Timing question for Ficus microcarpa in Southern Maine

Leprous Garden

Yamadori
Messages
98
Reaction score
67
Location
New England
USDA Zone
5b
Looking for thoughts on this ficus microcarpa. I've had it since Spring 2019. I root pruned and mostly defoliated at that time and it was pretty weak for a year but took off the following one. It grew well again here in Southern Maine last year then I cut off the top as it was getting overgrown. I should have cut sooner or waited as growth in the fall was minimal. I want to root prune this year but I'm wondering about timing. What do people think about doing this now, before seasonal growth kicks in, versus waiting until growth is happening?

I know there's some grotesque inverse taper and the styling is still very early on. Mostly I want to build up the roots and have good growth this season, then continue chipping away at the awkward parts of the tree.

Pictures from Spring 2021, in late Summer I then cut the top above the nob. It currently has two shoots from the cut but they haven't started extending yet.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20210327_211541118.jpg
    PXL_20210327_211541118.jpg
    188 KB · Views: 24
  • PXL_20210327_233000253.jpg
    PXL_20210327_233000253.jpg
    160.7 KB · Views: 24
  • PXL_20210327_232928496.jpg
    PXL_20210327_232928496.jpg
    150.9 KB · Views: 24

RJG2

Omono
Messages
1,401
Reaction score
3,927
Location
Southern Maine
USDA Zone
6a
Best time to repot and root prune for most tropicals is in the summer when they are growing strongly.

I didn't do mine last summer and they have been suffering all winter (due to not draining well).

I'm still trying to wait until it is warmer and they've been outside for awhile - it just means managing water more closely for now.
 

rockm

Spuds Moyogi
Messages
14,182
Reaction score
22,180
Location
Fairfax Va.
USDA Zone
7
Summer, the hottest part of the summer, is indeed the best time to repot tropicals, particularly ficus.
 

Colorado

Masterpiece
Messages
3,104
Reaction score
8,228
Location
Golden, Colorado
USDA Zone
5b
Summer is a good time as mentioned above. However I have repotted ficus microcarpa at all times of the year and haven’t noticed any difference. They are very forgiving and I’ve never had one skip a beat after a repot, regardless of what time of year.

Other tropicals I have noticed a difference and will only repot in summer.
 
Top Bottom