How big of a cutting can I root - ficus (mallsai)

[Srt8madness]

I got this for cheap, put it in a pot far beyond its value, and left alone for a while. I'd like to chop above the first or second branch, which would encourage lower branching, taper, etc etc.

That said I'd like to keep the top of possible. Its about an inch I'm diameter. Should I reduce foliage and put it in water, or straight perlite, or a perlite coco coir mixture?

I have MJ level grow lights inside, so if indoor is better for rooting I cam keep it inside on a heat pad.

Thoughts?

 

[rollwithak]

You have to try hard to not have these things root…. I can’t say I’ve ever done anything that thick but I’ve heard it can be done… I’ve stuck them in straight potting soil and gotten 100% success. They’ll root in nearly anything as long as there’s adequate moisture.

Why are you wanting to chop the bottom out of the equation?

 

[leatherback]

I rooted a 3-4 inch branch without caring for it. Chopped it off, put it in a small pot with substrate. Placed it in a warm spot with dappled shade and be done with it.

The result:

 

[19Mateo83]

I had a tiger bark similar to yours and I airlayered off the top. I have had ok success with rooting ficus cuttings. I have never tried one on bottom heat and I imagine it would help out considerably. Some people have 100% success with them though.

 

[Jester217300]

You can root anything you cut off of that tree with proper aftercare.

 

[Srt8madness]

Thank you for the replies all, very much appreciated!! I up potted so that it can gain some vigor, and will chop perhaps late summer.

 

[Srt8madness]

You have to try hard to not have these things root…. I can’t say I’ve ever done anything that thick but I’ve heard it can be done… I’ve stuck them in straight potting soil and gotten 100% success. They’ll root in nearly anything as long as there’s adequate moisture.

Why are you wanting to chop the bottom out of the equation?

I want to keep the bottom, in fact that is my focus, the top needs to go, it's too long, taperless, and symmetrical bends. I think the bottom would make a decent shohin in a few years, and would just like to keep the top as a separate tree with a thicker trunk to start.

 

[Ininaatigoons]

How is your project? I got a ficus retusa a couple years back as a mallsai for the purpose of propagating it to make a better one from the cuttings. I took some small cuttings. Left most in small 4" pots which didn't grow too much. Maybe they are a foot tall now, but one of the cuttings I put in a 1 gallon right away and year 2 did the root work and put it in a # 3 trade grow can. In two years from cutting it has exploded to about 4 foot tall with a 1.5" trunk. So next spring I'll check the roots and put it in a 20" pot. I'll let it grow and probably have to air layer or chop before it can come inside the house next fall.