By Tien

Bonsai Sensation Nursery
www.bonsaisensation.com.au

There are hundreds of varieties of the Ficus, but the most popular one for Bonsai is the Ficus Retusa, which is often shaped in an s-curved trunk and has oval, dark green leaves.

Excerpt from Bonsai Empire

Maintenance

• Anything rootwise growing downwards is cut off.

• Choose widest level of roots and all below that level are cut off.

• Makes tree develop new roots and want to survive.

• Develops good wide base.

• Repot figs every year. Taper is important.

• Ficus and Chinese elm and maples can be cut back hard and they will regrow. Serious pruning required.

• Need to look at every tree at least once a month.

• Feed once per month while growing. Prune tropical trees in middle Summer.

• Pick off all leaves 4-6 times per year. 

• Wiring. Pull to one side first.

• In Winter frost will kill leaves.

• With lots of new shoots, choose one leader and allow to grow.