---
title: "First off…I know some of my decisions weren’t best practice, but it…"
description: "First off…I know some of my decisions weren’t best practice, but it worked out lol. Seeking any advice as a novice. I bought this ficus in December and moved…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/hB0M8pmURCqUK7zhKpIOTw/qPOuqmcQSjVFqt4MTPoz3l"
community: "Bonsai Matters"
author: "IN.PARK.CITY."
published: "2026-02-20T05:13:05.252127Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DY3zNcUuSJwGhgD-AJSyRqhUtDe2XcZlQrEKX2Icqc8/3RBWkjZqSJC_uQsCwSckxw.webp?size=large"
---

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# First off…I know some of my decisions weren’t best practice, but it…

_Posted by IN.PARK.CITY. on 2026-02-20_

First off…I know some of my decisions weren’t best practice, but it worked out lol.

Seeking any advice as a novice.

I bought this ficus in December and moved it from it’s nursery pot to the blue one temporarily until I found a a shallow pot I liked to plant it in its home.

I pruned it 28 days ago, and re-potted it into its long-term home 21 days ago.

I’ve done quite a bit of chopping as you can see, and I’m growing lots of new leaves and limbs.

I now plan to let many of the branches grow thick over 2026 before re-evaluating.

Is it recommended for regular pruning of the thin branches that I want to grow thick? Or, would it be best to leave it be for about 6-8 months, then resume pruning?

\*\*Nature permitting, my plan is to significantly expand the width of the trunk and the main, exposed roots. I’d be happy with about 2-3 more inches of height, but that’s it. Years from now I want a chunky trunk with fat limbs, and short stalky branches.

![Attachment 1 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DY3zNcUuSJwGhgD-AJSyRqhUtDe2XcZlQrEKX2Icqc8/3RBWkjZqSJC_uQsCwSckxw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DY3zNcUuSJwGhgD-AJSyRqhUtDe2XcZlQrEKX2Icqc8/K_o2nS7wQr2ykNbMBGNMsw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DY3zNcUuSJwGhgD-AJSyRqhUtDe2XcZlQrEKX2Icqc8/xFOYjuA1RQmJpZCxuhfszg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 4 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DY3zNcUuSJwGhgD-AJSyRqhUtDe2XcZlQrEKX2Icqc8/LNhks5MlQbaxb4zFBr3Qrg.webp?size=large)

## 2 comments

### El Oso Polar commented on 2026-02-20

The nebari is awesome! Pruning looks good too. Only thing I would think about is the “reverse taper” on the forward facing branch. From the photos it looks like it may be thicker than the trunk below. I have an umbrella tree with the same issue, I’m choosing to ignore it for the time being and will probably chop it once more grows in.

#### IN.PARK.CITY. replied on 2026-02-21

I appreciate the advice! I’ll have to do some research and watch some videos on effectively reserve tapering.

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