Thoughts on a branch (ficus m.)

[ACrawl]

Hey everyone. This side of the tree has always been the least vigorous growth section. There are no signs of growth anywhere on or connected to this branch (red arrow). It doesn’t look as full (internally) as the branch next to it (green arrow). Is it gone, or should I give it time?

Context: about four months ago there was a handful of leaves (4-6 maybe) somehow connect to this branch, they all dropped over time (some on branches that had gotten really thin. I decided to go ahead and repot this (2 weeks) without any root trimming, to get it into healthier soil.

The branch in question was already bare before repotting (or maybe it was down to one leaf). At this point, two weeks after repot - every other branch tip on the tree has new growth - more than I’ve ever noted at one time - and a couple of branches are back budding. However, “red” branch does not seem to be active. All the bare branches you see, stem from this one.

Any insight or wisdom would be great. Any suggestions?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Your ficus looks really leggy and sparse. If the soil is good, your next priorities need to be the brightest light possible, warm temps and high humidity. I personally don't work my tropicals in the winter (when they are indoors). The best time to do any work is early summer - right before the arrival of the hottest and warmest temps of the year. So I agree that the red branch probably needs to go... but I wouldn't remove it for several months.

 

[ACrawl]

Understood. I could mist it, put it in a mini greenhouse, sit it on my seedling warming mat and put it under the grow light (as well as south window).

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I would skip the mini greenhouse, but grow light would be good. By the way - the red branch appears (to me) to be dead - given the wrinkled bark and the general dried out appearance. However you never know... and there is no need to mess with it until the summer.

Additionally, since you are in Atlanta, put your tree outdoors any day that it is above 40 F, particularly if it is sunny. All of my tropicals have been outside since Sunday.

 

[ACrawl]

Ok cool. I had no idea if it was ok to move them back and forth. I’ve got overcast all week, but it’s supposed to be sunny on Sunday, we’ll see how it goes.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Ok cool. I had no idea if it was ok to move them back and forth.

They will put up with anything other than a hard frost. Low 40's for a couple of nights won't bother them. I even leave them out if the temps touch the high 30's - as long as the following day is going to be 60+.

 

[Shibui]

Take a close look at the bark on that branch without leaves. @Bonsai Nut has pointed out the bark appears wrinkled as opposed to the smoother bark on the live section. In my experience, wrinkled bark indicates dead. You can leave it until next Summer and hope or just cut it off now.
Hard to pinpoint a cause for the dieback. Root problems can cause this, including repotting while Ficus is dormant. Lack of light can cause this. Cold can cause this in Ficus, though rarely with healthy branches all round. Poor pruning and infection can sometimes cause branches to die. You are in a much better position to make guesses on what's a more likely cause.