schick182

Hello, I am very new to this art but have always been interested. I have recently bought a Fius and am very excited about it. For some reason I decided to buy my first one from wal-mart. When I walked in the store I felt bad for the little guy some of the leaves were turning yellow but for the most part they are dark green and shiny. I’m looking for some tips as to how I should go about caring for my new friend. Currently I am just watering it. But what I am most wondering about is Defoliating and how I know if my tree is healthy enough. Also when and how often I should prune. Thank you for all your help.

Steve

JLDoggett

Steve, I would let it acclimate to its new home before I would consider defoliation. I recently recieved 2 new ficus and right now, several weeks later, they are just in recovery mode, no work will be done until they show signs of vigorus new growth.

So put it someplace sheltered from the winds and sunny, feed it well, and pay attention to its watering needs and watch it explode with new growth. Then you can start thinking about style and the work it will need.

__________________
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these"

And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

Ml_work

Steve, I agree with JL, the ficus I have purchased in the past will drop leaves and produce new ones for awhile when move to new home. but at the same time I would advise to get it re-potted as soon as possible. I look at the bonsai that our local wal-mart get in every time I go in there. It makes me want to shake them (wal mart people) as they put these semi nice bonsai "inside"! All I can figure is the box is labeled inside plants? I really don't know, they have a nice outside garden area but always put the (1 or 2 shipments per year) bonsai inside, no sunlight and most of the time no water. Also this type bonsai are grown and cared for at some nursery on a large scale, then potted into a small pot with plain soil and some fake grass with rocks Glued on top of the soil. You will learn your soil is one of the, if not the most important part to healthy trees. Bonsai soil drains fast and does not hold moisture like regular potting soil. I purchase mine from www.brusselsbonsai.com or there are many other places. You may find it local, but wal-mart here does not carry it.
Have A Great Day and Welcome to the site.
Michael

clwagner167

Welcome schick182,

Do you have a picture of the tree?

Michael forgot to further mention, that if there are glued rocks on top of the soil..remove them immediately!

I would slowly acclimate it to the sun outdoors and let it spend its summer out. You can always do a repot in the fall. Let it gain back its vigor.


Just a thought, or two...

__________________
~ Cheryl



Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
Buddha

Please support "your" site and click on the ads.
_________________________________________

In memory of my dear friend....
"Prowler" Victor Gray 1943-2008

treebeard55

Welcome, Steve.

You're getting good advice. About the only thing I would add is this: find a bonsai club near you and get involved. It's worth it, even if you drive an hour each way as I do.

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

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.