Newbie help!

Forum for discussion of Tropical bonsai – Ficus, Bougainvillea, Fukien Tea, Dwarf Umbrella etc.
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Kenji B
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Newbie help!

Post by Kenji B »

Ok guys so I am keen to get a tropical plant so I can grow it inside in a grow box all year round. I have little to no outdoor space. Damn city living Right now I have a box made up with CFL lights, humidity sits between 40-60 percent at on average 24 degrees c. If I want I can close the box off and it will sit around 28 celcius. It is currently occupied by Portulacaria Afra and having some (and more to come!) small cuttings recently been potted I am thinking I need some variety! I am meaning to go to a local garden store tomorrow and ask what tropical or indoor plants they have but I am not expecting much. It would be heaps of help if you guys can suggest some names of plants that will be suitable for my situation! I have looked for Ficus on trademe (NZs version of eBay I guess) but it seems there are a few different varieties but not many listings :cry: I am unsure of which are suitable!? I searched fig and these came up:

Fig Tree Omapere
Fig Tree Brown Turkey

Any good? :palm:

Help will be greatly appreciated!

K
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thoglette
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Bonsai indoors with grow box

Post by thoglette »

Kenji B wrote:t would be heaps of help if you guys can suggest some names of plants that will be suitable for my situation!
Any Ficus, esp Ficus benjamina. Plus Schefflera arboricola (The hawaiians have had fun with them).

If you can get the light levels UP anything is possible.
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Re: Newbie help!

Post by shibui »

Hi K,
Those figs that came up on your search are both edible ficus domestica - fruiting figs. They are deciduous, cold hardy and have huge leaves so very poor choice for bonsai :tounge: .
I find Ficus rubiginosa - Port Jackson fig far better than F. benjamina if you can get it.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Kenji B
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Re: Newbie help!

Post by Kenji B »

shibui wrote:Hi K,
Those figs that came up on your search are both edible ficus domestica - fruiting figs. They are deciduous, cold hardy and have huge leaves so very poor choice for bonsai :tounge: .
I find Ficus rubiginosa - Port Jackson fig far better than F. benjamina if you can get it.
Cheers for the help, so turns out I have found a couple of F.benjamina but no luck with port jackson.

Here is a link to one that may be suitable, Im guessing a trunk chop near the base and top so I can get two out of this. What do you think?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =582770273

Am I onto a winner? :fc:
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Re: Newbie help!

Post by thoglette »

Kenji B wrote:Here is a link to one that may be suitable, Im guessing a trunk chop near the base and top so I can get two out of this. What do you think?
https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =582770273

Am I onto a winner? :fc:
Given time.... My benjis all started like that

Image
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