Fragile ficus contorta

Hbhaska

Chumono
Messages
505
Reaction score
752
Location
Oceanside California
USDA Zone
10a
Repotted this Ficus Benjamina contorta. I noticed that the roots and branches of this small leaf variety easily broke off. The roots were especially fragile. I wanted to wire the tree but stopped after doing one as I didn’t want to do further damage. Anyone has any experience with this specific subspecies?
211C397C-7DF5-40D1-8902-ACEDF76E9E2C.jpeg


43754EEE-2E32-435D-B76F-8BDE06E68919.jpeg
FC6618B3-8446-4590-B251-75324F2BA5CF.jpeg
F667CAA2-7466-44D4-BA00-EEE264AB9CC7.jpeg53CDD9CA-4991-4D47-84C5-44A08B747997.jpeg
 

Arnold

Omono
Messages
1,760
Reaction score
2,665
Location
Canary Islands, Spain
USDA Zone
11B
Yes, Benjaminas are known to be brittle, you need to be very careful wiring because the branches snap without warning
 

penumbra

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,381
Reaction score
15,852
Location
Front Royal, VA
USDA Zone
6
This is either F. benjamini "Wiandi" or "Rianne".
I have both plants and see little difference if any in them. They are both contorted and laterally dominant. And yes, they are exceptionally brittle and not at all conducive to wiring techniques on mature wood.

This is Rianne. It is being allowed to grow unrestrained at present. IMG_6514.JPG
 

Colorado

Masterpiece
Messages
3,106
Reaction score
8,231
Location
Golden, Colorado
USDA Zone
5b
Agree with @penumbra . These cultivars of ficus are EXTREMELY brittle and perhaps the most difficult species to wire in my garden.

Still, I find wiring necessary at times. Here is my ficus wiandi that has been grown mostly with clip and grow, but did require some wires to set the structure. I broke a branch on this one too :)

215C974A-D447-471B-817E-894AB175DDE6.jpeg
 
Top Bottom