Ficus benjamina cultural questions

[smweaver]

Yes, I know this has nothing to do with orchids. But I figure (hope) that there are at least a few growers on this site who have this popular houseplant. I have a baby one that's currently around six feet tall. Got it at a garden center and although it looks like it's in need of being pruned (a massive amount of interior branches that appeals to no one but some unidentified bird in my neighborhood that keeps trying to build a nest within it), it wasn't cheap and I don't want to go wild with the pruners if there's a chance that this species doesn't react well to that sort of thing. Also, can it be acclimated to direct sunlight? I know it must like heat and humidity since it's started to put out lots of new growth since I put it out on the front porch (eastern light) last month. But I would like to move it to the back deck, which gets southern light all day. Does anyone know whether or not it can tolerate that kind of light level? Thank you!

Steve

[Bird Song Farm]

Hi Steve,
From my experience with Ficus Benjamina I would say yes. I lived in South Texas for a long time and always had at least one.
Now, with that said, you will need to acclimate the plant to the full sun very slowly. If you move it from the eastern exposure directly to the southern exposure it will burn the leaves.
Also, it will need a lot more water, once a day will not be enough. They like to be pot bound and there isn't much room for water in a root bound pot.
You might start by moving it to its new place and leaving it there for an hour more than what it is now getting for sun. Do this for a week and then leave it for 2 hours, etc. Watch it closely as you approach noon time. I hope you get the idea. If not let me know and I'll try to explain further.

Al

[Soonix]

Hey Steve,
I come from Bonaire and there most people have a ficus in the yard in full sun in the ground. We water once a week or so but the air is very humid. The only natural vegetation this island has is a variety of cacti and aloe.

I do second Al on getting it adjusted to the sun gradually otherwise the leaves will burn fall of and you have to start over again. If you prune it will grow like crazy, watch the "milk"/ sap when you prune as it can burn your skin.

Good Luck

[HorseChick]

I'm a professional interiorscaper and I have to say that both Soonix and BSF gave you excellent advice.

F. benjamina is grown as a hedge in South Florida and does quite well in direct sunlight. As they said, just do it gradually.

[smweaver]

Thanks, everybody, for your helpful responses. I'll transition the plant gradually to the back deck over the next couple of weeks.

Steve

[Bird Song Farm]

One more thing Steve. This fall you will need to reverse the process and put the plant in the brightest place you have in the house. You will still get some leaf drop but chances are you will have to prune anyway 'cause it's going to go nuts this summer.

AL

[smweaver]

Thank you, Al. It will be spending the winter in my south-facing sunroom, along with the orchids, a lemon tree, an orange jasmine tree, an oleander shrub, a bunch of cacti and whatever else might wind up in my collection over the summer. :-) I did go ahead and prune it just a little, mainly to open up the interior. I think it looks a lot better now; at least you can see the branches now, and it looks more like a tree rather than a green shaggy mophead. It got an hour more sunlight today than it's gotten before. So hopefully by moving it gradually into brighter light it will be able to take the ten hours of direct sun that the back deck gets. Thanks again for your help. It's much appreciated.

Steve

[Bird Song Farm]

You are most welcome Steve and that sunroom sounds fantastic!
The pruning will help and also make it grow faster.LOL

Have fun with your plants, they sure are a pleasure to have around.
AL