Ficus Too Little/Natasha

[GerhardG]

Hi

I have a nursery ficus that was labeled as Ficus Benj. Natasha, but looking around on the Net it sure looks like a Too Little. A bonsai buddy has a Too Little and I really can't see a difference.

Anybody out there know the low-down on these varieties?

I have to add the lables on a lot of the plants at the local nurseries are either way off or slightly misleading, but this is largely thanks to the wholesalers in South Africa.

I won't post a pic, I like ficus and got this one because it was the only one left, not a bad plant but the trunk is so straight I don't have a plan for it yet. Thus far I've used it to make plenty cuttings (very good results) and I applied a wire tourniquet to sort out the roots (VERY happy with the results) and now I'm letting it grow and waiting for inspiration.

Thanks
Gerhard

 

[Bonsai Nut]

The two cultivars are very similar. From what I see, "Natasha" is supposed to be the smallest, with "Too Little" being next smallest, however I can't confirm 100%. They are both much smaller than a standard F. benjamina.

 

[Taiko-Earth]

Sorry this is so late, but I can definitely tell the difference between the two, as I have had both through the years.

Too Little has a tendency to have a small curled leaf, whereas Natasha is more of a longer twisted shape. Also the former has a clumping habit in its top growth where as the latter is more like the simple benjamina.

Hope this helps. I would post photos but I killed my Too Little about 12 years ago.

Guess you could say it was Too Little, Too Late......

Rob