The Ficus Ginseng (botanically correct Ficus microcarpa) is a very popular houseplant thanks to its bizarre growth. However, it takes many years until it reaches the desired shape with the typical aerial roots and this requires targeted pruning.
How do I cut a Ficus Ginseng correctly?
To properly cut a Ficus Ginseng, wear gloves and use sharp, clean tools. For normal houseplants, remove dry or diseased shoots; For bonsai, care every five to six weeks. Root pruning is possible, but proceed with caution.
Pruning a “normal” houseplant
Without pruning, the Ficus Ginseng in the apartment reaches a size of around one and a half to two meters. Pruning is not necessary for the he althy development of the plant. If you have enough space, you don't need to prune your ficus. In a well-chosen location it is relatively easy to care for.
Dry or diseased shoots should of course always be removed promptly. You can also safely shorten branches that grow too densely or cross each other. If your Ficus Ginseng becomes too massive over time, thin out the crown a little.
Cutting the Ficus Ginseng as a bonsai
The Ficus Ginseng is often grown as a bonsai. Then it needs slightly different care and a targeted cut. Interestingly, you can even design the bizarre aerial roots according to your ideas through appropriate cutting measures and subsequent grafting. A maintenance cut is recommended approximately every five to six weeks.
Pruning the root ball
Pruning the roots of Ficus Ginseng is only necessary when training it as a bonsai, but can also be used to make the aerial roots attractive. Do this carefully and leave enough roots to ensure an adequate water supply in the future. Ideally, you should combine the root cutting with the repotting of your ficus ginseng.
What should I pay attention to when cutting?
Like other Ficus species, the Ficus microcarpa produces a milky sap that irritates the skin. Therefore, you should always wear gloves when pruning your laurel fig. Cleaning and caring for the tool is just as important. Blunt tools easily cause injuries to the plant being trimmed and pathogens can be transmitted due to a lack of cleanliness.
In principle, pruning is possible all year round if your Ficus Ginseng is cultivated as a houseplant. The prerequisite for this is an ambient temperature of around 20 °C. After a cool winter, spring is particularly suitable for pruning.
The most important things in brief:
- Wear gloves, the plant sap irritates the skin
- very cut-friendly
- Pruning encourages branching
- does not grow out of old wood
- do not cut strong branches during the growth phase
- Treat larger cuts with wood ash or wound closure
- Pruning is not absolutely necessary for houseplants
- remove diseased or dried shoots as soon as possible
- Root cutting possible
Tip
When pruning your Ficus Ginseng, wear gloves to avoid contact with the plant sap and skin irritation.
