I Likeus the Ficus

[Mellow Mullet]

I went to help my dad out today and he decided to give this ficus, it had became to much for him, moving in and out, due to the temperature fluctuations that we have this time of year. For size reference, the base is about eight inches. What do you think?

John

 

[sorce]

I like the rooty trunk n base!

I'd like to see you get it in a pot half as deep, with a severe cut back up top.

Sorce

 

[KennedyMarx]

Is that a benjamina? I agree with Sorce on the pot. Half as deep maybe, and a little bit smaller in diameter. Chase some of the growth back in. It's a beefcake, but it would look more powerful if you compacted it more.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I like the rooty trunk n base!

I'd like to see you get it in a pot half as deep, with a severe cut back up top.

Sorce

I plan on a new pot but it will have to wait until next year, the one that it is in now has a crack in it. As soon as it warms up, I plan on chasing some of the growth back, that will give me time to study it and formulate a plan.

John

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Is that a benjamina? I agree with Sorce on the pot. Half as deep maybe, and a little bit smaller in diameter. Chase some of the growth back in. It's a beefcake, but it would look more powerful if you compacted it more.

I think that it is a benjamina. How much would you chase it back?

John

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I think that it is a benjamina. How much would you chase it back?

John

Yep, looks like a benjamina. Whatever you do, wait until the summer when it's actively growing and strong before you do anything. When you cut the branches back make sure you leave some leaves on each branch to prevent die-back.

 

[LanceMac10]

Chase it back? You got a lawn-mower!?!? Seriously, whack all those branches back when its nice and warm and she's a-growin' good. Start your branching closer to that great trunk. Benjis sometimes don't quite bud where you want, but what doesn't? Really cool trunk. Good luck!!

 

[Giga]

Yeah, that's a nice one. I would do what people have suggested. The Maine branch structure is there just need to chase it back a little and get a nice fence canopy

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Update:

I have been slowly chasing the foliage back since I first posted and I finally rounded up a pot for it that is a bit shallower. I won't be the final pot, but it will serve a transition pot. Here it is now:




I pulled it out of the pot and I was surprised that it did not have many roots. Some of the roots had died, I think the soil was keeping it too wet. But, I don't have any experience with this species, so this might be how the roots are supposed to look. I am more familiar with ficus neriflora.



After removing the old soil, this is all I had left.


Had to saw a little off of the bottom to get it to fit into its new home. Ran out of daylight too.


In its new home. Repotted into new soil, 2 parts fir bark, one part lava, one part pumice, and one part Turface. What do you think?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

This is a gorgeous tree. I'm wondering if it's actually a philippinensis...

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I don't know, could be, I will ask my dad where he got it. I do know he created all of the roots by putting a pot around the lower trunk filled with soil.

John

 

[sorce]

Nice John.

I found it real easy to keep them too wet. I think it will enjoy the new pot.

Nice Avatar! I can hear Cypress screaming!

Sorce

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Update:

Here she is with this summer's growth. I have already trimmed it once or twice.

 

[sorce]

Wow. Great moves!

Your dad wants it back?

Looking good!

Sorce

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Wow. Great moves!

Your dad wants it back?

Looking good!

Sorce

Thanks, I wish it would backbud more on some of the longer straight branches, but it is growing like a weed. I hope that he doesn't want it back, lol.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

UPDATE:

It was really nice out today so I worked on the trees and took a few pictures. This one is coming along nicely and will get a good trim and wiring come spring. What do you think?

John

 

[sorce]

It'll be "just another" ficus in spring.

Right now..it's just another ficus!

Good growth!

Sorce

 

[Redwood Ryan]

What an awful looking tree. I'd recommend a new pot. Preferably a brown one, made of cardboard, and stamped with my address on it.

In love with that trunk.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Update:

This guy has been growing like crazy the past month or so and it was time to remove some wire and give it a hair cut. Starting to get some decent branching and getting the foliage chased back closer to the main trunk.

Before:

 

[Mellow Mullet]

After: