Perhaps you're in the market for a new pastime. You may be a creative decorator on the lookout for fresh, exciting pieces. Also, it's possible you have a serious green thumb. Regardless, you've done your homework and are ready to make a move... Not a pet, sorry. One of those Ficus bonsai!
Ficus Bonsai, often known as Figs, are aesthetically pleasing because of their lush, refined greenery. A beautiful decorative accent, it will look great anywhere. Pruning and wiring your fig tree to achieve the perfect shape may be a creative and time-consuming hobby.
A number of explanations spring to mind. You can't go wrong with a bonsai fig plant in your house or garden. Exactly where do you even start? You've found the right spot to get that info. What follows are instructions on how to tend to your Ficus trees properly.
What is Ficus Bonsai?
I think a Ficus plant is an excellent choice for a beginner. These bonsai plants may thrive in conditions where most others would perish and require very little maintenance. The Ficus species is ideal for any environment because it can be grown as an indoor bonsai tree.
Ficus bonsai trees come in a wide variety of species. Over 800 unique species of Ficus are likely to exist today. Bonsai enthusiasts can choose from a wide variety of ficuses, including the Ficus ginseng bonsai, ficus carica, ficus Benjamina, ficus willow leaf, and many others.
There are different varieties of Fig trees, and the staff at your local plant shop or home improvement center may advise you on the ideal one for your location.
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Common Name |
Ginseng Ficus |
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Botanical Name |
Ficus microcarpa and Ficus retusa |
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Family |
Moraceae |
|
Mature Size |
12-24 inches tall, 18-30 inches width |
|
Soil Type |
Well-drained |
|
Soil pH |
Acid, neutral |
|
Hardiness Zones |
9-11 (USDA) |
|
Native Area |
Asia |
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Toxicity |
Toxic to humans and pets |
Ficus Bonsai Care
If you stick to certain basic steps, cultivating a ginseng ficus bonsai will be a breeze. If you have heard that this form of art is challenging, do not let that discourage you from giving it a try.
Watering
The Ficus bonsai tree is ideal for first-time bonsai growers because it tolerates a wide range of irrigation conditions well. Even so, your Fig needs are checked and watered often, preferably every day.
Watering your Ficus should be done when the soil becomes just a little dry. In the future, you should water deeply but less frequently. This will prevent your tree from drowning from a lack of water and will allow the soil to absorb just the right amount.
Light
Light is essential for the health of your bonsai plant. When kept inside, a windowsill is an ideal location for it. A ginseng ficus can be grown successfully with the use of plant lights if this is not possible. Place your tree in a sunny location if you intend to bring it outside during the warmer months. There is no shade that the bonsai can stand.
Soil
A soil mixture of 60% gravel and 40% organic matter is ideal for ginseng ficus trees. Lava rock, and pine bark a substance called akadama, which stores water and decomposes slowly over time, are all components of a premix that you can purchase or assemble on your own.
Humidity
The lovely green leaves and aerial roots of a Ficus bonsai plant demand a little bit of humidity. Your bonsai will not be harmed by being indoors, but it also will not thrive in this environment. Throughout the day, spritz your Fig with a spray bottle. Over-misting your tree might lead to fungus issues, so be cautious.
A humidity tray is another option for increasing the relative humidity. You've probably seen one of these before—they're basically just shallow trays filled with a thin layer of water and stones on which to set your plant.
Fertilizing
To keep your bonsai tree thriving and healthy, fertilization is essential. Fertilizer is essential for Ficus growth since the soil loses essential nutrients when watered.
When new bonsai growth appears, typically in the spring, this is the ideal time to begin fertilizing the soil. However, if your growth persists over the winter, you should continue fertilizing.
Organic fertilizer is preferable because it is safer for the environment and does not include excessive amounts of potentially dangerous nutrients. However, if organic fertilizer is not available, liquid fertilizer can be used instead with no issues. In order to keep your Ficus Bonsai healthy, you may need to apply fertilizer every two weeks.
Pruning
As a survival mechanism for competing with other plants for light, bonsai trees naturally have the most robust development at the very tip and the very edges. Apical domination describes this kind of situation. If your tree has apical dominance, its lower and inner branches will likely die, giving it an unnatural, forlorn appearance.
Pruning is an excellent strategy for minimizing the detrimental impacts of apical dominance. We can mold a Bonsai into something more aesthetically pleasing by removing unwanted growth.
In general, Ficus trees are some of the quickest-growing kinds of trees around. When pruning, cut back the plant so that every other leaf is removed. Bonsai clippers and shears are what you need. The spring and summer, when a Ficus tree's growth is at its peak, are the best times to perform severe pruning.
Don't forget to use a cut paste once you've trimmed away any larger stems or branches. The injury can heal more quickly as a result of this.
Bonsai fig trees can be shaped in a wide variety of ways. Don't worry too much about damaging up your tree because they can survive both intense trimming and lengthy periods without pruning.
How to Grow a Ficus Bonsai Plant?
Pruning the ginseng ficus, or ficus retusa, is the best time to start new plants from the cuttings. How? Read on!
- Pick a strong stalk and trim off a 6-inch section with some secateurs or pruners.
- Plant the cutting in the prepared soil mixture and water it thoroughly.
- Wrapping the cuttings in a clear plastic bag creates a little greenhouse, trapping moisture to speed up the rooting process.
- Keep the soil moist by watering lightly every several days.
- A few weeks should be enough time for the cutting to root.
The Beneficial Effects of Bonsai on Your Mind and Body
Having bonsai trees or plants throughout the house is a joy since they inject a touch of whimsy into any room they're placed in. But these indoor plants provide more than just eye candy; they also promote a wide range of health, spiritual, and psychological advantages.
1. The Bonsai Tree and Its Effects on Health and Happiness
The evolution of both humans and plants share common ancestors. It should come as no surprise, then, that bringing this close interaction inside has positive effects on health.
Remedy for stale air - Houseplants have long been recognized for their ability to clean and filter indoor air (including the ficus tree, a popular bonsai breed).
Minimize Pressure - Physically engaging with houseplants has been shown to alleviate both blood pressure and psychological stress.
Physical and mental health - Humans' stress levels, productivity, and mood can benefit from simple plant life exposure.
Do not let the humidity drop - A study indicated that people who kept houseplants had fewer cases of dry skin, coughs, and sore throats. The presence of plants in a space can increase its relative humidity, which could be one probable explanation.
2. Benefits of Bonsai Tree for Spirituality and Self-Development
The benefits of bonsai may go beyond just physical wellness into the intangible realm. Most people interested in bonsai do so because of the spiritual benefits listed below.
Practice Being Patient – In bonsai, short-term objectives are rarely sacrificed for the sake of the long game. Growing a bonsai takes a lot more time and attention than growing a regular houseplant. While attentive to the present, a bonsai master keeps an eye on the future of the tiny plant.
Learning to respect the cycles that come with long-term aims is another advantage of bonsai trees. Seasonal changes cause leaf drop. A tree that has just been pruned may appear exposed and naked.
Jumpstart Your Imagination - The spiritual benefits of bonsai include inspiring one's imagination. You can train your bonsai to develop practically any manner you like if you know the right methods.
It's impossible to be creative without a healthy dose of curiosity and flexibility. Sometimes you have to pick up some new skills to get the job done. We can employ cages, ropes, and terrifying structural pruning for this.
Your tree is a living thing at the end of the day. It'll expand however it wants to.
Raised Introspection - Bonsai is not just a hobby or a creative endeavor but a practice in and of itself. Like yoga and meditation, Bonsai can help us "cultivate" insight into how we respond emotionally to the environment around us.
The way we deal with drooping limbs and overgrown foliage reflects how we handle adversity in other areas of our lives. Does loss ever get you down? Get any warnings? Bonsai allows us to take note of these and cultivate a more healthy perspective on pain.
Promote Your Own Self-Esteem - Maybe this is the most significant advantage of keeping a bonsai tree. The art of bonsai involves forethought, creative problem-solving, and an openness to new methods. Your self-assurance will blossom like a tree as a result of your efforts, slowly and steadily.
Every new species you care for and experiment with is further proof of your abilities. As a rookie caregiver, all you can do is keep trying, asking questions, and keeping an open mind. Caregiving expertise will develop in tandem with your bonsai.
Work with Compassion – Your bonsai tree can outlive you by hundreds of years, but only if you give it the attention it needs on a consistent basis. Taking care of a bonsai tree is a constant reminder that all living things require consistent attention. By clearing off old growth, such as when a tree loses its leaves, or you prune away dead branches, you make way for something fresh.
Caring for a bonsai tree during its lifetime trains you to think like a reliable friend. Slowly but surely, you're able to spread this enlightenment for the rest of your life.
3. The Bonsai Tree Is Beneficial to Your Home and Community
Enhance the Appearance of Any Room, No Matter Its Size - When positioned with care, a bonsai has the power to make even the tiniest room feel like it's bursting with life. People who don't have room for a garden or larger houseplant can nevertheless enjoy regular contact with nature through this pastime. Bonsai plants are a great way to practice feng shui without taking up too much room in your home.
Start a New Family Tradition - It is not unusual for a bonsai tree to outlast its owner. It is believed that the age of some bonsai is over a thousand years. If you're interested in bonsai, you might be fostering a friend for future generations.
One day, the beneficiary of your present kindness may pass it on to future generations in thanks. Envision the delight your tree will offer to distant relatives.
Astutely Considered Present - Traditionally, bonsai have been given as presents on significant occasions. When celebrating a new beginning in life, whether it is marriage or business, good health or academic achievement, a bonsai is a thoughtful token that serves as a reminder that with proper care and attention, even the most delicate plant may flourish.
Common diseases
Bonsai with decaying leaves
Suddenly, the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall from the tree. In many cases, this is brought on by a sudden scarcity of water. Overwatering, overfeeding, or underfeeding a plant over a long period of time causes the leaves to turn yellow and eventually die.
Parasites, both Fungal and Virus-Based
Discolored leaves, and rapid branch dieback are symptoms of viral infection. Keep the diseased tree in a separate area from the rest of your trees. Remedy entails sprayed fungicide and the removal of affected tree portions.