Contents
How do Ficus trees grow?
Ficus trees add color and warmth to any home with their vibrant, evergreen leaves, but size can be an issue, especially when growing indoors. Thus, it is crucial to know how to prune Ficus Bonsai. I can assure you that space limitation isn’t an issue, as a miniature version of the Ficus can be grown and pruned properly to fit the size of the home’s facilities. Incredibly versatile and hardy ficus can thrive in a variety of environments. On the one hand, it can tolerate long periods of drought if it stores water in its trunk. On the other hand, it can grow rapidly, if properly nurtured.Ficus do not normally grow taller than 3 meters indoors. The average growth is between 3 and 6 meters per year. Some varieties grow faster. Ficus Benjamina, for example, grows 6-10 feet tall when fully mature, while Ficus Lyrata (or “Fiddle-leaf fig”) can easily reach 8-15 feet! If you’re looking for dwarfs, ‘Midnight’ or the popular ‘Too Little’ grows 3-4 feet tall indoors. However, these growth heights can be easily controlled with regular pruning. Overgrowth of the tree can be controlled by simply moving the plant outdoors, repotting it and pruning it back to the desired size.
Whichever species is chosen, the indoor ficus tree will be a beautiful sight for years to come. Nevertheless, one should always pay attention to the variety when buying and remember that bigger is not always better!
What is a Pruning?
Pruning is a common technique to ensure the healthy growth of a tree or shrub. To avoid confusion around pruning, I will go with some common definitions. Some define it as the deliberate removal of branches and twigs with the aim of improving the health and shape of the tree. Others define it as a way to selectively remove unwanted branches to improve the structure of the tree and promote new, healthy growth. Nevertheless, this technique has a significant impact on a tree or plant, on its lifespan and esthetic appearance, and it is important to ensure the timing and correctness of the procedure.
I can confidently say that pruning is one of the best things that can be done for a tree. Since the benefits of pruning are significant. They can bring to the ficus bonsai:
- removal of dead, broken or damaged branches
- protect a tree or shrub from possible damage caused by fallen branches
- removing old branches gives trees the green light for healthy new growth
- teach the trees to grow according to your wishes so that the branches do not hang over the roof or protrude into power lines
- give the trees a clean, neat appearance that enhances your entire landscape
- provide the tree with a good foundation for long-term health
- improve air circulation and light penetration
- ensure good shape and structure
- In the process of denudation, the limbs are taken back to their original branch. This is a method of exposing a full canopy of leaves so that more sunlight can get through.
- Maintaining health is like fine-tuning a tree. Simple pruning cuts are used to remove dead, diseased and damaged branches to give the tree a neat appearance.
- Size management involves reducing the height or width of the tree. This method usually involves shortening branches that protrude into supply lines or reducing the size of a sprawling tree.
- Structural (subordinate) pruning may involve one or more of the above methods to improve the structure and long-term health of a plant.
When to Prune Ficus Bonsai Trees?
Above we have discussed techniques, the methods and benefits that can help understand how to prune a Ficus bonsai tree. However, the question of when to prune ficus bonsai remains unanswered. Therefore, I will give you information about the right time to prune.
Of course, the right pruning guarantees that the desired shape and the aesthetics of the ficus bonsai are maintained. Timing plays a crucial role in ensuring that the plant becomes a stunning masterpiece that meets all artistic requirements.
Undoubtedly, pruning can be carried out at any time of the year. However, there is no revealed comprehensive or systematic procedure for distinguishing the optimal pruning times for the appearance or growth of Ficus bonsai. The recommended and optimal time for pruning is the late dormant period and the early crown growth phase, i.e. mainly spring and early summer. Also, one can forego the pruning for a year or more without pruning to get a thicker trunk. When you are ready to prune the leaves, a good rule is to cut back to two leaves after six to eight leaves have grown. Overall, if the trunk has been left thick, new shoots will grow from old wood, so be attentive to them.
To sum up, the Ficus bonsai has a fast growth rate, which in turn requires more pruning to manage the development of the bonsai and achieve an appealing shape. Keep in mind that the need for pruning increases when the growth of the ficus has reached its peak.
❗Note: The most forgiving bonsai of all time. The Ficus bonsai tolerates hard pruning quite easily. It also survives a long time without pruning. Enjoy the good news and stop worrying about upsetting the tree.
How to Prune Ficus Bonsai Trees?
I hope you have all the tools you need to do the right pruning. To keep in mind, various species of ficus bonsai may vary i.e. pruning ficus ginseng bonsai may greatly vary from Ficus Benjamina pruning method and many others. In this regard, learning, observing and following certain rules are important. To learn and visualize the form of a ficus bonsai, I invite you to visit our website ooobonsai.com for the comprehensive guide to caring for bonsai trees and plants and for updates on various topics.
Now let’s go through step by step how to prune ficus bonsai trees.
⏰ The first thing to keep in mind is time. Above we have provided a lot of lines on this subject. To make a long story short: To have a healthy Ficus bonsai, you need to prune it in the growing season, which is spring.
🗒️ The second thing to consider is making a sketched plan.
Pruning is the way to shape the plant in a desired form. Thus any effects one wants to achieve should be calculated based on the plant type, its growing and other features. That’s what sketching an action plan helps make things easier and comfortable.
To have the exact form in mind and follow it while pruning the plant is a great help in shape navigation.
🧰 The third thing to bear in mind is a clean, sterile, well-sharpen Tool-kit
Similar to surgery on humans, special precautions are also required when pruning plants, as these creatures can also catch various germs, microorganisms and bacteria when pruning with non-sterile tools. This can have fatal consequences for the plant. The quality of the tools is also important to avoid damaging the plants. Poorly sharpened tools can have a negative impact on the plant.
✂️ The fourth thing is a cutting paste. To prevent the accumulation of mucus or sap, it is very useful to use incision pastes on these areas. This will speed up the healing process.
Above all, you should take care to avoid pruning leaves. Remember that trunks and branches are pruned, but not the leaves. This is because leaves turn brown and messy when pruned. You may only prune one shoot and only three leaves at a time. There are no rules. It all depends on the goals and the application you want to give the Ficus bonsai in your home.
The prelast thing to pay attention to is removing approximately 12 percent of a new growth.
While starting the pruning procedure, concentrate on the shape you want to get and do not fear trimming branches. From the very base shape the tree and then cut off any unhealthy or weakened limbs. Make diagonal cuts while trimming ficus bonsai branches that span over other branches.
A thorough pruning operation will typically eliminate 12% of the new growth. Remind yourself that this is not going to be your ficus bonsai’s last appearance, so don’t overthink things and follow your plan of action.
The last thing to mention is defoliation. This is an effective procedure for the plant, but it is difficult to implement as it can easily damage the trunk. However, the Ficus bonsai can develop anew if the leaves are removed. But this should be done in summer. Don’t forget to water the plant vigorously immediately after leaf removal to encourage the recovery process.
Conclusion
Sometimes a simple observation is enough to understand the needs of a plant. Like all living things, the Ficus bonsai tree has certain needs and pruning is one of them. Therefore, learning how to prune a Ficus bonsai tree plays an important role in bonsai care.
In this article, I have done my best to provide the reader with important information about the steps, proper timing, necessary tools and aftercare of the plant. Horticulture is a never-ending process that requires commitment, passion and constant action. But the harmony and affection it brings to your life are definitely worth it.