Ficus Retusa - Stimulating Growth and other questions!

Hey,

You may remember i posted a few months ago, eager to get a tree i could keep indoors as it was at University; Well now i have one, and have had it for a good month or so now, it's doing pretty well! it's a Ficus Retusa (Tropical Fig) age 10yrs approx.

When i bought it, it had mold on the top soil, which i read was due to it being too wet, so i removed this, and began watering a little less than i suspect it had been done - I've done a little pruning to remove some branches i felt were not nessecary and kinda ruined the look of the tree!

I was just wondering if there was a way to stimulate growth on one side of the tree, it seems the previous owner has grown it against a wall, because the 'rear' is lacking greenery, in comparison to the opposite side.

I believe it also needs repotting, and was interested in when the best time to do this would be? I figure all year round, due to it being tropical. Jus' a guess!

Ohh, and another question, how do i encourage it to down-root, there is one major root that has shot down, but no others appear to be coming anytime soon, i read something about an aquarium?

Thanks for taking the time to read, let alone reply!

An excited beginner,

Ryan

P.s - Here are pic's, be nice it's my first! - Big leaves i know, can't wait to get a blimmin' garden!

EDIT: Any other tips, please let me know - Keen to learn!




Shows rearside of tree, with less foliage than the other.

The correct name is Ficus microcarpa, Chinese banyan.
The tree is suffering from lack of light. If you don't have a fluorescent light, put it in the sunniest window you can find. Point the part that lacks leaves toward the light. Repot it in April. Put it outdoors in the sun for the summer.
Join the nearest bonsai club and have them show you how to wire the branches down & thin them out a bit. Google on pictures of Taiwanese Ficus bonsai & study them until your eyes cross.
Iris

Congratulations on your first tree! Your Ficus is a good tree to start with. Do as Iris says. I place my Ficus on humidity trays; trays with gravel so when I water the tree, the water runs out of the drain holes and wets the gravel. This provides a little more humidity around the tree; which they love. At this time of year, my Ficus ware watered about 2-3 times per week; not daily, like during the active growth season. I try to spray my Ficus daily with a hand held water sprayer set on a fine spray - trunk, branches, leaves. Looking at yoru pictures, your tree might be a candidate for a semi cascade or cascade style. Good luck!
Best, Todd

Thanks for the tips, i will certainly do everything you've suggested! Certainly start spraying, and will get a humidity tray for it.

Thanks Iris & Todd

Just another quick question:

Is mold on the soil good or bad? i assume its due to it being too damp, should i water less or just carry on?

Ficus generally being tropical i assume heat and extreme humidity is fine, and therefore mold isn't classed as too bad?

Thanks

Ryan

RDobbs wrote:Just another quick question:

Is mold on the soil good or bad? i assume its due to it being too damp, should i water less or just carry on?

Ficus generally being tropical i assume heat and extreme humidity is fine, and therefore mold isn't classed as too bad?

Thanks

Ryan

Hi Ryan

Mold is not a good sign. It is usually a sign of the soil being too wet. Do not water on a schedule, only water when the soil is wet.

Hi Ryan Wink

Mold is not a good sign. It is usually a sign of the soil being too wet. Do not water on a schedule, only water when the soil is wet.

I presume you mean only water when the soil is dry? haha

Thanks for that!

RDobbs wrote:

Hi Ryan Wink

Mold is not a good sign. It is usually a sign of the soil being too wet. Do not water on a schedule, only water when the soil is wet.

I presume you mean only water when the soil is dry? haha

Thanks for that!

Shoot, yes that is what I mean, thank you . It's been one of those days....