6-Year-Old Ficus Tiger Bark Bonsai

Common Name: Ficus

Scientific Name: Ficus Retusa (there are several species)

Characterization: Belongs to the Moraceae family and is native to China and India.

There are several species of Ficus cultivated as Bonsai, but the care is practically the same. All have persistent leaves and medium size.

The aspect that most attracts Bonsaistas is the high resistance (it is commonly said that "you need to take a course to kill a Ficus!") combined with the beauty of the bark and aerial roots it can produce.

Location: Indoors near a window (maximum distance 50 cm), without curtains or blinds, where it receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day, being rotated 180° weekly, away from heat sources or air conditioning. It can spend the hot months outside maintaining the 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight.

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water flows out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above and never by soaking, using a watering can with fine holes.

Tips about watering, consult the watering technical sheet.

Let the surface layer of the soil dry slightly between each watering (to confirm if the plant already needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).

If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to avoid root rot).

There is no advantage in misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but ensure the leaves dry by night to prevent fungi.

Nutrition: From February to October/November, with a base plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.

Detailed information on how to combine these products with others from our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, consult the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: Given the large size of its leaves, pruning should always be controlled by "Metsumi" at the beginning of sprouting. When cut, it releases latex, which "stops" well by spraying the plant with water.

Tips about pruning, consult the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Transplanting: With Broadleaf Bonsai Soil in May/June (limit mid-July), after defoliation or strong pruning.

Details about transplanting, post-transplant care, and specific fortifiers you can use, consult the transplanting technical sheet.

Wiring: With defoliation in the hot months, June/July, it is a very resistant plant, withstanding very strong work and always responding well, as long as it is healthy.

Instructions on wiring, consult the wiring technical sheet.