I need help with my bonsai

Chris2652 · White Belt Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Hi i recently was given i bonsai tree from a friend who no longer wanted it, as you can see it looks extremely bare(the pic is on the gallery labeled what is this i had to put it there as my computer was being difficult). I don't know what it is, how old it is(its about 95cm tall), if its in the right pot size and there for i no id ear about its requirements. i live in a flat and have the bonsai tree next to a window that's always sunny, he told me to water it every two weeks with this B&Q bonsai food concentrated which I'm not sure is any good.
I would really appreciate any help or advice thanks Chris

Stymie · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: I need help with my bonsai

Hi Chris. Your tree is in the right place but watering every two weeks is not enough. Make sure that the planting medium is moist all the time and drop the fertilizer off for the time being. An occasional light misting of the leaves with tepid water will be beneficial. Doesn't the friend who gave it to you know what it is? I reckon that it's a Ficus retusa (Tiger bark fig), certainly one of the figs. When some new growth appears on it, we'll discuss a bit of pruning.

Chris2652 · White Belt Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

That's great thank you very much. How do i know if I'm over watering it, also some of the leaves are a slight yellow colour and it the pot big enough
thanks Chris

Rob Spiller · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: I need help with my bonsai

Hi Chris
The way I tell if mine needs watering is by sticking my finger into the soil.
I have re potted a pot bound Ficus and an Elm today (but only because the roots were growing out of the top of the pots). Both were watered last night, the soil was dry this afternoon. My trees get watered everyday, sometimes twice a day depending on how hot it is.

If the top feel damp, then I wouldn't water it.

Best time to water, or so I have been told is last thing at night.
During the winter months you will not need to water so often, just keep it moist.

I wouldn't repot yet. Let the tree recover first (Unless the more experienced people here say do it?) and do it in the spring.

It looks like a tree with really good prospects. Smile

Rob

Stymie · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: I need help with my bonsai

If the planting medium is free draining i.e. water drains through the drain holes within 20 seconds of being applied, there is little danger of over watering. On the other hand, puddling of water on the surface would indicate that the medium is too fine and compacted.
The ideal pot size would have its largest measurement at around two thirds of the height of the tree. Your finished tree will be somewhat shorter when it is pruned but would still withstand a slightly larger pot if that is what you would like.
Figs may be re-potted at almost any part of the year but spring is still the best time. Being semi-tropical in origin, they do not have a dormant period.

splendidplumage · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:21 am Post subject: Re: I need help with my bonsai

Just saw your picture of your new fig.
The pot is far too small. The leaves almost certainly went yellow and dropped off from the soil drying out too quickly. If that tree was in full leaf everyone would struggle to water it enough with so little soil. There is almost no chance you over watered it and you should not really worry about doing so.
watering every two weeks with the bonsai fertilizer was a fine suggestion but you should also have been watering the tree with normal water to stop it getting dry. It is normal to give healthy bonsai in full leaf a thorough watering everyday, although I would not be surprised if a tree that size i such a small pot needed watering 2-3 times a day. It has dropped leaves to adjust to the amount of water it is getting.

Keep it watered regularly and it will try and produce more leaves. But be aware that as it produces more leaves it will require more water so you will have to keep increasing the frequency of watering as it recovers.
Long term it needs a bigger pot. A pot just narrower then the spread of the longest branches and deeper would look a bout right.
Make sure you pot into gritty (free draining) compost.

Chris2652 · White Belt Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Thank you all for you help the tree is now producing more leafs and looks much healthier. so i should re-pot it now or wait until it produces more leafs, where is the best place to find a pot
thanks Chris

Stymie · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject: Re: I need help with my bonsai

Any of our sponsors will supply a container for your tree. If you find the ceramic pots too expensive, consider mica or even plastic. Mail order is safe because packing by the suppliers will be adequate.

corin · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:48 am Post subject: Re: I need help with my bonsai

where abouts in the UK are you Chris? - you'd be better off taking the tree to a nursery and choosing a pot and getting them to re-pot it for at the same time