Shallow pot and soil

[Jorgens86]

Hi. Im potting ficus root over rock on realy shallow pot. Its 28 x 18,5 and 1 cm deep. Those are internal dimensions.
Im concerned about soil!! I need to use 100% akadama or even put in some organic also. Ofcorse moss will be on top of the soil.
To my other trees i use 50%akadama, 25 lava and 25% pumice, but first time potting on so shallow pot.

 

[Shibui]

That is a very shallow pot but good news is that Ficus are generally very tough so if any tree will survive it will be Ficus. Root over rock is usually better able to survive wet soil so I would probably make your soil mix to hold more water rather than too well drained. Rock plantings tend to dry out much quicker than other style bonsai without rocks which can counteract problems with wet soil. I have junipers root over rock in a very shallow pot but the pot has no drain holes! The tray is filled only with coarse sand - no other soil additives. When watered the tray fills with water so the roots in the tray are under water and can drink but, due to shallow pot, roots and rock all taking water the water level soon falls and roots have access to air. The 3 shimpaku junipers on that rock have grown well for 7 years so far.
In my experience, soil mix is far less important than how and when you water. Match watering to the pot and soil and you will be successful.

What Ficus species are you using?

 

[Jorgens86]

That is a very shallow pot but good news is that Ficus are generally very tough so if any tree will survive it will be Ficus. Root over rock is usually better able to survive wet soil so I would probably make your soil mix to hold more water rather than too well drained. Rock plantings tend to dry out much quicker than other style bonsai without rocks which can counteract problems with wet soil. I have junipers root over rock in a very shallow pot but the pot has no drain holes! The tray is filled only with coarse sand - no other soil additives. When watered the tray fills with water so the roots in the tray are under water and can drink but, due to shallow pot, roots and rock all taking water the water level soon falls and roots have access to air. The 3 shimpaku junipers on that rock have grown well for 7 years so far.
In my experience, soil mix is far less important than how and when you water. Match watering to the pot and soil and you will be successful.

What Ficus species are you using?

Im using tigerbark ficus. The thing is , in summer im not always on home and im out for like 3 days, so the wattering is a problem