truck chopping a ficus benj.?

[nicks75]

I bought a ficus benj today at home depot and I want to chop its trunk at about 6 inches above the soil. The trunk is about 1 inch diameter now. I live in zone 5 so I will be keeping the tree indoors. This is a pic of it. Will it be ok to chop the trunk that low at the size the tree is at? Will it be ok to chop it at this time of the year or should I wait till next spring? Also how long generally will it take to sprout a new branch once it is chopped? Thanks for any info.

[kumar]

why dont you air layer the upper parts?i think Ficus will readily root.
but i havent done this before(lets wait for comment from experienced folks). i too have plant in similar shape and size to urs but not ficus where i dont want to lose the upper branches. i tried airlayering once and failed. friends pls post some tips on airlayering...

[soumya mitra]

So far my experience of F.benjamina is that it is moderately poor in back- budding and sensitive to severe trunk-chop( if no foliage remaining).The 6'' high trunk chop i consider too severe for this specimen. Air layering is a viable option as Kumar suggested and spring would be better season for it.
Alternatively ground layrting can also be tried by positioning the tree horizontally on the ground or growing box and following the normal layering technique on the trunk side facing the soil. The foliage portion to be wired and to face upward.
The advantage here will be you shall get the illusion of a small tree and avoid the risk of failed attempt of layering ( if by chance that happens). Thus is just a suggestion that i would have done if it were my tree.

[Liane]

Hi Nicks75,

I air layered my variegated ficus (in two places at once) about a year ago and it was a piece of cake. It took about three and a half months for enough roots to appear where I could safely remove the top bits and plant them. I posted a photo of my ficus in this thread http://www.tropicalbonsai.com/forums/showthread.php?t=423

However, in your case, you want to air layer just 6 inches or so below all the growth at the top. In my opinion, this could be risky, but its worth a shot. Ficus root very easily. I don't know where you are located, but I would do it during your typical growing season when the tree is in its growth stage.

If you want to try air layering, here is a link which might help. Use the second method shown. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/ornamentals/airlayer/airlayer.html

Keeping in mind that I am in a tropical climate (British Virgin Islands) and if you are concerned about losing the tree to a failed air layer attempt, I have been successful with difficult to grow trees (which ficus are not) using the following method.

1. Using duct tape, tape over the top of the pot and make sure it is sealed around the trunk of the tree and pot rim as best you can. Also tape over the hole in the bottom. Then cut out a small (2") hole in one side of the pot. This will be used to water the tree on a regular basis throughout this process.

2. Take a 3" or 4" plastic pot and cut out (2) "U" shaped grooves (on opposite sides of the pot) about two inches deep or large enough for the trunk of the tree to lie in across the top of the pot.

3. Lie the tree on its side (propping the pot up if necessary ... but it will likely be fine without any props) and place the trunk across the small pot.

4. Brush the underside of the trunk (where you want the new root to grow) with rooting hormone and then bury 2/3 of the trunk in 1/3 potting soil mixed with 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 vermiculite. Pack it down firmly.

Note: Ficus throw out air roots very readily. If you see any nodes where an air root may be starting or has already begun to grow, this would be the best place to bury the trunk.

5. Water the main pot as you normally would and water the small pot as you would a seedling. Misting daily is also helpful. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Roots should begin to form in a month or so. Before cutting the main trunk below the new root ball, be sure you have a sufficient root system to support the tree! Let it fill up the small pot with roots before cutting the main trunk and transplanting. I would guess the whole process might take about 5 to 6 months and possibly longer.

6. Resist the temptation to peak! This can disturb very tender roots. Just leave it alone and let nature do its thing!

Its a slower process than air layering, but it is safer and much less stressful for the tree. In any case, I would prune the tree first before using either method so it has less vegitation to support.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do. :)

[soumya mitra]

The procedure described by duct- tape method is ground -layering technique basically. This is done where to host the main plant ,real ground or big enough grow box is not available. This method is eminently suitable is such situation and since injury of the trunk by cutting the bark etc. are avoided ground layering is a simpler method than regular air- layering . Whatever method of layering is ultimately adopted that would be better proposition than trunk chopping at 6" above ground for this specimen of F. benjamina. Good luck.

[kahnakuhl]

I reckon you could get away with an air layering attempt if you gently scraped away the first layer of bark (to show green underneath) high up on the trunk, gave it a rooting powder dust and wrapped it up in damp moss and cling wrap (hi tech!) for a few months. Give it a few drops of water now'n'again if the moss looks like drying out. The question is: when do you have enough roots to sustain such a large tree? Cos then you've gotta whack it off at the knees (a bit scary). It might be safest to wait for growing season. Also a vicious prune at that might make it easier for the tree to concentrate on root growth, rather than supplying all the leaves. Still need enough leaves, however, to get nrg from sun. Couldn't advise on a amphetamine-like fertilizer - but it might be helpful. Any more experienced comments?

[saint]

Benjamina are notorious for not back budding. I had a shohin which remained dormant for a year! The cut scarred over but nothing else happened, and remember that this was in the tropics. Layering may work but benjamina can be difficult sometimes.

[Jerry Meislik]

My experience mirrors, Leslie.
See my article on benjamin reductions
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/info/FicusBenj.html
Good luck,
Jerry