Hello, and welcome :-)

Does the pot have drainage?

These trees want to grow up and up, and pruning them down is the best way to keep them compact and to encourage new growth. I just pruned about a foot off of mine.

Do you fertilize?

Josh

Hey josh! Thanks for the response! I was actually going to move it into another pot, this one provides some drainage I guess! I originally planted it with regular potting soil and I do not fertilize. I've given it plant food a few times, but that's it... Still learning! :) what do you suggest on the fertilization side of things? I have clipped some branches, but I'm afraid to cut the thick branches in fear that it won't grow back. I've read a few different things and a lot of the info varies, so figured someone here could give me a personal opinion! :)

You can chop them down below the leaves, leaving only a thick cut trunk, and then new growth will appear. Sometimes you'll even get multiple new branches from a single trunk, which is highly desirable (because it fills out the plant).

The pot size is fine, as long as it has a drainage hole and a good mix. A good mix for these is porous and gritty, and doesn't hold much moisture. I use a mix of fir bark (like you'd find in a quality Orchid Mix), Perlite, and red lava rock (scoria). Other ingredients like turface and granite pieces work well to make a durable mix.

I use Oscomote slow-release fertilizer and Foliage Pro 9-3-6, a liquid. You can use Miracle Gro if that's all you have locally.

Josh