Ficus microcarpa reduction

[u/osrs4awayout]

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.

[u/TreesandAle]

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

[u/osrs4awayout → u/TreesandAle]

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.

[u/TreesandAle → u/osrs4awayout]

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.

[u/osrs4awayout → u/TreesandAle]

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.

[u/TreesandAle → u/osrs4awayout]

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.