Ficus

21 years ago

I have a Ficus located near the sliding glass door of my apartment. Its main stem is ceiling height and it has one branch shooting off of its side that is roughtly 3 or 4 feet in length. There are many leaves towards the top of the main stem and leaves line the entirety of the one branch. It leans over to the point where I had to insert a piece of wood support into the soil, running along the length of the main stem, (tying them together) to help keep the plant standing vertical. I am very new to house plant upkeep and wonder if it would be possible to cut my ficus down to make it grow more outwards than upwards. I would ideally like to see more branching and a less tall, lanky tree. Is it possible to just cut the entire tree off a couple inches from the soil to let it entirely re-grow? It was actually growing taller than the ceiling would allow so I cut the main stem 2 inches from the ceiling and it is now growing a new shoot! Please help. I would like to successfully learn how to maintain a healthy indoor ficus.

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Comment (1)

Cena
20 years ago
Hi! Welcome to House Plants Photo Gallery. You have not received many replies, as this area is specifically for hosting photos of plants. You would certainly get replies if you posted this same Excellent question over on the Discussions Side.

I do not grow many ficus, and they defeat me with their humidity requirements. But I am sure that you could trim judiciously, and carefully, to restructure your tree. I would not trim off great amounts, unless you can also depot the tree and trim an equal amount of roots to the amount you trim from the top of the tree. The rule of Bonsai is to trim ONLY one third from which ever part of the tree that needs the work, and to equal that trim on the other end of the tree. If you trim 1/3 of the top, trim 1/3 of the roots. This prevents bounce back shock, and keeps the tree in line with energy and 'factory' resources.

I'm starting into Plant Geek mode, and not making much sense. Post any questions you have, about what I wrote. Otherwise, post this same question over at Discussions, with the White Background.

Good luck with your Ficus.
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