How Does My "Ficus" Grow?

Hello All,

*

I hope you can tell from the picture:




[align=left]1. This is a Ficus....isn't it? It doesn't bare fruit but after looking at the pics on Google for Ficus Trees I didn't see any that look like this.....maybe I didn't look far enough.[/align]



[align=left]2. I believe it is in OK condition except it has been neglected.[/align]



[align=left]3. How do I prune it to get it back looking nice?[/align]



[align=left]My experience with Ficus is they are very sensitive and every time it is moved it "rains leaves". With it being this temperamental is it still OK to prune it as any other tree?[/align]



[align=left]*[/align]



[align=left]I finally found a place it seems to really likes* and that is in the breakfast nook of our kitchen, in front of a bank of windows that allow for a SSE exposure. This means that it gets good direct sun light,*year round, until about 11:00 - 12:00 AM.[/align]



[align=left]As far as watering and feeding it .... I usually wait until the soil is really dry and then about 3 times each year I give it a feeding of Miracle Grow rose food.[/align]



[align=left]It has to be a hearty plant as it is at least 12 -14 years old but I have always been afraid to cut it back but it is in need of some attention. I had surgery for cancer and there was no one who tended my plants like I try to do and I lost several others. This tree used to be quite lush and full now I need to get it back in shape.[/align]
[align=left]Please see attached photo.[/align]
Thanks,

k4lop

(Gerry)

*

[Newt]

Gerry, I'm so glad you are feeling better.* I realize your picture is a bit small, but your Ficus benjamina aka weeping fig, looks pretty good to me.* It will never be a full and lush bush again as it wants to be a tree.* It may need repotting if it continues to lose leaves.* Ficus are famous for that, just look at them wrong and they drop their leaves.*

I too water mine when dry, it's in a sw facing corner window and I fertilize when I think of it with fish emulsion mixed with sea weed or any of the others I use.* I often add a tablespoon* of milk to the watering can or use cooled water from steaming veggies or cooled water from hard or soft boiled eggs.

You can prune it as you would prune any tree.* Remove any dead branches at any time.

Newt