Question
I am trying to nurse a ficus tree I received from a florist when my sister died.  I know plants from a florist are not the best, but it has sentimental value.  I first put in my dining room with lots of indirect light.  All of the plants in there thrive, except this one.  I moved it onto my enclosed patio when I had to rearrange my dining room, thinking it would probably not survive.  To my surprise, it stopped dropping leaves and started growing new ones - looking very good.  since the bottom branches are bare, the new growth is causing it to bend and the bare branches are unsightly.  Should I cut off the top and replant or what do you recommend?

Answer
Donna,

Ficus is difficult to root by just cutting the top off. You should air layer the top off and that will give it roots before you remove it. You will find complete instructions for air layering at the following site:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/ornamentals/airlayer/airlayer.html

It is a fairly simple and reliable procedure if you follow the instructions. Once you air layer the top off you will have a trunk sitting there in a pot. Don't just pitch it. Ficus is very resilient. Set it outside in full sun and you should see new growth on it within a few weeks. Both trees will need to come back in when night temps start dropping below 50 degrees. When you bring them in set them in the sunniest location possible in your home, not in indirect light. Ficus loves the sun and the more it gets the less problems you will have. It loves a sunny south facing window with drapes and blinds open all day during the winter.

Your other option with out air layering would be to prune the tree back to where it only has a couple of leaves on each branch and set it outside in full morning sun. The pruning will force it to put out new growth lower in the plant. Good luck with whichever you decide to do.

Darlene