In the imperial palace gardens of ancient China, a garden art began that has lost none of its fascination to this day. The aim of bonsai design is to cultivate a mighty tree in miniature format. This requires a lot of patience on an almost meditative level. If you want to unlock this magic, the Ficus retusa is the ideal companion on the way to the first, self-created work of art. How a Chinese fig tree is to be cared for as a bonsai is brought to the point here.
Location
A Chinese fig tree is a wonderful addition to the series of suitable tree species for cultivation as indoor bonsai. According to the original philosophy of this garden art, the symbolic fusion of man and nature takes place in the open air. In order for the masterpiece to be successful indoors, only selected species come into question, such as the Ficus retusa. However, this does not mean that as a bonsai it can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine on the balcony throughout the summer. This is how the location should be.
- bright location with sun in the morning or evening hours
- Protect from direct sunlight
- warm temperatures of 15 to 25 ° C
- from May to September in the garden, on the balcony or terrace
- Every now and then a rain shower strengthens the resistance
A high level of humidity in the immediate vicinity strengthens the vitality of the tree. Humidifiers, an indoor fountain or bowls filled with water are suitable in living rooms. Pamper your bonsai every now and then with a fine shower of lime-free water, the leaves will thrive all the more beautiful.
Substrate
A highly relevant criterion in the successful care of a Ficus retusa as a bonsai is the quality of the substrate. Since only a minimal volume of soil is available for the roots in the tiny bowl, normal bedding soil understandably does not meet the requirements. Therefore, choose one of the following options:
- special soil for bonsais from the specialist shop
- an own mixture of loamy garden soil, sand and pricking substrate
- a mix of one third each of humus, akadama and lava granules
- optionally a quarter of Akadama and pumice gravel with two quarters of potting soil
The professionals among the bonsai gardeners swear by Akadama as a substrate. This is a mineral granulate that is also known as red ball earth. It offers first-class water storage combined with excellent air permeability.
to water
The very finely structured root system of the Ficus retusa does not tolerate drought. So that the substrate neither dries out nor completely soaked through, a little tact is required. The humidity is checked once a day by placing the fingertips on the potting soil. In addition, a very light color of the earth also signals a need for water.
- pour rainwater at room temperature in the morning or in the evening
- shower very dry substrate in several passes
- the entire root ball must be moistened
The immersion method has proven to be ideal for supplying a bonsai with water. The Chinese fig tree and its peel are placed in a vessel with water until no more air bubbles rise. The excess water then runs off through the opening in the floor before the tree takes its place again.
Fertilize
A Chinese fig tree, as a bonsai, is just as hungry for nutrients as it is as a mighty tree giant. In view of the tightness in the bowl, only a liquid fertilizer comes into question. Special preparations from specialist retailers are precisely tailored to the requirements, thanks to a balanced composition of sodium, phosphorus and potassium.
- fertilize every 14 days from March to September
- Never apply the preparation on dried substrate
Cut
The heart of successful care of the Ficus retusa as a bonsai is regular shape and maintenance pruning. With the help of suitable tools, you can defy the dainty silhouette of the wood in an everlasting rhythm by cutting it back and letting it grow.
- Pruning the Chinese fig tree every 6 weeks from May to September
- Shorten shoots growing out of the contour
- place the scissors at an angle of 2-3 mm over one eye
- do not leave a thick branch over a narrower branch
The placement of a bud on the branch indicates the direction in which the further branches will then run. For example, if you are aiming for a branch to branch off to the right, it will be shortened to just before a bud that points in that direction.
Tip: A specific root cut ensures a harmonious relationship between tree crown and root area with each repotting.
Wires
The Ficus retusa constantly strives to grow in height, which you can keep under control by cutting. So that a bonsai actually takes on the targeted three-dimensional silhouette, direct the growth in this direction by wireing the branches. For this purpose, select suitable shoots in early spring that are not very lignified and therefore flexible.
- twist an aluminum wire around a branch in a spiral
- Wrap it loosely at a 45 degree angle from the thick to the thin end
- Buds and leaves must not get under the wire
An ideal wire is about a third the thickness of the branch it is holding in place. It must be removed after 4-6 weeks so that it does not grow into the bark.
Repot
After 2 to 3 years, regular watering depletes the bonsai soil, clumps and loses its loose consistency. If individual roots also find a way to the outside, the time is ripe for repotting. With a sharp knife, first loosen the root area from the edge of the bowl and remove the Chinese fig tree from the vessel. This is thoroughly cleaned with hot soda water. A root claw is now helpful in removing the old substrate. After this preparatory work, it continues like this:
- Shorten the roots by a third with disinfected scissors
- Lay a 1 cm high drainage made of pebbles over the bottom opening of the bowl
- distribute a first layer of the substrate over it
- insert the bonsai so that the roots are evenly distributed over the earth
- Only fill in the rest of the bonsai substrate so high that a small watering edge remains
the substrate should fill in all the cavities and compact a little by hand. Finally, moisten the soil with a fine shower. We recommend a thin layer of moss, which has a regulating effect on air circulation and keeps the potting soil moist longer.
Overwinter
If a Chinese fig tree was allowed to spend the summer outdoors, it moves into the room in autumn. At the latest when the temperatures drop permanently below 15 ° C, the time has come. The bonsai spends the dark season in a location that is as bright as possible, such as the south window, at temperatures of ideal 22-25 ° C. A pad made of insulating styrofoam prevents a cold bridge on the windowsill. While the amount of irrigation water needs to be reduced a bit, regular spraying should not be missed, given the very dry heating air. There is no fertilization during the winter.
The editors' conclusion
In order to tap into the ancient garden art of bonsai design, a Chinese fig tree serves as a first-class choice for beginners. Thanks to his modest demands on maintenance, minor beginner mistakes have no noteworthy consequences. As long as the Ficus retusa has a warm, partially shaded location and has a balanced supply of water and nutrients, you can successfully defy it from the desired miniature format.
Worth knowing about the Chinese fig tree in brief
care
- Ficus Retusa is also called Chinese Fig tree designated. It is usually called bonsai-Plant held.
- This tropical plant needs a light location. North windows are not suitable.
- In the case of south-facing windows, shading must be provided during lunchtime in summer.
- During the summer months, an outdoor space is also suitable.
- Wind and rain make the leaves harder and therefore more resistant to Diseases and pests.
- Temperature fluctuations and drafts should be avoided; the plant often reacts to this by shedding leaves.
- The Ficus Retusa reacts this way even at temperatures below 15ºC. Temperatures around 20ºC are ideal.
- Soil heat is particularly important. Underfloor heating is ideal. Cold feet should be avoided.
- The plant must never dry out completely so that the roots do not die off.
- If the soil is too dry, the pot can also be dipped so that the soil can soak up properly again.
- Rainwater or stale water are suitable as irrigation water. The plant also likes it when it is showered.
- In summer you have to make sure that the sun does not shine so that the leaves do not burn. Watering is more economical in winter.
- During the growing season, between spring and autumn, the trees are regularly fertilized once a month.
- Fertilization is suspended during flowering and after repotting.
Cut back
Ficus Retusa will be pruned when kept as a bonsai. In order to achieve its typical growth habit, branches, twigs, shoots and roots have to be cut back again and again. Depending on their growth, the trees are cut once in spring or during the entire growing season until autumn because they keep sprouting. The roots are cut back when transplanted. There must be a balance between the crown and the roots.
wintering
The Ficus Retusa is repotted every 2 to 5 years. The right time is spring or autumn. A bright place near a window is suitable for wintering. Temperatures must be above 15ºC. The humidity should be high even in winter, so you can spray the plant every now and then. Temperature fluctuations should be avoided, as should drafts. A slight loss of leaves during the dark season can usually not be avoided unless one is used Plant light and that about 12 hours a day.
