a heavy cut back and then sailed into the roots. Gave it a hiding. I'm used to natalensis /burt davyi and gave it the same treatment. Does anyone know if a benji will survive harsh root pruning?
Sorry again,but I did not want to start another thread.
Thanks.

[Ash]

There are many different variations of Ficus benjamina in trade, some respond better to prunning and defoliating than others. If you are adamant that you want to defoliate or hard prune your benji then make sure it is nice and healthy and growing evenly when you do it. You can also try partial defoliation by cutting leaves in half or thirds. A Ficus benjamina that has been regularly trimmed and grown well should re-leaf well. regards, Ash

[Ces]

Really appreciate everyone's input guys.

Some varying opinions so what i might do is strike some cuttings from it and see how they respond to defoliation. I've got two more questions though... how long before i can defoliate a cutting? 1 year? 2?

Also, the tree in question was a bare stump collected as urban yamadori. I didn't cut it down but saw the stump in a tip and asked the owner if i could have it. It had grown through its ten gallon pot into the ground and the roots were treated VERY aggressively to get it into something more manageable. The tree was not bothered at all. Is this is an encouraging sign for my variant and defoliation techniques?

Thanks again guys.

Cheers,

Ces.

[Paulneill]

there has never been any question about benjis being able to tolerate very hard root prune.
As far as I know they can Bounce back from having no roots just like most figs.

[Timothy]

Thanx P N . Phew ! Feel a bit better now. Don't have experience with 'em,but figured they would be like most figs. Cheers

[Tambrand]

Wikipedia,

lists the Ficus B, as being native to S.E.Australia.
Does that mean it is sub-tropical and also as a typical strangler, so do you need much soil ?

Hopefully someone from Australia can handle this.

On our side the tree, is not native, but grows well, and becomes lush.
Later.
Tambrand

[bamboos]

Hi Tambrand
Benjiminas are native to Northern Australia and are a tropical species but not a strangler. They will cop a bit of colder weather and will grow quite happily in Sydney.
There is no trouble with root pruning provided the temp is warm.
I have not had any trouble defoliating both baby Ben and the regular variety and usually do it every year about this time.Just make sure they are in good health and hook in.
Ces I have not defoliated any new cuttings but as long as there are good roots I can't see why not doing it at one year old would harm it .I usually resort to leaf cutting at that stage instead I find young trees prefer( maybe it's me ) this treatment.
I notice you are trying to develop the branching so in reality I would not defoliate or leaf cut or tip prune until you have the branches nearing their finished thickness the tree can then be attacked. If any branches are a bit skinny leave them and defoliate the rest -- a couple of years should see some improvement