Ficus Benjamina Air Layer Development Direction

[Firstflush]

This “Question Mark” F. Benjamina air layer is now established in a pot. It has been lightly pruned about 2 times.
What are your opinions? Keep the inverted fish hook or chop to a lower branch. The front, because of scarring, would be with the fish hook going to the left. Thank you.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Wire is your friend. With wire you can straighten out that fishhook.

Also the cut stumps need to be trimmed flush or just slightly concave to the trunk. This is to allow them to heal over. As is those stubs will never heal flush with the trunk.

 

[Firstflush]

Thanks. Those cuts were from the original cleanup.
That top hook is old hard lignified wood. I don’t think it is bendable.