Hi, I have a pipul (Ficus) bonsai tree. I need to know:
- Is it an indoor or an outdoor plant?
- Do I move it from shade to sunlight at varied frequency? Can it take direct sunlight?
- How much water do I give it, and how many times in a day?
- What other care do I need to provide it?
I'll be really grateful to anyone who can give me this info, or point me to a URL which has info on ficus bonsai care specifically.[/I]
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Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
Ruchira,
Ficus is a tropical plant that will not tolerate low temps. My night temps are now dipping into the 40's and my Ficus are inside now. They do well outside during the summer and depending on your location could very well still be out.
I don't move mine around any more that necessary. Ficus can sometimes drop their leaves when moved from one lighting condition to another. How has the tree been managed up tp now? Ficus will tolerate shade but thrives in full sun.
When watering the only thing that can be put on a schedule is you, check your plant every day and water when the tree approaches dryness. Put your finger below the soil surface and if it is still moist hold off another day.
You can provide some fertilizer, a balanced (10-10-10 or 20-20-20, etc), water soluble general purpose fertilizer mixed according to directions is fine. don't repeat this any sooner than every 10 days and perhaps even longer depending on the condition of your soil.
Here are some links.
[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ficus.html[/url]
[url]https://www.bonsaihunk.us/ficusforum/FicusTechniques.html[/url]
Norm
Ficus is a tropical plant that will not tolerate low temps. My night temps are now dipping into the 40's and my Ficus are inside now. They do well outside during the summer and depending on your location could very well still be out.
I don't move mine around any more that necessary. Ficus can sometimes drop their leaves when moved from one lighting condition to another. How has the tree been managed up tp now? Ficus will tolerate shade but thrives in full sun.
When watering the only thing that can be put on a schedule is you, check your plant every day and water when the tree approaches dryness. Put your finger below the soil surface and if it is still moist hold off another day.
You can provide some fertilizer, a balanced (10-10-10 or 20-20-20, etc), water soluble general purpose fertilizer mixed according to directions is fine. don't repeat this any sooner than every 10 days and perhaps even longer depending on the condition of your soil.
Here are some links.
[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ficus.html[/url]
[url]https://www.bonsaihunk.us/ficusforum/FicusTechniques.html[/url]
Norm
First you need a primer on bonsai: https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/bonsaibe.htm https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/bonsaip.htmruchira wrote:Hi, I have a pipul (Ficus) bonsai tree. I need to know:
What is your location? If you currently live in Brazil, outside is fine. If you live in Canada it needs to be indoors....PLEASE place your location in your user profile.When low temperatures are nearing 50f it needs to be indoors. Again your location will allow us to provide more accurate answers.- Is it an indoor or an outdoor plant?1]No, Generally the sunnier the better. -2] Mine do all summer long. And I live on the coast in North Carolina. I ASSURE you that is one hot humid summer with some baking hot sun.-1] Do I move it from shade to sunlight at varied frequency? 2]Can it take direct sunlight?Water until the water is running out of the drainage holes, Wait 10 or 15 minutes and then do it again. Do not water again until it needs it. Check this by sticking your finger two knuckles deep into the soil [About halfway between the tree and pot wall] and feeling it. If it feels wet, do not water.- How much water do I give it, and how many times in a day?
- What other care do I need to provide it?
Water only when it feels just barely moist where you have dug in, Check it every day, and water ONLY when it needs it.I'll be really grateful to anyone who can give me this info, or point me to a URL which has info on ficus bonsai care specifically.[/I]
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/indoors.htm
An extensive overview: https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm
Species specific for ficus, Even though Gnome posted the best one allready wrt ficus Bonsaihunk. To take nothing away from Harrys site but Jerrys' is ficus specific
https://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/ficus.html
Good luck
yno
ruchira,
Thank you for the PM.
For the hottest part of the day- a spot with some shade might not be a bad idea-though ficus are tropical so it should not be a problem.
To clarify for you, there is no need whatsoever to bring your ficus inside at night time with those temperatures.
The 50f temp I refered to is equal to 10C.
Please read through the links Gnome and I have provided for you. You Will find massive amounts of information well laid out there.
Please ask if you have further questions.
You are concerned with your trees welfare and this is good. Please understand though that killing trees is the tuition for learning bonsai, Everybody does it eventually...the key is to learn something from it.
Yes I am quite interested in bonsai,
Do examine those links carefully and good luck.
ynot
Thank you for the PM.
For the hottest part of the day- a spot with some shade might not be a bad idea-though ficus are tropical so it should not be a problem.
To clarify for you, there is no need whatsoever to bring your ficus inside at night time with those temperatures.
The 50f temp I refered to is equal to 10C.
Please read through the links Gnome and I have provided for you. You Will find massive amounts of information well laid out there.
Please ask if you have further questions.
You are concerned with your trees welfare and this is good. Please understand though that killing trees is the tuition for learning bonsai, Everybody does it eventually...the key is to learn something from it.
Yes I am quite interested in bonsai,
Do examine those links carefully and good luck.
ynot