What sequence for "insults" to my tropicals?

[Michael P]

This year I want to root prune, repot, and top prune several of my pre-bonsai, dwarf schefflera and 'Green Island' ficus. These are well established trees that have been in training for 5 or more years. Now it time to put them into affordable bonsai pots and reduce the tops significantly.

In what order should I insult my trees? Root prune and repot first then allow to recove before top pruning? Top prune first, allow to recover and then repot? Or do it all at the same time?

 

[RaginCajun]

Same time with tropicals is fine. A lot of folks defoliate their tropicals to reduce stress when heavy root pruning.

 

[Faisal Ahmad]

This year I want to root prune, repot, and top prune several of my pre-bonsai, dwarf schefflera and 'Green Island' ficus. These are well established trees that have been in training for 5 or more years. Now it time to put them into affordable bonsai pots and reduce the tops significantly.

In what order should I insult my trees? Root prune and repot first then allow to recove before top pruning? Top prune first, allow to recover and then repot? Or do it all at the same time?

For ficus better do the same time

 

[Carol 83]

I agree, for the ficus, do it all it once when it is growing strong in summer. But I guess in Texas summer comes a lot sooner than it does here. I have never defoliated when I prune and repot.

 

[Michael P]

Thanks to both of you for the advice!

 

[Michael P]

I agree, for the ficus, do it all it once when it is growing strong in summer. But I guess in Texas summer comes a lot sooner than it does here.

Thanks Carol! And yes it does, we've already had our first 90F day.

 

[Shibui]

We regularly prune Ficus, defoliate if required then repot with any root pruning required all in the one operation. You can space them out if you wish but also no problem doing it in one operation. Schefflera are similarly hardy.
Definitely wait until warm weather. Our club traditionally have a Ficus meeting in January, which is our hottest month, where members can prune, defoliate or repot Ficus.
No problem working on them earlier, from around mid Spring. I recall someone recommending minimum 10C temperatures to be safe when working on Ficus here.

 

[Michael P]

Thanks Shibui! We are already above the 10C/50F threshold here and all the trees are in active growth. Just to be safe I will wait until May, then look out tropicals here I come.