Too Late To Repot?

[jimlau]

I agree, let it gain some steam now for the winter and then cut it back hard next year when it starts to get going again. You'll be rewarded w plenty of back budding then with a healthy robust root system. If you had some good supplimental lights for the winter you might be able to style sooner, but no rush.
I do see some branches that could have the thicker extensions removed, it would be a fun one to trim back a bit and get away from the topiary form.

considering getting a 150watt grow light.

so what style do you believe would look better? banyan?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

considering getting a 150watt grow light.

so what style do you believe would look better? banyan?

When you say "grow light", what kind of light are you referring to?

 

[jimlau]

When you say "grow light", what kind of light are you referring to?

I was thinking of one like this: Westinghouse 36403 - 150R30/PLANT - 150 Watt R30 Plant Light Bulb, Incandescent.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I was thinking of one like this: Westinghouse 36403 - 150R30/PLANT - 150 Watt R30 Plant Light Bulb, Incandescent.

Incandescent? That won't cut it. If it says it's a "plant light bulb", chances are it won't do you any good. I'd shoot for T5s or T8 bulbs in the 6500K range that go in fluorescent fixtures. Your plant will use the light those kind of bulbs give off.

 

[jimlau]

Incandescent? That won't cut it. If it says it's a "plant light bulb", chances are it won't do you any good. I'd shoot for T5s or T8 bulbs in the 6500K range that go in fluorescent fixtures. Your plant will use the light those kind of bulbs give off.

Are there any that can go into a regular lamp? Logistics may be an issue. I see some that go into regular sockets that say grow light and have full spectrum (the 1 above was indeed a plant light bulb).

 

[thams]

There are coil florescent lights that can go in regular fixtures. They are good for a concentrated dose of light, but aren't good for covering large areas. The bulb should be a few inches from the tree, so for larger trees you may need several bulbs. You could use them (in theory) to sustain a larger tree -- you would just need more of them.

 

[macdad]

I use a GE compact flourescent bulb that fits a standard socket. It is 6700k, I believe. It would work in a standard desk lamp. This worked well for me on my refugium when I was running saltwater aquariums. The photosynthetic algae thrived with this bulb.

I have just placed it over my Ficus. Time will tell if it is enough.

 

[macdad]

I use a GE compact flourescent bulb that fits a standard socket. It is 6700k, I believe. It would work in a standard desk lamp. This worked well for me on my refugium when I was running saltwater aquariums. The photosynthetic algae thrived with this bulb.

I have just placed it over my Ficus. Time will tell if it is enough.

Here is a link to something similar.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_302257-3-26...ight&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=daylight&facetInfo=

 

[jimlau]

Thanks. You think a 23W bulb is enough wattage for 2 trees?

 

[thams]

Lumens are more important than watts. Do you have the lumen output for them?

 

[thams]

Check out this link if you haven't already seen it.

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?1931-Lumen-requirements-for-bougs-ficus-and-olives

 

[jimlau]

Lumens are more important than watts. Do you have the lumen output for them?

Lumens 1450.0
Light Color Daylight
Color Temperature (Kelvins) 6500.0

 

[jimlau]

Do all 5000k fluorescent light bulb qualify as grow lights, even if it is not described as such?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Do all 5000k fluorescent light bulb qualify as grow lights, even if it is not described as such?

Yes, but my bulbs are in the 6400 K range.

 

[jimlau]

Yes, but my bulbs are in the 6400 K range.

Got it. Found a spiral 1.

Only issue now is, I guess I have to figure out how to reflect the light, otherwise maybe, what, 75% of it will not be in the direction of the trees?

 

[macdad]

Got it. Found a spiral 1.

Only issue now is, I guess I have to figure out how to reflect the light, otherwise maybe, what, 75% of it will not be in the direction of the trees?

I use this. It may be too focused for a larger tree like yours, though. And it isn't very pretty.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bayco-8-Super-Clamp-Light/16652299

 

[jimlau]

I use this. It may be too focused for a larger tree like yours, though. And it isn't very pretty.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bayco-8-Super-Clamp-Light/16652299

I was looking at something like that. can that clamp onto a shelf edge tightly?

 

[macdad]

Mine is fairly strong. It probable depends on how thick the shelf is. I just clamped mine to a window sill that is about 1" thick and it held with no problem.

 

[GrimLore]

View attachment 39685

this ficus badly needs re-potting. is it too late?

also, any recommendations on styling? I've considering airing it out, opening it up, but then I think flaws will become visible. it doesn't back-bud all that great either.

thanks.

First of all, it is rather late in PA to repot, we repot all tropical in late June as they are growing strong outside. As for as soil and lights and all the other things discussed - WHY CHANGE what works for 10 years? That is a real nice tree... Just fine for over ten years... Again why change up?

Grimmy

 

[jimlau]

First of all, it is rather late in PA to repot, we repot all tropical in late June as they are growing strong outside. As for as soil and lights and all the other things discussed - WHY CHANGE what works for 10 years? That is a real nice tree... Just fine for over ten years... Again why change up?

Grimmy

yeah, I figured it was late-ish, but it was a logistical thing. anyway, I had to repot. the soil was a brick. it is exploding with growth now. hopefully with grow lights over the winter that growth can be firmly established.