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Top Questions About Ficus Trees

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Questions About Ficus Trees

  • Answered by
    theficuswrangler on
    September 18, 2012
    A.

    A couple of questions to ask here: are there drainage holes in the bottom of your washtub, and how long ago did you replant? Oh yes, is the stuff on the soil soft, mushy, slimy, or is it hard? If you don't have drainage holes, tip the thing over and make some --you really really need drainage. Stones in the bottom won't do it. Fungus is a sign that the soil is too wet. Ficus don't like to sit around with wet roots; in fact, dropping green leaves is a thing ficus do when they're too wet. If the white stuff on the soil is hard, that would sound like salt build up, which shouldn't be happening yet if you just repotted. I don't know about using a "tin" washtub (I'm assuming you mean galvanized) for a plant container. It shouldn't be reactive or anything, but it just doesn't feel right to me. Maybe someone else has used them successfully.

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  • Answered by
    theficuswrangler on
    May 1, 2013
    A.

    Of course you can prune the ficus. Cutting (pruning) does not harm any plant, especially a tree.
    The above-referenced article is good, I would add only that you determine the shape of the new growth by the direction of the node or branch above which you make your cut. In other words, If you cut back to a small branchlet growing downward, it will continue on that path as it grows; if you cut back to one growing upward, the new branch will be in that position. Same if you cut back to a leaf; if the leaf is on the underside of a branch, the new shoot will come out in that direction, if the leaf is on the upper surface of the branch, new shoots will be also. But it's more effective to cut back to small branchlets, rather than leaves.
    Also, you can thin out the interior of the tree by cleaning off (cutting) small branchlets and leaves growing from the larger branches in the interior of the tree.

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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    April 7, 2013
    A.

    The following article addresses the rubber tree, but weeping figs need the same procedure: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/rubber-tree/prune-rubber-tree.htm

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  • Answered by
    theficuswrangler on
    June 17, 2013
    A.

    Also, if this was potting soil you purchased at a plant store, I would return it, along with some of the sprouted grass. Purchased bagged soil should have been sterilized against weeds, disease, and bugs. You should get your money back, and go to a different store next time.

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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    June 13, 2013
    A.

    Sounds like there were weed seeds in the soil. Pull them up by the roots and dispose. Problem solved.

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    February 13, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    If you've got hard water, filter it with a simple carbon-type filter from the hardware store. You can also use a pitcher-type filtering system sold for drinking water. This filtering removes the minerals without adding other chemicals. In addition, you could water your plants with distilled water. As for the fig trimming and rooting, these articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/potted-fig-tree-pruning.htm, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/fig-propagation.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 13, 2014
    Certified Expert
    A.

    If the whole plant is falling over, this indicates that the pot it is in is too small. I would recommend increasing the size of the pot.

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  • Answered by
    Prerna on
    April 18, 2014
    A.

    Thank you, ficus wrangler! Your answer and references were most helpful. I can now proceed to get the "wall" with confidence!

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  • Answered by
    theficuswrangler on
    April 17, 2014
    A.

    Ficus trees, depending on the variety, can be very invasive. In south Florida it's even against the law to plant them outside. This article will give you more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/problem-tree-roots.htm

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  • Answered by
    theficuswrangler on
    June 19, 2014
    A.

    Brittle branches mean that they are dead. My guess would be that the plant was against a wall, and the branches in back died. Yes, you'll want to cut the dead wood off. Cut slowly until you find live tissue - it will be green. Then place it so the back is facing a window, and give it the best care you can so that it can regrow leaves. This article will give you information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ficus/ficus-tree-care.htm

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