De-leaving Ficus

[Bonsai_hope]

My first bonsai was a ficus (variety unknown). I have her about 25 years and was told she was 15 when I got her. I’ve harvested many cutting from her over the years but recently repotted. Previously I just did root pruning. I love this tree for the trunk and the air roots. The foliage never meant much to me. But an arborist doing some work on my garden trees saw it (he’s also a bonsai enthusiast) and suggested I may want to de-leaf the tree to encourage a bigger canopy. I’ve watched dozens of videos on de-leafing but the idea terrifies me. And comments or suggestions are appreciated. I’m attaching a picture of her and some of the babies.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Before we offer advice, it would help us to know in general where you live. We would tell you different things if you lived in Miami, for example, versus Boston.

 

[BrianBay9]

Please add your general location to your profile. It will help people give you better advice.

Assuming you are in mid to late summer and you g.row your ficus outside, I would suggest you prune back hard on your mother plant. That will stimulate the tree to bud out closer to the trunk. Most of us try to get foliage close to the trunk and avoid long, straight portions of branches,

 

[Bonsai_hope]

I’m in Savannah GA, Zone 8B.

 

[Bonsai_hope]

Please add your general location to your profile. It will help people give you better advice.

Assuming you are in mid to late summer and you g.row your ficus outside, I would suggest you prune back hard on your mother plant. That will stimulate the tree to bud out closer to the trunk. Most of us try to get foliage close to the trunk and avoid long, straight portions of branches,

The tree is outside until the night temps fall to around 50 then I put it in a heated greenhouse (kept about 55 degrees). I like the idea of bringing the canopy closer. But pruning back all the branches at once scares me. This tree is like a member of the family. Would it work if I cut back say half now and the other half in the spring?

 

[BrianBay9]

The tree is outside until the night temps fall to around 50 then I put it in a heated greenhouse (kept about 55 degrees). I like the idea of bringing the canopy closer. But pruning back all the branches at once scares me. This tree is like a member of the family. Would it work if I cut back say half now and the other half in the spring?

Yes, that probably will work. In S Georgia you've got a lot of growing season left. Also, you should plant the cuttings you take.

 

[Bonsai_hope]

Yes, that probably will work. In S Georgia you've got a lot of growing season left. Also, you should plant the cuttings you take.

Thank you so much.

 

[Shibui]

I think the big tree needs hard pruning more than defoliating. The branches have grown very long without any side branches. Defoliating might get some new shoots out near the ends of the branches but rarely back on the bare sections where it is needed.
Most ficus bad from bare wood after pruning so can be cut hard if required.
Best results are from a healthy, strong tree. Yours looks strong so could be pruned now if there's plenty of growing season left. Also consider feeding heavily and allowing free growth for the rest of summer then pruning next (late) spring so it has all summer to grow again.

 

[rockm]

Defoliation will not increase branching. Hard pruning those long shoots down to within an inch or two of the trunk will force new shoots from the trunk. I'd do that now. In S. Ga. you've got some time before coldish weather sets in. The greenhouse will help as well.

Ficus are extremely resilient, particularly in active growth periods, like summer time. Prune it all at once. Leaving one side unpruned will only result in that side becoming dominant and will likely reduce backbudding on the pruned half.

 

[Bonsai_hope]

I think the big tree needs hard pruning more than defoliating. The branches have grown very long without any side branches. Defoliating might get some new shoots out near the ends of the branches but rarely back on the bare sections where it is needed.
Most ficus bad from bare wood after pruning so can be cut hard if required.
Best results are from a healthy, strong tree. Yours looks strong so could be pruned now if there's plenty of growing season left. Also consider feeding heavily and allowing free growth for the rest of summer then pruning next (late) spring so it has all summer to grow again.

Thank you.

 

[Bonsai_hope]

Defoliation will not increase branching. Hard pruning those long shoots down to within an inch or two of the trunk will force new shoots from the trunk. I'd do that now. In S. Ga. you've got some time before coldish weather sets in. The greenhouse will help as well.

Ficus are extremely resilient, particularly in active growth periods, like summer time. Prune it all at once. Leaving one side unpruned will only result in that side becoming dominant and will likely reduce backbudding on the pruned half.

Thank you. You are certainly correct when it comes to resiliency. This tree has lived in bright windows and alternately dark NYC apartments. I think I’ll do the hard prune.