What is the plant, Xuan?

Al

I'm sorry, Al, I didn't come back sooner. I'm sorry, also, that I don't know the name of the plant. Perhaps, I'll post a photo so you can see. But I'll need to take the photo first LOL!

Xuan

;o) Take your time.

Okie, here're the photos of the plant, its trunk and its leave.

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Please take a look. I'm waiting for your instructions.

Thank you.

Xuan

Looks like Ficus microcarpa (aka Ficus retusa). Foliage at the end of branches as we see in your tree is most often symptomatic of the tree having been grown in low light conditions, or possibly that it is root bound. I'm not seeing evidence of roots crawling over the top of the soil, so I doubt it's root bound (unless you recently top-dressed the planting with fresh soil). Can you describe the state of the soil and the roots?

If you want to keep it compact, I would definately and immediately prune the growing tip along with the last leaf that emerged from every branch. This tree back-buds readily and tip-pruning will force new branches to emerge much closer to the trunk. When they are established, you (we?) ;o) will be presented with many more options for managing the tree's shape, as well as energy allocations to various parts of the tree.

If you are up to it, it should be fun to watch it develop here on the forum.

Al

Al, I'm all up to it! Thanks for offering to help along.

Ok, a bit of history about the tree. The tree has been in its present pot for 3 years and used to be full of leaves until a few months ago when it lost most of its leaves on all the branches. I suspected it had been underwatered: the leaves just turned yellow and dropped. So, I don't really know if low light was an issue as well for its bare branches.

Also, I haven't tried to unpot it to check the roots. Should I?

Well, now back to tasks at hand. Is it advisable to prune now when it's cold (60F) or should I wait until it warms up a bit more? Also, does "prune the growing tip along with the last leaf" mean cut off the branch completely so that the tree will be left with 'leaf-less and top-less' branches? (Please excuse the language!)

Thanks again for your time, Al.

Xuan

We can prune the very tip and the leaf closest to it off every branch now to force back-budding, even though temps are cool, with no noticeable effect on the tree. All the other leaves will remain on the branches. When it warms up a little more and we have some new branching, we'll do the root work and some additional pruning. In the meantime, I know you'll be careful not to over/under water. ;o)

Al

It looks like it's in a Bonsai pot. There are awesome instructions on the web at this site. These are for pepper plants, but many trees and plants can be Bonsai trained.

Here is a link that might be useful: Step by Step Bonsai Root Pruning

desertdance, thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Al, will do as advised. Thanks.

Xuan

That's a beautiful little tree, Xuan! I'm very interested to see how it progresses, with a little help from Al! It already has a bonsai look to it!

I'm very interested in this because I have a Wisteria grouping in a small pot that has been growing this way for about 3 years... I'm certain it needs root pruning, but I'm not sure how to go about that.

I'd love to follow along and learn... I'm hoping to end up with a semi-standard or taller bonsai-like Wisteria eventually. Of course, it's completely dormant right now, and stored in an unheated garage.

I'll quietly follow along... this is very interesting!

Hi Al, happy (belated) Chinese New Year from Vietnam!
My Ficus retusa has formed new "leaf buds" (?) on all the branches. I suppose I will have to wait a bit longer for the leaves to grow before doing anything. Right, Al?
Here're update photos.

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Xuan

Right .... if the pursuit of bonsai contains a life lesson, you can be sure it involves the virtue of patience. Just wait, grasshopper. ;o)

Al

Okiedokie, Al.
Thanks.

Xuan