Ficus plants are beautiful and vibrant indoor plants that can be found in almost every household. They are easy to grow, long-lasting, and require minimal maintenance. However, like most plants, ficus trees need periodic pruning to keep them healthy and looking their best. Pruning not only helps maintain the shape of your plant but also promotes new growth by removing dead or diseased branches.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about how to prune ficus properly!
When should you prune a Ficus?
The ideal time for pruning a ficus tree is during its growing season (usually from spring through summer). It’s important not to prune during the winter months when the plant enters dormancy as it may take longer for it to recover from any damage caused by trimming.
Tools needed for pruning a Ficus
Before diving into how-to-prune instructions, let’s first address what tools you will need:
1) Sharp pruners (secateurs)
2) Loppers
3) Gloves
4) A container or bucket (to collect debris)
Now that we have all our tools at hand let’s move onto specific steps involved in pruning a Ficus!
Step 1: Inspect Your Plant
Inspect your plant carefully before starting; look out for any dead or damaged stems/branches. This assessment will help determine which parts of the plant need attention.
Step 2: Start with Dead Branches
Begin by removing dead branches because they aren’t beneficial for your plant and can even attract pests/diseases if left on too long. Use sharp secateurs/large loppers if necessary and cut off each branch as close as possible to where it meets another branch/stem/trunk.
Step 3: Remove Damaged Branches
If there are any damaged parts of the stem/branch due to insect infestation or disease spread then eliminate those sections entirely using sharp tools; make sure to sterilize the pruners in between each cut to avoid spreading infection.
Step 4: Cut Back Overgrown Branches
It’s common for ficus trees to grow out of control and become too large. To address this issue, you’ll need to prune back any overgrown branches. Start by cutting the branch a few inches above a leaf node (the point where leaves emerge from the stem).
Step 5: Trim Uneven growth
The next step is trimming uneven growth; look out for misshapen stems or twisted branches that may detract from the overall appearance of your plant. Use sharp secateurs or loppers if necessary, making sure not to remove too much greenery in one go.
Step 6: Final Touches & Cleanup
Once you’ve finished pruning all sections of your Ficus tree, make sure no debris remains on it. You can use a clean damp cloth or spray bottle filled with water and gently rinse away any dust/dirt buildup from its leaves/stems.
Conclusion:
Pruning a ficus tree involves removing dead/damaged parts and promoting healthy new growth, which requires specific techniques and tools! But once done correctly, your plant will thrive with enough sunlight, water supply but most importantly – care!
