I have a ficus benjamina that is probably 15 years old. It has grown very tall and leggy, with green growth mainly at the top. Would it be possible to air-layer the trunk about halfway up so it forms roots there and could be replanted? If not, any suggestions for making it shorter would be much appreciated! Thanks so much!
Welcome to the Forums. Here are instructions on how to do it: Air-layering a Dicot Plant. It looks like the tree could benefit from a better location. If that is not possible, then it should be rotated regularly so that it does not grow in a lopsided manner.
It looks like the main stem is fairly old so use rooting hormone that's for hardwood. Please let us know how it turns out. Good luck.
Personally, I would cut off the top and repot the bottom 2 feet or so (with root) in a slightly larger pot. Find find a location where it will get lots of bright light/no direct sun. Fertilize regularly. I think you are more likely to achieve a larger, healthy and attractive plant in a shorter space of time than by air-layering various branches above. You could try taking cuttings from small branches in the part cut off. I fertilize my Ficus benjamina with Schultz 10-15-10 Liquid Plant Food every time I water but I've read that slow-release fertilizers work well too.
Thanks, Margot, I will give that some thought. The lower part of the tree has no green to speak of... I assumed if I cut the top off the whole thing would die (but that's why I'm asking for advice - I know very little about plants). I have been fertilizing it regularly but as you see from the photo, it is in a very poor location where only the top of the tree gets good light (although there is also a skylight above it, which you can't see in the photo). If I can make it smaller I can put it in a much better location. :-)
