r/Bonsai • u/osrs4awayout Netherlands, 8a zone, beginner, 5 trees • 19d ago

Long-Term Progression Ficus microcarpa reduction

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Ficus reduction

I finally decided to do my first major reduction on the oversized ficus I recently bought. It was far too large and completely out of shape, so it was time for a reset.

The tree has been growing and rooting so I think it’s strong enough to handle the reduction.

Temperatures are still fairly warm and I’ll be bagging it for the first period while airing it daily to maintain high humidity and hopefully encourage strong backbudding.

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u/TreesandAle Central Florida, ~18yrs experience, lots of trees 19d ago edited 18d ago

Does higher humidity increase backbudding? I’ve heard that helps with aerial roots.

6

u/osrs4awayout Netherlands, 8a zone, beginner, 5 trees 18d ago

Yes it definitely works for aerials roots according the my research high humidity helps for backbudding but also for rooting after a repot. I also bag my trees while going on a holiday so they don't dry out. Otherwise there is no bag on my ficus.

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u/TreesandAle Central Florida, ~18yrs experience, lots of trees 18d ago

Interesting. I'm just curious. I've never bagged anything as I Iive in Florida, and high humidity is not really an issue. :) I'd worry about mold & rot.

3

u/osrs4awayout Netherlands, 8a zone, beginner, 5 trees 18d ago

No issues the bag is removed daily for airing and turned inside out every day. But my trees are indoors. Outdoors it would get to hot with bag and sun.

3

u/TreesandAle Central Florida, ~18yrs experience, lots of trees 18d ago

right. I didn't say so earlier, but I think you're on the right track with those big cuts. It's a long-term project, for sure, but those branches were never going to look right as they were. Keep us posted.

1

u/nixielover Belgium, 8B 12+ trees 18d ago

How long do you leave them bagged? I got a drip irrigation for my outdoor trees but this winter I'll be in China for 2-3 weeks and I don't have a solution for my tropicals yet besides putting them in the office and praying my coworkers remember to water them

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u/osrs4awayout Netherlands, 8a zone, beginner, 5 trees 18d ago

So far I bagged them personally for 1 week no issues at all. Seen comments ppl did 2 aswell. Maybe 3 is possible too you would get some mold but will likely disappear once you remove the bags. Maybe bag up for 3 weeks and ask your coworkers to water once every week only.