retusa ideas

[Joshua]

Hello everyone,
I am looking for advise. Should I defoliate, cut some branches, move some branches, chop it? Open to all suggestions.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I'd be tempted to chop it around this area to get rid of those curves, but not until it's actively growing and happy.

 

[thams]

I would even consider chopping it at its first curve. Look at this blog post for ideas of what to do with S-curve ficus.

http://adamaskwhy.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/ginseng-and-s-curve-ficus-rogues-gallery/

 

[Joshua]

I would even consider chopping it at its first curve. Look at this blog post for ideas of what to do with S-curve ficus.

http://adamaskwhy.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/ginseng-and-s-curve-ficus-rogues-gallery/

Thank you for sharing that article. I am definitely chopping it.

 

[Joshua]

I'd be tempted to chop it around this area to get rid of those curves, but not until it's actively growing and happy.
View attachment 36332

I am definitely chopping it.

 

[Joshua]

2 cuts?

So when it is all happy and flourishing I am going to cut it low, I was also thinking of cutting off the top for a mame project. When I try to root the top do I need to defoliate it as well?
Thank you

 

[Redwood Ryan]

So when it is all happy and flourishing I am going to cut it low, I was also thinking of cutting off the top for a mame project. When I try to root the top do I need to defoliate it as well?
Thank you

I wouldn't use the top for mame, the leaves reduce, but not down to mame size. Even shohin size can be a little tricky. You don't need to defoliate when you try to root the top.