AusBonsai

Hey guys, I'm getting this ficus tree tomorrow and I was wondering if it would survive being cut back heavily, I don't know what type it is. But it's been in pot for a while.
http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/blnc/1 ... dm_20.jpeg
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Looks like Benjimina, although i cant help, I've been doing a fair bit of research on them, and have found that back budding can be very sporadic [if at all], so be careful before chopping into it. Hopefully someone can shed some light on the subject matter, but most tend to agree they make awkward bonsai.

It looks similar to a pair i got last year but a bit bigger!!! If possible just plant the whole thing in the ground and let it get some health up before doing any pruning top or bottom. I have found with benjamina this is the best approach as they can suffer extensive dieback of the trunks. On a strong healthy tree they will backbud pretty good. Lots of potential for a 2-4man tree and i look forard to seeing where you take it.

Matt

Def Benjamina
Back Budding can be variable depending n=on the health

I have one tall and bare like this one. I layered into several sections and 2 sections had a bare second trunk that both did not shoot back.
The base has only shot New growth out of 1 side leavingf 1/2 the trunk bare . Strange though as the bark is still green where i wodul like a shoot. Thread graft will fix that I hope

Ken

I actually have to cut it back a lot just to fit it in the car, I get the pleasure of L-Plating all the way over there and I have to fit in the back of a land cruiser so I was just asking to see if it would survive being cut back a lot.
It's 13 feet high so I can't exactly put it straight into the car.

In that case you might be able to keep a few more feet on it by lying it down, with the back seats down you might get 7-8 feet?

And if its pot-bound, the dirt shouldn't fall out too easily. If you havent thought of it already, maybe take a blanket and some rope or something so you can wrap the pot if needed, and decide when you see it?

Yeah, I already knew to take a blanket but I doubt the soil is going to fall out. I'm really just afraid that if I cut it too far back it wont recover.

You know its a sad day when you bump your own thread....
Also I'm leaving to pick it up soon. I'll just remember to take a camera...
I'll post pictures when I get back and maybe then you guys could give a little more advice? Maybe? Please?
Anyway thanks for those of you who did help, I shall return with pictures of the monster and maybe make a progression series.

Hi coocarch,

Ability to bud back on F. benjamina depends on the genetics of that specific tree AND the health (as Ken mentioned). I have cut back to mere stumps twice with this species. One shot out very sparsely and then died. The other sat there not donig anything for almost a year then shot growth out sporadically and gradually increased vigour to what is now an overgrown shrub that needs some attention. Due to time of year, I suspect it won't do anything until spring. Keep it quite dry until then and then hope for the best.

Good luck!

Joel.