The evergreen figs, originally native to the tropics, can easily be grown as bonsai. A few of these ficus species captivate with beautiful flowers. Most fig bonsai, like their relatives in the home garden, produce inconspicuous, cup-shaped calyxes from which small fig fruits develop.
The ficus is ideal as a bonsai
The care of the bonsai
Although the bonsai ficus is easy to care for, there are a few basic things to keep in mind:
- Bright location with normal room temperature between 18 and 22 degrees
- Avoid drafts
- Well drained substrate
- Water moderately and only water when the substrate feels dry on the surface
- Repot annually
- Fertilize every 14 days during the growth phase
In the summer months you can put the small ficus outside. Carefully get the plant used to the changed climatic conditions and do not suddenly expose the bonsai fig to the sun. Strong sunlight burns the leaves of the plant and subsequently leads to leaf drop.
watering and spraying
The bonsai fig tolerates a lack of water rather than too much moisture. Soft water that is not too cold is ideal. Spray the plant daily with lime-free water.
Pruning the bonsai
Regular care cuts are necessary to promote and maintain the planned growth habit of the bonsai. After six to eight leaves have grown on a branch, you should therefore reach for bonsai scissors. Crop to two sheets. If these have grown too large for a bonsai, you can reduce the size of the leaves by pruning them carefully.
Small bonsai with a thick stem
Bonsai figs look very attractive when they form a thick trunk. To do this, let the ficus grow unchecked for one to two years and then cut back the bonsai considerably. In order to prevent the ingress of bacteria, the interfaces should be coated with sealing materials.
The cut fig will sprout again willingly and can then be trained into the desired shape. Wiring the elastic branches is no problem, but the wire quickly grows into the soft branches. For this reason, preference should be given to unhitching.
tips
The bonsai fig has the rare property of allowing trunks and branches that have been pressed together to grow together. As a result, the bonsai ficus forms extremely interesting plant structures. Severed aerial roots can be grafted onto other locations, allowing you to let your creativity run free.