how to encourage back budding on a ficus.

[zero]

I have a few ficus that im working on but the seem a little long in the branches.
How do I go about getting them to back bud in order to get some shoots further down the branch (closer to the trunk)?
do I just need to give it a heave hair cut or is there some other easy way to go about things???
Thanks.

[Naimul]

i would cut back hard during the summer when its growing fast and strong, im planning on doing the same to mine this coming season

[zero]

i would cut back hard during the summer when its growing fast and strong,

How hard are you talking? can i go all out and leave no small branches or leaves on a green island fig or is just a full defoliation is a better way to go?

[Isitangus]

Twisting off the tips will also encourage back budding.
Post a pic if possible so we can get a better idea!

[zero]

Post a pic if possible so we can get a better idea!

Will do as soon as i can.

[trident76]

Normally I would suggest wait until summer. As you are in Cairns your fig may still be actively growing. If so you should be able to prune back as hard as you like, to acheive the desired shape you are after, possibly pruning back to leave no leaves at all. I have done this several times with various ficus species and all seem to bounce back.

[shibui]

Most ficus back bud prolifically but only when pruned. If you leave the terminal buds you will rarely get buds further back. Because they bud so well you can cut as hard as you like. Don't just cut back to the size you want it to end up. The new buds need to grow out again so you need to cut quite a bit further back so the new bits can be allowed to develop. You should be able to prune any time of year up there.

I have heard some growers say that some species ie weeping fig? do not always bud easily and can die back after pruning so it might be worth knowing what sort of figs you need to prune.

[zero]

Most ficus back bud prolifically but only when pruned. If you leave the terminal buds you will rarely get buds further back. Because they bud so well you can cut as hard as you like. Don't just cut back to the size you want it to end up. The new buds need to grow out again so you need to cut quite a bit further back so the new bits can be allowed to develop. You should be able to prune any time of year up there.

I have heard some growers say that some species ie weeping fig? do not always bud easily and can die back after pruning so it might be worth knowing what sort of figs you need to prune.

Mostly is a green island as all the leaves are at the end of the branches and nothing between the trunk and the first 200mm or so

[Graeme]

Feed the tree heavy. Make sure your potting medium is really well draining and feed the tree hard. Place it out in full sun and feed it hard and heavy. If, come summer, the tree is jumping out of it's bark with health and vigour you should be able to remove anything and everything you desire to be gone and it will be replaced with a multitude of new shoots to choose from. G.I. is one of the Ficus varieties which respond well from this treatment. Don't worry about leaf size if you are developing branches. The bigger the leaf the more food that will be produced and the quicker the tree will grow.

Do not forget to feed your tree well though. Do not remove everything if the tree isn't totally healthy. It will come back (unless it is really crook), but your choices of new shoots will be less. Good luck with it and don't forget to post up some pics of your results.

[legoman_iac]

Just searching for advice on back budding my fig when I found this thread. Can I post pics of my fig on here, or should I start a new one?

- Daniel

[shibui]

New threads don't cost a lot. I'd start a new thread Daniel then you have your stuff in one place.

[legoman_iac]

Hehe, good point shibui! Will start a new thread.

Keen to hear how this back budding went though and if there's any pics?

- Daniel