Willow Leaf Ficus Help

Carol 83

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I received this ficus today from Meehan's Miniatures. It's in a 4 inch pot, but is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It's pretty tall, and very slanted. I have never had one of these, but think it needs a big chop. Also, should I repot now also. Advice appreciated.Ficus.jpg Ficus2.jpg Ficus3.jpg Ficus3.jpg
 
Nice starting material.
Why do you think it needs a chop?

I think it needs to grow a bigger trunk. Repotting would be fine right now and would help grow a bigger trunk.

I have one that was half that size when I got it 3 years ago, now the trunk is almost double that size and its getting a really nice flair at the base, but it too needs to grow more IMO.
 
If the first few inches of trunk are of a thickness you are happy with then chop but if you want a thicker trunk then let the highest branch and the two lower branches grow wild for a few years to help thicken the trunk before you chop. I would cup most everything else off except a few of those smaller branches about 12'' up. I think this is a fine time to repot and you should put it into a larger pot. I will look ugly for a few years but you will be happy with it in the long run.
 
I think letting it grow is a good idea.

Looks like a prime candidate for practicing wiring a thicker branch.
I'd be bending the part above the first 2 branches out of the way, so those 2 low branches can get light.

Of course, it will Probly tip over easy....

You could repot it now, But I wouldn't cut any roots, getting it into a wide shallow container will help build trunk.

Nice!

Sorce
 
I just thought because it was so tall and skinny, cutting some off the top would encourage growth so it wouldn't look so spindly. I see everybody chopping the crap out of stuff on here, so thought that would be the thing to do. See what I know, jack shit! That's why I'm here, to learn, thanks. I have some orchid pots that are wider and shallower, I'll repot this weekend. I also got a teeny, tiny mame pink mountain serissa. Nothing I can really do with it right now. Just put it by my Fukien Teas, and crossing my fingers! Thanks!
 
Put it in something bigger. It's a fig, show it who's boss....a little late, but doable.....
got good soil on hand? Ever repot before with good success?
I do have bonsai soil, I got from a nursery, but wasn't sure if that was the thing to do yet? The only true repot I've done, was on some jades from HD, that I've played with. And they went into succulant/citrus potting soil.
 
If your a little unsure about repotting, fastening the tree in a container and that sort of thing, don't repot.
Looks like potting soil, tricky to water that kind of soil indoors...you end up drowning it more likely than not.



Pssst....If it was mine, I would remove all that soil, cut any really long roots back a bit, wire it into an oversized container with good soil. Chopstick it in, water thoroughly till runs clear.
Then I would stick it in the sunniest spot I could, no mercy.....gotta' know how your soil retains water, try not to drown it for a couple weeks......

Now for a cigarette and some watering!!
 
If your a little unsure about repotting, fastening the tree in a container and that sort of thing, don't repot.
Looks like potting soil, tricky to water that kind of soil indoors...you end up drowning it more likely than not.



Pssst....If it was mine, I would remove all that soil, cut any really long roots back a bit, wire it into an oversized container with good soil. Chopstick it in, water thoroughly till runs clear.
Then I would stick it in the sunniest spot I could, no mercy.....gotta' know how your soil retains water, try not to drown it for a couple weeks......

Now for a cigarette and some watering!!
I'm just going to go for it. What's the worst that could happen, I'd be out $10. I've had a Wal-mart ficus for a couple years that has endured all manner of abuse and neglect. Thanks!
 
I think letting it grow is a good idea.

Looks like a prime candidate for practicing wiring a thicker branch.
I'd be bending the part above the first 2 branches out of the way, so those 2 low branches can get light.

Of course, it will Probly tip over easy....

You could repot it now, But I wouldn't cut any roots, getting it into a wide shallow container will help build trunk.

Nice!

Sorce
Bend it more straight? It's sort of like the leaning tower of Piasa right now.
 
Bend it more straight? It's sort of like the leaning tower of Piasa right now.

More bent!

It's Probly more for wiring practice than horticulture righteousness.

aviary-image-1470325600693.jpeg

Sorce
 
Not sure I'm really liking that diagram, may not go that direction. But the rabbit's cute.
 
Not sure I'm really liking that diagram, may not go that direction. But the rabbit's cute.

I don't like it either!

But it's only to make sure those low branches get all the light!

Sorce

P.S. Lance ate the rabbit.
 
Is this orchid pot big enough?POT.jpg
 
It looks like it is, but you would be better off finding a container that is shorter and wider so that the tree's roots can grow laterally instead of deep. That is one of the steps we use to prepare a tree for its eventual bonsai pot, which for an upright tree such as this, are shorter and wide.

These are plastic bonsai training pots
http://www.dallasbonsai.com/pots-trays/plastic/pots.html?gclid=CKy_1YTwqM4CFVBbhgodRhgPNw

The 11 inch pot would probably be a good first training pot for your tree. If thats too small then go one size bigger.
 
It looks like it is, but you would be better off finding a container that is shorter and wider so that the tree's roots can grow laterally instead of deep. That is one of the steps we use to prepare a tree for its eventual bonsai pot, which for an upright tree such as this, are shorter and wide.

These are plastic bonsai training pots
http://www.dallasbonsai.com/pots-trays/plastic/pots.html?gclid=CKy_1YTwqM4CFVBbhgodRhgPNw

The 11 inch pot would probably be a good first training pot for your tree. If thats too small then go one size bigger.
I was thinking it was probably too deep. Thanks for the link. I'll get one ordered. Appreciate it.
 
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