Ficus STILL not putting out new growth

007

Last winter I had a problem with a ficus benjamina of mine. You can read about it here.

In a nutshell though, this tree has put out very little growth in the last year. Even after being outdoors all summer long. The tree is now indoors again, has dropped some leaves (not many at all) from the transition but has not put out any new groth at all. My other ficus has exploded with new growth since being moved indoors (they are both under fluorescents for 16 hours daily, humidity trays, the works).

Besides being different species (ones a retusa, ones a benjamina) they are also in different soils . . . I'm thinking that perhaps the soil is the culprit. They are both bonsai mixes, fast draining, and fast drying, but maybe the one just ain't cutting it?

I'm thinking of repotting into new soil (which will match the other tree) it but thought I'd get some outside opinions first.

Thanks.

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pootsie

Secret agent man:

What about the soil do you think is bad? You said it was fast-draining, so that's not the issue, right?

I have to say I have not worked with benjamina a LOT, and one of the reasons is that I found it to be a lot less responsive than other varieties, like microcarpa (FKA retusa). The difference in your trees' growth is most easily explained by the fact that they are different species.

Besides, if the tree is not showing strong grwoth but the soil is not deadly bad, I would say don't xplant until you see strong growth.

fwiw,
pootsie

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Jerry Meislik

I agree with Pootsie's approach. If the soil is bad then definitely repot it. You might try putting it into a high humidity chamber, a plastic baggy and allowing it to recuperate after repotting.
Good luck.
Ps benjamina tend to be harder to work with than microcarpa's.
Jerry

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Jerry Meislik
Whitefish Montana USA
Zone 4-5
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

007

I know that transplanting is best when in active growth, and thats what I have been waiting for . . . for like a year now.

The soil was a pre-made mix I bought from a local retailer before I really knew better. Its a very hetergenous mix . . . not very consistent particle size. What I think has happened is that the larger particles have risen to the top and the smaller pieces have been pushed to the bottom . . . perhaps the soil has compacted on the bottom? I'm not really sure.

I guess I'll just give it a go and see what happens. If it doesn't make it, it doesn't make it . . . . gives me a reason to go get another tree I guess if it dies.

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kingkong

Pull that sucker out of the pot 007. Is it root bound or rootless? Ficus like well drained soil with some positive drainage. Maybe pot too shallow or has poor drainage hole locations so water always sits on bottom.

BonsaiMon

Ditto....

What are the watts on your light ? .. 40 w will hold trees over the winter with little growth.
Did it get into full sun during the summer?
Rootbound or no roots seems to be an easy issue to remedy.
How about a pic?

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peace,
tom stoute

http://bonsaiinsights.spaces.live.com/

007

Well, I repotted it this evening . . . just as I suspected the soil was pretty compacted. In addition, there was almost zero root development since I first potted it last august.

I hope it recovers . . . .

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