Ficus Ginseng 12 cm - Pot Ceramic Moonlight

Common Name: Ficus Ginseng

Scientific Name: Ficus Microcarpa "ginseng" (when it has roots or just microcarpa in grafted specimens without "thick" roots).

Characteristics: It belongs to the Moraceae family and is produced/grafted in China.

Ficus "ginseng" are "ficus Microcarpa" grafted onto a variety of Ficus that rapidly "thickens" the roots but produces larger and less attractive leaves than the ficus microcarpa, hence the fact that the buds sprouting from the "roots" have larger leaves than those of the grafted area, and should be removed as they compete with the grafted ones.

The name "ginseng" has nothing to do with the plant "Panax Ginseng" (which has medicinal properties), but is due to the fact that Ginseng in Chinese (comes from "Renshen") translates as "Root of Man," referring to the strong roots of these plants.

It is not originally a Bonsai but rather an indoor ornamental plant, which can be cultivated as a Bonsai, or even "transformed" into one by moving it to a Bonsai pot and all Bonsai techniques such as wiring can be applied.

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 warm months outside maintaining 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight.

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

Tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet.

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

If you have a tray underneath or the plant in a cachepot without a drainage hole, never leave any water in it (to avoid root rot).

There is no advantage in misting the leaves; only do it on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but make sure the leaves dry by night 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 the rest of our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, see the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: Given the large size of its leaf, it should always be controlled by "Metsumi" at the beginning of budding.

Formation pruning is usually done after defoliation in June/July, a time when wiring and transplanting are also done if cultivated as Bonsai. When cut, it releases latex, which "stops" well by spraying the plant with water.

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

Transplanting: Using Terra Bonsai Folhosas 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 transplanting technical sheet.

Wiring: If cultivated as Bonsai and you decide to wire, the ideal time is in the warm months (if it will be defoliated right after), late May or June/July is ideal.

Instructions about wiring, see the wiring technical sheet.