I recently purchased this tree, and am planning on turning it into a bonsai. can someone please help me and tell me what kind of tree this is, so I can properly care for it?
[url=https://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bonsai0056py.jpg][img]https://img227.imageshack.us/img227/5640/bonsai0056py.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img344.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bonsai0031pm.jpg][img]https://img344.imageshack.us/img344/2860/bonsai0031pm.th.jpg[/img][/url]
I have a ficus that I kept indoors during the cold utah winter. Keep it away from window sills during this time. I used difused sunlight, keeping the rule "Make sure the tree can see the sun if it had eyes." Anyways, mine did ok during the winter indoors, but once warmer weather came I immediately put it outside. I placed it in an area that gets plenty of the morning sun but away from the afternoon heat. I mist it 2x a day and water when needed.JoeLewko wrote:I know I should keep this indoors in the winter, but is it ok to keep it inside in the summer? or will it do better outside?
also, how long should I wait after repotting to start cutting and shaping the tree?
Alot of ficus will drop leaves when moved or routines are changed, but keep the watering schedule and it will regrow nicely. I even have great new growth on the branches.
I have the same exact plant. ive looked around and the closest I can figure it to be is the "weeping fig" (Ficus benjamina).
it is a ficus. mine was basically dying with 2 leaves left, due to poor treatment by a previous owner but only a few branches are leafless now... what I did was I watered it and made sure the soil was moist using a toothpick. if the toothpick came up dry, I would water it slightly and check often. water either in early morning or late night. this plant likes a lot of moisture and humidity. I mist mine frequently each day in the early morning and at night. I place it in very bright indirect light. basically the direct light lands about 12" away at its closest. I also keep a humidifying tray under it. (a tray with water under the plant, but not letting the pot sit in the water and allowing for good drainage.) from what I can tell from research and personal experience, this plant loves lots of bright indirect light and lots of moisture/humidity.
avoid all drafty areas at all times and keep the temperature high. find a good place for it and leave it there. it is notorious for leaves dropping whenever it moves so it can regrow new leaves for the new light conditions.
also, I would suggest cleaning the leaves, you have a lot of salt stains on them. let your water sit overnight before you use it to water.
it is a ficus. mine was basically dying with 2 leaves left, due to poor treatment by a previous owner but only a few branches are leafless now... what I did was I watered it and made sure the soil was moist using a toothpick. if the toothpick came up dry, I would water it slightly and check often. water either in early morning or late night. this plant likes a lot of moisture and humidity. I mist mine frequently each day in the early morning and at night. I place it in very bright indirect light. basically the direct light lands about 12" away at its closest. I also keep a humidifying tray under it. (a tray with water under the plant, but not letting the pot sit in the water and allowing for good drainage.) from what I can tell from research and personal experience, this plant loves lots of bright indirect light and lots of moisture/humidity.
avoid all drafty areas at all times and keep the temperature high. find a good place for it and leave it there. it is notorious for leaves dropping whenever it moves so it can regrow new leaves for the new light conditions.
also, I would suggest cleaning the leaves, you have a lot of salt stains on them. let your water sit overnight before you use it to water.
does anyone have any ideas on how I could shape this tree?..maybe a link to a gallery with some good ideas, because I really don't know where I want to go with this tree, and I would like to get an idea.
also, I covered the top of the soil with pepples for appearance. Is this bad? Should I take them off?
also, I covered the top of the soil with pepples for appearance. Is this bad? Should I take them off?
It will do better outside.I know I should keep this indoors in the winter, but is it ok to keep it inside in the summer? or will it do better outside?
Why are you repotting? [Rootbound, change of potting media, insect/fungal infestation, ect....?]also, how long should I wait after repotting to start cutting and shaping the tree?
Looks to me as though it is a ginger root ficus, They are everywhere. Commonly sold as 'bonsai' in the greenhouse sections of lowes, H-depot, k-mart. w-mart, ect....JoeLewko wrote:.maybe a link to a gallery with some good ideas, because I really don't know where I want to go with this tree, and I would like to get an idea.
What style where you considering?
I ask as it has no nebari to speak of and it would require the chopping of that long straight section to induce some taper, Maybe twice considering the basal flare. After some time to fix these and perhaps with some good branch developement/ramification, [Provided you have good lighting and pruning/wiring skills.] You could have a powerfull looking little shohin there.
The path would be much shorter with better working stock.
[IMO not the greatest example to start with, or species really as I am not a fan of ginger roots'. To me, They just don't look like trees.]
You mentioned a gallery to look at.
They are quite easy to find.
These are from a site that has been posted on here repeatedly.
There are plenty more out there.
https://www.walter-pall.de/galerie.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/gallery.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/gallery%20shohin.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/gallery%20shohin.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryCraigCoussins.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/gallerymanilashow1.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/Gallery%20Chelsea%202006%20BushukanFoBBS.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/Gallery%20Chelsea%202006%20Herons%20Bonsai.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryBonsaiExhibitionMalaysia2006.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/Gallery%20NoelandersTrophy%20page1.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryMartinTreasure.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/galleryWlodekPietraszko1.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryPhilippeMassard.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/gallerymodymanglicmot.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/gallerymikekonig.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/Gallery%20JerryMeislik.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/galleryleodeleon.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryRudyJohn.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/galleryjohnhill.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/galleryKarolDutczak.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/galleryvictordan.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/galleryvictordan%20gallery2%20page1.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/galleryIanCuppleditch.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryRandyCowie.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryCraigCoussinsRobertAtkinson.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryCraigCoussinsRobertAtkinson.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Gallery/GalleryCraigCoussins.html
Let us know what style you have decided on for this one.
A picture of how you have changed it to progress towards that goal in the last 3 months would be excellent too, It's always nice to see updates.
It will be interesting to watch it's development.
ynot
Last edited by ynot on Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
I'm letting it grow out right now. when I repotted it I lost a lot of roots (the root system wasnt that stong to start with) and I don't want to stress it by doing anything really...just want to give it time to recover, and grow. I will probably develop the crown, altough, and rotate the tree, so that the wide part is facing sideways. The tree will then be tilted. (the way it was grown initally make this impossible to avoid..sorry if it isnt clear, but it's hard to describe...ask me for further clarifacation.) then maybe develop the top crown to make an informal upright, with some nice aerial roots. I'll have to figure it out.
Are you considering leaving that long straight section of trunk above the 'onion taper'?
IMO it really limits your options. I did a super quick virt for you about what I re:earlier.
WARNING! VIRTUALS DONE WITH A TOUCHPAD AHEAD!
EXPECT SESAME STREET QUALITY... [You have been warned]
IF you were to trunk chop it just above the first branch and use that [wired up] as your new leader. The backbudding you get could be used:
A. Primarily as sacrificial branches to try to induce some taper. [So it won't look so 'onion-esque'.]
B. If one or more of those branches are positioned properly they could become design features. [#1 and MAYBE #2 branches]
In the picture the solid red= your #1branch/ new leader [wired into its new position]
The yellow are the sacrifice branches.
[img]https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7231/joesginger1rr9.jpg[/img]
After the sacrifice branches have done their job, You could start working on additional primary branching [Secondaries, Tertiary, ramification, ect] and building an apex.
[img]https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/680/joesginger2nq9.jpg[/img]
Small trees like this require very short internode length, so needless to say good lighting is essential.
Just throwing this idea out there for you.
It seems the best way to utilize the potential you have to work with here.
ynot
IMO it really limits your options. I did a super quick virt for you about what I re:earlier.
WARNING! VIRTUALS DONE WITH A TOUCHPAD AHEAD!
EXPECT SESAME STREET QUALITY... [You have been warned]
IF you were to trunk chop it just above the first branch and use that [wired up] as your new leader. The backbudding you get could be used:
A. Primarily as sacrificial branches to try to induce some taper. [So it won't look so 'onion-esque'.]
B. If one or more of those branches are positioned properly they could become design features. [#1 and MAYBE #2 branches]
In the picture the solid red= your #1branch/ new leader [wired into its new position]
The yellow are the sacrifice branches.
[img]https://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7231/joesginger1rr9.jpg[/img]
After the sacrifice branches have done their job, You could start working on additional primary branching [Secondaries, Tertiary, ramification, ect] and building an apex.
[img]https://img79.imageshack.us/img79/680/joesginger2nq9.jpg[/img]
Small trees like this require very short internode length, so needless to say good lighting is essential.
Just throwing this idea out there for you.
It seems the best way to utilize the potential you have to work with here.
ynot
;)