Restyling the Ficus (variegata)

Muniz

1

This is the story of a Ficus (variegata). It came from a commercial nursery, here in Rio de Janeiro, BRASIL.
In February (summer), it is looking like the pic, completely out of any acceptable style.
I pruned hardly the aerial parts and then the roots are well reduced too, in the same proportion.
The front and the apex were chosen.
After all, the tree was put in a shaded area with some mist, in the next three days pure B1 (Tiamin) were added ( 2 pills in 1,5L of water) with the water to stimulate the new roots.

Advertisement

Muniz

2

In this following pic you will see the tree completely restyled.
With the radical prune you will produce equal sized leaves, small leaves (very desirable).
It was wired to produce more pretty shapes. In this moment full sun is avoided, until the next month. No NPK is offered, again, until the next month.

Muniz

3

In this pic, took two months latter (April) shows the tree completely healthy.
The restyling was successful. The prune (radical) are well supported by Ficus, I can say, necessary too make the tree more healthy.
Notice the more reduced size of the leaves.
Under the roots, I hidden a rock to make roots over rock in the next transplantation .

Jose_Alberto

Well done Luis, you made a radical and great job with this fellow... I'm amazed of the size of the leaves they reduced really fast!!! I have some issues with ficus because of the leaves size, but I think I will give them a try... Really nice, and I would love to watch it in some years with a nice pot, and if you keep up the good work, I bet this tree will be amazing (at least for me)

__________________
Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

Muniz

Alberto,

I took this pic at morning (today). Notice the size of the leaves and good general aspect of the tree (healthy), four months latter from transplantation.
It is now in full sun and a moderate NPK is being offered.

Jose_Alberto

It looks nice, but I noticed you removed the wires, how long were they on the tree?

__________________
Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

Muniz

Alberto,

Good perception, I removed the wires.
One of the great problems in Ficus is the right time to remove the wires, Ficus is very sensitive to wiring. As a routine you have to pay attention soon in the first month (Pinus you can stay seven months or more). If the trunk grows fast scars will be produced.
You can remove the wires, if it is needed and then put again, not in the same site.
As the wires promote the enlargement of the trunk, they have two functions, shape and grow.

denny

good work luis,pretty tree.
i notist ficus retain there shape very quickly,therefore the wires can be removed sooner.

__________________
Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.

Muniz

thanks for your words Denny.
Sure, Ficus is a very good material to work shape, but do not forget the time to remove the wires, because the trunk barks the wire very easy.