Trimming ficus trees

Submitted by tbowersock on Tue, 10/30/2007 - 15:21
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Last year I  bought 2 ficus trees at lowes after Christams clearence sale for $5 a piece. They are growing great but now they have reached the top of my ceiling. They need to be shaped up but I am afraid I will kill them. Once I do trim it, can I root what I have trimmed? I need help!! Please help, Theresa
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Thanks for all the info! All

Submitted by tbowersock on Wed, 10/31/2007 - 17:47.
Thanks for all the info! All of you give me the confidence to do this! I would plant them outside but I am in zone 5 and don't think they would make it. I only have 7' ceilings so I guess I will be trimming a lot. If they root for me I guess I will be able to add those to my trade list. Thanks again everyone! Theresa

Oops I think I forgot about

Submitted by PreciousJoy (not verified) on Wed, 10/31/2007 - 17:28.
Oops I think I forgot about the rooting part I see it was covered above ! Ficus is one of the easiest trees to grow and propagate fast so they can sell them cheap. They take a lot of abuse. But their large growing tree and I mean large. No mater how much you trim/cut them into cute little shapes/shrubs their roots know their large trees so if your keep them in a pot re-pot it and trim those roots too !

I had a ficus that outgrew

Submitted by thwoods (not verified) on Wed, 10/31/2007 - 13:05.
I had a ficus that outgrew my house, so I gave it back to the daughter who bought it for me -- and it is doing beautifully in her room with 12 foot ceilings.  I'll suggest to her that, if she wants to keep it from getting larger, that she needs to prune both tops and the roots.  I'm guessing it must be pot bound by now.Blessings all -- praying for your needs.   Theresa    T
sharry_lynn's picture

That is great info on caring

Submitted by sharry_lynn on Wed, 10/31/2007 - 14:53.
That is great info on caring for ficus.  And yes, you can root the cuttings.  It's best if you cut off 4"-6" tip cuttings with a pair or two of leaves.  They root in water or moist soil.  It's good to take more cuttings that you want rooted plants since usually not all of the cuttings will make it.  I've got a couple growing nicely as bonsai trees right now.--Sharry 

  Yes go ahead and safely

Submitted by PreciousJoy (not verified) on Wed, 10/31/2007 - 11:58.
  Yes go ahead and safely trim your Ficus Trees. Best do it outside as the leaves with drop and they have sticky sap in them. Trim large to small branches and some in the middle to keep with a natural look. You can shape it anyway you like but as these trees grow fast you will have to keep up with the trimming to keep up with the look you want. Ficus are large fast growing trees no mater how much you trim it it's roots know it's a tree. depending how large of a pot you want them to keep growing in you will also have to trim the roots. I also recommend trans-planting any potted plant into a new pot and new soil at least once a year. If you want it to grow larger double your pot size . The same or smaller that's OK but trim roots. It may sulk for a week but don't worry these are strong hardy trees.I like to use a 50/50 mix for all potted plants. Something like Jungle Growth /Perlite. Or Miracle Grow/Perlite. You can ad a time release food that last 9 months or so even the the plant soil comes with it. Hope this help !

Precious -- That is great

Submitted by thwoods (not verified) on Wed, 10/31/2007 - 13:04.
Precious -- That is great information on the ficus tree care.  It would be a great addition to a ficus tree ID post, if you wish to do that -- or in the tip area.Blessings all -- praying for your needs.   Theresa    T

I wish I couild help...I buy

Submitted by Chris on Tue, 10/30/2007 - 15:35.
I wish I couild help...I buy these and kill them within the first few months