So I bought a Ginseng Ficus plant a few days ago.

[JustinBoi]

I have just a few questions about my plant (I hope it isn't too much). Okay, So its around the upper 30's here in Florida (amazing) and I wanted to put my plant outside instead of indoors for better growth. Would it be okay if i watered it once or twice a day and misted it several times a day or is the weather too much?
Second, I got it from Wal-Mart and it had this white scrummy stuff on it, I tried to rub it off with water but didn't come off. What is it?

And Third, Should I get the little pebbles glued to the top off asap? And why do they put it there?

Also, I'm gonna be buying a Juniper after Christmas for myself of course from Amazon from someone named.. bonsaiboy. Any advice on how to take care of it when I get it? Thanks for all your help <3

From your faithful Gardener,
Justin:)

[manofthetrees]

howdy Justin,
first thing first do not put it outside!!! ficus spieces are tropical plants the temp were they are kept should b no lower than 60 degrees and well lit
the pebbles should b removed definately
as for the watering (soggy soil=dead plant) the soil needs to dry out and then watered throughly.give it 5 to 7 days and stick your finger in the soil about an inch if it's still wet let it wait. you can mist the leaves daily if desired
lastly junipers need a dormancy period and are not recomended for growing indoors so i wouldnt recomend it till spring and plan to have a place to overwinter it

good luck
P.S we jst got 4 foot of snow up here not a good start to winter this year

[JustinBoi]

I'm not sure how long it takes for it to die. It may be fast but weather like this is not typical for Florida. The low is in the morning around middle 40's and the high is like 70. And also, so the plant can be outside but in more tropical weather above 60? And im gonna try to remove pebbles this weekend, I hope they get off. And about the Juniper, theres a GREAT spot in my house in a window where sunlight ALWAYS hits, if I get it after Christmas and keep it in that window till spring, would it live or not?

Thanks for your help,
-Your Faithful Gardener Justin

[Gnome]

Justin,

Manofthetrees is definitely on the right track. To add a bit though, if I might. The glued on top dressing is there as a shipping aid and no longer serves a purpose. Often this indicates a plant that is not terribly well established in its container so take care with it.

Ficus are indeed tropical and are well suited to your area. They should not need protection for the largest part of the year but you might find that yours will do better inside at times. I have left mine outside in the fall when temperatures dipped into the low forties at night, so such temperatures probably won't be fatal but it is not really going to appreciate it either. Often 50F is quoted as a safe minimum but keeping it above 60F, as mentioned, will keep it happier and growing better.

Water as needed, not on a schedule. You may indeed find that 5-7 days is correct but it will vary according to various factors, one of the more relevant ones is the soil type. Often commercial bonsai are in very poor soil, which lends considerable credence to the idea that watering will be somewhat infrequent, but you never know so better to check daily and go from there.

About the Juniper, again Manofthetrees is correct. Please don't buy a Juniper with the intention of keeping it inside, you will be disappointed sooner or later. I even have my doubts about Junipers outside in Florida but since I have no real experience there I'll leave the research to you.

One thing to consider; do Junipers grow outside in nature or as landscape specimens? If no, think long and hard before buying one. Remember retailers are in it for the sale not for your enjoyment of or success with bonsai.

Norm

[JustinBoi]

About the Juniper, is it an indoor or outdoor plant? And if its an outdoor plant (which I hope it is, since my house stays around 60-70 all year) does it need direct sunlight from the sun or maybe a fragment of sun? I'm not sure.

For the Ficus, what I'm hearing is to take the pebbles off because they no longer have a purpose, in doing so, what is the safest way to take them off without accidently stabbing/cutting into the roots of the plant. Also, Since I have the plant outside right now, should I bring it in and put it infront of the window or keep it outside with the upper 40's?

Both of your responses are very helpful, and I deeply appreciate it. Bonsai is very new to me as I am a Beginner but I'm very excited to grow these Bonsai into their natural beautiful form.

Thanks again,
Justin
P.S. If you don't know the answer to my questions, just tell me to research

[rainbowgardener]

I think you need to read the answers you are getting very carefully.

You just asked "about the juniper is it an indoor or outdoor plant"?

You had already received these responses:

manoftrees: lastly junipers need a dormancy period and are not recomended for growing indoors

gnome: About the Juniper, again Manofthetrees is correct. Please don't buy a Juniper with the intention of keeping it inside, you will be disappointed sooner or later.

If you do Search the Forum on juniper you will find MANY places where it has been stated more strongly that junipers have to have cold dormancy and die if kept indoors. They may make it through one winter without dormancy, but that exhausts the plant and it will not make it through the second one. That is why gnome also said " I even have my doubts about Junipers outside in Florida but since I have no real experience there I'll leave the research to you. " It may be that even outdoors in your area it would not get enough cold dormancy.

You also asked again about your ficus: Since I have the plant outside right now, should I bring it in and put it infront of the window or keep it outside with the upper 40's? "

manofthetrees also answered that one the first time:

"First thing first do not put it outside!!! ficus spieces are tropical plants the temp they are kept at should be no lower than 60 degrees"

[JustinBoi]

Sorry, I no Comprende at times especially in the morning. Okay, I'll bring the Ficus inside today, since it can't stand cold weather under the 60's. Then this weekend I'll take those no purpose pebbles out (even if it makes it look nice) since it doesnt help the plant.

For the Juniper, I'm not sure what to do with it. Should I just wait? Not get it at all? Or wait till spring? I would like to get it after Christmas but I don't want it to die.

[manofthetrees]

if your heart is set on having a juniper you may have to buy nursey stock to get it and train it yourself...i think this will b more satifying anyway instead of buying a premade tree.there are many types of juniper that grow in the ZONE 2 climate u r in. i jst searched "zone 2 juniper" and found a bunch.just need to pick a nursery.

best of luck

[JustinBoi]

Thanks, but in the part i live in it doesnt seem that there is any Bonsai Shops.
But i'll look around I was looking on Amazon and there is some miniature Juniper that is like 4 years old. Right now I'm gonna look up 'zone 2 junipers'.

Also I took out the pebbles already and it looks better but I need to add more soil. There was fertilizer already in the soil, so it should be good for now.

Thanks for all your help.

[JustinBoi]

So, I looked at my Ginseng Ficus today and it has a brown look to it on the stems. Maybe its dying, am I over watering? Too less sunlight? Not enough Humidity? Help


Theres a spot there that looks like someone cut it. And the stems are brown.


The stems in this one are brown too. Thats mostly what I'm worried about.

[Gnome]

Justin,

I don't see anything about your Ficus that concerns me. Branches turn woody as they mature and they will no longer be green as the initial shoots were. If the soil is moist don't water it today. Get a chopstick or wooden kitchen skewer and insert it into the soil. Leave it there and check it daily by removing it and holding it to the underside of your wrist. If it is damp to the touch don't water it that day. When you decide it needs to be watered do so thouroughly, no half measures.

About the Juniper, I think you misunderstood Manofthetrees. Go to a conventional nursery and inquire about Junipers for your zone, which seems to be 9 or 10.
http://www.arborday.org/treeinfo/ZoneIn ... k+it+up%21

Once you find a species or cultivar that does well in your area then you must attempt to pick out a promising individual. I say attempt becasue this is easier said than done but it's part of the game. Then it's up to you to decide how to prune it.

Manofthetrees points out that you will learn more and get more satisfaction this way than by simply buying a mallsai. Also, you will get more tree for your money.

Norm

[JustinBoi]

Thanks so much Norm. I was worrying too much I guess. I'm gonna be looking up zone 9 Bonsais in a minute. I will try the wooden kitchen scewer/ chopstick soon. I just have 1 more question and I should be good for now. How can you determine how old your plant is? (Since I bought mine from Wal-Mart, they were clueless)

Thanks again Norm,
Justin

[JustinBoi]

Okay. So, I just looked up zone 9 bonsais, but there is so many advertisements that I couldnt find any. I hope this is too much, but does anyone know what Bonsais are specified for my area? Sorry that I ask too much.

Thanks

[manofthetrees]

sorry 'bout that zone thing don't no what i was thinking.looked at a zone map for florida it said 1&2 and my common sence didnt kick in.
you cant search bonsai specificaly u hav to pick a type of tree
(ie...juniper,conifers pines) for your zone get some info on what grows in your area then search that specific plant . nurseries ship plants all over the place

[JustinBoi]

Don't worry about it, you were trying to help. And i'll do that. Im VERY interested in the Chinese Elm bonsais. But i need it for cheap, which is hard. I wanna spend like 8-12 dollars not including shipping. :/