Ficus Benjamin Tip Pruning By Helena, the Plant Doctor

[@lahaza6515]

I could listen to that accent all day!

[@lizjg20]

Thanks for the close up pics at end. Entire tutorial helped me out!

[@aserrano4127]

lizjg20 keep an eye on the white liquid

[@jtekholm]

This video gave me SO MUCH more confidence! I just rescued a baby Ficus Benjamina for 3 euros from my local supermarket! Then I read that "do not move it", "do not do this and that or it will drop its leaves". Oh no, I'm a houseplant newbie! Then I find your video and see you being super hands-on with it. Thank you so much!

[@sallydavidson4471]

How is your rescue doing? The only thing I don't agree on with her is watering it too much as I've killed a couple of ficus plants by overwatering in the winter. I've now had my current gicus for at least 10-15 years! It spends the winter in my house away from any open vents from the furnace. Then it summers outside on my front porch where it does get a little afternoon sun! I water it a lot in the summer as I live near Chicago. It can got pretty hot here!

[@jtekholm]

@@sallydavidson4471 So far it's doing good, or at least it hasn't dropped any leaves or turned yellow or things like that. It's still a small baby and now that we have more darkness than light in a day, it's probably gone into hibernating mode. But so far so good! :)

[@KKKK-jc5tw]

.its the first video about plants in which I perceive the real knowledge .....feeling,touching ,seeing the plant.....complimenti

[@susanbrint2887]

Thanks for this ... I have a very overgrown ficus & have been hesitant to prune. But now I have to because it's taking up way too much room! I'm feeling a bit more confident and look forward to pruning this winter!

[@easyplease5068]

Thankyou so much! This was a really helpful video. You're a good teacher. So many aren't and shouldn't be making how-to videos!!

[@joannereardon7468]

I’ve had my ficus for over 45 years. Move from LI to NC and brought it with me. Every year in and out of house! I use rainwater with no need for fertilizer. I have to prune it and thanks to your informational and instructive help I may fix what mine needs. Thanks!

[@jesuswantsyoutopayme]

An annual dose of peroxide. Fertilize after.

[@patcharles3336]

Love, love, love the way you explained. I own one since 2000, it is by a kitchen window. It is tall and leggy because of being afraid to trim it back. Now, I can’t wait for winter to come so that I can do everything you taught me today. I Thank You very much. Please, Stay Safe.

[@billyclub9733]

Great help, Helen! My cleaning lady HACKED only one side of my 20yr old ficus about 5yrs ago. I opted to not prune it until this year so it could FULLY grow in again. After bringing the ficus inside for the winter, I would face the hacked part towards the windows, trying to force the hacked section to regenerate. It worked! And now on to Helen's pruning techniques! Btw... Bronx boy myself! 💪

[@davebusink2019]

Thank you so much for the vivid explanation on how to tip prun a ficus benjamina. I hope the ficus that I recently bought will live a long and healthy life as yours does.

[@megomegs3361]

I really like the way you and your camera person took the time to make sure the video was focused in on what you were instructing on. Thanks for this video! I like the spunk you have for greenery !! :)

[@klesmiley]

My indoor ficus is by a south-facing window but has a grow lamp as well. The grow lamp is highly effective in encouraging new growth. I was turning her a quarter turn when watering but got lazy and stopped rotating. That caused her to get very leggy at the top and I needed advice on pruning which your very helpful and informative video provided. So now I'm ready to prune. This is the grow lamp that was purchased from Walmart. OxyLED LED Plant Grow Light Bulb, Hydroponic Plant Grow Lights for Greenhouse and Hydroponic Indoor Plants, Indoor Plant Growing Lights Bulb (E26 12W 3Blue/9 Red LEDs) Thank you very much for this video.

[@laylauk2654]

Thank you for your very needed in portion infomation on keep this wonderful tree/plant at its most tip top condision. I will say you have given my plant a long life. If I follow your info along with what I have already learned, I may be as good as you.sending dream vibes and thank you from England uk

[@ElfPrincess55]

This is so helpful! I found a 6 foot tall ficus benjamina by the trash at my work. It looked very sad and it was missing almost half of its leaves. I think that there are many branches that were dead and knew that i should prune some dead or unhealthy branches back. Using this trick (looking for the white juice), i pruned much of the unhealthy plant away and think that the tree should be able to come back. fingers crossed!!! Thanks for the helpful video @Indooroutdoorgardner Feel free to share any other tips with me so i can give this mistreated tree the best chance of survival!

[@emmkaa2099]

Hi Helena,. I just wanted to say thank you for the helpful lesson in caring for my ficuses (...ficusi? ...fici? ... more than one! 😋). Thank you especially for the illustrations at the very end showing me exactly what/where a node is. I was kinda sure I knew - turns out I was correct - but it was good to be certain. I'd watched several videos before I found yours and while almost everyone mentioned nodes, nobody explained what/where they were. None of my ficuses have ever been pruned so I want to get this as right as I can. Now I'm off to prune. 🤪✂️😰😁 With gratitude from the Southern California desert, MK ♥️🌵🏜️

[@maryperrysmith5815]

Hi I’m Mary from Indiana. Just found your video. Thank you I learned so much. I subscribed too.

[@paula3280]

Thank you for all that good info, very interesting and I truly believe in the hands on method. You have to feel the plant!

[@sundancer76]

Cut above the rest! I inherited my Moms ficus. Very old as well. Needed some pointers. Ty!

[@cristinac9604]

Very very informative! Thank you. Southern California here. And loving my focus trees. I very rarely fertilize them and they thrive.

[@sansal2068]

Great video with superb tips! Thank you so much!

[@DianeUgo]

Thank you for this video and the pictures at the end. Ive had my Benjamina for a few months now, its nit vwry bushy so I'm hoping a bit of pruning will help promote more growth.

[@mellahey501]

Love your video. great info! I just got my first tree and you really helped get me going.

[@joevasquez7308]

Helena is the best her store is magnificent. I spent 2 hours just taking to her at her store. She will get time to you and your plants no matter where you got them. I will never go any where else to get plants or supplements for my plants, I'm a devoted customer now.

[@cristinagoulart7077]

Where is she located??

[@joevasquez7308]

Cristina Goulart she's on fifth avenue and 83rd st in Bayridge Brooklyn

[@romans1229]

Thanks. So helpful! I’m moving mine to a better location b/c of yellowing leaves.

[@maryobrien6727]

Well done lady, thank you. My ficus is doing ok. Although I will go ahead and fertilize now in January. I too use jacks . It’s great stuff.

[@Cherry_editz7]

Thank you for all the tips - very helpful! I just picked up one of these at an estate sale and was at a bit of loss on the care.

[@PlantLadyNY]

Please feel free to contact me at any time

[@Pathrissia]

Great video! The only helpful video out there!

[@vixlenz]

Thank you Helena ^_^! That was really clear and helpful ^_^

[@lucianaperez6690]

Thank you for explaining and showing so well how to care for the ficus benjamina. I have four big ones in my balcony, that have suffered a great deal during the renovations done in the apartment I currently rent. I have “inherited” them from the previous tenant. They are too heavy and too big for me to bring them in, so they get exposed to wind and pollution. Already had to treat them with neem oil and something called “jabon potasico” to get rid of “pulgones” or “trips”. Do you have any advice for me?

[@paulmacdonald6677]

Great video. Very helpful. I’m hoping my ficus will recover from 95% leaf loss

[@wj2590]

Same here! 😂

[@lisar3944]

I just rescued *another* ficus from our building's garbage room, and in contrast to the other two I have (acquired in the same manner but they were both in very rough shape when I picked them up) this one is already very thick and lush. I just don't understand how anyone can dump a perfectly healthy plant into the composting bin :( In any case, my other two ficus are looking a bit thin this year, so I'm going to try an overall tip pruning like this. Thanks for the tips!

[@ElfPrincess55]

Literally, this same thing happened to me!!! The one I found by the dumpster was like 6ft tall and missing half leaves… was so rootbound too. Must be a trend of people ordering the plant for office decoration and thinking it was dead when leaves drop. So sad.

[@MsHeidyn]

How to shape a ficus would be very interesting to see. I have a ficus which I would like to give it more of a “crown” shape, now is more like a column with leaves from the base to the top. I’m a bit afraid to do something to it now but some info about shaping it would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[@hazelscarlett7299]

Love your accent .. thanks for the tips!

[@martinavantuchova1215]

Thank you for the tips. How you water the ficus? Thru the top or bottom dish?

[@mchereton1]

I've had my ficus for 30 years this year. Still looks amazing. I'm so afraid to lose this plant after so many years... Has anyone had one longer than 30 years?

[@jcriscitello]

u rock Helena

[@botflyguy7814]

Quick and to the point thank you for the tutorial

[@emptynestgardens9057]

What an amazing lesson, thank you for giving me the confidence to maintain my new Ficus Benjamina Starlight. How often do you report? Do you find they like to be root bound at all seeing as they don't like to be moved?

[@sarah4958]

I had mine for 7 years it loves to be root bound.

[@emptynestgardens9057]

@@sarah4958 Thank you so much and Happy New Year!

[@melersoy3889]

do they come back from the are you pruned? by the way I loved your ring :)

[@marja6136]

I went on vacation and had guys working on my house. My husband put my ficus on front porch in 20 degree weather. It froze and my 21 year old plant is dying. All the leaves have dried and fallen except a few. I am hoping I can recover it. How do I know if it's totally dead?

[@lizlegal]

How can I clean the leaves without moving it? I received it the other day but the leaves are mad dirty.

[@louisabyr6826]

My ficus benjamina is losing leaves like crazy. What should I do. It was so beautiful.

[@indooroutdoorgardener9364]

Hi. I’m so sorry not to have answered sooner, but I’m not computer savvy and just saw your message. Be patient and it will. Put in the sunniest place but not near a radiator. Please send me a photo via Instagram so I can further help you. Also, where did you purchase it from as did they give you any advice and what is the diameter of the pot? Also, send me a photo of the soil. I’ll definitely be able to help you. Helena

[@indooroutdoorgardener9364]

Just saw your message. Please be patient and it will stop losing leaves. Place it in the sunniest spot but not near a radiator. Send me a photo of entire plant and the soil. Where did you buy it from and were you given any advice. I can definitely help you if you send me photos via Instagram at the indooroutdoorgardener , Helena the plant doctor.

[@grtchoice]

I just purchased a ficus plant and placed it in front of my bedroom window. I have the blinds turned down which provides a filtered somewhat direct light cascading on the plant. My question is, will that be okay or should I place the plant in the corner of the room where there is minimal light that comes from the corner of that window cascading on the side of the plant hitting just a few leaves. However, in the evening it will receive more light from my LED lamp that sits directly next to it. Which of these two options would be best for the life of my beautiful Lowe's purchased plant.

[@chantelvanbeek5046]

What fertilizer is best for these?

[@luisabyr3333]

My ficus benjamina is losing leaves for some reason. What should I do. It is in my apartment.

[@xyzllii]

Thank you.

[@shannonh7685]

What do you do when the top dies and regrowth starts in the bottom.... how do you prune the top to regrow :’(

[@PlantLadyNY]

So, so sorry. I never saw your comment. My apologies. Prune the top until you see the white juice. Hopefully, you still have the Ficus and please fertilize it wit every watering which is never on a schedule. I use Jack's Classic 20-20-20. Hope you will reply

[@sarah4958]

You can put the clippings straight into the soil without rooting hormones. I couldn’t believe how big the clippings roots had gotten within only a couple weeks ❤

[@yaakova5494]

I enjoyed your video. Very informative. I just purchased a ficus benjamina. It’s being re-potted this evening, put into a cart and walked a mile to me. Then I will carry it up 16 stairs to my apartment. Will it survive the move? Thank you.

[@julieannewinfield]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@linahanaiese6044]

Hi I had a tree but I'm panic because the leaves are starting to dry out. So what should I do, add more water or Jay leave it . NZ.

[@seamuswarren]

My ficus is too big. How can I make it shorter? It has a thick trunk. I love that Bernie Sanders accent. My ficus seems to have sprouted a baby at the base of the trunk.

[@evilo2157]

Thank you for your video. I have a focus tree that has suddenly started shedding it's leaves. I think it might be dead. Can I do anything to save it? Regards. Olive

[@indooroutdoorgardener9364]

Hi. Just saw your question. Start pruning by cutting above each node until you see white juice. Indoors, a ficus does best in strong filtered sun or direct sun and when you water, best to water with fertilizer, Jack’s Classic 20-20-20 and please send me a photo on my Instagram and I’ll be able to help you further

[@evilo2157]

@@indooroutdoorgardener9364 thank you Helena.

[@anonnymous4684]

@@evilo2157 How's your plant doing now?

[@evilo2157]

@@anonnymous4684 hi. It seems to have come back to life. I pinched the stalks and saw the white sap so i knew then that it was still alive. It has new growth. Not a lot but little new leaves sprouting. Maybe i should give it a feed and i think it needs repotting which is a bit scary. Thank you for your help.

[@anonnymous4684]

@@evilo2157 Ah, that's great! I would leave it in the same pot, keep it in good light conditions and feed it whenever it needs watering. i literally cut all the leaves off mine, as it had become sickly and they were all yellowing and dropping of anyway. Seven months later, it's bounced back, greener and lusher than ever. So keep going and good luck!

[@cherylgyrl3427]

Plz help... my benjamina ficus has root rot, can I use Hydrogen peroxide?.... if you can do a video on root rot.

[@TheHadesShade]

I have a medium sized ficus benjamina, and I don't mind if it gets bigger, but being the very sensitive plant that it is, it has lost it's leaves more than occasionally (had a fruit/tiny fly infestation). I got rid of the flies and I do notice the improved health of my ficus, but it has a few branches that only have leaves at the end, can I just cut that off and hope for new plant growth on the remaining branch? I have done it before but the plant often just kills off the entire branch which leaves holes in the whole plant foliage. What should I do?

[@carolmcshane4959]

My ficus was frost bit, so I brought it in and pruned out what died. It has come back but now is a bush. Can it be retrained as a tree again? How? Thanks!

[@netohcamep4241]

Crossing my finger to get a reply. I cut a branch out of our ficus today which was branching out too long. The cutting(branch) itself looks like a big plant. All I did was pot it in a new pot in the earth. Does that help to grow new roots or was it a wrong way? Please help 🙏

[@lenom1289]

I've put a branch in water and it's making roots. I'm planning to plant it in soil when the roots get to a decent length.

[@gauravgupta8007]

Pinching vs pruning ?

[@gypsyp123]

Thank you. I’ve had my 1st & only Ficus tree 4 over 4 yrs. It hasn’t even been trimmed since I got Her as a gift. It has one or more extremely long limbs & I’m finally ready 2 trim her back. I just got home from vacation & thought .. oh this would b a great time 2 trim it.. but u say.. n the wintertime.. well, its springtime .. almost summertime. 🤦🏼‍♀️.. but ive gotta do something. I put her outside & she not happy @ all. I thought she’d like the fresh air.. but sadly.. her top leaves r turning brown. 🙅‍♀️ Right or wrong.. I’m ready 2 trim. 🤷‍♀️ If u have advice.. please.. advise me. I love her.. my ficus, & don’t wanna lose her. I’ve been told I have a “tree” n my living room. I just ❤️2 hearing that.. & having her by my side. But I’ve gotta do something.. she’s growing sideways & not up towards the skylights... 🙆‍♀️.. so somethings gotta happen here. Today is May 31, 2019. Any & all advice welcomed.

[@sallydavidson4471]

How is your ficus doing? I saw a video that suggested when trimming a branch that you leave the side of the juncture in the direction of where you want it to grow! I plan on trimming mine very soon as its getting very leggy! I want it to fill in!

[@zer3154]

1:10 when u throw your ficus from the 2nd floor and it drops a leave, u should probably shake it some more

[@mamumanu00]

Does it produces flower?

[@sallydavidson4471]

No

[@jianerguo2150]

I wonder what are the size of your 28 years old ficus trees. Are they the same size as the one on the video?

[@nguyenhongphuc676]

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[@nguyenhongphuc676]

bo su

[@milkman81]

Fishnets and scissors. Who wouldn’t have white juice coming out!?!

[@jwgolf5442]

may i suggest a tripod?