Question
I have a fichus tree that is 7.5 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide and has the trunk is about 2 inches wide. It is located next to a large window on the north side of the house and was doing quite well until I broke the pot I was using when I took the tree out to cut back its roots because it was loosing leaves from being root bound. The new pot I purchased is 20" across and 17" deep but the tree does not like it because I have to water from the top. Controlling the moisture level is very difficult and the tree is not doing well. I have not been able to find a self watering pot that I feel is large enough to maintain this tree.  My questions are how often should the roots be cut back, what size and type of container should I be looking for, and where to find it? Am I maybe trying to use too large a container for the tree? The pot that broke was a Misco Self watering pot but the largest I have found is only about 14".  Thank you for any help you can give.

Answer
Vilma,

I do not feel that a self watering pot is the best pot for a ficus tree. When you first removed it from the pot did you find all tan and wiry looking roots? Or were roots black and mushy in spots? I find self watering pots keep the plants roots too wet. Ficus treess need alternating periods of moist then dry. In a pot with drainage holes and a drainage tray you should water the plant thoroughly then 2 hours later empty the drain tray with a turkey baster. Then insert a long bamboo skewer (like you would use in making shish kabobs) into the soil and after about 7 days pull it out, if it is dry it is time to water, if it is still wet wait and check it 2 days later. It should not be watered until the skewer is dry. The roots need a dry period before being watered again to breath in carbon dioxide through the soil or they begin to rot. If they are kept constantly moist as they are in a self watering pot you end up with yellow leaves from rotting roots. What size pot was it in before? I reccommend you buy a plain pot with a diameter no larger than the one it was in previously. The 20" pot sounds huge unless you want this tree to grow to be 20 foot tall.  I would prune the roots and   put it in a pot no larger than 16 inch ddiameter.Otherwise your tree will outgrow your home quickly. If you have more specific questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene