Ficus Triangularis

[smjmsy00]

Here's a photo of a ficus I purchased yesterday from a deceased club member (was sold to me as a boxwood), I trimmed and wired after purchase in typical amateur impatience... I seem to have a surfeit of tropicals. The shelf/enclosure I took this photo in also has a black olive, powder puff, benjimina, and schefflera (and other plants). The wavy poles are because I took the photo in 'pano' mode. Tree is about 26" from pot to tip, narrow straight-ish section of trunk is about thumbs width. Leaves seem a lot smaller than other examples of this species I've seen - hope I can maintain them (apparently lots of light is the key?)

 

[smjmsy00]

here's some close up of the leaves

 

[Michael P]

Certainly not the typical ficus bonsai. I see a possible bunjin.

 

[smjmsy00]

Certainly not the typical ficus bonsai. I see a possible bunjin.

Definitely not typical, I'm imagining that the former owner knew it was a ficus and it was just incorrectly labeled for the sale. Pretty atypical boxwood bonsai, had it actually been one - boxwood that is.

Possible bunjin? What makes it only a possibility to you? I was already considering it so.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[petegreg]

When you bought it as a boxwood and the leaves look smaller than those of F. triangularis...also consider Ficus buxifolia.

 

[smjmsy00]

When you bought it as a boxwood and the leaves look smaller than those of F. triangularis...also consider Ficus buxifolia.

interesting! maybe it is? the few descriptions I could find say "dark brown" bark though...

 

[petegreg]

interesting! maybe it is? the few descriptions I could find say "dark brown" bark though...

Just saying. There's a lot of similar species in a ficus family. A task for experts I guess.

 

[Forsoothe!]

F. triangularis

 

[Michael P]

It seems to have a little too much foliage for a bunjin, but that is just a matter of refinement. Very interesting tree in any case.

 

[petegreg]

Ficus triangularis
I hope it can help, if important.

 

[petegreg]

+ a picture of my F. triangularis. If I'm not right and my tree is mislabeled or IDed wrong no problem, I'll be pleased to correct my records.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Looks like the original Boxwood mis-communication was half right as F. buxifolia?

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I picked up a variegated form a couple of weeks ago. Not as mature as yours. They do not like as much water as my other ficus.
Watering is more like a fiddle leaf fig instead of a willow leaf. I have some brown spots and some leaf drop but it came from Hawaii to Iowa so I guess it is a bit shocked. As long as I see new leaves forming then I am happy.
I read not to place it in direct sun- you might have to let me know how yours does.

 

[Forsoothe!]

It's probably looking the window at dead cornstalks from horizon to horizon and muttering to itself, "Where the Hell am I?"

 

[smjmsy00]

I wish I could re-title this thread to "Ficus Lingua"

 

[Gabler]

When you bought it as a boxwood and the leaves look smaller than those of F. triangularis...also consider Ficus buxifolia.

I don’t know tropicals, so as I read through this thread, I thought at first it was a joke. Ficus buxifolia. I was surprised to see a photo in a subsequent post showing that such a plant really exists.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

It also could be Ficus natalensis

 

[tanlu]

Pardon my late message here. I’ve been growing my ficus buxifolia (syn. Ficus lingua) from a 5-inch water-rooted cutting since last year and it’s put on an exponential amount of growth outdoors over the summer. Since my aim is to thicken the trunk, it’s growing in a typical big box store cactus/succulent soil mix and LOVES water when in active growth.

My tree has foliage that’s identical to the tree shown by @smjmsy00, of course one can never be too sure with posted photos since we’re all growing under different conditions. It’s likely many experienced tropical bonsai growers will mix up these two species, as they look remarkably similar.

But, based on @petegreg’s photos, f. buxifolia leaves tend to be more rounded at the edges although a few leaves can get larger and have that triangular look if growing at lower light levels. Also, it seems f. triangularis leaves are a bit larger in relation to its stems and fruits, and the twigs look more grey whereas f. buxifolia is more uniformly brown until the bark is a few years old. Thoughts?