OK, this is going to be a long post, since folks just joining may want some info (or, maybe not & I'm just deluding myself!). We topped out the previous thread on the topic of a Ficus elastica belonging to Gladys Gravyboots.
The tree is over 10 years old, and when I, GG, moved back into a particular house share in 2008 the tree was still here (I'd moved out in 1999) and looking very poorly. It then suffered a total soil collapse and subsequently lost all of its leaves. When I repotted, it had virtually no roots - I am not exaggerating! - below the soil line, it looked like a stick, with a few small roots sticking out.
Here is a photo taken after that repot and some recovery time : From 9 Lives Ficus elastica
I gave it another year (or maybe 2?) lots of light and some time outdoors: From 9 Lives Ficus elastica
Then I repotted it, because it was waaaay over-potted & I had put a few other plants (Schefflera, Dracaena) into 5.1.1. mix a year previous & was very happy with the results, as were my plants. I found it actually had grown some roots: From 9 Lives Ficus elastica
I did a light root prune, then a few months later I pruned the top pretty hard: From 9 Lives Ficus elastica
That was last year. Since the root mass still wasn't much, but the tree needed a good-size pot since it was so top heavy, I put large rocks in the bottom of the pot.
This year I plan to repot and remove the rocks, do some root pruning & change the planting angle of the tree to get it going in a more upright direction. The spread of the branches is now about 4' which is just too much - the tree looks like it wants to hug you.
I plan for it to eventually look something like this: From 9 Lives Ficus elastica
Al gave me some root pruning advice on the previous thread and suggested that the large limb be removed at once, so the reduced roots could support the tree.
Just for reference, this is the limb that will become the new leader on the re-oriented tree: From 9 Lives Ficus elastica
Al was asking at the end of the last thread (I'm paraphrasing) "Weren't you just messing about with this tree?" and I am posting to say Yes, I was fussing with it last summer, but I need to get it to a more manageable size, and get the rocks out of the pot...
Well, thanks for reading my windy post!
There is lots of great advice about Ficus on the previous threads, and there is sure to be much more on this thread - Thanks Al!
GB
Q