Question
Hi
I have a 2 year old Banyan. (Ficus retusa). Its 14 inches tall. and has quite a lot of leaves. Most of the leaves are 2 inches in length. Which are the same size as the real tree.

The pot is 3 inches by 5 inches and 2 inches deep.

The tree is very healthy no signs of weekness.

I want to reduce the size of its leaves. I don't know how to do this. I also want to know how the leaves can be spaced closer.

Thank you

Answer
You can defoliate a Ficus.  This means you cut all of the leaves off of the tree.  Leave the little stem that connects the leaf to the branch but remove the leaves.  In a couple of weeks the tree will start to produce new leaves and new little branches.  These new branches will have shorter internodes(the distance between leaf attatchments).

The new leaves will also be smaller.

Vance Wood.