Japanese Plant identification please? Thanks!

[kehilan]

Hi, I recently bought this plant in Tokyu Hands on a holiday to Japan. Can anyone tell me what it is, or how I may go about looking after it? I'm thinking spray with water/put in steamy bathroom when someone is having a shower/let it soak up water from below and keep in light? All thoughts/advice appreciated


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[Piet Patings]

Hello,
I have seen them around also but would not have guest you get it in Japan.

It is a Moraceae, the mulberry or fig family.
I think most of the bonsai likes we see here come from China.
IOut of some 750 specimen this probably is "ficus benjamina".
Yours looks healthy enough.
They are easy going. I have had one for twenty year getting over 2 meter/ 6 feet tall. Just keep them moist.
Enjoy,

[kehilan]

Thanks for the advice Any further thoughts on how to look after it? It seems to drink a lot of water. Is it harmful to it to let it get a bit dry or is it possible to have it too damp? I'm trying to keep it just damp but not soggy, seems to be a bit of a balancing act...

Does it like just light or sun? Where I have it at the moment would get a lot of light on a sunny day...

[Piet Patings]

Well I think overwatering it will be more easily done than having it dry.
........a bit of a balancing act.. Yep, it is.
Better to let it dry for a week and then give it plenty of water and every few weeks plunge it.
With small pots full sun is always a bit tricky and may require more watering.
Mine liked bright, filtered light. Early-morning or late-afternoon sun is fine, but direct sun should be limited.
Ficus are strong growers so you need to prune it a lot to keep it in shape.

Note that there is a Bonsai Forum here as well. There may be more specialist info there. I actually need to have a look there myself....
Enjoy,

[Piet Patings]

Looking more closely, I see it has no pot, has it ??
If that is the case then it is even more important to not have it in full sun. If there is anything roots do not like, than it is sun light.
Also without a pot the balancing act becomes even more important, and may require you to water it every other day or so after all...
Lots of wisdom,

[The Helpful Gardener]

Piet is correct that it is a Ficus, I suspect it is [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_retusa]F. retusa[/url].

Probably a good idea to post this on the [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=dd4067c252a273c1d34e6e3080504103]Bonsai Forum[/url], where they are well aquainted with this plant...

HG