Very First Tree!

[EricL]

Hello all,

Bonsai is always something I wanted to do and have finally gotten a tree from my girlfriend! It is a Ficus Retusa Tiger Bark and is approximately 1 foot tall from base of trunk to top of leaves. I live in Iowa and it is currently still winter. Since I didn't talk to the guy when it was bought there are a few questions I have.

First since it is in a really small pot I was wondering when I would know when to water it and how to water it. I also believe that the water from my tap is really hard so what should I do about that?
Another question is when should I add new fertilizer? And is styling it and trimming appropriate to do all year round or is there a time best to do that?

PS. The place my bonsai was kept was in a greenhouse and I believe it was very humid. When I woke up this morning there was a fuzzy white growth covering the top of the soil and around the base of the trunk. Any ideas about what this could be?

Thank you!

 

[youngsai]

First off welcome to the forum! Congrats on your new-found habit COUGH COUGH hobby, start off slow and read. Read, read and then READ. Learn as much as you can, look at pictures and see what species you like, what artist style you like. Learn techniques, learn the horticulture of it and the art of it. Learn about bonsai, any questions you have, try typing them into the search box and you may just find that someone in the past had the same issue as you did. Any questions you still have pm me and I'll help you if I can or at least guide you in the right direction. In the same light, you should fill out your profile because then people will be able to give you more precise answers according to your climate zone..

Now onto your tree, one of the vets please chime with anything I leave out.

1.) you are already lightyears ahead of most people by buying a ficus to keep indoors, too many people buy a conifer (pine tree, juniper etc) which REQUIRE a dormant period for them to survive, and so must remain in the snow, albeit somewhat protected. So make sure your species can take the environment your in or take strides to accommodate it. Also, ficus can take RELATIVELY LOW light, so a good grow light and a windowsill, maybe even just the windowsill if that has really good sun ***maybe a vet can elaborate on this?

2.) The soil you have is not bonsai soil, and so it is not an ideal condition for your ficus bonsai. So you wanna get your hands on some bonsai soil. I sell soil as do a lot of far more experienced dealers on this forum. I hear Brussels's is good as well as Wee-Tree.

3.) your soil looks compacted and overgrown, I would imagine your tree is root-bound, so once it acclimates in a few weeks, in spring , you should think about root pruning and repotting using good soil. For now I would just pull up all the excess plant stuff unless you like the way it looks, maybe leave the moss.

4.)The white stuff, if you could show some good pictures of it, we could get a better idea of what is and how to treat. If you want something macro, hold a magnifying glass up, look through the camera and you should be able to enlarge the picture

5.) watering is not simple and must be adjusted continuously. But for now, just stick your finger into the soil, about a half inch and when that is dry, then water. FYI, if the water disappears and drains through immediately your soil is in good condition! If it doesn't flow right through, then you need to address that issue soon, but not right away.

It may be in order (after the initial acclimation) to repot and root prune in about a month or so.

6.) read
7.) read
7.) read

8.) have fun with it!!!

 

[EricL]

Thank you very much for the reply! I'm really excited that I have finally gotten my first tree, and look forward to learning all about the art!

The fuzzy white stuff seemed to have disappeared after I spray misted the tree. If it comes back again I will be sure to get a picture.

 

[thams]

A good resource to read about ficus is here --> http://adamaskwhy.wordpress.com/

I've learned a great deal just reading and observing how he wires, repots, etc. His blog mainly deals with tropicals, so it should provide you with a decent amount of knowledge.

 

[rps]

Also, plenty of sound ficus information on Jerry Meislik's web-page...
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

 

[EricL]

Also I have a slug and small insects living on my top soil? Any thoughts about this??

 

[edprocoat]

Also I have a slug and small insects living on my top soil? Any thoughts about this??

Yea, get rid of them and the hitch-hiking plants in the soil. Also find out what is eating on your leaves, the pic from the top show several that have been nibbled on by something.

ed

 

[EricL]

Thanks for the info. I believe the nibbling may have been taking place where the tree was purchased. I only just received it yesterday, but will keep my eyes open.

 

[twisted trees]

Congrats on a new endeavor. Ficus are generally easy, but... Your tree does need repotting. Find a some bonsai soil, medium grade would be fine. Find a bit bigger pot if possible. In the mean time. Soak the the tree in the sink in order to make sure it's wet. Remove all the weeds as mentioned before. Get as many roots as possible and after you soak it might be easier.

As for repotting, ficus can tolerate most anything anytime as long as you have a little experience. You need to tease the roots out and trim them to open them up and give them room to create new roots. The new roots are how the plant feeds itself so if you use the same pot you will need to reduce the root mass about 1/3. Do not fertilize until springtime in your area. If you can wait a little bit until you find an experienced bonsai artist to help with the repot you will stand the best chance of survival. In the meantime poke some holes in the old soil to allow water in.

All that said, if you know how to grow house plants already then you know enough to help your ficus survive. Do not put it out side unless the threat of frost is well past. They do not like to be moved around so find the most sunny indoor window and leave it there until you put it outside.

Good growing.

 

[edprocoat]

Just a few thoughts for you, Ficus like water so don't let it dry out and keep some organics in the soil. Good drainage is also needed. The white furry stuff is a mold which will die off in the sun. Air circulation helps with that too. I would get some small lava or pumice and mix a third of it with a third of your original soil and a third composted pine bark chips for a mix that will allow draining while retaining enough water to keep it healthy and provide some organics which Ficus love. It has a nice trunk and looks healthy. If you keep it by a window watch for it overheating, near glass areas get real hot when the sun is out. You can repot a Ficus anytime of the year so get some soil when you can and have at it. Don't rush it as I said it looks healthy now. When you do repot it do not fertilize for 2-3 weeks while keeping it in the shade so it can recover from the trauma. Its easier to rinse the roots clean than to tease them out as Ficus have soft roots and raking them will cause you to break more than a water rinse would. A healthy tree like this will handle repotting well.

ed

 

[EricL]

Wow, Thank you both so much for the great instruction and tips. I have a book that I am reading on bonsai, but this allows for very specific help! Glad I joined!

I went back to the place where the tree was purchased to for me today and the owner has a wonderful collection. I was actually very surprised as I didn't expect such a place in Iowa. The place is DaSu Bonsai.
Again thank you both for the great information!

 

[EricL]

Something I just noticed, I do believe I have found a few whiteflies living on the underside of my leaves. To this point I have only found three. Anyone know the best way to rid them??

 

[QuintinBonsai]

Wow, Thank you both so much for the great instruction and tips. I have a book that I am reading on bonsai, but this allows for very specific help! Glad I joined!

I went back to the place where the tree was purchased to for me today and the owner has a wonderful collection. I was actually very surprised as I didn't expect such a place in Iowa. The place is DaSu Bonsai.
Again thank you both for the great information!

Yep they have a great website too from my understanding, but it's always better since you actually visit the nursery in person. Any pests or mildew can be controlled with a simple organic insecticide or fungicide, and you can find that at any garden center.

Check out this website; http://www.bonsai-trees-for-beginners.org/ It's simple yet informative.

Below is an example of what you could do for your ficus. It's nothing that absolutely has to be done, but it gives the tree a nice informal upright style to shoot for.

 

[EricL]

Yeah the small plants and such has been removed, and I kind of work up one side of the soil to make it easier to check water at the bottom of the pot.

Also the thank you for the input. The picture you commented on is at the angle that I have come to see best suited for the back side of the tree. The pictures I attached here are from the possible fronts I was thinking about, and close ups of the trunk to give you a better idea of what I'm working with.
I had only chosen that as the front because it was to my understanding that the tree looks better when it fades away and then kind of comes back to the viewer as you go up. What do you think??

 

[QuintinBonsai]

Picture 2 looks like a good front. It needs a slightly larger pot though.

 

[EricL]

Yeah I was planning to do a repot sometime this spring once I get some soils and a new pot!

 

[EricL]

Hello all,

I had a question about my ficus and my light levels. I keep my bonsai on a desk that is right next to the window but the tree is about 3 feet from the window. The window is facing the east. The things I'm worried about is the direct sunlight through the glass that it receives in the morning, and if it is getting enough light to thrive. I looked up what I could, but I figured here I could get a very specified answer.
Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks.