New to bonsai care, with questions.

[Judith_M_D]

This weekend I bought a bonsai at a chinese moon festival. I've always been interested in the art of bonsai so I figured I'd give it a try. I know about general care of the tree. It's a willow leaf ficus, and I have so many questions. I've looked online in many places but they all want you to buy a book, so I decided to join a forum. Alright, as I said before, and with all of that out of the way, I know the general care and watering issues with my bonsai, but I don't just want to keep it, I want to make it grow, shape it, and transplant it. The man who sold it to me, told me to cut off the buds at the ends of the limbs, what does this do to my tree? I'm not sure if I have the correct part of the tree, or if he was telling me to cut off something different. Also when my bonsai plant has brown leaves do I pull them off as I would with a regular plant or let them fall off like they would naturally. Any tips on bonsai care would be much appreciated, and I'm sure I'll be back with so many more questions. (I also want to know about what tools are absolutely necessary to bonzai care and which are not.) Thank you and have a nice day.

[ynot]

I know about general care of the tree. It's a willow leaf ficus, and I have so many questions. I've looked online in many places but they all want you to buy a book, so I decided to join a forum. Alright, as I said before, and with all of that out of the way, I know the general care and watering issues with my bonsai,

Books are good! . Where did you learn of the 'general care & watering issues' - Just curious?

but I don't just want to keep it, I want to make it grow, shape it, and transplant it.

Excellent.

The man who sold it to me, told me to cut off the buds at the ends of the limbs, what does this do to my tree? I'm not sure if I have the correct part of the tree, or if he was telling me to cut off something different.

Pruning is part of the general care of bonsai:

Here is a page of articles which will provide you with a large [if general knowledge base to work from. We can then provide answers to more specific questions.

Any tips on bonsai care would be much appreciated

https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics.html. Here is another one: https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm

A species guide about Ficus: https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ficus.html

A page all about Ficus by the guy who literally wrote the book on them: https://bonsaihunk.us/

Also when my bonsai plant has brown leaves do I pull them off as I would with a regular plant or let them fall off like they would naturally.

A healthy Ficus should not have brown leaves... [Do you have many or simply one or two?]

and I'm sure I'll be back with so many more questions.

We will be here

(I also want to know about what tools are absolutely necessary to bonzai care and which are not.)

Many are easilly substituted with common [& FAR cheaper items].
Since legitimate bonsai tools represent a signifigant investment they are often purchased only after several years in the hobby.

Enjoy your reading and get back to us with the next round of questions
Do check out the stickys at the top of the page for more care also - You will find that research is a large part of bonsai.

ynot

[Gnome]

Judith_M_D,

The man who sold it to me, told me to cut off the buds at the ends of the limbs, what does this do to my tree? I'm not sure if I have the correct part of the tree, or if he was telling me to cut off something different.

New shoots can be cut back after they have lengthened to several inches. Is this what you are referring to?

Also when my bonsai plant has brown leaves do I pull them off as I would with a regular plant or let them fall off like they would naturally.

I would opt for letting them drop on their own accord. This precludes the possibility of damaging the underlying buds.

I also want to know about what tools are absolutely necessary to bonzai care and which are not.

A watering can with a fine head so as not to unnecessarily disturb the soil is very important. I found a pretty good plastic one on E-bay. At least one sieve to remove the fines from purchased bonsai soil or a set if you intend to mix your own. Other than those the single indispensable tool is a pair of [url=https://www.trappist.net/estore/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BM&Product_Code=C-11&Category_Code=concave-cut]concave cutters.[/url]

Any tips on bonsai care would be much appreciated

You are aware, I assume, that your Ficus will need to be brought inside during the winter, just making sure. Other than that keep reading and don't hesitate to ask any specific questions, we'll try to help.

[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics.html[/url]
[url]https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm[/url]

Norm