Some advice please on new tree.

[Dabs]

Hello everyone.

I’ve recently purchased my first bonsai tree - it’s a ficus microcarpa (banyan fig tree). I’ve attached a photo.

When I got the tree last Saturday the soil was very dry, so I gave it a good water with rain water. It’s very happy and I just want to keep it that way.

So just a few questions to get me started please. Firstly what sort of fertiliser shall I buy to feed my plant?
Secondly, (I know about the touch a cm into the soil to see if it needs watering) but roughly how many days before I should start looking to water my tree this time of year in the winter? My humidity in the kitchen is roughly around 68 % average. Any kind of help for me as a beginner will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
David

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[dbonsaiw]

Welcome aboard and congrats on the tree - looks nice. Everyone will have different answers regarding fertilizer (and soil etc.). Personally, I use slow release pellets and liquid fert in the growing season.

It's really hard to say how often a particular tree needs watering, as there are just too many factors for one to guess from afar. Many of us are checking our trees on the daily. I like to spend some time with my trees anyway and I get to inspect each and every one, so it's not such a big deal to check if they need water. After some time with your trees, you will be able to know when it needs water just by looking and the temps and it becomes somewhat less mystifying. As I tell my wife "the trees aren't going to stare at themselves." That's my job.

 

[Kevin1968]

Use a bamboo chop stick as a dip stick, and check for water level every day till you get the hang of it. During winter my trees need less water than during the summer this is likely true for everyone. But the bamboo will help you see it.

 

[JackHammer]

Hi David. Welcome.

Ficus trees are very tough. They are also rainforest trees (tropical). You can water them everyday if you want. I water mine a little bit every day. However, if you have soggy soil, you can cause root rot and the entire thing will rot from the inside out. You should pay attention and use your judgement. Probably every 3 days. Most people here will refuse to give you an answer as each tree is so situation specific.

When you do a repot, make sure that you have lots of drainage in the soil and it is not compacted. lava rocks or pumice are good things to add.

That tree will thrive in direct summer sun so don't be shy about light. In the growing season, you might need to water it once a day, maybe even twice if there is a dry wind. (back to everything being situation dependent).

I have maybe 10 ficus trees and of the several I have killed, the issues have been around under watering in shallow pots, this is why I tend to go a little heavy on the water.

 

[JackHammer]

ps- add in your location/growing zone to your profile. Are you in the UK? Australia? US? Brazil? Bonsai people come from all over.

 

[penumbra]

Was it potted as it is when you got it? It sure doesn't appear to be bonsai soil. If in an appropriate grow mix you could water it every day without harming it, but I am suspicious about your soil. Looks like a houseplant potting mix. It would benefit from being outside when it is 50F or so. Lighting is an issue. It will survive bright light without a dedicated plant light, but it will not be happy about it. It obvious;y was grown in strong light and without it, it will get leggy and it will lose the dense growth habit it has at this time. You really need to consider a grow light if you really do want to maintain it properly.
I have dozens of ficus of several species and varieties, and I use a liquid plant food all year long, but primarily for the growing season. Best of luck, it is a good start.

 

[penumbra]

Here are some pictures of ficus I have under lights in my office. A few look rather thin now because they were pruned and wired last week.

 

[Dabs]

Thank you all for all your help - I will take all this on board and put it towards looking after my new tree. Thank you very much everyone.

David.