Repotting Issue

[Snoop_Rob]

Hi all, first post! Total beginner, but enjoying the journey so far!

I bought cheap Ficus Ginseng which I’ve had for over a year. Bought it and didn’t realise what I was getting into.

Having now partially educated myself on some of the basics now I realise it is in completely the wrong pot. It has no drain holes and is probably not in the correct soil either.

It looks alive (but I from what I have read, that doesn’t mean anything), but has had no real growth and has probably not been watered enough or had enough light either.

My question is: should I repot it now to get it into a proper draining pot with proper soil or leave it until spring/summer? I am concerned that now I know a little better how to water it that the soil won’t drain properly and the roots will rot, if they haven’t already, among other things.

I would just like to save it and keep it healthy rather than give up and start again!

Thanks in advance, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Rob

 

[sorce]

Taking cuttings from this technically isn't "start over".

Welcome to Crazy!

It all depends on where it will stay for winter, what kinda heat you have, etc..

You could probably get away with taking it out, throwing it on a plate, and misting the roots every now and then.

I like that pot.

Sorce

 

[Snoop_Rob]

Hi Sorce

It lives inside on a south facing window where the temperature ranges from 15-18 degrees C in the winter. Humidity will suffer a bit though because of heating, but the temperature is fairly constant.

The pot is nice! But sadly, it’s not a pot for bonsai I’ll try and get something else in it eventually!

Not that I’m desperate to repot it as that would be the next big evolution I’d need to read up on, but I was keen to hear the consensus of the floor!

Rob

 

[Shibui]

Your tree looks remarkably healthy so far.
It is not ideal to repot ficus coming into winter but sometimes it is a matter of the less of 2 evils.
You have managed to keep it alive for over a year so can probably continue to provide care through another winter in the same pot then repot early next summer.
If there is any doubt about the tree surviving in that pot then a repot would be an option now, especially it it can be kept reasonably warm for a couple of months after repot. 15-18C are reasonable temps to consider repotting ficus so i expect you could take the plunge if you wish to.
Most ficus sp are remarkably resilient and hardy so will put up with dry periods, some wet and even radical root pruning. I have seen some survive repotting well out of season though it took a little time to recover in the next growing season.

Only you can make the call as to which option to follow. Best of luck

 

[sevan]

You can add drainage and holes for wiring to your pot easily with a diamond hole saw; a set on Amazon runs $10-20. I did that to a bunch of thrift store pots over the summer and all of them survived.

Scott

 

[Snoop_Rob]

You can add drainage and holes for wiring to your pot easily with a diamond hole saw; a set on Amazon runs $10-20. I did that to a bunch of thrift store pots over the summer and all of them survived.

Scott

Your tree looks remarkably healthy so far.
It is not ideal to repot ficus coming into winter but sometimes it is a matter of the less of 2 evils.
You have managed to keep it alive for over a year so can probably continue to provide care through another winter in the same pot then repot early next summer.
If there is any doubt about the tree surviving in that pot then a repot would be an option now, especially it it can be kept reasonably warm for a couple of months after repot. 15-18C are reasonable temps to consider repotting ficus so i expect you could take the plunge if you wish to.
Most ficus sp are remarkably resilient and hardy so will put up with dry periods, some wet and even radical root pruning. I have seen some survive repotting well out of season though it took a little time to recover in the next growing season.

Only you can make the call as to which option to follow. Best of luck

Great replies guys, some realistic options to consider, thanks very much!

I think I will keep a good eye on it, get it in the sunshine and keep it moist for now, in the meantime, I’ll look for a hole cutter and get a drainage hole at the very least cut in there with the intention of repotting in April.

Thanks again!

Rob