Neglected Ficus - bonsaiTALK Community

7-Mar-2005	#1
Opethianlynn bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Rhode Island Country: USA USDA Zone: 6 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 12	Neglected Ficus Boy, I'm grateful to have this forum. What a wealth of information! The search pages alone were a little overwhelming. After an hour of reading, I realized time was running out and I still hadn't answerd my main concerns. I was given (what I've learned today is) a Ficus from someone who says it's been dropping leaves for the two months they've owned it. I'd like to try and save it. Here's a link to a picture of it I took recently and a close up of some leaves that I've been watching. http://hstrial-jlynn1.homestead.com/bonsai.html My best guess is it was too close to a cold window in Massachusetts and possibly over watering. First off, I'd like to know the technical name for the plant. Ficus? Sure, but I'm seeing there are several kinds of Ficus trees and think it's important to know which one I'm dealing with. It should help for proper care. I bought two books this morning, thanks to this forum: "Bonsai Techniques" by John Yoshio Naka I and "Bonsai" by Sunset. My main concern is its well being while I learn how to take care of it. It fell on the floor once (before I got it) and the soil is just a mess. It appears to have no actual soil, but only red lava and there are cat hairs everywhere in the soil! It lost a lot of leaves, but as you can see from the picture, (see link above) I think it'll be okay. I've got proper lighting and I better understand how to water it. It's the roots and the soil I'm really concerned with. I think there's wiring inside the pot with the roots, but I don't want to hurt the plant any future by digging in there and seeing. When I know what I need to do, I'll do it all at once and hopefully keep the stress levels down. Any advice on what I can do for the soil/roots at this time OR any other comments? -Jen Lynn M. Last edited by Opethianlynn : 7-Mar-2005 at 11:50 AM.

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7-Mar-2005	#2
Will_Heath BANNED Join Date: Apr-2004 Location: Clinton Township, MI Country: USA USDA Zone: 6 MI AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 4,227	Judging only on what I can see of the bark and the leaves, I would venture that you have a Ficus Retusa Microcarpa commonly sold in bonsai shops under the name of 'Tiger Bark Ficus' or 'Golden Gate Ficus' Since you have just purchased this fig I would not do anything with it yet, it is going though some stress now simply because of the change of location. Let it get used to it's new environment and then you can re-pot it. Unless for some reason it seems to be failing in heath, which your foliage photos do not show. I grow my ficus in a mix of lava rock and fir bark, this is a common mix with ficus, they do well in it, just be sure to check for water often. In this soil mix you need to fed regulary, I personally use liquid fertilizer at 1/4 strength everytime I water coupled with some organic pellets on the soil surface. Good luck, Will Heath Last edited by Will_Heath : 7-Mar-2005 at 12:14 PM.

7-Mar-2005	#3
Opethianlynn bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Rhode Island Country: USA USDA Zone: 6 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 12	Well, that brings on a little sigh of relief (about the soil). Thank you.

7-Mar-2005

pootsie

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Jen:

Quote:

It appears to have no actual soil, but only red lava and there are cat hairs everywhere

Will's soil mix is good stuff, and it looks like what you have. Do a search for the word "haydite" here and you'll find a wealth of info on soil, most ly good info --- but the short answer is your soil is good.
The cat hair won't hurt

I think it's a "goldengate" ficus retusa. It looks to be in decent health. It will want a LOT of light if it can get it. They tend to lose leaves when adjusting to new circumstances, so don't panic.

Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings -- stick you finger in to tell.

Quote:

I think there's wiring inside the pot with the roots, but I don't want to hurt the plant any future by digging in there and seeing.

Bonsai are often wired into the pot because the loose, fast-draining soil won't hold it in. No need to go poking until it's transplant time -- and I would say let it gain some strength B4 transplant.

rotsaruck!
pootsie

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8-Mar-2005	#5
Opethianlynn bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Rhode Island Country: USA USDA Zone: 6 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 12	I just "hooked her up" yesterday! Should start smiling again soon. I've got a nice lighting set up for the day because I get minimal sunshine in my apartment. From the information I've been reading, the previous owner definitely over watered it and mostly likely that's what happened with the leaves dropping. I was thinking of putting a small indoor waterfall I have on the same shelf next to it to make sure it's getting the moisture I keep reading it likes. If that's not a good idea, I'd just mist it... but then again, I'm worried that if I did mist it often, I could leave droplets on the leaves and cause brown spots. Hmm. I know... thinking about it way too much. lol This bonsai was ordered for $40 and I'm starting to wonder if it's one of those "mall bonsai's" and not even trained yet. I'm looking at pictures today... trying to figure out the differences. Thanks again!

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