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Trees & Shrubs - Australia

Ficus: questions re re-potting

19 years ago

We have two Benjamin Ficus that I bought as "dwarf" variety about 6 years ago. They have since been re-potted a couple of times (the last time over two years ago). Currently, they're about 160-170cm tall, the roots have started to grow through the bases of the terracotta pots and I need to re-pot them in larger tubs, though I know this isn't the best time for re-potting anything.

My questions are:

1. How should I best handle the re-potting? Is there anything particular that I need to do?

2. Should I prune them before re-potting? Of so, by how much (they have slender trunks, and the canopy is not dense or very bushy)?

3. Should I prune back the roots?

4. Should I fertilise them after re-potting or just "seasol" them?

Any advice or suggestions gratefully received. Thanks!

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Comments (3)

Liatris
19 years ago
You don't say what size pots they are in now. My inclination with any ficus would be to make sure I keep the pot to a size I can manage.

You might encounter some problem with the roots being strongly stuck to the insides of the pot, and I'd suggest giving the whole pot a thorough dunking prior to trying to remove it from the pot.

Yes, you can prune the roots - it isn't likely to bother them at all. As for the top, as long as you don't go below where there is foliage you can cut it back fairly hard. This will encourage your plant to thicken up.

Whatever you prune off, stick it in a pot too, if you wish - it will probably start growing from day 1.

With regard to your question on fertiliser, I don't think it really matters much, but to be on the safe side, maybe just a dose of Seasol 'til they settle in.
Doona
19 years ago
It's so nice to see that there are people don't just plant their overgrown ficus' in the ground, like so many people around my area do. I see too many of the trees put in gardens or near the street, only to become huge and lift paths and walls. When will people learn about their plants?
I agree that you don't need anything other than Seasol (or Dynamic Lifter's seaweed stuff). Ficus' are tough trees. Give your plant a trim around the roots and put it back in the same pot if you like, with some new soil. It will be okay for years before you have to repeat the task.
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innyanga
Original Author
19 years ago
Thank you for your responses, Liatris and Doona.

Liatris: I'll follow your advice re soaking the pots before attempting to remove the ficus. They are currently in 40cm terracotta pots which narrow towards the base (not very practical). I plan to repot in 55cm terracotta lookalike plastic pots. Will try to propagate the prunings, but haven't had any luck when doing this before. Perhaps they take more readily in Qld!

Doona: I'd never plant a ficus in the ground! Have seen what havoc they can cause. Will take your advice re Seasol.

Another few questions re ficus: My larger and older Benjamin (in a big black tub) has lost the gloss on many of its leaves, and lots of them have yellowed virtually overnight. Do you know what could cause this? What is the remedy? Some leaves have brown blotches - could it be sunburn? What fertiliser should I use, if any?

Thanks again for your help!

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