Ficus Tiger Bark Bonsai 7 years old

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 various species of Ficus cultivated as Bonsai, but the care is practically the same. All have evergreen 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 the aerial roots it can emit.

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, 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 a lot of water comes out through the drainage holes, in order to uniformly moisten the soil, always from above, never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.

Tips about watering, see the technical sheet watering.

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

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

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

Nutrition: From February to October/November, follow a basic 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, see the technical sheet complete nutrition plan.

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

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

Transplanting: Using Bonsai Soil for Deciduous Trees in May/June (limit mid-July), after defoliation or heavy pruning.

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

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

Instructions on wiring, see the technical sheet wiring.