Ficus Bonsai Care

Kat91584 · New Member Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 1

I recieved a Ficus Golden Coin bonsai as a gift about a month ago. Unfortunately there were no care instructions from the garden center where it came from. The plant had lots of beautful deep green leaves and seemed to be doing well. I had to come back to college and brought the plant on a 3 hour car ride with me. The weather was freezing outside but I had the heat on in the car. The morning after the move the top half of the tree's leaves were looking brown. Within a few days the leaves were brown, dry and falling off. There are still some healthy looking leaves on the bottom part of the tree. What could have happened to cause this? So, is my plant definately dying or is there hope to revive it?
Also, I water the plant whenever it feels dry, which is usally twice a week. Am I watering it enough? What happens if I over water the plant? I read somewhere that it is best to put the pot submerged in water rather than watering from above, is this true?

Please help, thanks!
-Kathryn

Newt · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 3:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Kathryn,

I'm not an expert on bonsai by any stretch and Soctt is away for about 2 weeks, though he may check in. Please read this link about bonsai care to see if it's helpful.

http://www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/index.html

I do know that ficus trees shed their leaves when you change their watering schedule, move their location, change their fertilizer, they get a draft, in the fall and if you look at them funny! It was probably stressed from the trip and you should see new leaves in about a month. It's not a fast grower. Here's a picture of a mature bonsai - Ficus 'golden coin'.

Hope this helps until Scott or someone else can help you.
Newt

The Helpful Gardener · Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:11 pm Post subject:

Good advice so far Newt...

Probably all it took was the trip from the greenhouse to the car (I am assuming the car was pre-warmed; if not that first burst of cold would do it); ficus are tough little trees and it should give you a burst of new shoots shortly (they get frosted every couple of decades even in the jungles), so watch closely and keep it moist...

Scott