The Ficus is one of the most popular tree species used for Bonsai,
and is widely available at home improvement stores and online shops.
Two varieties are particularly popular.
The first is the Ficus retusa.
This tree is often shaped with an ’s-curved’ trunk.
The retusa has oval, dark green leaves.
Similar varieties are Microcarpa, Tigerbark, Willow leaf, and the Oriental Ficus.
The other popular variety is the Ficus ginseng.
The ginseng has a thick, pot bellied trunk and is often grafted with Ficus microcarpa leaves.
So how do you care for your Ficus bonsai?
The Ficus is a subtropical tree species, which means it likes lots of light and humidity.
When placed indoors, make sure you put the tree immediately in front of a window.
It needs a few hours of direct sunlight each day.
You can keep your Ficus outdoors as long as temperatures are above
60 degrees Fahrenheit or 15 degrees Celsius.
Water the Ficus generously whenever the soil gets slightly dry.
Best is to water your bonsai, then wait a minute
and water it again, to make sure the entire root mass is watered.
Observe the tree closely and make sure it never dries out.
Daily misting will help raise the humidity around your Bonsai.
You can also place your tree on a humidity tray filled with water.
Fertilize your Ficus once every two weeks using a liquid fertilizer while watering.
Regular pruning is required to maintain the shape of your Ficus.
Simply prune shoots that extend to 6-8 leaves, back to 2-3 leaves, using a sharp scissors.
Bonsai are kept in small pots, and therefore we repot the trees every two years, in early spring.
If you see the roots circling around the root system, your Bonsai needs to be repotted.
If the roots are still contained within soil, leave it and check again the following spring.
You can propagate the Ficus using cuttings, or
buy them online as these are widely available at bonsai retailers.
If your Ficus is dropping a lot of leaves, this is usually the result
of improper watering or not enough light.
Again, make sure you place your Bonsai at a very light spot right in front of a window.
And water it generously as soon as the soil gets slightly dry.
Learn how to create your own Bonsai trees, by enrolling in one of our online Bonsai courses.
We explain techniques like pruning wiring and repotting,
and you can ask questions to the teachers.
For the curriculums and free lessons, go to: bonsaiempire.com/courses