New bonsai... (Ficus)

[himanth]

Hey,
The following images are of the bonsai tree I purchased a few days ago. I've been desperately trying to identify the species so that I can find out the exact methods to take care of this beautiful tree. I request all of you to please help me find out what this kind is called. Sorry for the inconvinience, you'll have to click on the links or copy-paste into your address bar.







Looking forward to replies, thanks in advance!

[Gnome]

himanth,

Hello and welcome to THG. Unfortunately I cannot see your photos. I am able to see two albums, (Randoms, dxb/blr & Dubai) but neither of them contain any bonsai. If you would check the links and make sure that they are visible we will try to help you identify your new bonsai. If it is a tree native to your region it may be difficult but we'll try.

Norm

[Gnome]

himanth,

I think it is a Ficus. If you snip a leaf off you should see a bit of white sap or latex. This is a characteristic of Ficus. Have a look at this site to compare the photos against your tree. There is a lot of good cultural information there as well.

Read this for tips on watering. That type of soil may be difficult to wet thoroughly so the multiple watering method should help.

Norm

[himanth]

Norm,

I had a look at the pictures but the ficus trees seem to have a denser foilage than that compared to my tree. Pictures of ficus in the internet also shows they have arial roots which isn't present in the bonsai that I have.
But I did snip of a leaf and there was a white extract that oozed out.
Pictures of fig bonsais seem to look very similar to pictures of my bonsai so could it be a fig tree? Unless the ficus is the scientific name of fig?! I'm probably coming off as highly ignorant, I'm so sorry.
Also how do I tell what kind of soil is there in the tray? The type of soil seems to be an important factor in all the articles.
Unfortunately the tree was bought from ikea where the salesman didn't seem to know a lot about bonsais.
Also we were given a spray bottle and asked to water the plant using only the spray so is that how it should be done?

hp

[himanth]

Even this is being called a ficus?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/ ... 010117.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/ ... 010119.jpg

Can mine still be called a ficus???

[maveriiick]

It's a ficus microcarpa for sure. Aka Tiger bark, or Retusa. I have a number of them. Very easy to care for. Have fun.

[Rosaelyn]

Yes, I agree with Maveriick. That is definitely a Ficus Retusa. I have one and it is very distinguishable by those tiger-like markings on the bark.

The reason this does not look exactly like some you may search online is because those Ficus have been in training for many years. Your tree is young and in need of much training to begin to look like many of the photographed bonsai you will find online. Yes, it could be more full like those you saw, with the right care. And yes, it could have aerial roots.

Here is a good care guide for your bonsai:

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ficus.html

Jerry Meislik is a bonsai artist who works mainly with Ficus, and has a lot of information on them on his website:

http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

Hope this helps.

[Big Vine]

Even this is being called a ficus?!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/ ... 010117.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/ ... 010119.jpg

Can mine still be called a ficus???

The Ficus shown in those ^^^ two pics you just linked to are called Ficus salicifolia. They are still Ficus, but of a different species than yours. 'Ficus' is the genus name, and there are many species within the genus. To add even more confusion...each species can often contain many varieties. Point being, they are all collectively under the genus 'Ficus.'
BV

[Gnome]

himanth,

I had a look at the pictures but the ficus trees seem to have a denser foilage than that compared to my tree. Pictures of ficus in the internet also shows they have arial roots which isn't present in the bonsai that I have.
But I did snip of a leaf and there was a white extract that oozed out.

After hearing the confirmation of the latex, the fact that it was purchased at Ikea and the thoughts of the other members here I am all but certain that it is indeed a Ficus.

Pictures of fig bonsais seem to look very similar to pictures of my bonsai so could it be a fig tree? Unless the ficus is the scientific name of fig?! I'm probably coming off as highly ignorant, I'm so sorry.

You are correct, the tree known as Fig is a type of Ficus.

Pictures of ficus in the internet also shows they have arial roots which isn't present in the bonsai that I have.

High humidity is required to encourage aerial roots to grow. Also. I'm not sure if every species is equally capable of forming them.

Even this is being called a ficus?!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/ ... 010117.jpg

As Big Vine noted Ficus is a large Genus with many variations. The Ficus in this picture is one of the better ones for bonsai. Look up 'Willow Leaf Ficus'

Unfortunately the tree was bought from ikea where the salesman didn't seem to know a lot about bonsais.
Also we were given a spray bottle and asked to water the plant using only the spray so is that how it should be done?

No, that is bad advice. I would suggest that you soak your tree in a basin of water for about 10 minutes until the soil is saturated. I don't do this as a matter of routine but the soil looks a bit dry and considering the advice you were given, it certainly will not hurt. Read this for tips on watering.

Norm

[himanth]

Amazing response from all of you, thank you all so much. So now I know it's a ficus and the more I read about the different kinds of ficus, I'm beginning to think it definitly seems to look like the Retusa so thanks again to 'maveriiick' and 'Rosaelyn' for suggesting it in the first place.
Again, I'm too happy about the swift responses from you all. Thank you all so much. Now I still have a few more important questions about caring for my little Ficus Retusa so I'll put up the topic in the Indoor Bonsai forum so as to keep this whole forum as organised as it is!

Thank you,
hp

[Gnome]

himanth,

Amazing response from all of you, thank you all so much.

I'm glad we could help.

Again, I'm too happy about the swift responses from you all. Thank you all so much. Now I still have a few more important questions about caring for my little Ficus Retusa so I'll put up the topic in the Indoor Bonsai forum so as to keep this whole forum as organised as it is!

And thank you for that.

Norm