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Question: Help with pruning my ficus bonsai tree?

(Posted by: N o v a on 2009-09-03 17:01:07)

My Ficus bonsai tree is growing very rapidly - its branches are becoming so long that they are getting in the way of things. I'm trying to keep it in a small pot, doing everything else right, but it just keeps growing more branches! How would I effectively prune the branches (cut them) so as to make them shorter - without hurting my tree? Or will it not hurt it at all? Thank you so much!

Posted by: Cor on 2009-09-04, 07:00:13

Nova, glad to hear your ficus is thriving. Lots of new growth is a good indicator that you are taking great care of this fig. Pruning on ficus is perfectly safe, any cuts made of 1/ 2 inch or larger should be sealed though, a dab of vasaliene will work great if you have no sealant (vasaliene is what i use). If you are trying to direct new growth, you can use a method called directional pruning. Directional pruning is done by pruning a branch back to a leaf pointing in the direction we want it to grow. For instance, if you want your branch to curve to the left, you would find a leaf on that branch coming from the left and prune back to that leaf. The new stem will form from the base of that leaf. Root pruning should only be done when there are too many to fit into the pot. It is very stressful on a tree and if you can leave them alone, your tree will be much happier. To learn some more about bonsai care and pruning, check out some forums. I am a member at bonsaigeeks.com that wouldn't be a bad place to start, there are a few useful links in there, and more people to answer any questions you might have. Hope this helps!

Posted by: Gary on 2009-09-03, 17:56:11

Ficus is an aggressive bush. You possibly need to cut back it's roots, trim and train the new growth back, and repot with an approved Bonsai potting mix. New growth is expected this time of year. They love a lot of water as well.Fertilise with Bonsai food every 6 months. All the best!

Posted by: LESTAT b on 2009-09-03, 18:11:56

Ficus is one die hard tenacious plant. Well you should have stated the size of your plant for better suggestions but anyway here we go.If you want to remove some branches but make careful selection ;keep branches that suits your personal taste.Make clean cuts while removing unwanted branches as later they can leave ugly scars & not to forget infections which is usually due to careless stripping.You can controll the growth by behading new terminal leaf buds which are on the tip of the growing branches.You can have new saplings from those trimmed branches as ficuses take root without problem. As for the roots try trimming the roots in a U shape.Follow the practice once in every year or so.The plant on trimming and re-potting will stress the plant but it is safe practice. Happy gardening my friend.

Posted by: reynwater on 2009-09-04, 04:10:45

Prune away, remove 1/ 3 of the growth, won't hurt a thing. Selective pruning is one of the techniques in creating bonsai including root pruning when repotting. Here's more: search.yahoo.com/ search?p= ficus+ bonsai+ care &fr= ush-ans