Should I dig up my in-ground fig to check the root system?

[sheepdawg]

I planted a fig cutting (possible rubiginosa) in a grow box sometime last year, I think in autumn sometime. The cutting was probably close to a year old when I planted it and it's been growing very well over the summer. I ultimately want a larger bonsai from this guy so I was planning on leaving it until I got a good sized trunk on it. But when I have a close look one root is becoming dominant and another is slowly twisting around.

Is it worth pulling it out and having a quick look at the roots and fixing what ever needs to be fixed? Or just leave it?

If I do pull it out, I'll also cut it back to get some low branches. This way I can get the branches to thicken whilst the plant is still in the ground.

So, is it worth while doing all this work to it whilst it's still smaller than I ultimately want?

Thanks

[jezz_39]

Absolutely. Roots and trunk are the first part of development before you begin branch work. I repot figs in development every year, any dominant tuberous roots are cut very short so they don't spoil the design. Up to you how you tackle the rest but I generally defoliate or cut trunks back to virtually nothing, you will be rewarded with an abundance of growth. Cut low if you want good movement and taper