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Braiding plants

To be braided, a plant must have a potential of becoming tree form. One of the easiest to braid is Ficus benjamina. To prepare for braiding, plant 4-5 rooted cuttings in one pot. The goal is to have 4 sturdy plants that can be braided together as the plant grows. Grow the pots close together so that the plants will grow straight up (because of the lack of light to lower branches). When plants have reached 24” tall they are ready to braid. Ideally the stems should be only slightly bigger than pencil width. Remove all leaves on the lower part ofthe stems. Braid the figs crossing opposite plants in the center, alternating pairs of plants. Braid loosely. You can braid in rocks or other natural items if you wish. Tie the plants together with cotton string. Leave the string in place only until the plants will stay together without the string. Leaving it on too long may girdle the tree and kill it.