Ficus Microcarpa Kick Off

[MrMiagtree]

Hello! I'm still very new to bonsai but an excited to see what comes of the plants I have. Of them, I have a tiger bark ficus that was turned into a bonsai very early in its development. I don't know the age, but its in a small, square bonsai pot and is roughly .3" in diameter. Probably 6" tall.

My daughter picked this out and likes the idea if Banyan style, but is only little and will rely on me for the heavy lifting. We're also thinking of a small root over rock, offset to the side ajd just visible above soil level.

Understanding trunk development will take years, I've done far too much research into soil mixture and pot sizes and styles. I need some input to ground me now, and I was hoping you all would be so kind.

Here's what I was thinking:

6" nursery pot. I've read microcarpa thickens best when it has space to grow its roots out I live in zone 6A, so ground growing is out. This size gives them a fair amount of space to start, and as roots fill it, I can upside from there.

For soil, I'd have 30% pumice, 30% lava, and 40% fine pine bark. We get aeration, drainage, and structure for the roots. The bark helps trap water and nutrients, while partially mitigating our hard water issues.

Does this sound about right, or do you have better alternatives?

 

[JesseKane]

Soil composition is less important when you are growing out the trunk, primarily because you are also using an over-sized container at that point. Any mixture that will maintain drainage and has organic components to retain water and nutrients will work well. I haven't used fine pine bark as the organic component myself, but it will probably be fine. There's some concern that if you use non-composted pine bark that it will release excess nitrogen in your soil as it decomposes, so that might be something to consider. I use 50% aggregate (perlite, lava, pumice, whatever I have on hand) and 50% basic potting soil for my grow mix. I have the organic ratio a bit higher because of our hot and dry summers here in Denver, if you get more rain you can reduce it to 30%/70%. The ratio really just sets your watering schedule.

Keep the tree outside when possible. With tropicals, the growth really takes off once the nighttime temps stay above 60F. Repot them in the heat of the summer, when they have the warm nights needed to keep their growth rate high to repair the root reduction. Try not to repot or style in the spring, that's when tropicals have the least energy and will be seeing the coldest nights.

A root-over-rock sounds really cool! Err on the side of having a lot of rock visible early on. These trees grow really fast and could easily completely envelope the rock in a couple years otherwise.

 

[KateM]

I would repot it in a larger pot in the summer to help it grow bigger.
Right now it looks a bit chlorotic (nutrient deficient). You can try sprinkling some Osmocote on top of the soil. It will release fertilizer every time you water it. Make sure it does not dry out fully, but make sure it does not stay sopping wet.
Maybe get a grow light?
But sunny window should be fine, too.
In general they are easy plants to care for.
Could you put your approximate location and grow zone in you profile? It will be visible outright and make it easier to give a better advice.

 

[MrMiagtree]

I would repot it in a larger pot in the summer to help it grow bigger.
Right now it looks a bit chlorotic (nutrient deficient). You can try sprinkling some Osmocote on top of the soil. It will release fertilizer every time you water it. Make sure it does not dry out fully, but make sure it does not stay sopping wet.
Maybe get a grow light?
But sunny window should be fine, too.
In general they are easy plants to care for.
Could you put your approximate location and grow zone in you profile? It will be visible outright and make it easier to give a better advice.

Done!

Yeah, I have it in a south window right now. About the best light I can offer this time ofnyear, though the location isn't convenient. I'm going to set up a little grow station in my daughter's room with a grow light and humidifier (she needs the humidifier this time of year anyway).

It is a little on the yellow side. I'll pick up some Osmocote to-day and toss a bit on for good health.

 

[Shibui]

Ficus are gross feeders, meaning they like lots of nutrient so maybe a bit more than a little bit of Osmocote. I'd try a couple of waters with a liquid fertiliser for quicker results as well as the sprinkling of Osmocote. Just a warning that too much of a good thing is not always better. Probably a teaspoon of Osmocote on that pot is plenty and more at the end of Winter.

You should also check the soil. Root problems also interfere with nutrient uptake. If the roots are compromised, no amount of fert will help.
Good watering habits are important. Not too dry, Not too wet all the time. Soil moisture should cycle from wet, immediately after watering, to almost dry before next watering. That cannot be by the calendar as every pot, soil, tree and location are different so learn the signs of soil moisture. When we water, water must flow right through the soil mix to flush out toxins and stale air and draw fresh air into the root zone.

Also take note of the timing for repotting ficus and other tropicals. Late Spring and into Summer is much better for these tropical plants than the traditional bonsai repotting season in early Spring.

Hoping you and your daughter enjoy this journey and have success with the Ficus.