ShAiOnEi

I just bought my first bonsai tree last thursday it's a Ficus Nerifolia. It was at the mall so I don't know how long the tree had been there. I liked this tree when I saw a bigger one and thought that hey that looks awesome but I wanted to start out with a smaller version so I got one that was about 2-3 inches tall.

The branches on it were pointed slightly upward and the leaves look a little big to the proportion of the tree. Now the tree does look quite weak since it hadn't had much sunlight in the closed environment. The guy who sold it to me told me when I brung it home to give it a good soaking and then on sunday to do it again. I have done all of that but now I have no clue how to upkeep my new Bonsai tree.

I've been thinking about getting a spray bottle to mist the tree and want to know if misting and watering every 2 days was a good route to take? Also a good amount of leaves have been falling ever since I brung it home. I kept it in the washroom thinking the humidity in that area and the heat would help it grow. I noticed though after a few days that the tree was doing badly and during the cold mornings the washroom is kind of open with the window being halfway broken it gets very cold over night plus it's on the other side of the house where not much sunlight gets through.

So I changed my routine now to bring it out in the morning on the other side of the house where the sun is more prominent during the day. The leaves started to look more healthy within one day and my plant seemed to enjoy the warm weather outside. But one particular thing I noticed is these tiny black flies that gather around it. I don't know if it's a bad thing but I noticed when I brung it in when it was dark the leaves were much more healthy and strong looking except that there are darkened areas on the leaf that I think are caused from the flies. Should I treat this? I'm hesitant on doing so right now since I just got the tree and don't want to shock it too much. Another thing is I'd like to know how to prune/shape my tree in the future when I'm more confident.

Anyways hoping for some advice sorry for the long explanation. I'm very new to this so if anyone has any good advice for me I would gladly appreciate it. Thank you!!!

treebeard55

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Willow-leaf fig is a tropical species; I can't think of any place in FL where it won't thrive with proper care. I don't where in FL you are, so don't know what your winters are like. I'm pretty sure Ficus salicaria (the updated name) grows fine in the ground in southern FL.

You need to keep it supplied with plenty of light. It may slow its growth in your winter, but it won't stop growing. I wouldn't bother to bring it inside at nite unless you're expecting temperatures below 50 F.

Two other things for now. First, pictures will help us offer better advice, if you can post them. And second, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your trees is to find a good club and get involved. People there will have experience with your growing conditions, and be able to offer advice that is more "fine-tuned."

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Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

Phil

NEVER water on a schedule. Every two days is way too much unless perhaps the pot is very small and the tree is in full sun and the temps. are unusually high. Watering on a schedule is a sure fire method of killing a tree as there is a good chance that you'll end up over watering. The soil for a Ficus should be kept damp and nothing more.

THIS might be of some help.

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Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
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FrankP999

Many mall bonsai ("mallsai") come with small rocks on the surface that frequently are glued in place. This is great for shipping cause the soil won't fall out. However it is TERRIBLE for the plant. If yours has these rocks, you should remove them to let the soild breathe and dry out between watering. The black fly problem can be caused by over watering.

Ficus love sunlight and heat so the more you can give them the better. And as has been suggested, photos help.

Welcome to the forum.

ShAiOnEi

Hey thanks everyone for your information I have been studying and researching for a while now and I'm glad to say that my tree has grown back it's fallen leaves and is now looking very lively. I will see if I can send a picture when I get a chance.