QuestionQUESTION: I just got a ficus tree that is about 25 years old. I need general info on how to care for it. It is dropping some leaves now, but has been neglected for awhile. It's previous owner passed away. It is about 5-6 foot tall, with two trunks. It is in a pot about 11 inches across. What are watering and light requirements? Also, should it be repotted? How long does it need to adjust to it's new home before I prune it a bit? These are all new to me.
ANSWER: Hi Tracy, well you inherited probably the easiest tree to care for, it is one of most resilient of foliage trees; just give it water when it is dry, and partial shade to full sun (it doesn't matter), fertilize twice a year with 10-10-10 granular and thats about it, you really would be hard pressed to kill it even if you did nothing but water it occasionally; one word of caution however, don't put it directly in the ground, for it has a very invasive root system, repot it if you want it to grow bigger. Nick
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks, Nick, for the info. What about pruning? Any tips? Also, how long should I wait for it to adjust to it's new home. I have it in my sun room for now, so it is getting lots of light, but that room gets very warm in the summer and pretty cool in the winter. It is not heated or air cond. out in that room, we just leave the door open to the rest of the house that is. Will this be a problem for the tree. My other house plants do o.k. with this.
Answer...that will do just fine, Ficus is not fussy but mist it occasionally to keep spider mites at bay; pruning is done only for aesthetics, round it or however you want it to look, many people shape it topiary style too...but it doesn't need it from a functional standpoint. Nick
