Ficus Benjamina Pruning

I prune my Ficus benjamina bonsai in preparation for the 2024 growing season. The top of the tree was congested, with several parallel branches. I reduce five larger branches down to three to improve the basic structure of the tree.

[@n8tyler]

Thanks for sharing...

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

Thanks for watching!

[@BonsaiBoise]

That's a pretty good size ficus! I'm guessing 6-8 years old? Btw, I think Nigel Saunders keeps his in the basement over winter at something like 40 - 50 degrees. I've left mine out overnight when it gets down to 40 but never below that. (I'm too scared).

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

Thanks! I've only had it since 2022. When I got it, it was a clump of maybe 5 trunks, most were maybe pencil sized, except this one which was a bit bigger. I would guess they were maybe 2-3 years since cuttings, so yeah, maybe 6 years old?
I've been impressed with how well the trunk has bulked up, especially since I don't feel like it's grown especially well for me. It does seem fine in my basement overwinter, where it gets down to 55 deg, it just doesn't grow much when it's that cold. I like how it takes off during the summer heat when all the temperate trees go dormant. Another reason to have some ficus I guess.
I plan to leave it out until lows drop below 45 deg F this year. I'm with you, I'd worry about anything below 40.

[@n8tyler]

Looks good...I haven't tried a ficus as of yet...How much time does this tree spend outside? Full sun? Any information would be appreciated...Thanks...

[@BonsaiNorthwest]

Thank you. Ficus are very forgiving and tolerate a variety of conditions. And in temperate climates, it's nice to have something that is green (and growing, if you have a nice grow light) during the winter. This tree doesn't spend much time outside - I've been bringing it out in mid-to-late June, and returning it inside in Sept-Oct, I believe. I haven't ever let it go below 40-45 deg F. The rest of the year it lives in my coolish basement (55-75 deg F) under a grow light.