The Ficus Bonsai is immensely popular with bonsai lovers. But why? Probably the top three reasons are that the ficus bonsai is simple to maintain, looks amazing and is relatively easy to buy.
Whilst there are a number of varieties of ficus bonsais for you to choose from what is similar in all of them is that they can tolerate low light. The varieties include the narrow-leaf ficus, weeping ficus and dwarf ficus. Being a tree that comes from tropical and sub-tropical climates means that they originate I the jungle, where as a species they compete for light. As a result, the ficus tree, and your ficus bonsai can tolerate relatively low level of light. This makes the ideal for keeping indoors and another reason why the ficus bonsai is so popular in an increasingly urbanized worlds where people appreciate a touch of greenery and nature in their largely concrete living environment.
So let's now look at a few key areas to ensure that you bonsai lovers out there can nurture and care for your ficus bonsai!
Light
Ficus bonsai can grow in both direct and indirect sunlight. However, keeping them indoors saves the delicate leaves from being burned. Be mindful that they may scorch even inside, especially when light shines through a household window. The low intensity of morning sunlight is ideal for most bonsai but especially your ficus bonsai, which as mentioned previously, is adapted to low and soft level light. One can also place this type of bonsai under supplemental lighting sources.
Watering you ficus bonsai
As with most bonsai, ficus bonsais also needed to be dried out in-between watering. Hence the soil should be felt every day. Just thrust your finger about an inch into the soil and feel whether it is dry and if it is dry, give your bonsai some water. There should not be extended periods of dryness of the soil, so attention to the levels of dampness in the ficus bonsai soil should be monitored.
Feeding your ficus bonsai
A fertilizer of organic liquid like a fish emulsion or organic seaweed should be used once every two weeks during the growth period, spring until fall. If you are using chemical fertilizer, make sure it is well diluted so that there is no damage done to the valuable roots.
Monitoring humidity with your ficus bonsai
To maintain humidity around the ficus bonsai, one can use humidity tray or a plate with stones or water in it. The bonsai should be kept on top of the stones. The plate stops water from draining out. Misting, though is helpful, though is not a substitute for watering.
Repotting your ficus bonsai
Generally you should repot your ficus bonsai every two years or so. The right time for repotting is early spring.
Moss
One can add moss to a bonsai to improve its beauty and moisture retention within the pot. If it is seen that moss is growing in the tree, it could be kept alive by regular misting. One can also add moss from their own backyard. Moss will give your ficus bonsai a very authentic and sought after look.
Caring for your ficus bonsai in winter
During the winter months, it is best to keep ficus bonsai indoors. Keep them in a sunny area where the temperature does not go below sixty degrees Fahrenheit. If there is a cold drafty environment or if the ambient temperature is too cool, you may lose some of those beautiful leaves.
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