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16-Dec-2007
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#1 |
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bonsaiTALK Neophyte
Join Date: Dec-2007
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Country: United States
Posts: 9
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Ficus Benjamina Leaves Grow On Only One Branch
Hello. I purchased a ficus benjamina bush from a nursery in October. I was able to get one separated plant out of the bush but with only a few branches on it. There were only one or two leaves on each branch at the time. Pretty soon afterwards all the leaves fell off except for two on one branch. Now as you can see in the picture there has been an explosion of growth. However, it has all occured on this one branch. There are no leaves growing on the other branches, in fact there is a new branch growing out from the base of one these branches. I scratched the bark on these leafless branches and they are very green so I think they are alive. I am fertilzing with 20-20-20 once a week and it is indoors. I am just wondering how to encourage growth on the rest of the plant since right now I just have this one really bushy branch. Thanks!
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Ficus Benjamina Leaves Grow On Only One Branch |
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16-Dec-2007
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#2 | |
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bonsaiTALK Craftsman
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Quote:
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"We're on a mission from God..." The Blues Brothers |
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17-Dec-2007
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#3 |
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bonsaiTALK Master
Join Date: Apr-2006
Location: Z5b
Posts: 383
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This is one time (and tree) I'm not sure a 'much' larger container would be the best idea. Ficus like to be 'cozy' in their pots and unless you know for sure that it's very rootbound, I'd leave it alone til spring at the very least. What I do think though, is that it's just a matter of patience with this tree - maybe a year or so til it's got a lot more ramification. Whether the old bare branches should be cut is up to you, but in spring, if they haven't sprouted again, try cutting them back (nothing to lose at that point) for a last chance, and if nothing happens you could always just get rid of them (which could even stimulate other latent ones to pop out). I wouldn't expect miracles here - keep it as an 'experiment' if you like and it may surprise you, but it'll need a lot of patience.
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17-Dec-2007
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#4 |
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sticks in pots
Join Date: Jul-2006
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Country: U.S.A.
Posts: 118
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Unless you have a really nice indoor lighting set up, at this time of year in your your location I wouldn't expect much growth.
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17-Dec-2007
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#5 |
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bonsaiTALK Craftsman
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i would put it in a bright location (south facing window) wait till sumer for a repot in a biger container.
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17-Dec-2007
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#6 |
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bonsaiTALK Master Chief
Join Date: Mar-2006
Location: West Springfield Massachusetts
Country: USA
USDA Zone: zone 5
Posts: 1,111
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Your branch with leaves is at this point the leader, and most of the energy is going to the apex. Prune off the last(top ) 2-3 leaves and the lower section will be more apt to bud out. Good bright light will help, but not 5-7 hours in a window, bright window with supplemental lighting will help. Then again if you want, chinese chop in the bright warm spring and watch the new branches pop all over.
I'm thinking that the leaveless branches probably won't live till spring with no leaves to suppots the branch.
__________________
If at first you don't succeed -- skydiving is not for you. Always remember that you're unique -- just like everyone else Enjoy this day. Bill |
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17-Dec-2007
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#7 |
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bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman
 
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jonesboy1983:
Ficus Benjamina can be very tempermental. Most of the time if there is not at least one leaf, the branch will die. If you look at the apex leaf, there should be a leaf sheaf starting to grow at the base of the apex leaf. Pinch that off, and do not let any other leaves grow past that Apex leaf. This should start back budding on that branch. This should be done on any branches that has leaves. This is the basic rule in promoting back budding and creating a full growth of leaves. What might help your tree is to obtain a propagation mat. This will keep the roots warm. All my indoor tropicals are under Fluorescent lights for 18 hours (on a timer). I enjoy Shohin trees, and I made two F Benjaminas by air layering. One has not filled out as yet, but it is a slow process. Bonsai teaches us patience.... Good luck and hang in there! I will show you a couple pictures of F Benjamina 01 on the post and F Benjamina on the next.
__________________
Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7 arteacher3725@yahoo.com CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]: www.carlrosner.com |
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17-Dec-2007
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#8 |
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bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman
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Here is the base of The F Benjamina air-layer. The separation took place in July of this year.
__________________
Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7 arteacher3725@yahoo.com CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]: www.carlrosner.com |
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17-Dec-2007
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#9 |
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bonsaiTALK Neophyte
Join Date: Dec-2007
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Country: United States
Posts: 9
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Thanks for everyone's replies so far. I am still a bit confused though. What is a chinese trunk chop first of all? Also, if the branches die if there are no leaves can the same be said for the trunk? So in other words if a were to trunk chop this tree wouldn't this kill it if it were chopped below this one branch that has leaves?
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18-Dec-2007
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#10 |
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bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman
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Jonesboy98:
If you look at your tree as a long term (10 year) project, you have a couple of choices, and maybe someone else will have more alternatives. First off, if this was my tree, I always think taper, taper, and more taper! That means that you would have to cut off the upper trunk (see your picture attached with a couple red lines through it. Now you could saw at that point or do an air layer at that point. If you saw it (chop) at that point, the young branch with a couple of leaves becomes the apex and you should let that grow for at least a year (or more). You could also air layer a little higher than the red marks, and end up with two trees. The upper portion should have a good development of roots before separation. Again, don't be in a hurry, this is a long term project. The general idea is that the branch(es) become part of the trunk and from there after a year or two, you pinch back the apex leaf sheaths, and continue to pinch until new leaves break out on the trunk. You let them grow until they develop into branches along the trunk. Let them grow for a year or two and then select the branches that will create a nice looking tree. In the mean time find some other trees to "play" with and keep this tree as a long term project. I did a little research in my files, and below are a couple posts going back to 1998: Perhaps you are not taking off enough of the ends of the branches. I pruned my ficus this summer and removed the outer 1/3 of the branches. There were very few leaves left when I was finished. When it sends out new shoots from the last leaf, as you describe, I prune those back also. In the last few months I have been getting new buds all over and the branches are more dense. I was surprised how much branch removal ficus will tolerate and produce new leaves very quickly. Melissa (Unknown poster) _________________________________________ Hope this helps. Posted by: Dennis McDermott - Sydney, Australia (dennismc@nlc.net.au) on Mon, Oct 26, 98 at 15:21 Melissa has hit it on the head. As I have posted on the forum previously the Ficus will not back bud well if the branch has become spindly, with growth only at the ends. my only comment is, that you could remove even more than 1/3 successfully. It is essential that end buds are pruned regularly
__________________
Carl L. Rosner - near Atlantic City zone 6/7 arteacher3725@yahoo.com CHECK OUT MY UPDATED WEBSITE AT[B]: www.carlrosner.com |
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