Amnz
Seedling
Hello! My name is Albert, and I'm from Barcelona, Spain (If I'm not wrong, Barcelona is a 10a zone of Hardiness). This Christmas, my grandparents gave me a Bonsai as a present (as far as I know, it's a 5 year old Ficus retusa). I've been reading this forum, watching YouTube videos, and searching for some info online, and I'm quite confused as to how I should take care of him. So I have a few questions:
Thank you guys!
- Most people say that in winter it needs to be indoor, but I'm not sure if it should be in direct sunlight (photo 1) or with indirect sunlight (photo 2). I have a big window in my dining room with a lot of indirect light almost all day, but direct light just for 4-5 hours. So, should I keep the bonsai all day with indirect light? Or should I put it in direct light those 4-5h and then indirect the rest of the day?
- I'm very confused on when, how much and how to water the bonsai. I've read that you should water the bonsai when you feel that the soil is dry. But it just feels like it's dry every day. So, I'm overwatering it? And how much water should I put every time?
- Repotting and pruning: The instructions that came with the bonsai said that you should leave the bonsai in the same pot for 2 years. It also said that the first pruning should be with the repotting of the bonsai. Is this correct? I feel like my bonsai is too “open” (photo 3)and that maybe pruning a little I could do a “round form” so it keeps growing like that. I also read that u should prune the branches that have 4 to 6 leafs (photo 4). Is this correct?
Thank you guys!