Contemplating a ficus

[Paradox]

Thinking about picking up a ficus to add to my collection.

I can keep it outside in the summer so no issue there.
Bringing it inside for the winter, what things do I need to know?

Do I need to give it supplemental light (grow light)?
Do I need to keep it in a high humidity box (fishtank with glass top, some water in the bottom?)
????

Im thinking about a Golden Gate aka Tiger Bark ficus
Any info I should know about them?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

You don't need to supplement it with light or humidity, but the light will certainly help. A windowsill usually isn't enough, especially in your area. I'd highly recommend a T5 or T8 light.

microcarpa make great bonsai, and are one of the least finicky of the Ficus. You'll enjoy it.

 

[Paradox]

F. microcarpa=tiger bark/golden gate?

What wattage do you recommend on the light?

 

[edprocoat]

F. microcarpa=tiger bark/golden gate?

What wattage do you recommend on the light?

I hve not seen Microcarpa called Golden Gate but I am an east coast guy. The Microcarpa has tons of names Tiger bark, Retusa, Chinese Banyan are common ones I see. This could be a sport or just a common name out west.

ed

 

[Nybonsai12]

I think any T5 High output bulb should be more than sufficient. I bought a cheap setup for the few tropicals I have off amazon a few years back.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV4-4-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0001XLSGQ/ref=pd_sim_lg_1

Something like this. It's cheap and good for the small use I have during winter months. Plants seemed to do well under it but you will run into a problem if you get a tree that is too big. I have never provided any additional humidty for them.

Check Ryans threads. He's got plenty of great information on setups that he uses for his many ficus.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Yep, Golden Gate is a cultivar of microcarpa. There's debate over whether or not Golden Gate is another name for Tiger Bark, Jerry and I have been discussing that.

As to wattage, since you just have one tree, a simple 2 or 4 bulb T8 fixture from Lowes with 6400K bulbs would work just fine. However, good luck keeping just one Ficus

 

[FrankP999]

I have a T5-HO fixture with 4 four foot bulbs for orchids that I adapted for my ficus during the winter. Last year they did just OK, dropped leaves and generally sulked.

This season, I bought a small cheap "indoor greenhouse" and a heating mat. The temps are about 80 degrees with 80% humidity during the day. My ficus love it. They are actively putting out new growth and several are throwing off aerial roots. I have a bunch of "Too Little" cuttings, a large green island ficus, and several ficus salicaria (if that's the right name). The humidity is the key I believe. I open up the "greenhouse" ventilation and run a humidifier for a few minutes. The plan is to have them in great shape when next spring arrives.

 

[FrankP999]

I have a T5-HO fixture with 4 four foot bulbs for orchids that I adapted for my ficus during the winter. Last year they did just OK, dropped leaves and generally sulked.

This season, I bought a small cheap "indoor greenhouse" and a heating mat. The temps are about 80 degrees with 80% humidity during the day. My ficus love it. They are actively putting out new growth and several are throwing off aerial roots. I have a bunch of "Too Little" cuttings, a large green island ficus, and several ficus salicaria (if that's the right name). The humidity is the key I believe. I open up the "greenhouse" for ventilation daily and run a humidifier for a few minutes. The plan is to have them in great shape when next spring arrives.

 

[Poink88]

Just a reference on lighting...

I have various tropical trees and I use 2 tube T8. They slow down a bit in my winter set up but not much. Ficus is more forgiving than most of my trees however so I believe T8 is good enough. HO T5 will definitely work better...but it also cost considerably more.

 

[Paradox]

Thanks for the info guys. Ive been looking around a bit.

Any suggestions on places I should contact for a good ficus?

 

[Paradox]

Just ordered a little ficus from Miami tropical bonsai.

 

[mike sommers]

Thanks for the info guys. Ive been looking around a bit.

Any suggestions on places I should contact for a good ficus?

Good people, great selection and low prices.
http://www.wigertsbonsai.com/

 

[KennedyMarx]

Wigert's is good. I also like Meehans Miniatures.

 

[GrimLore]

Thanks for the info guys. Ive been looking around a bit.

Any suggestions on places I should contact for a good ficus?

Redwood Ryan is selling his collection in the tree selling threads PM him. Might be able to pull off shipping using some hand warmers or perhaps Spring shipment. They are Tropical so it will be tricky to ship at this time of year.

Grimmy

 

[Paradox]

Thanks Grim but I ordered two a couple of months ago. There isnt room for another one under my grow light.

 

[edprocoat]

Thanks Grim but I ordered two a couple of months ago. There isnt room for another one under my grow light.

A man who knows his Bonsai limits !!

Odd, truly odd ...

ed

 

[lordy]

A man who knows his Bonsai limits !!
ed

Or woman, as the case may be...

 

[Paradox]