What is Bonsai Ficus ?

The art form may have been derived from the practice of transporting medicinal plants in containers by healers. Contrary to belief Bonsai trees do not originate from Japan but there are records dating back more than 2000 years that show Bonsai being grown in China. These Bonsai weren’t as small as the Bonsai that people often envisage and were grown on an individual basis outdoors in pots. It was though the Japanese that took this art form and progressed it to the level it is at now. This has led to quite different styles in Japanese and Chinese Bonsai; the Chinese Bonsai being much more freestyle and more lightly pruned than the Japanese miniature Bonsai that are very heavily groomed and pruned and look much more like miniature natural versions of the full sized versions. As you go through the history of Japanese bonsai trees (among others) you will note that this term is used to refer to a ‘plant in a pot'. As per the information provided on Harvard's Arnold Arboretum site the ancient Chinese were the first to miniaturize trees for ornamental purposes around A.D. 200. Later the Japanese who used it to create beautiful gardens adopted the bonsai technique. Basically the bonsai are outdoor plants and they flourish in cool and humid conditions away from the bright sunlight for most parts of the day. In case you want to keep them indoors you have to create the same cool and humid environment for them, otherwise they tend to wither away. Podocarpus Serissa and dwarf Pomegranate are suitable for bonsai along with some common plants such as Schefflera jade plant Ficus benjamina Bougainvillea Citrus and Hibiscus. You can also make bonsai out of several woody herb species like bay rosemary myrtle and lavender. All bonsai need a light and well-draining soil but the actual soil can vary from plant to plant. So the soil mixture suitable for growing bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) cannot be considered ideal for cultivating the southern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). A typical bonsai soil mixture comprises 1/3 part coarse sand to help the drainage of excess water; 1/3 part organic matter like ground sphagnum moss or pine or fir bark which are capable to hold moisture and nutrients and 1/3 part a coarse fired clay like Turface that also has the capacity to hold nutrients and moisture. You can adjust the proportions according to the needs of your trees.

Bonsai Ficus Potting Tips

Pre-Bonsai material are often placed in "growing boxes" which are made from scraps of fenceboard or wood slats.

The container adds a lot to the beauty of the bonsai.

The second stage after using a grow box is to plant the tree in a "training box" this is often smaller and helps to create a smaller dense root mass which can be more easily moved into a final presentation pot.

Bonsai Ficus Pruning Tips

The root part of the plant is also pruned. This process is a must because new root parts must be allowed to grow, and the bonsai has limited space for its roots as it is grown in small pots or containers. Growing new roots are vital as it promotes the better absorption by the bonsai of the nutrients and water present in the soil.

When miniaturizing the bonsai tree it is important that know how to prune your tree. The major parts of the bonsai that you need to prune well, are the foliage or the leaf part of the bonsai, and the root part of the plant. Pruning the bonsai is really not just a skill, but more of a special kind of art.

The pruning (cutting the leaves) can be done when we see that the old leaves have turned yellow or look a little bit dull. We can do it in two ways: shearing or pulling out. The best way is the second one... that is gradually pull out the old leaves. To prevent pulling out the whole group of leaves use your left hand to hold the lower end of the leaves group and use your right hand to pull out the old leaves one by one and leave the young ones. If you prefer the first way... shear the old leaves at about 1 cm higher from the leaf stalk. This is to provoke the new bud from the rest of those old leaves. Unfortunately shearing will leave brown traces and these unsightly traces will stay there for months before they disappear.

Bonsai Ficus Soil Tips

In using fertilizers find the trusted brand in your area. Check for which brands work best under the particular soil you are using. Consult expert advice and team up with other bonsai enthusiasts so that you can maximize your experience. You don’t have to do trial and error to find the perfect fertilizer. Other peoples’ experience may be just as valuable and time-saving so make sure you did find other people who are experienced in growing bonsai before you start out.

In using fertilizer for your growing bonsai you need to exercise proper balance and lots of attention to detail. Your determination to make your bonsai grow lies in many factors but it ultimately boils down to your determination and consistency.

Pre-Bonsai material are often placed in "growing boxes" which are made from scraps of fenceboard or wood slats.

Bonsai Ficus Techniques

Great care must be taken when collecting, as it is very easy to damage the tree's root system (often irreparably) by digging it up.

During overwintering, temperate species are allowed to enter dormancy but care must be taken with deciduous plants to prevent them from breaking dormancy too early.

Unlike other forms of gardening, the requirements for producing bonsai are very specific. It might sound easy to produce a miniature tree, but the time, patience, and attention to detail required to make a unique specimen thrive, is extensive. Naturally, these plants require a high level of dedication so you need to be sure you can commit to the process before embarking on the style.

Bonsai Ficus Tidbits

Having a natural look or appearance is a very vital element of every bonsai garden. Most bonsai are used to mild temperatures and thrive best in these conditions. Specific species of bonsai plants need different temperature ranges. Research this when choosing your plants. Remember that the temperature will be affected by the quantity of light your bonsai gets. In Japan, the literati style is known as bunjin-gi .

Because a bonsai garden is made up bonsai trees in their very own natural habitat, the trees should possess symmetry. Many connoisseurs of the bonsai aren't content with a single tree. You might see a group of bonsai trees growing in a single pot. This is called the forest style of display. But it doesn't stop there. Many growers take great pride in designing intricate miniature landscapes with their trees. It could be an indoor display or even a much larger outdoor display in a garden. However a bonsai is displayed it requires a great deal of care to keep your tree healthy and properly groomed. Bonsai can be shaped and manipulated in order to appear differently and take on different shapes, you should know what way you would like your trees to look before growing them too large.

Sometimes, roots will develop from buried portions of the trunk. Some people believe there are specific tree species that are suitable for bonsai growing. Among the favorites species are maple, elm trees, and pine trees. However junipers, cherry trees with flowers, and azaleas can also be very good species for bonsai growing. A bonsai should have a well tapered trunk and have branches all around the tree to give the bonsai visual depth.

Skeleton Star, Inc. is a business whose tagline is: "Providing Business Essentials... Making B2B Easy." Skeleton Star owns and operates several web sites of which the following is key to new entrepreneurs: Business Practices.

Another of their holdings is: Bonsai Headquarters.

Reprinting and republishing of this article is granted only with the above credits included. Permission to reprint or republish does not waive any copyright or other rights.