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Bonsai FicusPreferred Species of Most Bonsai Artists
Bonsai ficus is spread around the world and happens to be a widely used species for bonsai culture. Ficus or figs are the name given to this genus of around 800 odd tree species. Ficus make excellent bonsai material. With some species which can bear fruits, bonsai Ficus look extremely beautiful and ornamental. Figs are commonly found in the tropical and temperate regions. The most common species are the grand old Banyan tree and Bodhi tree. The Bodhi tree is also referred to as Peepul in South East Asian countries especially in India. Ficus grows on to a very old age. This can be attributed to their strong root systems which generally grow deep into the ground. Ficus also grow on to very big size, and this is what would make it more challenging to grow Ficus. Most figs have aerial roots and when grown as bonsai they look very beautiful. Bonsai Ficus CareWatering Like all other bonsai plants ficus bonsai do not like being over watered. At the same time keeping it dry for a long time would be detrimental to the overall health. Do not go by the appearance of the outer layer of soil. Even if the outer surface of the soil looks dry, there are chances that there is enough moisture in the soil. So dig into the soil, just up to a few centimeters, to find the moisture content. The frequency and amount of watering depends upon the kind of climate and soil being used. Exposure to Sunlight It is advisable to grow ficus bonsai tree in indirect sunlight, as direct exposure to harsh sunrays for a longer period of time hampers the development of leaves of this bonsai plant. Repotting Repotting of ficus bonsai tree should be carried out every two to three years, ideally during the early spring. You may consider having a layer of moss in the bonsai pot before filling the pot with soil. This improves the water retaining capabilities. Always use a bonsai pot with sufficient number of drainage holes to drain out excess of water. While repotting you may consider carrying out the root pruning exercise as well. Fertilizers It is required that you feed your bonsai with good quality fertilizers once every two weeks during the growing season for proper growth of the plant. You should be very cautious while using chemical fertilizers because some strong chemical fertilizers may do more harm than good. Ideally it would be most appropriate to use organic fertilizers like seaweeds etc. Pruning Pruning is another important aspect of growing ficus. This plant is known for its aggressive foliage thus it becomes very important to have the growth under control by regular pruning. It is very important to master the pruning exercise to make your ficus look pretty and beautiful. It’s advisable to prune during the spring season. Pruning during the growing season of the ficus bonsai makes sure that the bonsai stays in proper shape. Wiring is also an important aspect of the training. By mastering wiring you can grow your bonsai ficus in many different styles. Growing a bonsai ficus can be very rewarding and the fact that the longevity of this variety runs into hundreds of years is an added advantage that an artist has with ficus. 
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