bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - new growth for banyan fig and fukien tea

Thanks for the tip! I have never heard that one, but I'll try that this evening. The supplier actually refunded my money for both trees since they didnt protect them from the cold during shipping. The ficus is verrrry dead. It died a slow, lingering death and the truck is completely brown. The tea is finally putting out 3/4 of the way up, so at least I wont have to start it over so far down. I'll just have to be patient since it may take a while to have something big enough to work with. Maybe the beer therapy will make the fukien tea put out a little easier. I think I'll wait until the bonsai show comes in May and see if someone is offering a nice older ficus for sale. It is my understanding that there are some really good looking bonsais at this show, so we'll see.

Laura

Quote:

Originally Posted by treebeard55

Hi, Laura. I'm surprised your supplier wasn't more careful in their shipping methods. If your Ficus does die, I think they owe you a free replacement.

As has been mentioned, Ficus are tough little buggers. There may be hope yet.

One suggestion. Mix a tablespoon of beer in a gallon of water, and use that as a foliar feed. Yes, beer. Some of the products in the beer are already broken down enough that the plants can use them directly: very useful when there are no leaves to produce carbohydrates.

I got this idea from Kathy Shaner, and have used it with good results. As Kathy added, you can use the last bit left in the bottle the next morning; it makes no difference to them. (No need to give them the Guiness!)

Best of luck!