I take mine outside under a canopy in the summer and bring them in under 6500k lights on a timer in the winter. If the lights aren't bright enough after being outside they drop a bunch of leaves. This is what I've found is the best compromise for ficus in the house to get decent growth. Edit: They also have a humidifier going in the room they are in. Humidity is very important for them when you have the heat going and your house is arid.
I have three ficus (F. Green Island, F. Retusa, F. Benjamina) in my care 19 to 35 years. I think most of us keep them outdoors in semi-shade, filtered sunlight, half-day sunlight, etc. in summer. They overwinter in a large south-facing window without grow lights or humidifier. I do keep them well-watered. Hint: buy 38" black boot trays from a big box store and line with pebbles if humidity is an issue. My trees do not lose many leaves and add a few new leaves especially when the days lengthen in early spring. In spring/early summer I trim and fertilize them and prepare for a flush of new growth in their outdoor setting. I keep it simple.
In the first ficus that you modified, you kept both the grafted (micro) and original (macro) leaves. That could be a problem in the future. The micro leaves are compact and dense while the macro leaves are the opposite.
I must admit I've left weeds way too long in the pots. What a mess they make trying to pull them out! This year I'm keeping up on them it's so much easier pulls handful of small one's, than a ton of big ones that pull all my soil out with them.. my cousin has a ginger root ficus that had a lot of white or yellow salt deposits on it. He asked if I could repot it and scrub that crap off about 7 months ago, I used a toothbrush and it seemed to have worked . He keeps it in an Eastern facing window with light filtering curtains. I keep telling him to put it outside to get it to grow more, jlbut that falls upon deaf ears... 🙄
I bought a bonsai ficus that has 3 aerial roots that twist up to the trunk like tripod, but I've always wondered how they did it. How do you get the trunk up in the air like that? The problem with mine is it just shoots lots of little long branches from this tiny trunk but somehow still looks good because of the large thick aerial roots
Air roots from Ficus is natural in hot and humid climate, hanging down from branches…to get more moisture from the air….To make better use…dig up the air root to position for bonsai aesthetics…in some cases remove…if too contrived. It is pretty to have a lot of air roots coming down in some cases.
I fertilize all my bonsai once a week in the summer, occasionally in cooler months. Fish and Kelp from Amazon per instruction. For trees in nursery pots 15, 15, 15 slow release lawn food…cheap and good! 50 pounds for around $40!
Some people relish being problem-solvers. If trees are cared for from their youth over a period of time, there are far fewer problems to be solved. This means sometimes limiting your collection in number so you're not overwhelmed with care. Milton does a splendid job with these three trees, but I have learned that some trees are not worth your time and effort. I admit to not relishing problem-solving!
Yes. Bonsai just means aesthetically pleasing potted plants…The Hollywood Playboy series hibiscus introduced in recent years is large, colorful and long lasting. Putting it in a matching ornate pot for your patio would be showy!
My ficus do well. Growing very well. Using 18 5 10 on them. But I would like to send you pictures of a jumper I can’t decide what to do with. Is that possible?
I'm not a fan of rules. I've seen soo many trees mutilated because they grew how they wanted to. Prune, sure. But cutting off most of a trunk to make it fit your aesthetic is kinda barbaric.
I fertilize all my bonsai once a week in the summer, occasionally in cooler months. Fish and Kelp from Amazon per instruction. For trees in nursery pots 15, 15, 15 slow release lawn food…cheap and good! 50 pounds for around $40!
I really like that twisted root that fused together on the third tree
Me too
I'm the first to write the comment because I know the videos are always great. Now I will listen to the end.😉😊
I love your attitude of “it doesn’t matter”.
By next year I won’t even see the mistakes on my garden trees, but I’ll have learned from those mistakes
Exactly!
And I love the third tree. I like trees that can be a little crazy looking.
Thanks!
I actually like the third twisted trunk tree. Save what you can and shape the top as an informal broadly shaped upright.
More ficus content please. Many beginners start with those problematic ginseng grafted treees
I'll do my best.
Some interesting curves, great work on them
Thanks!
Very good video sharing👍👍
I take mine outside under a canopy in the summer and bring them in under 6500k lights on a timer in the winter. If the lights aren't bright enough after being outside they drop a bunch of leaves.
This is what I've found is the best compromise for ficus in the house to get decent growth.
Edit: They also have a humidifier going in the room they are in. Humidity is very important for them when you have the heat going and your house is arid.
I have three ficus (F. Green Island, F. Retusa, F. Benjamina) in my care 19 to 35 years. I think most of us keep them outdoors in semi-shade, filtered sunlight, half-day sunlight, etc. in summer. They overwinter in a large south-facing window without grow lights or humidifier. I do keep them well-watered. Hint: buy 38" black boot trays from a big box store and line with pebbles if humidity is an issue. My trees do not lose many leaves and add a few new leaves especially when the days lengthen in early spring. In spring/early summer I trim and fertilize them and prepare for a flush of new growth in their outdoor setting. I keep it simple.
Very nice work
Thanks for sharing and great demonstration.
Thanks Milton!
You zre welcome!
Keep up the great work 👍
In the first ficus that you modified, you kept both the grafted (micro) and original (macro) leaves. That could be a problem in the future. The micro leaves are compact and dense while the macro leaves are the opposite.
Ficus do just fine indoors when it is 23°F outside. Mine are outside from tax day to October 1st here in Md near DC, zone 7a…
Hi have you thought letting it fuse together it my look great in 1 years time I have done it my self
I agree…can look nice if artistically arranged/positioned!
Always some great info to take away. Ficus release a lot of milky sap. Do you find tht an issue with this species of tree as bonsai? Thx again!🪴😁
sap dries up soon enough...not a probelm. In the topics, some ficus bonsai are fantastic!
I must admit I've left weeds way too long in the pots. What a mess they make trying to pull them out! This year I'm keeping up on them it's so much easier pulls handful of small one's, than a ton of big ones that pull all my soil out with them.. my cousin has a ginger root ficus that had a lot of white or yellow salt deposits on it. He asked if I could repot it and scrub that crap off about 7 months ago, I used a toothbrush and it seemed to have worked . He keeps it in an Eastern facing window with light filtering curtains. I keep telling him to put it outside to get it to grow more, jlbut that falls upon deaf ears... 🙄
You have to keep us., don';t ever let them go to seeds...then never ending weeds.
What if you try to root from the joint point and cut off root below and it will look like a climb style?
that is a viable strategy... Not sur you want to do a clump ficus, more appropriate for elm and Zelkova.
I bought a bonsai ficus that has 3 aerial roots that twist up to the trunk like tripod, but I've always wondered how they did it. How do you get the trunk up in the air like that? The problem with mine is it just shoots lots of little long branches from this tiny trunk but somehow still looks good because of the large thick aerial roots
Air roots from Ficus is natural in hot and humid climate, hanging down from branches…to get more moisture from the air….To make better use…dig up the air root to position for bonsai aesthetics…in some cases remove…if too contrived. It is pretty to have a lot of air roots coming down in some cases.
Hi what kind of fertilizer do you use on the ficus and how often? Thanks.
I fertilize all my bonsai once a week in the summer, occasionally in cooler months. Fish and Kelp from Amazon per instruction. For trees in nursery pots 15, 15, 15 slow release lawn food…cheap and good! 50 pounds for around $40!
Some people relish being problem-solvers. If trees are cared for from their youth over a period of time, there are far fewer problems to be solved. This means sometimes limiting your collection in number so you're not overwhelmed with care. Milton does a splendid job with these three trees, but I have learned that some trees are not worth your time and effort. I admit to not relishing problem-solving!
Life is about balance. Don;t give up too easily, but there is no reason to bang your head against the wall1
Your ficus are full. Mine are so spindly, even after many years.
Fertilize, lots of wter, and outside in the sun,.
👍👌🙂
Can you bonsai hibiscus tree?
Yes. Bonsai just means aesthetically pleasing potted plants…The Hollywood Playboy series hibiscus introduced in recent years is large, colorful and long lasting. Putting it in a matching ornate pot for your patio would be showy!
😊🥰
🙏🙏🙏
My ficus do well. Growing very well. Using 18 5 10 on them. But I would like to send you pictures of a jumper I can’t decide what to do with. Is that possible?
Sure! Please email me at hello@bonsaiheirloom.com and I will do my best to help.
What kind of fertilizer?
please refer to my past video. The one I use currently is fish emulsion with kelp...I also like chicken manure pellets.Follow instructions!
Thank you!!!
Poor tree 😢
LYou think tree can feel pain? How else can you shape it to your liking?d
Csn't have it both ways!
the second one kinda has a shape like a horse.
I see that too!
I'm not a fan of rules.
I've seen soo many trees mutilated because they grew how they wanted to. Prune, sure. But cutting off most of a trunk to make it fit your aesthetic is kinda barbaric.
They will grow back in accordance to nature's way...so it is not barbaric, rather it is sensible approach to reach the optimum.,
@@MiltonChang-ee6rq
And if it decides not to survive?
Hi what kind of fertilizer do you use on the ficus and how often? Thanks.
I fertilize all my bonsai once a week in the summer, occasionally in cooler months. Fish and Kelp from Amazon per instruction. For trees in nursery pots 15, 15, 15 slow release lawn food…cheap and good! 50 pounds for around $40!