Best Fig tree for indoor Bonsai list (UK) - do you agree?

[astronoob]

Hi,

I'm reading a book on Figs, and the author listed some specimens which according to him are the best candidates for indoor Bonsai.
I've removed a few as Perplexity/ChatGPT mentioned they might not like it in the UK.

Anyway, here is the list:

Ficus salicaria (second best according to author) [small leaf, good branch ramification, basal rootage, aerial root formation)
Ficus rubiginosa (third best according to author) [larger leaves than salicaria, easy aerial roots growth]
Ficus burtt-davyi
Ficus microcarpa (larger leaves than Ficus salicaria) [more forgiving in tropical climate when it comes to heavy prunning)
Ficus natalensis (best according to author)
Ficus virens

What do you guys think?

I'm looking for a new tree so doing a research.

Thanks

 

[Shibui]

Ficus salicaria (willow leaf) is substantially more cold sensitive than F. rubiginosa or F. microcarpa and will often drop leaves when conditions change. Small leaves of willow leaf are great but being so sensitive is not. It's well down my list.
I have no experience with F. natalensis so can't give an opinion on that one but I have grown plenty of F. rubiginosa. Leaves are large but reduce substantially as you build ramification. Hardy down to around 0C though a little warmer in winter is better. Drought hardy, can be pruned back to bare wood and sprouts new shoots easily, tolerates massive root reduction, fuses really easily and thickens quickly under optimum conditions. It's also an Aussie native so must be good!
Ficus microcarpa is a widespread species so comes in a range of forms with different shape and size leaves. Leaf size reduces well. Not quite so resilient to pruning or root reduction or as fast growing as F. rubiginosa in my experience.

 

[leatherback]

I'm looking for a new tree so doing a research.

have you confirmed you can actually get these plants in the UK?
Often the availability is more limiting than the species.

I find microcarpa is most readily used in NW europe

 

[astronoob]

have you confirmed you can actually get these plants in the UK?
Often the availability is more limiting than the species.

I find microcarpa is most readily used in NW europe

No but I know that it might be an issue.
Just wanted to create a list to know what to look for.

I don’t want microcarpa as It’s not hardy enough when it comes to pruning a lot and reducing roots.

 

[leatherback]

I don’t want microcarpa as It’s not hardy enough when it comes to pruning a lot and reducing roots.

what do you mean with not hardi enough? Are you planning on keeping it outside yearround?

 

[astronoob]

what do you mean with not hardi enough? Are you planning on keeping it outside yearround?

Damn sorry I was thinking of Benjamina.

Edit:
Now I got confused lol, I know that Benjamina and Microcarpa might not survive super heavy pruning of stems and roots.

And I’m looking for a “chad” of fig trees.

 

[leatherback]

Now I got confused lol, I know that Benjamina and Microcarpa might not survive super heavy pruning of stems and roots.

never had trouble with either one of them.

 

[RozendaalArts]

Damn sorry I was thinking of Benjamina.

Edit:
Now I got confused lol, I know that Benjamina and Microcarpa might not survive super heavy pruning of stems and roots.

And I’m looking for a “chad” of fig trees.

From my linited experience with both Microcarpa and Benjamina I know that Benjamina doesn't backbud very easily but grows quickly, Microcarpa backbuds easily but grows a lot slower.

 

[Paradox]

I think willow leaf (Ficus salicaria) is the best ficus for bonsai.
It has small leaves and can get good ramification for small bonsai
Ficus natalensis is also very good if not equal IMO

 

[leatherback]

I think willow leaf (Ficus salicaria) is the best ficus for bonsai.
It has small leaves and can get good ramification for small bonsai
Ficus natalensis is also very good if not equal IMO

neither of which is easily available in Europe. As mentioned above. Just start off with finding out what is regularly available and used for bonsai in your region.

 

[astronoob]

neither of which is easily available in Europe. As mentioned above. Just start off with finding out what is regularly available and used for bonsai in your region.

I'm on a hunt, Cork Jade is also very hard to get, but just managed to get one.
With patience and some work maybe I will be able to get natalensis one day.

I like the idea of having very hard to get trees, personally.

 

[leatherback]

yup, browsing your posts it is clear that you ahve an answer for everything.
Good luck and fare well.

 

[astronoob]

yup, browsing your posts it is clear that you ahve an answer for everything.
Good luck and fare well.

Yeah I should listen to Mr. leatherback expert and don't try to get the trees I want, because the expert said so. lmao

 

[leatherback]

Yeah I should listen to Mr. leatherback expert and don't try to get the trees I want, because the expert said so. lmao

quod erat demonstrandum

 

[astronoob]

quod erat demonstrandum

Sorry I Don’t speak Chinese.

 

[darzuo]

I've only kept salicaria and microcarpa myself, but I find that both are quite tolerant of heavy pruning. Any reason you feel that microcarpa isn't?

 

[astronoob]

I've only kept salicaria and microcarpa myself, but I find that both are quite tolerant of heavy pruning. Any reason you feel that microcarpa isn't?

I had benjamina in mind, but my “knowledge” comes from a book and some videos. Although the book is from a fig trees expert.

It’s this one:

The World of Ficus Bonsai: Amazon.co.uk: Meislik, Jerry: 9781525532870: Books

Buy The World of Ficus Bonsai by Meislik, Jerry (ISBN: 9781525532870) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

amzn.eu

I already have a microcarpa and some cuttings of it. But I would like to try adding some better specimen, like natalensis and salicaria.

I also love the leaves on salicaria.
I don’t know if it’s just me but it reminds me of olive tree leaves, which I like a lot.

It will be hard to get those, really hard, but who knows, maybe one day I will get one.

 

[darzuo]

better specimen

To each their own, but I wouldn't say either is strictly better than microcarpa. In fact, I can't think of many species of trees as a whole that lends itself to bonsai techniques as much as F. microcarpa, and I think the most impressive ficuses I've ever seen have been F. microcarpa, although that may be because it's the most popular. Do love me some willow leaf ficus leaves though.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I have no issues with benjamina and Im confident New Jersey winters are harsher than most places in the UK.

Just find one or two of each as you find them and see how they do. If there is an issue with care, trade or sell em.

The hardiness question is really only a question if winter care/storage. Where will you keep the trees in the winter?

 

[astronoob]

To each their own, but I wouldn't say either is strictly better than microcarpa. In fact, I can't think of many species of trees as a whole that lends itself to bonsai techniques as much as F. microcarpa, and I think the most impressive ficuses I've ever seen have been F. microcarpa, although that may be because it's the most popular. Do love me some willow leaf ficus leaves though.

I’m not saying natalensis is the best, this is what the author (RIP) suggested, and he used to grow multiple specimens.

I think he said that it grows like crazy, and it’s very easy to get aerial roots, which I personally love.

I have watched some videos of Nigel Saunders, he worked on natalensis, and also mentioned it grows like crazy, so much that it might be an issue for some as you have to keep prunning it all the time.

So sounds like a good tree to me, but what do I know.
I Don’t plan to get rid of microcarpa.

I’ve bought also a tree of Cork Jade and 2 trees of sarcocaulis.