Here is my ficus benjimina - been in the same pot nearly 3 years now, put on some really good growth through spring and summer this year. I'm just afraid of repotting at the wrong time it because ficus are very tempremental - if i remember rightly i potted it up about 3 years ago in march and it pretty much did nothing for about a full year.
The pot feels solid so its in a root bound state, and has some roots growing out of the bottom.
Any tips or suggestions.
I always re-pot in late spring when they are waking up from the long winters nap.
For you, mid Jun to early Jul would be best. Repot in the month prior to its most vigorous growth. Make sure you know the difference between potting up and a repot. Potting up ensures your plant can never have the opportunity to grow to its genetic potential within the limiting effects of other affective cultural influences, while repotting, along with the root work and change of soil that comes with it, ensures it can. Ask about this if you need more direction.
Late winter and early spring are actually the worst time to repot most houseplants; in large part because the plant's energy reserves will be lower than at any other point in the growth cycle + the added stress of the significant work a repot represents. Combined, these facts ensure a longer recovery time than necessary and a longer period of added vulnerability to insect infestation and diseases, due to the plants weakened condition and the suppressed metabolism that accompanies it. Always plan your major work around when your plant will have lots of energy reserves and be growing robustly.
Al
