Should I repot a 20+ year old Ficus Benjamina?
My family has a ficus benjamina that has been in the same pot for at least a decade I’d say 😅 She went through a period where she lost most of her leaves and even though she has more now, she still has some yellowing leaves and not as many as she used to. The soil seems pretty compacted and hard, but water still goes through and seems to get absorbed. I’ve heard these can also be finicky trees when repotted.
So basically, I’m wondering should I repot her or would that do more damage than leaving her in her pot?
#Ficus #FicusGang #RepotSeason repotting">#repotting #HappyPlants
So basically, I’m wondering should I repot her or would that do more damage than leaving her in her pot?
#Ficus #FicusGang #RepotSeason repotting">#repotting #HappyPlants
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@RulerTaromojito Welcome to the Greg community! A Ficus Benjamina that's been in the same pot for ten years is likely to experience root-bound conditions and may exhibit signs of stress, such as reduced growth or leaf drop. While the plant can potentially thrive for many years with proper care, it's a good idea to consider repotting, especially if its roots are becoming constricted within the pot. Over time, the roots of a Ficus Benjamina can become tightly bound within the pot, preventing proper root growth and nutrient absorption. Root-bound plants may experience slower growth, reduced leaf production, and even leaf drop as they struggle to access sufficient water and nutrients. When repotting, consider lightly pruning the roots (removing a small portion, like 10-20%) to encourage new growth and prevent future root-bound issues. Ensure your Ficus Benjamina receives adequate light, water, and humidity, and consider fertilizing it regularly, especially if it's been in the same pot for a long time. Hope this helps, Happy Growing!!
Hi Cailey, welcome to Greg!
Repotting is probably the best choice. That said, it's going to be a tough job and you usually need to go up a pot size.
Personally, when I have a really big plant (looking at my 7' Ficus Elastica specifically) I will put new dirt on top to try and give it a refresh of nutrients, etc. It isn't going to buy you a ton of time but should at least help for a year if you need it. Plus, it's an easy temporary solution to ensure you have time to get a big enough pot, soil, lots of sunshine in the forecast, extra hands, etc.
Benjamin specifically will toss leaves at any change (mine does it when I bring it in for winter) and several times throughout. So don't be alarmed if it does shed after you repot. But that's why I recommend doing it when it will get as much sun as possible, because it won't have as many leaves to turn that sun into energy to recover.
One more (potentially tough) tip is to try and not disturb the roots. It looks like it is in an unglazed ceramic pot so likely you won't have a choice and that's ok. But if you can just pull it out of one pot and put it in another without messing with the roots you'll have a better chance at avoiding a full tantrum 😂
Repotting is probably the best choice. That said, it's going to be a tough job and you usually need to go up a pot size.
Personally, when I have a really big plant (looking at my 7' Ficus Elastica specifically) I will put new dirt on top to try and give it a refresh of nutrients, etc. It isn't going to buy you a ton of time but should at least help for a year if you need it. Plus, it's an easy temporary solution to ensure you have time to get a big enough pot, soil, lots of sunshine in the forecast, extra hands, etc.
Benjamin specifically will toss leaves at any change (mine does it when I bring it in for winter) and several times throughout. So don't be alarmed if it does shed after you repot. But that's why I recommend doing it when it will get as much sun as possible, because it won't have as many leaves to turn that sun into energy to recover.
One more (potentially tough) tip is to try and not disturb the roots. It looks like it is in an unglazed ceramic pot so likely you won't have a choice and that's ok. But if you can just pull it out of one pot and put it in another without messing with the roots you'll have a better chance at avoiding a full tantrum 😂
@Ms.Persnickety @PlantMompy @RealSimpleMama @VocalCapeivy thank you all for the suggestions! I will repot her then, probably wait till it’s warmer here, I think it’d be easier to do it outside 😅
Would you suggest I rinse as much of the old soil off as possible or would it be worse to do that?
Would you suggest I rinse as much of the old soil off as possible or would it be worse to do that?
Hi Cailey, happy to help!
I would recommend waiting a little longer. I'm not sure if you do outdoor gardening but I'd say do it around the time "warm weather" plants can go in the ground. For us here in Maine it is usually the end of May or beginning of June.
I think rising off the soil is up to you. Again, more root disturbances could mean bigger tantrums BUT it's also a ficus which are pretty indescribable and if the soil is gross it's best to wash away.
I saved a big benjamina a couple years back, I'll go pull the photos and comment again with those and what I did and why.
I would recommend waiting a little longer. I'm not sure if you do outdoor gardening but I'd say do it around the time "warm weather" plants can go in the ground. For us here in Maine it is usually the end of May or beginning of June.
I think rising off the soil is up to you. Again, more root disturbances could mean bigger tantrums BUT it's also a ficus which are pretty indescribable and if the soil is gross it's best to wash away.
I saved a big benjamina a couple years back, I'll go pull the photos and comment again with those and what I did and why.
Alright, I numbered the photos to try and help in case they post out of order.
Hubby rescued this from his (old) job at the end of summer one year.
1 - the day he brought it home. It has not been cared for and after losing all its leaves a second time they put it outside where it blew over against a building and was left to its own devices. I did not want to repot it right away and shock it when I knew it would come inside soon so I left it in its pot.
2 - when I brought it back outside in the spring. It obviously looks much better, but still needed love.
3 - the roots after I washed off all the soil. There were so many in the pot I had hoped to separate them.... Needless to say I did not attempt such a feat after I found this 😂
4 - new pot (plastic for easy repotting next time), new soil, lots of sun.
5 - how it looked by the end of summer that year ❤️
Hubby rescued this from his (old) job at the end of summer one year.
1 - the day he brought it home. It has not been cared for and after losing all its leaves a second time they put it outside where it blew over against a building and was left to its own devices. I did not want to repot it right away and shock it when I knew it would come inside soon so I left it in its pot.
2 - when I brought it back outside in the spring. It obviously looks much better, but still needed love.
3 - the roots after I washed off all the soil. There were so many in the pot I had hoped to separate them.... Needless to say I did not attempt such a feat after I found this 😂
4 - new pot (plastic for easy repotting next time), new soil, lots of sun.
5 - how it looked by the end of summer that year ❤️
