_#1_
Omono
Maybe the OGs knows what works through trials and errors
Ficus are cheap, just give it a try regardless.
What Bonsai For Office Environment?
- Thread starter Isilwen
- Start date
Ficus are cheap, just give it a try regardless.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Maybe talk to the managers about the conditions you are working with and cater the species to those rules.
Ficus will work ok with lighting. What will the managers allow?? If its a State setting, ask to see the guidelines in writing.
Ficus will work ok with lighting. What will the managers allow?? If its a State setting, ask to see the guidelines in writing.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Yea the one you linked should work too.
Why is the one I linked not allowed?
Its the same amount of light given off.
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My expectation is that a too-little ficus would probably struggle without significant lighting because of the very small leaf size. I have successfully kept a ficus benjamina’Natasja’ at the office near an east facing window with no supplemental lighting. I’ve also kept a tiger bark ficus under those same lighting conditions before. Growth tends to get a bit leggy and the leaf size enlarges, but they’ll get through the winter ok. I put them outdoors in the summertime and they quickly regain their vigor and explode with growth.
AJL
Chumono
Unfortunately the reality is that in absence of natural daylight whatever you try to grown in that office environment will tend to struggle and have leggy growth not conducive to Bonsai, and you may have to rotate several plants to maintain their health and appearance.
Why not check out the previous threads on this topic https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/indoor-bonsai-for-office-environment.30262/
Why not check out the previous threads on this topic https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/indoor-bonsai-for-office-environment.30262/
Isilwen
Mame
I think it's because of the design. I was told no for the one you linked.
I have only been there less than a month and it's a year probation. I'm trying not to rock the boat. It's a state job and the benefits are just too good to lose the job.
Isilwen
Mame
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
You don't have a plant problem, you have a light problem. This has repeatedly been stated here.
Warlock
Shohin
Go with peace lilly
Isilwen
Mame
I understand that. That is why I keep asking if a ficus will do. I have seen ficus do well in office environments without supplemental lighting. I've seen them do well in a mall with barely any lighting and they are huge trees.
I will find out today if that ring light will be okay.
Isilwen
Mame
Thanks, but I have no interest in them. I want to get something that I have an interest in otherwise there is no point in having it, no?
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
You have dismissed just about all of the options, other than ficus. Ficus may do OK, but I have a feeling it isn't going to satisfy what you're looking for. It will be leggy and won't end up looking like what you seem to be after. If the jade plant died, other species like ficus aren't going to do well either.
Another way to go would be an artificial tree--no care needs. No need to get dispensation for grow lights, etc. from your employer. Not being critical in suggesting this, but it's something to consider as an option. Less hassle and still shows your interest without making it an imposition on management at your new job.
There are artificial options that can run from realistic to "arty":
https://kamimotto.jp/SHOP/186478/139556/list.html
There are many, many more if you look around online...
Another way to go would be an artificial tree--no care needs. No need to get dispensation for grow lights, etc. from your employer. Not being critical in suggesting this, but it's something to consider as an option. Less hassle and still shows your interest without making it an imposition on management at your new job.
There are artificial options that can run from realistic to "arty":
https://kamimotto.jp/SHOP/186478/139556/list.html
There are many, many more if you look around online...
Isilwen
Mame
Thanks. I will try the ficus and see what happens. Not worried about it being leggy as it will need to stay a certain height.
I do realize that you're trying to help and everyone is trying to help. I dismissed those options, because I have no interest in those options. I wouldn't buy them whether bonsai or not. Would you buy something that you're not interested in just to have something? Maybe you would, but I never would. It's just not something that I have ever done.
I'm gonna try a ficus and see what happens. Worse case, I have another ficus for my apartment.
ShimpakuBonsai
Chumono
Ficus trees are cheap and I have seen plenty of ficus trees in office spaces and most of them grow enough with the standard office light so just start growing one in your office if that's what you want.
Yes, ficus will work but the cultivar matters. Any ficus will struggle and get leggy under those conditions. Ficus with particularly small leaves, such as willow leaf ficus, ficus benjamina “Too Little”, etc. may die without supplemental lighting.
I think your best options are a tiger bark ficus or a green island ficus. Not the super tiny leaves you were hoping for, but you can still make a reasonably small tree with them that looks ok as bonsai.
Srt8madness
Omono
Artificial definitely the way to go
Isilwen
Mame
I am going to try a ficus. If that doesn't work, than I will not have anything.
Srt8madness
Omono
I think you'll fit right in at a government job
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
"I wouldn't buy them whether bonsai or not. Would you buy something that you're not interested in just to have something? Maybe you would, but I never would. It's just not something that I have ever done."
Compromise is part of bonsai. Comes with the territory. Some species work with where and how their owners live, some don't, or don't without a lot of effort, as you're discovering. I grow temperate zone deciduous trees. I like tropicals, used to have a dozen decent ficus bonsai. But after many years, I found providing adequate care for them difficult to do. More effort than it was worth. I sold what I had a few years ago.
I have a feeling that a ficus in the situation you describe probably isn't going to meet your expectations over time, but it's a start on learning what will work and how it will work. Unless you provide intense, expensive and cumbersome supplemental lighting, "leggy" means tall, naked twigs with one or two leaves on the ends, mostly. And type of ficus does matter. As mentioned, willow leaved ficus, and Benjamina ficus aren't a good choice. Tiger bark and Green Island are better choices.
Gabler
Masterpiece
- Take your dwarf jade home and put it in a south-facing window to revive it.
- Ask your boss what style of desk lamps are allowed. DO NOT TELL HIM IT'S FOR A PLANT!!! Just call it a desk lamp, which it is. Ask by email, so you have the approval in writing.
- Get an approved office lamp, and put a growing lamp light bulb in it.
- Keep that lamp at your desk for a month.
- Then, bring your jade or ficus into the office to keep it at your desk under the lamp. Be sure to turn the lamp off when you leave, rather than using the timer function.
- If he complains that you've set up a growing lamp, show HR that he gave you approval in writing.
