AusBonsai

Hi all,

Collected these two plants today. First is definitely a fig and not sure about the second. Pulled from brick wall behind my old mans shed so not alot of roots.

My question is should I cut them back now?

Also for the first can I cut it completely back? Or will removing all new shoots be a bad idea?

Second is a bit wild but I was thinking cutting it short into a windswept. Not sure I see any other option?

Cheers,

Greg

lets try photos again..

ok, cant get these photos uploaded which is unusual cause of have done it many times before.

any tips?

Make sure the file size is under 500 kb, you may have to resize it.

Thank you!!

It was asking me to get them below 1mb which I did, didn't realise I had to go bellow 500KB.

Agree that the first is a fig. Can't see enough of the windswept one to make accurate ID. 2 defining features of ficus sp 1.- buds are enclosed in a 'sheath' that falls off as the new leaf opens. Have a look at the buds at the tip of the branches and compare with the other or post a closer photo. 2.- Ficus all have milky sap so if you cut a branch or even a leaf figs will form a bubble of white sap.

Figs are pretty tough so they should manage the transplant even with few roots as long as you have warmish temps. I usually prune back the branches to try to match the loss of roots but there is growing evidence that leaving more leaves can help the new roots to grow. It is hard to be more helpful without seeing how few roots you have left.
Just because a tree is leaning over does not mean it must be styled as windswept or cascade. Just planting it at a different angle will change the perception a lot. All those branches should still be very flexible so wiring would change the shape of that one to almost anything you want.

Hi Greggles
I would not cut any thing at this point.
Just sit them both outside in this drenching rain we are having in Sydney.
Make sure their well tied in and protected from the winds.
Hosing/misting the foliage will help on warm days and having damp rather than wet soil.
My choice would be to leave both trees to grow until this time next year before cutting back.
CHEERS

Thanks for your advice.

I've attached some photos of the windswept looking one incase it can be identified.

Cheers

Greg

Hi Greg , I wouldn’t worry too much about figs I have been “rescuing “ six so far from a building site since May and still on going with root prune and major cutback/defoliation,,, All have survived and are powering on just kept in a warm sunny North position water as needed Cheers Peter

Those terminal buds look like ficus. If it also has white sap that would be definite I think.
The leaves look thinner than the usual leathery leaves of F. rubiginosa. That may be just from growing in a shady place or it could be a different species like F. benjamina.

Yeah I thought it might be some sort of fig. Growing inside shed flush against heavily frosted glass which may explain the leaves.

Will be removing some of the useless branches soon so will feed back if it has the white sap.

In regards to the first fig, once cut back I am thinking of using one of the cutting ri graft a rear branch. Everything is very left to right at the moment.

Greg

Grafting is possible with figs but when pruned they shoot out new buds all over, even on older, bare wood so grafting is probably not worth the trouble. Just prune it when you want more branches.