Advise for a newbie

Jodipyl16

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1AA71ECB-CB8B-4685-9CA0-F177FE81DF04.jpegHello, my husband gave me this we’re not sure what type it is and it’s really tall and has long roots starting to come out of the bottom. I don’t know what to do to prune it and I’m nervous lol please help.
 

Forsoothe!

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If you want it to be compact, cut off the trunk just above the 4th branch (1st branch on the right as pictured). Cut back all the remaining branches to the most interior leaf, or to a point with leaves that you like the look of. Put the tree outdoors in full sun and water every day it doesn't rain. In the future, keep branches/stems/twigs compact by clipping off the lead leaf/bud and one or two more leaves towards the trunk any time the stem exceeds the canopy boundaries you have set in your mind's eye. Occasionally, it will become too crowded in the interior, thin by removing crossing branches/stems/twigs in favor of those that are attractively arranged. Remember that it will re-grow something, somewhere in response to anything you remove, so even when you do it wrong, -and learn what not to do, it will forgive you.
 

Cypress187

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It's not very vigorous, you should only repot it and let it grow better. When it's growing give it fertilizer. Next year you could try do some work / pruning on it.
 

Forsoothe!

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Yeah. Look at it for a year...
 

Michael P

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Agreed!

Ideally, repot it into good soil and put it outside in the shade, gradually moving it into more sun. Please add your location in your profile. Obviously you can't put it outside if the weather isn't warm enough where you are.
 

LittleDingus

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Open your profile and add your growing zone and a nearby major metro and people will see that to the left of every pots...it really helps with more climate oriented advice.

For example, not mentioned above, this is a tropical tree. Full sun and high humidity are its friends :) BUT, it shouldn't ever see freezing temps. Below 40F can cause problems...some might say below 50F even: it really depends on the duration. It will need to come inside in the winter depending on your area. They can survive a little lower light for the winter, but they often shut down growth and may even lose most of their foliage. A South window or supplemental lights or both for the winter is best.

...and welcome to the forum :D
 

Michael P

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Sorry, meant to add that it looks like a Ficus microcarpa a.k.a. tiger bark fig, one of the easiest tropical species for bonsai. Good luck!
 

YamadoriFL

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Looks like a tiger bark ficus. What’s your location?
 

sorce

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Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce
 
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