sortiwa
Ficus trees go by many names: figs, weeping figs, and Benjamin figs are the most common names sold under the label “ficus trees” in stores. In tropical climates (such as in Asia and Australia), they can grow to 30 to 60 feet tall and spread as wide as 100 feet. Here in Oregon, however, the climate is much cooler, the growing season is shorter, and the temperature doesn’t support that kind of spread. Some ficus can live outside in Oregon, but most ficus in the Pacific Northwest are grown in containers, mostly because their roots can be so far-spreading and go so deep that they’ve been known to break sewer lines and crack foundations. Grown in pots, you’re also able to control the size and possibly take it inside in the coldest temperatures.
Ficus trees are popular office plants and houseplants because they look like a typical tree. Recently, it has become popular to braid their pliable trunks together. These little trees keep their shape no matter how large or small they are, so you know how they’re going to grow and won’t need a lot of pruning or shaping.
Here are five other facts about growing ficus trees in Oregon.
Ficus Trees Need Sunshine
Remember that your ficus is a tropical plant, and it likes warmth. Place it or plant it in a spot where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight every day. If you’re able to, bring your ficus inside during the winter so that it’s warmed by at least the ambient temperature inside. However, if the tree or the container is too large to bring inside, it can be placed by a wall that absorbs the sun’s light and keeps it warmer that way through radiant heat.
Generally speaking, ficus trees like consistent temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In the fall or winter, water it less and earlier in the day so that there’s less of a chance of it freezing overnight. Give it a good layer of mulch in the fall as well, to protect the roots.
Ficus trees are finicky, and they’ll let you know when they’re unhappy. If the temperatures are too low for a few days in a row, they’ll drop leaves and slow their growth. Make sure to place your indoor ficus tree away from drafts as well—if you place it by a window, check that the window is sealed and closes well.
A Humid Environment Is Important
Give your ficus enough water and humidity—but don’t overdo it. Ficus trees like high humidity, so give it a good misting a couple of times a day. You could also set the tree on a pebble tray filled with water. The thing about ficus is that while they enjoy having the humidity around them, they don’t like having their roots soaking wet for long periods of time, so make sure they have a draining tray so that they aren’t drowning after you water them.
Give them a good watering every one or two weeks or when you notice that the soil around their roots is dry. If the soil is still wet from the last watering, don’t worry about watering it today. It will protest the same way if the temperature is incorrect: the leaves will turn yellow and drop off if it’s getting too much water or not enough.
Fertilize in the Spring and Summer
Fertilization is important since ficus trees tend to grow quickly at first. They’ll need lots of nutrients in the spring and summer, so give them a good dose of fertilizer once every two or three months in the spring and summer every year. Some ficus growers will tell you to not fertilize in the fall or winter at all, but some suggest fertilizer once or twice throughout the fall and winter months as well. Pay attention to your tree and decide on a month-by-month basis. If the tree has deep green leaves and looks happy but it’s the middle of November, maybe skip the fertilizer this month and go back to it in December.
The best fertilizers for potted ficus plants are ones designed for indoor plants. Make sure that it’s rich in nitrogen and that it’s water-soluble or liquid. Slow-release is also good.
Despite fertilizing frequently, the tree will strip all the nutrients out of the soil in its pot or container, so you’ll want to replace the soil in the container every three years or so.
Prune Only Young Ficus Trees
No matter the size of your ficus, pruning should only be done in the first one or two years. You won’t need to shape the tree very much since it naturally achieves the weeping fig shape. You can prune away dead branches at any time of the year, but any pruning made with the purpose of shaping should be completed after the new growth stops in the late summer or early fall. The optimal time could be as you bring your outdoor ficus trees inside for the fall and winter.
Take your set of small pruning shears—the best kind is the shears designed for fine or close work on narrow stems. Make sure the shears are clean before you start. Once you’ve identified a branch you would like to prune away, locate a node, that is, where the leaf or twig joins the stem or the branch. Make your cuts on a slight downward slant before the node and cut close to the node without cutting into it. You’ll want to leave at least one node for new growth on that stem for next year. To take an entire branch off, cut it back to just before the trunk or the limb and don’t leave any nodes.
Keep an Eye Out for Pests
Ficus trees are, unfortunately, vulnerable to several pests, so in order to prevent infestations, treat your trimmed branches by whitewashing the cut ends. You can buy a special tree wash available at local gardening stores, or you can use a white latex paint diluted by half with water. Do not use oil-based paint.
If you happen to notice an infestation of your stressed ficus tree (such as bugs in the plant itself or if it’s dripping “sap”), you can treat the tree with neem oil. It helps against pests such as mealybugs, scale, and spider mites.
At Mr. Tree, we can answer any other questions you might have about your ficus tree. We can help you prune it or maintain it as well. Contact us today to chat about your ficus or any other tree services you might need.
