The article pays attention to a number of current issues, each of which is directly related to ficus trees and rarely can be covered in such detail. It is recommended that you read the article about.
How to make ficus lush, thick and fluffy at home
What to do to make the ficus quickly take root, branch and give off lateral shoots, and be beautiful
In order for the plant to begin to branch as quickly as possible and produce lateral shoots, it is necessary to do regular pruning, as well. New branches will begin to appear on the sides, the flower will become beautiful.
How to make a ficus bonsai yourself, a short master class
In order for the roots to form a crown in accordance with the bonsai style that you have chosen, you need to prune the shoot several times, so growth in height will be stopped. Pruning is carried out until the desired volume of the trunk is obtained.
You can use a garter or use wire. The top is attached to the base of the tree. And with the help of wire you can give the required form branches. After a few weeks it will be possible to remove it.
How to form a ficus in the form of a standard
To make a ficus standard, you need to start removing the side shoots almost immediately after planting, only 5 shoots remain. As soon as the desired growth is achieved, you need to stimulate the growth of the side branches; for this, those on top are pinched.
This is not the first time I have been asked this question this spring.
I had a similar experience, so I’ll share how I stimulated my old ficus trees to perform this feat.
During the winter, many ficus trees lose their leaves due to the difficulties of wintering in an apartment. Dry air due to heating system, little light, and at the same time cold window sills - this is the main scourge for indoor plants that winter in the cold climate of our country.
But besides this, there is one more reason - the trunks below become exposed over time due to natural causes. The tree grows, the crown develops in the upper part, and at the bottom the trunk becomes bare. This happens to all trees in the wild.
So my ficus, having reached its maximum growth, as much as the room conditions and the size of the pot allowed it, exposed the trunks in the lower part. And the top of his head rested on the ceiling. It felt cramped on the windowsill, but you can’t put it on the floor either: it’s too dark, because I live in the Urals - we’ve had dark winters in recent years.
But I decided to try to improve the situation.
There are several ways to force a mature tree to grow young branches in the lower woody part of the trunk.
1. trimming the crown.
2. tilting the trunk to a horizontal position.
3. stimulation of dormant buds with an incision.
I didn’t have one trunk, but several plants growing in a pot at once.
I took the simplest route. I cut off the top of the trunks.
But in order for young shoots to come from the lowest tier, they usually cut the tree low - almost a quarter, or even a third of the trunk.
But since I didn’t want to shorten the ficus too much, I decided to use all three methods at once, but a little at a time.
That is, the tops of the heads were shortened by only 20 or 30 centimeters.
But she spread the trunks from the center to the sides with the help simple device. Any “wheel” that can be found in the house will do.
You can use this support for flowers.
Thus, all individual trunks received enough light and at the same time a more horizontal tilt.
But I didn’t stop there.
I lightly scratched the bark at the bottom of the trunk above the dormant buds in the places where I wanted branches.
And I regularly sprayed these places with water with a drop of biostimulant - Epin.
I also put the ficus on the balcony - where it had light. This important condition- carry out all these activities in the spring, when active sap flow and a lot of light begin.
Of course, one must also take into account the risk of direct sunlight. Need or glass balcony, or cut when the ficus has gradually become accustomed to street conditions.
And then new branches began to appear!
Both at the top and at the very bottom. 
I left only those that grew outward rather than inside the crown.
And those that grew strictly horizontally were bent and tied to the main trunk to correct their position.
There were also those who grew completely downward. Their growth was also corrected.
Soon my ficus became “fluffy” again. And after standing on the balcony in the summer, it acquired thick, bright green foliage.
Ficus can be formed into a beautiful bonsai-style tree, a ball or a lush bush. A large assortment varieties and various trimmings they don't allow it capricious plant use in different styles.
About how to prune ficus correctly, as well as necessary care after the procedure, we will tell you in the article.
Ficus is one of the most flexible indoor plants. Among the representatives of this mulberry family there are about 1,000 various types. Only a few of this variety are grown at home or in greenhouses:
Lat. Ficus (photo)
Ficus rubber or Ficus elastica. Under natural conditions of existence in tropical rainforests, these evergreen trees grow to a height of about 25 meters.
IN room conditions only a few specimens reach more than one and a half meters. Branch bark Brown. Leaves in at a young age he has them twisted into a tube. Then they unfold into large dark green, leathery, shiny leaves up to 20 cm in length.
You can grow a large specimen if you place it in a bright place. The plant should be fully illuminated for three hours a day. sun rays. Watering is needed abundantly, but not frequently. The elastic should dry out a little before the next watering.
Ficus lyreformes. Homeland of this beautiful plant- West Africa. The tropical forests of the southern continent determined the nature of this ficus. When cultivated indoors, the flower does not grow small. It needs a lot of space.
It is better to grow this beauty in a greenhouse, winter garden or at warm balcony. The main condition for growing this type of ficus is good lighting. Direct sunlight should not fall on the leaves of the plant. At midday it is better to shade it from the active sun. This could be a light organza curtain on the balcony windows.
Ficus dwarf, Ficus ivy or Ficus pumila. Many varieties with green or variegated leaves have been developed. This little ficus is completely different from its giant brothers.
It has rounded leaves and is a ground cover or hanging plant. Mini ficus can play the role of a soloist in a flowerpot or ground cover plant in a tub with larger neighbors. loves water and light.
Ficus carica. This plant is also known as fig tree, fig tree, fig tree. The species began to be grown as indoor plant recently. It turned out that keeping such exotic things in the house is not difficult. In summer, figs need to be provided with more warmth and light.
Ficus cuttings (photo)
In winter, you need to place the pot in the coolest place in the room. The plant is deciduous and in winter it does not need light at all.
It loves loose soil, abundant watering, fertilizing and spraying. But all this needs to be done in the summer. IN winter time figs need rest.
Ficus willow. A fast-growing plant with narrow leaves capable of good care move others indoor flowers. Its dimensions must be taken into account when purchasing for non- large rooms.
This type of ficus is quite unpretentious and can tolerate irregular watering, dry air, and stagnant water. But you shouldn’t abuse these qualities.
Ficus bengal or banyan tree. It was this type of plant that laid the foundation. This was due to the remarkable quality of the plant to form aerial roots.
In tropical forests, thickets of such ficus trees serve as a refuge for animals. They make entire tents. Its leaves are velvety. The young tree is quite decorative. Over time, it loses integrity. Individual shoots and aerial roots require supports for development and growth.
Ficus benjamina. This is a plant for large rooms and winter gardens. With good care and correct formation crown, it quickly grows into a tree. Ficus does not like low temperatures. The lowest limit for it is 17 °C. Frequent watering has a bad effect on the condition of the roots. We will tell you further how to trim ficus benjamina at home.
Each type of ficus in its arsenal also has various varieties. This plant can appear in various forms from a huge tree to a baby or a vine.
There's another one interesting variety of the described plant - ficus curly. The leaves of such a tree can curl both evenly and asymmetrically. If the foliage has uniform curves, then the color is also uniform, rich and dark green. The leaves are shiny and have a glossy sheen.
The main feature of caring for this species is good lighting, but without direct sunlight. Also, it is better to immediately choose a place for such a pet and disturb it as little as possible. The crop may begin to shed its leaves if the tree is moved.
Correct watering is important in care, as well as bathing and spraying on hot summer days. How to trim such a ficus? The rules are not particularly different from those that apply to other varieties. But, it is better to trim the branches of a curly plant regularly.
Types of pruning
Is it possible to prune ficus? All types of ficus respond well to pruning. It must be done with a clean, sharp instrument. To do this, it is wiped with an alcohol solution before and after trimming.
How to prune ficus correctly? Green stems are cut horizontally, and rough wooden stems are cut at an angle of 45°. Whenever pruning, do not leave long stumps. This can lead to infection at the cut site. Aesthetically, such pruning does not decorate the plant. How to trim a ficus so that it is fluffy, curly and beautiful?
Bansaya from ficus (photo)
Pruning is used for various purposes:
Correction of the crown shape. This procedure is carried out in March. Branches that have stretched over the winter are cut back to their previous level. The shape of the plant is put in order. For these jobs, manicure scissors or special miniature scissors for trimming the thin ends of branches are more suitable.
To create a bonsai style composition. In some types of ficus aboveground part not so decorative. But the roots! Such plants are grown only for this dramatic picture. With age, the roots become very thick and bizarrely curved if, when planting, they are placed above ground level.
In this case, the ficus trunk is cut short, leaving a small stump. New branches quickly grow from it. Such exotic plants effective and undemanding. Thick roots can go without water for a long time. Minimal foliage does not require good lighting.
Sanitary pruning. This type of pruning can be done throughout the season, cutting out dead, broken or weak branches.
Plant formation. Ficus can be grown as a tree, in standard form, or as a bush with several shoots. All these shapes are achieved by pruning.
Some experimentation enthusiasts plant two to four plants at once in one spacious pot. If you plant ficus elastica in this way, then at a certain height these plants can be intertwined. allows you to do this without damaging the plant.
New sprouts after pruning (photo)
As they grow, they are adjusted to remain in this position. There are clamps for this. They can be purchased in bonsai departments. After some time, the intertwined trunks form a beautiful picture.
The standard form of the plant is also created by pruning. The lush crown in the shape of a ball is formed in three tiers. It is good to use ficus Benjamin or Elastica for such experiments.
Making a standard from an adult tree is not a pleasant task. A lot of effort and energy can be wasted.
Best used for growing young plant. His height is early age limited to one central shoot. All other laterals are removed. The crown should begin at a distance of about 50 cm from the soil surface.
The ratio of crown and trunk height of 1:1 is optimal from an aesthetic point of view. It stays firmly on the feet and proportionality plays into the hands of any style. In each specific case, the gardener chooses his own type of plant. It depends on the type of ficus and on the pot in which it lives.
The ficus bush can also be given almost any shape. The main thing is not to rush. Heavy pruning will not work good results. Everything must be in moderation, otherwise the plant will weaken.
Rejuvenating or restorative pruning. As a result poor care or force majeure in the form of unforeseen frosts, the plant may suffer, dry out or freeze.
But don't give up. Ficus recovers quickly provided correct pruning and subsequent resuscitation. The plant is completely pruned. Only one stump remains.
Due to its powerful roots, with good care, it quickly produces shoots.
Place of trimming (photo)
Getting a lush crown. Ficus benjamina develops a denser crown with regular pruning or pinching of the tips of the shoots. The buds below the cutting point should be towards the outside of the plant. After the procedure, side shoots will grow from them.
Reduction in leaf size. To make the whole plant proportional, sometimes the top is pinched or all the leaves are removed. After this procedure, smaller leaves grow. Such a decisive action is only necessary if the plant is fully confident of recovery and good care subsequently.
Not all types of ficus begin to branch after pruning the central shoot. Even after pruning, rubber ficus leaves only one shoot left. Having decided on the type of pruning that is required for the flower, you need to choose the right time of year for this.
Trimming time and tools
Performing formative pruning during the dormant period will weaken the plant. If there is insufficient light after pruning, the shape of the ficus may become one-sided. This deficiency is quite difficult to eliminate.
That is why it is necessary to observe the time frame within which the ficus can be pruned:
Ficus, which is ready for pruning (photo)
Formative pruning is carried out only during the period active growth. This period begins indoors at the end of February and ends at last days July.
Sanitary pruning can be carried out throughout the year. Sometimes, in some types of ficus, the opportunity to see weak and diseased branches among the lush crown appears only after the leaves have been shed. Dry branches must be cut out.
For pruning you need:
- Secateurs
- Gardening scissors
- Miniature garden shears
- Garden var
- Alcohol solution
Before pruning, all tools should be checked for sharpness of blades. Sharpen if necessary. Then they are treated with an alcohol solution.
After pruning, the cut area should be covered with garden varnish to prevent germs and pests from getting on it.
When pruning, the gardener should be guided by plant safety measures and a sense of his own intuition. By combining these qualities, you can subsequently obtain excellent results.
We would like to note that all tools that were used to trim the described plant must be disinfected at the end of the procedures. If the tree shows signs of disease and sanitation is carried out, it is necessary to re-disinfect after removing all affected shoots before moving on to healthy branches.
In addition to alcohol, you can also use a strong solution of manganese or bleach. If the plant looks lethargic or has recently experienced a pest attack or disease, you should not correct the shape of the crown. At such a time, you can only do remedial pruning if necessary.
Caring for the plant after pruning
Depending on the type of pruning, it may vary.
If the plant is grown as a single stem, then after its formation begins, watering should be reduced slightly so that the water gradually reaches the entire height and the side shoots do not tend to grow.
When rejuvenating pruning or to restore a lost plant, watering should be plentiful and regular along with weekly fertilization.
When carrying out formative pruning during the period of active development, watering should fill the plant with strength. Therefore, once a week, water-soluble microfertilizer for indoor flowers should be present in the water for irrigation.
The next, second in a week, watering is done with clean, warm, settled water. room temperature. But it must be combined with foliar feeding drug HB-101.
Loosening the soil is an essential step in plant care. An alternative is to mulch the soil with moss or pebbles. They also serve as decoration for the entire composition.
We would like to note that shoots cannot be removed if there is another disease-affected flower next to the plant chosen for work. Even if it has dried leaves or a limp appearance, this may indicate an infection.
The fact is that after formation, any plant is vulnerable for some time, therefore, it is important to provide it comfortable conditions recovery.
After the procedure, the plant needs a gentle regime. It is important that the crown is not exposed to direct sunlight. You can even put the tree in a slightly shaded place for a week.
Although after such work the flower needs to regain its strength, it cannot be fertilized in the next 3-4 weeks. This will only harm the plant. Also, for the first time after pruning, you should not apply products with a large amount of nitrogen. It is better to choose fertilizers with a predominance of potassium.
Every gardener who grows trees wants to see beautiful branched trees, and even with intricately woven trunks.
But not everyone knows how to form a ficus at home.
Moreover, these plants only grow upward and will not develop a lush crown without human help. We will talk about the methods and rules for creating a thick green crown.
Did you know? The ancestors of ficuses are 30-meter trees typical of the Indian jungle with giant horizontal branches and rounded meter-long leaves. In their shadow they can hide up to 300 square meters land.
Description and characteristics of culture
At first glance, it seems that the process does not require additional skills and knowledge; in fact, all of the above also requires talent and patience. Let's take a closer look at how to make a ficus branch.
Regular
Any work aimed at developing the lateral branches of a plant using conventional technologies, should be carried out between February and July. If you ignore this rule, the plant may have enough strength to develop a single sprout; in this case, the ficus will grow in only one direction.
The method consists of pinching the apical shoots of a young ficus. Experiments on old specimens may end up killing them, since it is very difficult to awaken dormant buds. 
Thus, a bush can be created from a straight trunk. To ensure its uniform rounding, gardeners recommend exposing it to the sun on different sides, periodically turning the pot.
Some craftsmen resort to using cytokinins - hormones that slow down the aging process of the plant organism and without removing the apical bud, they stimulate the development of its lateral branches.
This method is very effective because during treatment, hormonal substances do not delay deciduous processes, due to which the lower zone of the flower remains covered with foliage.
You can do without additional funds by bending a thin trunk into an arc so that its top points down. Then growth hormones will accumulate in the upper part of the bend, and the lateral buds will sprout. The disadvantage of this method is that it slows down the development of stems.
Also influence the shape of the crown indoor tree possible by adjusting the lighting. This method is good for correcting malformed plants. In direct sunlight they may get severe burns, but diffused light from the south side is just what you need.
Another effective way make a tree branch - trim the bark above the bud.
Botanists call the technology kerbovka and advise making deep and wide cuts at the bottom of the lignified trunk. 
Unusual (weaving, circular lattice, standard wood formation)
Sometimes the beautiful tangles of ficus stems created by flower growers take your breath away. It turns out that you can create such masterpieces at home.
In order to do ficus weave, the first thing you need to do is plant several equally developed shoots up to 15 cm long in one pot. Two shoots growing side by side will create a marvelous spiral, three will create a braid, four or more will create an unusual lattice. It is important to provide for places where thickenings will form in the future, and leave gaps, as well as pinch off the side shoots.
To obtain flat fence , plants are planted at a certain distance on the same line. And when the stems reach the desired height, they are connected with special clamps or ordinary thread or polyethylene tape. Moreover, as they grow, the compression is slightly loosened so that unaesthetic scars do not form on the bark.
To speed up the process, experts advise carefully cutting off the bark at the junction of the shoots to create a kind of grafting. 
Important! The foliage of the rubber ficus curls due to excess or lack of moisture.
A circular trellis can be created by planting young plants in a circle. To get a trunk in the shape of an extended spring, a peg is stuck into the center of the pot and flexible stems are wrapped around it, removing side branches as necessary.
The pinnacle of perfection can be called the shape of ficuses curled around a moss (coconut) column. Its moist base constantly nourishes the plant, stimulating the growth of aerial roots. This promotes intensive interweaving and merging of sprouts.
If these procedures seem too labor-intensive to you, you can experiment with creating a trunk shape. To do this, on a young flower it is necessary to pinch off the apical bud after it reaches the desired height. Usually for floor-standing specimens this is done at a level of 1 meter. The side branches are cut so that the cut passes over the bud facing away from the bark.
But this is not the limit of the fantasies of flower growers: a unique form can be created from tall ficus, forming a multi-tiered standard from it. To do this, the first step is to remove the upper growth point, conditionally divide the trunk into several parts and give them a rounded shape. The spaces between the tiers are cleared of all branches and foliage.
Did you know? The oldest rubber ficus called "Homera tree" grows in Buenos Aires. He was imprisoned back in 1781. Over time, the branches of the green giant sagged greatly, so they were strengthened with concrete supports.
How to form a rubber-bearing ficus at home
Whatever technology you choose for your rubber ficus, in order not to destroy it, it is important to know how to correctly form the crown, which you can choose from a photo on the Internet or a magazine or book. In addition, you need to strictly follow the rules, which can be divided into several groups. Let's take a closer look at each.
No ficus pruning
If you stimulate the growth of lateral branches with the help of special preparations, lighting and other tricks, it is important to consider:
- The growth of ficus branches can be regulated by manipulating the pot and directly with the plant itself. The principle of all procedures comes down to giving the sprouts a vertical position.
- A bud that has frozen in growth will go up if the container with the flower is tilted so that the future shoot looks up.
- A horizontally inclined branch will grow branches in the upper zone.
- On a drooping stem, lateral branches will actively develop, and the trunk will also strengthen.
- One-sided specimens will sprout on the other side if they are turned with their bare trunk towards the sun.
- A multi-tiered ficus can be achieved much faster by planting sprouts of different heights in one container.
- Additional fluorescent lamps will speed up the appearance of a rounded ficus crown.
- In order for the woven trunks to evenly grow the green cap, the pot must be periodically turned to the sun on different sides.
- When there is sufficient humidity in the room, ficus plants take on aerial roots. They are under no circumstances removed, but sent to the soil.
- Among cytokinins, the drugs “Cartolin” (can be labeled 2 or 4), “Benzyladenine”, “Zeatin” have an impeccable reputation. It is important to use them strictly following the attached instructions.
Did you know? In India, the homeland of rubber-bearing ficus trees, local residents used them to create pedestrian bridges. The base and handrails were woven from the branches and aerial roots of plants growing on the banks of ponds. In some cases, the length of such structures reached more than 30 m.
With trim
There are nuances when forming ficus using tools:
- In cases of creating a bush-like crown, the cut of the apical bud should be at a level of 10-15 cm from the ground. You can leave no more than 4 sheets.
- Pinching of lateral buds is carried out only on samples turned away from the bark. Otherwise, young shoots will greatly thicken the crown.
- All slices in mandatory wipe with a damp cloth until the milky juice stops secreting. Then it is treated with charcoal ground into dust.
- If the crown density is increased, some of the branches directed inward towards the central trunk are cut off.
- Kerbovka is carried out with a sharp instrument (preferably a blade or scalpel).
- Properly made cuts to the bark look arched, roof-shaped or transverse. If you are removing part of the bark above a kidney, do this procedure by cutting out a rectangle, triangle, or crescent.
- If you are faced with the task of correcting irregular shape tree or form a certain conceived figure, then it is worth resorting to grafting. The method is carried out by transplanting one plant to another, it is very labor-intensive and not always effective. The reason is the milky juice secreted from the cuts of both parts, which prevents the ficus from growing together.
- There should be no stumps after the cuts - this favorable environment for the formation of fungi.
Many gardeners are interested in how to prune ficus to create a crown in the most unusual, curly shape. When pruning, you should adhere to certain rules and nuances, and then the flower will receive an original, well-groomed and beautiful view. Ficus is great for those who prefer creativity to growing indoor plants.
Gardeners are debating whether it is possible to prune a ficus at home, and how to shape it so that the plant has normal growth. Many flower lovers successfully prune at home if there is a desire to give it some shape or if this is necessary for sanitary reasons.
For each type of pruning (lush small bush, branched crown) there is certain rule. Before you start pruning, you need to decide what the expected result will be. Not every variety of ficus (with a single shoot trimmed) will continue to grow well.
A rubber ficus that has been pruned can continue to grow with only one shoot. You can prune a plant that has short internodal distances. It is necessary to make a horizontal cut above the bud for an oblique shoot that has a thin or still green appearance. Whatever type of ficus is pruned, there is no need to leave large stumps. They can be sources of plant infection with fungal diseases.
Sanitary pruning of ficus is carried out at any time. This must be done in order to prevent poorly developed, broken and dried shoots from infecting the entire ficus.
A rejuvenating type of pruning is usually performed when a flower has dried shoots that have appeared as a result of a long lack of watering and drying out of the soil (this is especially true for dwarf plant species). When the trunk freezes in the upper part, you need to trim it “under the stump”. The ficus root shoots will quickly be able to resume their growth. After some time, you will need to take a stem to grow the plant in a standard or bush form. The main thing is that he has at least a few escapes. You can create a lush crown if the shoots are properly shortened or pinched.
Sanitary pruning and rejuvenation of ficus
Pruning a flower for sanitary purposes is not done to give the plant an attractive shape. This is necessary to get rid of unhealthy and weakened branches. This procedure can be performed at any time of the year. You should constantly monitor the ficus and eliminate all dry branches that were susceptible to attacks by harmful insects. This is necessary in order not to spread the infection to strong and healthy branches.
Anti-aging pruning will help if for some reason indoor ficus began to dry out, or the upper part was frostbitten when the plant was kept in unsuitable conditions.
You need to trim the branches, leaving only a stump. The ficus will recover thanks to growth from the roots. This method will work dwarf plants type of Carian ficus. Unpretentious plant no less in need of care and attention than a capricious one. Only then will it delight everyone with its beautiful appearance.
Having formed the plant correctly, you can make it grow in an arc, in the form of a bush or trunk. Flower growers who have enough behind them great experience, are able to perform very complex species trimmings. This can be a form of sculpture; it is permissible to decorate the top in the form of an unusual composition. The physiology of the plant should be taken into account so that the crown is correctly formed and the flower continues to live and grow.
New shoots almost always arise from buds - axillary and apical. The second type of shoots is located above the place where the leaf petiole attaches to the stem part of the plant. The apical bud develops more quickly, but the lateral buds develop more slowly.
The ideal period for pruning is spring, when the plant begins to actively grow. Pruning in the fall or winter can cause the flower to continue growing, bending to its side. In this case, even the most advanced care will not help him.
When pruning a plant, the cut should be made above the bud. Moreover, on thicker branches it should have a beveled appearance, on thin branches - straight. When pruning lateral shoots, you should take into account the direction of growth of the bud over which the cut was made.
The outward-facing bud is left to create a shoot that will emerge from the crown. The cut areas should be wiped with a damp cloth until the juice is completely absorbed, then sprinkled with a small amount of charcoal.
To trim ficus trees at home, you need to prepare the following materials:
- some charcoal;
- medical alcohol;
- potassium permanganate.
You should start pruning ficus at home in last days Martha. To prevent the plant from growing too tall, it is necessary to trim its top.
Before you start working, you should disinfect all tools so as not to infect the plant or harm it. For good growth axillary buds and shoots must be trimmed every year. This procedure will help them stay healthy.
The crown must be trimmed from the inside and outside, if the crown is shaded inside and the shoots growing inside are too overgrown. You need to regularly get rid of flabby leaves and shoots that have shed all their leaves. The main shoot needs to be pruned once a year to a height of 15-25 cm. Removed shoots should be left with no more than 6 leaves.
Ficus growing at home is sometimes formed in a tiered form. But to realize this idea, only an adult flower that has a well-formed central trunk is suitable.
You must adhere to the following pruning sequence:
- 1 When the plant grows to the right size, you can trim the top.
- 2 If a trunk with 2 levels is planned, the ficus crown is divided into 3 parts: the 1st and 3rd parts are placed on top (levels with a spherical shape), the 2nd part is between the levels, at which all shoots are removed.
- 3 When forming the 3rd level, the crown is divided into 5 parts. 1st, 3rd, 5th parts are future upper levels(they are made spherical), the 2nd and 4th parts become spaces between the levels at which all shoots are removed.
- 4 Levels can be formed from top to bottom, but the top of the stem is not removed until the plant reaches the required size.
Ficus does not require much attention. You just need to get rid of all the overgrown shoots on the bare area of the trunk, cut off the shoots that grow inside the crown and choke it. Can be made from ficus large figures, resembling an animal, cube, pyramid or ball.
Ficus crown formation
Many people who have such a wonderful plant at home are interested in how to properly prune a ficus. Usually the crown is made of 2, 3, 5 standard tiers. You need to leave a lot of shoots (the distance between them should be about half a meter), and cut the rest shorter.
Any number of tiers can be formed. For a floor ficus, it is permissible to make several tiers; it can grow up to 3 m and higher. You can also cut it in a circle, semicircle or give it another shape.
Small ficus trees make excellent original sculptures. Creation simple shapes requires only timely pruning of the bush. To implement complex shape, you will need to use a wire frame. To do this, you need to plant at least 3 plants in one container and weave their trunks together.
Typically, ficus trees, which look like vines, grow in an arc. This is suitable for mountain, arrow-shaped and dwarf plant species. You need to place a fine mesh frame in the pot, forming an arc, and direct the shoots along it. Over time, the vines will entwine the entire frame of the base.
How to form a ficus crown with a standard? A young plant with a pronounced main trunk is ideal for this purpose.
The formation of a ficus in the form of a trunk is carried out in this way:
- 1 On the main trunk of the plant, regularly trim all side shoots, leaving only a couple of pieces at the top of the trunk.
- 2 When the plant reaches the required size (25-35 cm in height if it is placed on a windowsill, and 55-90 cm if on the floor), trimming the shoots on the sides stops.
- 3 Next, pinching the top of the plant is done.
- 4 When the branches on the sides are very elongated, you need to remove them above the bud looking outward.
Some people encounter a problem when the standard is not very stable. To make it stronger, you need to tie it to a peg, which can then be easily removed. All sections should be wiped with a damp cloth and sprinkled with crushed coal.
How to pinch a ficus?
You can form a ficus using pinching, which is a very important procedure in terms of caring for the plant. You should know the rules so as not to harm the flower.
For pinching you need to prepare:
- a basin of water;
- a rag;
- any disinfectant;
- sharpened knife.
Spring will be the ideal period for pinching. It is at this time that shoots appear faster. The wounds that may be inflicted during this procedure will heal very easily in the spring, and the plant will be less likely to get sick.
You should wait until the ficus grows to the desired size. Before the procedure, you need to treat the instrument with alcohol or other disinfectant. For work, you need to choose a well-sharpened knife, since the trunk of this plant is very difficult to cut. You can pinch ficus using 2 methods. If the height of the plant suits you and the top shoot is not very thick, you need to trim it a little below the point where it grows.
If the plant is tall enough, you need to prune it in a different way. Define required height, find a branch that is located below this point, and cut 6-9 cm above this branch. in this case the cut will be oblique. Its bottom should be placed at the level of the bud, on the other side of the trunk, and its top should be located immediately above the bud.
Using a damp cloth, you need to wipe off the juice that has flowed on the trunk. After this, the rag must be removed without squeezing it onto the cut. The water itself will prevent further release of juice. This completes the treatment of ficus wounds; then the plant itself will heal them.
After 30 days you should feed the plant. After that it will resume fast growth. Some people transplant the ficus into a pot that has a larger diameter, which is not necessary. It will be enough just to change the soil the first year.
After the procedure is completed, the formation of the plant crown continues. It's done next spring by pinching the shoots that are located on the sides. When cut, ficus releases juice, which is quite poisonous. Gloves should be worn when cutting and pinching. The main thing is that the juice of the plant in no case gets on the mucous membrane of the mouth and nose. After pinching and pruning, the ficus trunk will not grow.
When forming the crown, you should know that not every variety of ficus will be able to tolerate this procedure normally. Most often, wounds heal quickly, but side shoots do not always grow quickly. Therefore, you should observe the plant before pinching other shoots.
The crown can be formed using another method, for example, by planting several cuttings in a container at once.
Happy pruning and a gorgeous ficus!