Hi everyone,
I just inherited a Ficus Lyrata from a friend who was moving and I think it needs to be cut back -- but I'm not very familiar with how ficus lyrata branches or where the nodes are. The bend in the main stem is so severe that ideally I would want to cut it all the way down where it starts, and then possibly root the top portion to be a separate plant altogether -- would that actually work?

Attaching pictures and my cutline ideas in red. Would appreciate your guidance.

Thanks!

If it was mine I'd do 2 air-layerings, the top one where you indicated or a bit higher and the bottom one about halfway up that branch.

Never had one though, so I'm just guessing.

Could always stake it in the meantime to prevent the curves from progressing.

Good suggestions or just cut somewhere between the lines. The nodes are where the leaf-scars are, so cut right above one of those. Another alternative is just stake it up straight. With more light you might get more branching.

that's interesting, just did a google search. I think I'm gonna attempt air layering.., anything to watch out for?

SleepyWhippet said: that's interesting, just did a google search. I think I'm gonna attempt air layering.., anything to watch out for?

It's pretty straightforward and lots of fun.

I would just read up on different approaches, there are methods that well for some people but not others.

Maintain the moisture and be patient.

Lots of videos and ideas out there, everything from honey and chewing gum sealants to tin cans/bottles of water with string to wick moisture to the new roots.

If it was mine, I would cut or air-layer once, at the lower line. I would do that because I want to have enough stem to bury so that it anchors and steadies the rest of the plant, as well as having all of that length to develop roots. Those leaves are heavy.

The lean developed because the plant was leaning toward the light and was not rotated periodically to keep it even. There's nothing wrong with a plant that grows to fit its space asymmetrically, but if you want symmetry, rotating often is the key. Some wind movement can also help trunks and stems to be strong enough to hold their leaves up.

purpleinopp said: If it was mine, I would cut or air-layer once, at the lower line. I would do that because I want to have enough stem to bury so that it anchors and steadies the rest of the plant, as well as having all of that length to develop roots. Those leaves are heavy.

Good point.

Would staking not suffice?

Very happy, just picked up a 50ct 3' bamboo stake bag for $2.50. I'm staking left and right.

Sure, staking works, but it seemed like Sleepy wants to cut it. It looks like there is plenty of room for it to grow for years if that is the desire. As a personal preference, I have more affection for plants with interesting trunks, vs. those that go straight up. Straight seems much more generic to me, not as unique.

purpleinopp said: Sure, staking works, but it seemed like Sleepy wants to cut it. It looks like there is plenty of room for it to grow for years if that is the desire. As a personal preference, I have more affection for plants with interesting trunks, vs. those that go straight up. Straight seems much more generic to me, not as unique.

Curvy is nice! More character.

I might have misunderstood your post, I was referring to doing to air layer cuttings and staking them both. Not sure what I'd do with the original root ball and naked stem except keep my fingers crossed and hope for new growth.

This plant looks healthy enough to expect new growth from the stump. I would not cut both stems at the same time because that would be unnecessarily stressful to remove all of the foliage, but it would probably be fine as far as new growth manifesting, if that was done.