bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Can anybody tell about Ficus Benjamina?

In zone 11 this tree should be nearly indestructable! They are very tough even here in zone 5 (although they come in for the winter with additional lighting). The foliage starts pretty high up on the trunk. The picture is very low resolution so it is difficult to see what is going on.

You should be safe to prune/style and re-pot now. I always leave 2-3 leaves on a branch. I have had problems with dieback (of the branch not the tree) if I do not. You can wire these with no troubles, just wire somewhat loosly as they grow fast. Use a free draining bonsai soil with some organics.

FYI... I only have 4 years experiance as well but I have been growing the small leaved variety since the start.

Hope this helped!

Newt

18-Sep-2005	#5
Newt bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman Join Date: Sep-2004 Location: Augusta Country: USA USDA Zone: 5 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 565	In zone 11 this tree should be nearly indestructable! They are very tough even here in zone 5 (although they come in for the winter with additional lighting). The foliage starts pretty high up on the trunk. The picture is very low resolution so it is difficult to see what is going on. You should be safe to prune/style and re-pot now. I always leave 2-3 leaves on a branch. I have had problems with dieback (of the branch not the tree) if I do not. You can wire these with no troubles, just wire somewhat loosly as they grow fast. Use a free draining bonsai soil with some organics. FYI... I only have 4 years experiance as well but I have been growing the small leaved variety since the start. Hope this helped! Newt __________________ Opportunity must not be lost while the gods smile. -Li Jing