I have what I believe is a ficus benjamina that was purchased as a houseplant from a grocery store about 3 mos ago. It is almost 3
ft tall, very bushy, growing like a weed, and getting quite large for the pot it came in.
I would like to transplant it before it becomes rootbound. I have no experience with this type of plant, however it looks like it
has about 9 major 'trunks' growing out of one tangled root ball. If it wouldn't kill the plant, I would like to separate the roots
into three separate plants. I've tried to find info on this subject through internet searches, but no luck. Does anyone have any
experience with these plants or know where I might find some more info?

Thanks in advance
Dale

I have what I believe is a Ficus benjamina that was purchased as a
houseplant from a grocery store about 3 mos ago. It is almost 3 ft tall, very
bushy, growing like a weed, and getting quite large for the pot it came in. I
would like to transplant it before it becomes rootbound.

You don't say where you live. Unless you are in the Deep South, since you are
inexperienced, it would be safer to wait until spring. The tree will be all
right over the winter.

it looks like it has about 9 major 'trunks' growing out of one tangled root
ball. If it wouldn't kill the plant, I would like to separate the roots into
three separate plants.

I think you have a tree that was intended as a bonsai banyan. Its value lies in
having the nine trunks growing together. Don't be in a hurry to do anything.
What kind of pot is it in?
Do a Web search on Ficus banyan and Ficus bonsai, & you may find something.
I wish you could see the magnificent Ficus banyan bonsai at the Buffalo/Erie
County Botanical Garden.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

The plant is is in a plastic pot that just fits into an antique oriental pot that we keep in our living room. If I replant it in a
larger plastic pot, it won't fit into the antique pot. I'd like to separate the roots and make two plants, one with three trunks
that will fit into the antique pot and have room to grow and develop a personality.

"Iris Cohen" wrote in message ...
I have what I believe is a Ficus benjamina that was purchased as a
houseplant from a grocery store about 3 mos ago. It is almost 3 ft tall, very
bushy, growing like a weed, and getting quite large for the pot it came in. I
would like to transplant it before it becomes rootbound.

You don't say where you live. Unless you are in the Deep South, since you are
inexperienced, it would be safer to wait until spring. The tree will be all
right over the winter.

it looks like it has about 9 major 'trunks' growing out of one tangled root
ball. If it wouldn't kill the plant, I would like to separate the roots into
three separate plants.

I think you have a tree that was intended as a bonsai banyan. Its value lies in
having the nine trunks growing together. Don't be in a hurry to do anything.
What kind of pot is it in?
Do a Web search on Ficus banyan and Ficus bonsai, & you may find something.
I wish you could see the magnificent Ficus banyan bonsai at the Buffalo/Erie
County Botanical Garden.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

Here's a link to pictures of the plant that I have posted.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/primordial/ficus.htm

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"five of four" wrote in message .. .
I have what I believe is a ficus benjamina that was purchased as a houseplant from a grocery store about 3 mos ago. It is almost 3
ft tall, very bushy, growing like a weed, and getting quite large for the pot it came in.
I would like to transplant it before it becomes rootbound. I have no experience with this type of plant, however it looks like it
has about 9 major 'trunks' growing out of one tangled root ball. If it wouldn't kill the plant, I would like to separate the roots
into three separate plants. I've tried to find info on this subject through internet searches, but no luck. Does anyone have any
experience with these plants or know where I might find some more info?

Thanks in advance
Dale