First of all, introduction:
Hello everyone, my name is Dustin, I'm 39 years old, and my wife and I have been talking about how cool it would be to start the art of bonsai care.
With no really great windows, living in Michigan (cold, gray), and with very little time, however, it isn't a priority.
However.... My cousin found a beautiful bonsai in the trash (of all places!.... So sad) and needing some serious TLC so she gave it to me! ....I guess it's time I start my Bonsai journey.
I could make some space in an indoor grow room (if need) and have a variety of nutrients (if/when needed) if that's needed.
I think it's a Ficus bonsai, but someone will have to check my photos. It's pretty tall all I don't know if someone let it go or if that was on purpose or what. I also have no idea what it should look like, but I'm guessing more leaves than this.
The soil looks like the right mix of bark, clay, and pebbles. I have no idea what to do to get it back to health though and no idea how I should prune/train when the time comes. For now.... It needs some leaves! Most have fallen off and are dead...
Can the tree be saved?
So far, I just sprayed a very low concentration of kelp/water on the leaves and fed it a 1/3 strength dose of fish fertilizer with water, soaking to runoff.
My plan is to basically keep watering with room temp water every other day or so whenever the "soil" looks dry. Fertilize once a month or so and have patients. Hopefully some leaves will grow and in spring I can do some serious pruning/maintenance.
Am I way off?
Anything else I can/should do for now (besides a bunch of research on Bonsais of course)?
Thanks in advance for your time and attention.
Hello everyone, my name is Dustin, I'm 39 years old, and my wife and I have been talking about how cool it would be to start the art of bonsai care.
With no really great windows, living in Michigan (cold, gray), and with very little time, however, it isn't a priority.
However.... My cousin found a beautiful bonsai in the trash (of all places!.... So sad) and needing some serious TLC so she gave it to me! ....I guess it's time I start my Bonsai journey.
I could make some space in an indoor grow room (if need) and have a variety of nutrients (if/when needed) if that's needed.
I think it's a Ficus bonsai, but someone will have to check my photos. It's pretty tall all I don't know if someone let it go or if that was on purpose or what. I also have no idea what it should look like, but I'm guessing more leaves than this.
The soil looks like the right mix of bark, clay, and pebbles. I have no idea what to do to get it back to health though and no idea how I should prune/train when the time comes. For now.... It needs some leaves! Most have fallen off and are dead...
Can the tree be saved?
So far, I just sprayed a very low concentration of kelp/water on the leaves and fed it a 1/3 strength dose of fish fertilizer with water, soaking to runoff.
My plan is to basically keep watering with room temp water every other day or so whenever the "soil" looks dry. Fertilize once a month or so and have patients. Hopefully some leaves will grow and in spring I can do some serious pruning/maintenance.
Am I way off?
Anything else I can/should do for now (besides a bunch of research on Bonsais of course)?
Thanks in advance for your time and attention.