Prune a “normal” houseplant
Without pruning, the Ficus Ginseng reaches a size of about one and a half to two meters in the apartment. A pruning is not necessary for the healthy development of the plant. So if you have enough space, you don't need to prune your ficus. In a well-chosen location, it is relatively easy to care for.
also read
- Repotting a Ficus Ginseng - tips and tricks
- Caring for a Ficus Ginseng properly - tips and tricks
- How big will my Ficus Ginseng get?
Dry or diseased shoots should of course always be removed promptly. You can also cut branches that are too dense or that cross one another without hesitation. If your Ficus Ginseng becomes too bulky over time, thin out the crown a little.
Cut the ficus ginseng as a bonsai
The ficus ginseng is often grown as a bonsai. Then he needs a little different care and a targeted cut. Interestingly, you can even shape the bizarre aerial roots according to your ideas with appropriate cutting measures and subsequent grafting. A maintenance cut is recommended about every five to six weeks.
Prune the root ball
A pruning of the roots of Ficus Ginseng is only necessary when training to become a bonsai, but it can also be used to make the aerial roots appealing. Proceed carefully and leave enough roots to ensure that there is sufficient water supply in the future. Ideally, you combine the root cut with repotting your ficus ginseng.
What should I watch out for when cutting?
Like other Ficus species, the Ficus microcarpa also produces a milky sap that irritates the skin. Therefore, you should always wear gloves when pruning your bay fig. Cleaning and maintaining the tool is just as important. Blunt tools easily cause injuries to the plant to be pruned and germs can be transmitted due to lack of cleanliness.
In principle, pruning is possible all year round if your Ficus Ginseng is cultivated as a houseplant. The prerequisite for this is an ambient temperature of around 20 ° C. After a cool winter period, spring is particularly suitable for pruning.
The essentials in brief:
- Wear gloves, the sap irritates the skin
- very easy to cut
- Cutting back encourages branching
- does not sprout from old wood
- Do not cut strong branches during the growth phase
- Treat larger cuts with wood ash or wound closure
- pruning is not absolutely necessary for indoor plants
- Remove sick or dried up shoots as soon as possible
- Root cut possible
Tips
Wear gloves when pruning your Ficus Ginseng to avoid contact with the sap and skin irritation.
