Do you know the Ginseng ficus bonsai tree is relatively easy to care for than other bonsai trees? Being a plant parent isn’t scary or troublesome anymore!
In this article, we will instruct you on growing and caring for your ginseng ficus bonsai.
Ficus Ginseng Bonsai Key Facts
| Name | Ficus Ginseng |
| Scientific Name | Ficus Microcarpa |
| Other Names | Banyan Fig, Taiwan Ficus, and Laurel Fig |
| Family | Moraceae (Mulberry Family) |
| Native Area | Southeast Asia |
| Type | Indoor Plant |
| Height | 3-10 Inches |
| Width | 2-8 Inches |
| Soil | Plant soil mix, well-drained |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
| Foilage | Evergreen |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Difficulty | Easy, Beginner-friendly |
| Lifespan | 50-150 years |
| Toxicity | Toxic to Pets |
Shopping for indoor bonsai trees online is a great way to find a unique and beautiful addition to your indoor space. With a wide selection of species and sizes available, you can easily find the perfect bonsai tree to suit your needs. Make sure to research the specific care requirements of your chosen tree to ensure it thrives in your home or office.
The Ginseng Ficus, in particular, is a Southeast Asian native. It has thin, elevated roots that grow into a potbelly trunk and narrow at the branches before spreading out to the crown, making it an intriguing-looking Bonsai.
In high humidity surroundings, these aerial roots grow quickly. You’ll need to duplicate these humidity levels at home, which usually entails using an artificial enclosure. Roots of ginseng ficus bonsai extend vertically downward from branches until they reach the soil, developing into thick, sturdy trunks.
The bonsai tree ficus ginseng leaves are oval in shape and dark green in color. The trunk is thick and bulbous, reddish grey, and lined like a tiger. The leaves are firmly packed, resulting in a dense canopy.
How to Grow a Ficus Ginseng Bonsai Tree?
Ginseng ficus bonsai trees may be cultivated indoors with ease. Bonsai specialists are not required to bring their ginseng ficus trees outside. These trees are native to tropical climates and flourish in high-heat and high-humidity conditions. They may, however, suffer if placed in areas where the temperature dips below 15 degrees. Beginner ginseng ficus bonsai tree care includes placing it somewhere warm but not too chilly, away from draughts that could steal moisture from its leaves.
- When performing a visual inspection of your bonsai trees, you’ll need to be observant. Here are a few pointers to identify the best growing conditions for your ginseng ficus bonsai trees.
- You must evaluate the weather and environment in your area, as these elements will influence whether you should keep your ginseng ficus Bonsai tree indoors or outside.
- During the summer, the ginseng ficus prefers to be outside. Consistency is the most critical factor to consider when it comes to temperature.
Note for Beginner Ginseng Ficus Bonsai tree care:
When kept indoors, it should be kept in temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep your bonsai trees indoors to shield them from direct sunlight. If overexposed, it can cause the leaves to burn. They can survive in areas where there isn’t a lot of sunlight.
- Keeping your ginseng ficus bonsai tree close to your south-facing windows is preferable. Make sure your ginseng ficus isn’t too close to the heat bulbs.
- Allow at least a foot between your lighting and your bonsai plants. At night, it’s advisable to turn off the heat lamps.
A ginseng ficus bonsai tree will handle some overwatering but keep the soil moist throughout the summer and reduce the winter water. Set the tree on a tray loaded with pebbles and water to make the air more humid. Simply ensure that the roots are not submerged in water.
Pruning a ginseng ficus isn’t tough. Bonsai is the technique of trimming and shaping a tree with your own aesthetic in mind. The basic rule is to remove two to three leaves for every six new ones when it comes to how much to cut. Always try to leave at least two or three leaves on a branch.
Growing and keeping a ginseng ficus as a bonsai tree is easy with only a little simple care. It’s a fun project for a gardener or any plant enthusiast that will last for years. Beginner ginseng ficus bonsai tree care is easy.
How to Care for your Ficus Ginseng
Light
The ginseng ficus bonsai tree adores direct sunshine at all times. You can keep them outside during the summer, but only if the temperature stays over 60 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Otherwise, maintain a steady temperature indoors. It’s an excellent idea to put it on a windowsill indoors. Shade is not tolerated by Bonsai at all.
Soil
Beginner ginseng ficus bonsai tree care includes nourishing in a soil mix that has 6that 0% aggregate and 40% of matter. Pine bark, lava rock, and a substance called akadama, which traps water and slowly degrades over time, can all be used to construct your own.
Watering
Unlike many other species of bonsai trees, the Ginseng ficus bonsai tree can withstand periods of low humidity. It has thick, waxy leaves that don’t need much water as other plants. But just because they can withstand less water does not imply they should.
Beginner ginseng ficus bonsai tree care includes watering it regularly when the weather is hot. It’s important to remember that too much water can cause the roots of the ginseng ficus to decay. They will begin to turn yellow if they do not receive enough water.
It may survive mild droughts because of its extensive root system, storing and absorbing water. Misting your Ginseng Ficus with a spray bottle every day is the best method to keep it moist and happy.
Note for beginner ginseng ficus bonsai tree care:
Be careful since excess water from spraying or misting can run off your Bonsai’s leaves and into the soil, creating an airless and damp soil structure.
Temperature
In normal household temperatures, bonsai tree ficus ginseng trees thrive. You should keep them away from draughty areas, as sudden temperature changes are bad for plants. Ensure your plant gets enough humidity by spraying it every now and again. If you don’t have the most excellent conditions, the plant’s waxy leaves will survive decreased humidity. If the temperature is 15 degrees Celsius or higher, you can carry your plant outside in the summer.
Maintenance
Beginner ginseng ficus bonsai tree care includes maintenance whenever necessary. To achieve the entire look, you’ll need to prune your plant. Avoid pruning for a year or two if you want your trunk to thicken. It will cause old wood to sprout new shoots. When it’s time to cut back the plant, most experts recommend pruning back two leaves after growing six to eight. Just make sure you’re using sharp, disinfected equipment to avoid spreading disease to your bonsai.
If you intend to repot your bonsai tree ficus ginseng, it’s always suitable to start with the roots. Plus, because Ficus ginseng is sluggish growth, you won’t have to repot it every year. You’ll need to clip back your plant’s roots if it’s time to repot it. Only pluck a small portion of the roots from the bottom. It will assist it in settling into its new bonsai soil mix-filled pot.
Humidity
Ginseng ficus bonsai tree thrives in a humid climate because the waxy coat covering the Ficus’ leaves can survive low humidity.
Pruning
The main goal of Ficus leaf and branch trimming is to slow down the plant’s development and improve its shape. An exposed stem and a very leafy crown with a roughly rounded and bush-like shape characterize a typical indoor ginseng ficus tree. It can be trimmed and conditioned into a variety of shapes and sizes.
Note for Beginner Ginseng Ficus Bonsai tree care:
- You can skip pruning for a year or more to produce a thicker trunk.
- You can prune your ginseng Ficus trees at any time of year.
- Pruning is recommended once new growth stops in the early fall and late summer. The typical ficus plant undergoes new and fresh growth during the spring and early summer months.
- Branches that are broken or dead are pruned at any time.
Pruning Ginseng Ficus Bonsai: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Find a ginseng ficus bonsai node, which is the point where a twig or leaf joins a stem or branch.
Step 2: Cut a slight downward slant in front of it.
Step 3: Get closer to the node but don’t go all the way through it.
Step 4: At least one bonsai node must be left on that branch or stem for fresh and new growth of the ficus ginseng.
Step 5: Cut a branch right before the limb or trunk to remove it, and leave no nodes.
It will result in a natural-looking and well-kept Ginseng Ficus bonsai tree.
Note for Beginner Ginseng Ficus Bonsai tree care:
- You should wait for 8 to 10 days to form new leaves before removing half of them.
- It will cause new branches to emerge and the foliage to become more dense and attractive.
- When pruning a ginseng ficus tree, have a pair of small pruning shears on hand. These shears are ideal for fine and close work and narrow stems. For the best results, they should be sharp and clean.
Training ficus ginseng bonsai trees:
Ficus ginseng bonsai trees are easy to train. A branch over 1″ can be effortlessly twisted with a thick wire without any chance of cracking or fracturing.
Thin branches can be trained in the direction of the trunk easily. But the branches should be old enough to handle it.
The suppleness of the branches also can be problematic. There are instances where wired trees take years to set into a new position. They need rewiring for a positive result.
When you bend the branches of a tree slightly, the cambium layer, the tree’s restoring skin, gets damaged. The tree then operates badly to fix the damaged parts of the cambium layer, and this allows the branch to create a new position. With ginseng trees, you have to twist the branches more in order to damage the cambium, get the tree to restore it, and set the branch in a new place.
Regular and guy wiring, both can be used for Ficus ginseng bonsai.
Regular wiring:
- Use aluminium or copper wire, the almost one-third diameter of the branches.
- Insert the wire in the soil, near the bottom of the tree.
- Begin coiling upwards while maintaining a 45 degrees angle. First, aim for the trunk, then primary branches and secondary branches.
- After covering the needed areas you can twist it according to your wish.
Guy wire:
- Secure the guy wire in a woody part of the tree or the container.
- From that location link it with the chosen branches.
- With a plier, you can manage the amount of pressure in the branches.
Repotting
It is ideal for repotting your ginseng ficus bonsai tree when the root system has filled the pot. You should do it to provide new soil to the tree and develop a more consolidated root.
Repotting ficus ginseng is best done in the spring, fall, or autumn, with a slight preference for spring if you’re late in the season.
- You should allow 2-3 days for the ficus ginseng bonsai pot to dry out without being watered.
- While selecting a pot, make sure to choose a larger pot than the previous one. Make sure it drains adequately.
- Mesh wire and gravel or clay pebbles at the bottom prevent dirt from leaching out.
- If your bonsai tree ficus ginseng has lost the nutrients, use a new Bonsai potting soil mix.
- Now, trim the branches down by approximately a third according to the shape you desire for your bonsai. It will aid your Ficus ginseng attractive and compact.
- Remove the pot from your ficus ginseng and remove the old, exhausted dirt from the roots.
- Ensure cut off around one-third or one-fourth of the roots. It will promote the growth of the roots of the ginseng ficus bonsai tree.
- Place the root clump at the top of the container, with the best roots visible above the soil level.
- At last, fill the container with the new soil mix, compact it, and water it.
Fertilizers
You should restock the nutrients regularly. As bonsai use relatively little soil, any multi-purpose liquid fertilizer should suffice. Before applying monthly to Bonsai, dilute the mixture by half with water.
The Benefits of Liquid Fertilizers
- The nutrients are absorbed at their best in the leaves and roots.
- The immediate nutrition availability by using complex and effective chemicals helps the plants thrive well.
- The nutrient mixes present are ideal for various bonsai and plant species.
- They are both effective and abundant in nutrients for faster bonsai growth and development.
- It is easy to mix pesticides and liquid fertilizers together.
Just like any other plant, you have to take care of your ginseng ficus bonsai tree from pests and diseases. We will instruct you about the problems that your bonsai can face.
Winter care for ficus ginseng bonsai trees:
Ficus ginseng loves warm outdoor environments, but they can’t stay outdoors in cool temperatures. If you live in a cooler climate and want to enjoy the growth of your ficus bonsai all winter long you need to bring them indoors. But keeping the tree outdoors is okay if the temperature mostly stays above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips for beginners:
1) However, if you keep them indoors, place them near a window to get warm sunlight throughout the day. But make sure cold winds from your window do not reach your bonsai tree.
2) If any spot in your house doesn’t have a suitable light, it’s okay. Use a fluorescent bulb or any kind of artificial grow light to fulfill the light requirement.
3) Do not fertilize your ficus bonsai during their winter stay inside your house.
Propagating ficus ginseng bonsai trees:
Ficus ginseng bonsai trees are easy, especially if you do it just after pruning (with the trimmed-out branches).
1) Just choose healthy branches that are around six inches. You can also cut out healthy six-inch branches from the tree. Make sure to use a clean pair of shears.
2) Fill a container with potting soil and create holes with a pencil or similar object.
3) Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone for a couple of seconds and insert them in the holes. Patt with your fingertips to make the soil compact and keep the cuttings in place.
4)Evenly water the soil.
5)Place a transparent plastic bag over the cuttings to provide much-needed humidity and make a greenhouse effect which will hold the moisture in and boost the root production.
6) Water lightly every few days, making sure the soil and the atmosphere around the cuttings remain humid or moist.
7) You should notice the cutting root in a few weeks.
Ficus Ginseng Diseases and Pests
Like other members of the fig family, the ginseng ficus bonsai tree is pest resistant. You should, however, keep an eye out for pest and disease risk factors, especially during the winter months.
Falling leaves
Ficus ginseng leaves can fall off for a variety of reasons. It’s possible they’re being overwatered, or the air isn’t wet enough. The reason could be not be getting enough light or are in a draughty area. Because everyone’s home is different, you really need to examine your specific scenario. The beginner ginseng ficus bonsai tree care includes finding an ideal location for your Bonsai.
Problems with fungi
You can get fungus on your Ficus ginseng if you overwater it. If you notice white or black fungus or mildew, there could be a bigger problem. Before you do anything, beginner ginseng ficus bonsai tree care includes separating them from the rest of your collection to prevent the infection from spreading. After that, remove the tree out of its pot.
Now, check to see if the fungus is caused by root rot. Anything that appears to be infectious will need to be removed. After that, you should repot your ginseng ficus bonsai tree in a new bonsai container with fresh soil. Spray your plant with a fungicide to get rid of any remaining fungus.
The leaves of Ficus ginseng become yellow or develop scars.
The red spider mite can be the reason behind this issue. Simply use an organic mite killer to get rid of it.
Leaves of Ficus ginseng with sticky white dots
It is mainly caused by mealybugs or scale insects, which the Ficus ginseng is particularly susceptible to, especially indoors. In this case, you should properly care for your bonsai.
Conclusion
Ginseng Ficus bonsai tree is strong and pest and disease resistant. They are suitable for all sorts of gardeners, and the processes for caring for them are similar to those for other Bonsai.
Because of its firm bark, ensure that wiring and shaping your bonsai tree ficus ginseng is gentle and resistant enough to keep its branches and trunk into the correct shape. Ginseng Ficus trees are a fascinating and tough bonsai plant in general. When are you buying yours?
