BonsaiJames1986
Sapling
Greeting Everyone,
I have had some confusion while searching online about how my Tiger Bark Ficus should be treated during the winter months in Wisconsin. As this is a tropical tree I was under the impression I could better care for the tree in these winter months by purchasing a grow tent and a 1000 Watt Full spectrum grow light. I have had some other hobbyists mention I am not supposed to work on my trees at this time of year because it isn't the growing season. No root pruning etc....I completely understand why they would say this. Yet with my set up I have my trees under the light 12 hours per day set on a timer. I live in an apartment so when temperatures raise above 60 to 65 I move my plants out onto my balcony and they get morning direct sun and mid day and afternoon indirect sunlight. I don't notice that my trees slow down with their growth during the winter with my set up. If anything I would say the Wisconsin Summer months are my trees slower growth period.
Do tropical trees such as the ficus need a dormancy or time out from growing? I understand that with trees native to colder climates the trees will die unless they have their dormancy. I do not want to cause my trees to be stressed or die after a year or 2 as they mean very much to me. From what I can tell my trees are incredibly healthy and grow vigorously. I am also getting arial roots from the trunks on some of them. No leaf drop or anything that indicates a problem beyond an occasional isolated yellow leaf. I tried growing moss on the surface substrate but found that I was having some issues with over watering. Thus a few more yellow leaves if my assumption is correct. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't causing issues with having the trees grow and be active year around.
Thank you all for your time.
I have had some confusion while searching online about how my Tiger Bark Ficus should be treated during the winter months in Wisconsin. As this is a tropical tree I was under the impression I could better care for the tree in these winter months by purchasing a grow tent and a 1000 Watt Full spectrum grow light. I have had some other hobbyists mention I am not supposed to work on my trees at this time of year because it isn't the growing season. No root pruning etc....I completely understand why they would say this. Yet with my set up I have my trees under the light 12 hours per day set on a timer. I live in an apartment so when temperatures raise above 60 to 65 I move my plants out onto my balcony and they get morning direct sun and mid day and afternoon indirect sunlight. I don't notice that my trees slow down with their growth during the winter with my set up. If anything I would say the Wisconsin Summer months are my trees slower growth period.
Do tropical trees such as the ficus need a dormancy or time out from growing? I understand that with trees native to colder climates the trees will die unless they have their dormancy. I do not want to cause my trees to be stressed or die after a year or 2 as they mean very much to me. From what I can tell my trees are incredibly healthy and grow vigorously. I am also getting arial roots from the trunks on some of them. No leaf drop or anything that indicates a problem beyond an occasional isolated yellow leaf. I tried growing moss on the surface substrate but found that I was having some issues with over watering. Thus a few more yellow leaves if my assumption is correct. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't causing issues with having the trees grow and be active year around.
Thank you all for your time.
) as south as Manitowoc (the majority of us are further north).. but most our stuff is done online, due to current conditions..
