Soil issue???

[Vindeezy]

Hello All I am fairly new to bonsai and this is my first post. I have a ficus retusa that I repotted in June of 2016 (so under a year ago) I used akadama and some Fujiyama all purpose bonsai soil. And it's seems to be growing really good in a southern facing window , but my concern is the soil got really slow draining as of lately is this gonna be a problem or just leave it alone??? Thanks in advance Vinny

 

[timetravel_0]

Indoors year round? 1/4 to 1/8" lava, pumice, or any other equivalent. You'll have to water more.

 

[Vindeezy]

Thanks I was thinking about repotting in boons but like I said I just repotted less than a year ago and any day over 70 degrees I put this tree outside ( Which isn't a whole lot in Wisconsin zone 5).

 

[timetravel_0]

Has it been growing actively in the past year? If so you could repot again.

I had a ton of issues with ficus in any sort of "dirt soil" this past winter in my greenhouse. It was the same thing you described- then leaves started yellowing and falling off.

In February all went into a mixture of lava, recycled glass froth (pumice), and coarse bark. After careful watering and allowing them to appropriately dry between watering a, they've bounced back.

 

[Vindeezy]

Thanks for the advice I think I will cut it loose from pot a check root system. And try that mix.

 

[sorce]

Vindeezy!

Foreezy?

Welcome to Creezy! With a big shout to
Cheesy!

First...by fall...all outdoor trees drain Slower.
Yours should too...that is Ok.

Second...keep it outside After 50F.
Inside after 50F. Once in. Once out.
More days! Less moving stress.

If your tree grew since June...
Id use the Same soil.

More previous pics? Info?

Sorce

 

[Vindeezy]

Thanks for the knowledge you spit.Lol
Sorry don't have any previous pics. I think the tree is about 10 yrs old. Bought from easternleaf about 2yrs ago.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@Vindeezy
Welcome to bonsai, a good life long hobby to get hookEd on.

Your profile says Hale's Corners, just north of the golf course on 92nd St. from you is the Boerner Botanic Garden, the Milwaukee bonsai society meeting is first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm. Come by, we usually have a guest speaker at 6 of 10 meetings, and at least 2 vendors at every meeting. Many of our members raise tropicals, so you can get local perspective on growing indoors.
Look for me, I'm usually there.

 

[Vindeezy]

Thank you I will do my best to try and make that meeting. I have always wanted to go but between toddler and pregnant wife and working a ton.yada yada yada...maybe I'll c u there.