How to Care for a Ficus Ginseng Bonsai?

SoullessSolace · Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:27 am

I was some what surprised when last night I was given a Ficus Ginseng bonzai as a belated bday gift from my brother and his wife....
frankly... I have no idea what to do with it.. I've been reading the forums, I've watered it as advised. its been misted, standing where it can get a decent but not overwhelming about of light, it's got a chopstick in it to check the water level in future... but now I have no clue what to do with the top. I'll try to get some pictures up asap but any advice u can give me in the mean time would be great.

djlen · Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:39 am

Welcome to the board 'SS'!!
We always love pictures and that would be of great assistance in helping/advising.
Your tree doesn't have stones/moss, or anything else glued to the surface
of the media does it? Many of these 'present' bonsai's are bought at the mall or Walmart typ places and are pretty but the glued stuff has to come off.

Gnome · Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:50 am

SoullessSolace,

Hi, good advice from Len. Glued on topdressing, if present, must come off.

I've been reading the forums, I've watered it as advised. its been misted, standing where it can get a decent but not overwhelming about of light, it's got a chopstick in it to check the water level in future... but now I have no clue what to do with the top.

Sounds like you have the basics covered for now. Don't feel the need to do any pruning or wiring right away. Allow the tree a chance to become acclimated to its new environment before you make any big changes.

Norm

SoullessSolace · Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:11 am

well... we don't have walmarts etc here so I believe it was bought at a nursery, it has nothing glued on and no moss. its in a nice oval ceramic pot.

Front
[img]https://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/soullesssolace/Photo-0014.jpg[/img]

Top
[img]https://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/soullesssolace/Photo-0015.jpg[/img]

Right
[img]https://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/soullesssolace/Photo-0016.jpg[/img]

Back
[img]https://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/soullesssolace/Photo-0017.jpg[/img]

Left
[img]https://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/soullesssolace/Photo-0018.jpg[/img]

Roots
[img]https://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u58/soullesssolace/Photo-0019.jpg[/img][/u]

GardenerX · Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:38 am

nice tree,

I agree with Norm I screwed up and almost killed one of my trees by working on it to soon but now I'm better at the art and am trying new things but like Norm said I would wait to do anything....

SoullessSolace · Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:40 pm

OK... thanks for the advice guys... while I've expressed a passing interest in Bonsai trees, mainly due to my interest in tradition Japanese culture and art forms, I never expected to pick it up as a hobby... and I still haven't... as I said I was presented with the tree as a belated birthday gift so kinda in the deep end here. however being the person I am... I already know what tree I want to use as my next Bonsai... but that will wait a little while still.

GardenerX · Sat Oct 10, 2009 3:58 pm

hey,

I have a suggestion for a book I read from my local library you might want to look into it it's very nice andgives very good detail of what to do and how to do it, it's called (The Bonsai Workshop)

hope this helps, and good luck

bonsaiboy · Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:18 pm

The soil should be changed to something more bonsai friendly soon. Remember not to let it stand in water, and to plant it in a pot with drainage holes. And as a word of advice: this type of ficus is prone to a root rot condition if allowed to completely dry out. Do not let the soil go completely dry.

SoullessSolace · Sun Oct 11, 2009 3:07 am

GX: Thanks... I'll keep an eye out for that book... doubt I'll find it in my libraries but could probably order it through a book shop..

Bonsaiboy: The soil appears to be good soil for bonsai from what I've read and seen online, the pot does have drainage holes and it is properly watered but I will keep all u said in mind. thanks