Hi guys, first bonsai Banyan Fig!
Posted: May 9th, 2011, 5:31 pm
Hi guys, just wanted to ask for a little advice on my first bonsai!
A bit of background, the tag said it was about 2 years old and identified it as a Ficus microcarpa retusa / Banyan Fig. It was bought from Bunnings and seems to be in good health.
I live in Hobart, Tasmania so it's pretty cold here and read this plant can work as an indoors plant but will grow better in the sun. I'll leave it outside if its sunny otherwise it's been staying inside getting sun through a window.
I've spent a while looking around on this site and others to find as much info as possible but I just wanted to get some opinions if possible!
Should I start to shape the large branch that you can see or should I just trim it back so it strengthens, might not be able to see too well in the picture but there are another two smaller branches coming off from that same area.
Also I noticed the roots are quite thick and go down into the dirt should I try and bring these out a bit and let the smaller roots grow in the dirt instead.
Also as you can see one of the roots has been chopped off, do you think this was due to it being sick or just something the company who sells the plant to bunnings would do, I'd like it to grow out and I'm sure itll become less offensive eventually.
Also should I start to trim the leaves off to promote new growth or is that best left after it starts to warm up? Should I get rid of some of the larger leaves?
I've been watering it properly and its had a fertiliser with some seasol I think it was, if anyone has any tips that I may not know about I'd really appreciate it!
Happy to provide any extra info if anyone would like any
thanks guys
ps: I have plenty of other plants roses, orchids etc so I'm not afraid I'll kill it
Click this link to view the images! http://imgur.com/a/g5sOk#8M7vU
A bit of background, the tag said it was about 2 years old and identified it as a Ficus microcarpa retusa / Banyan Fig. It was bought from Bunnings and seems to be in good health.
I live in Hobart, Tasmania so it's pretty cold here and read this plant can work as an indoors plant but will grow better in the sun. I'll leave it outside if its sunny otherwise it's been staying inside getting sun through a window.
I've spent a while looking around on this site and others to find as much info as possible but I just wanted to get some opinions if possible!
Should I start to shape the large branch that you can see or should I just trim it back so it strengthens, might not be able to see too well in the picture but there are another two smaller branches coming off from that same area.
Also I noticed the roots are quite thick and go down into the dirt should I try and bring these out a bit and let the smaller roots grow in the dirt instead.
Also as you can see one of the roots has been chopped off, do you think this was due to it being sick or just something the company who sells the plant to bunnings would do, I'd like it to grow out and I'm sure itll become less offensive eventually.
Also should I start to trim the leaves off to promote new growth or is that best left after it starts to warm up? Should I get rid of some of the larger leaves?
I've been watering it properly and its had a fertiliser with some seasol I think it was, if anyone has any tips that I may not know about I'd really appreciate it!
Happy to provide any extra info if anyone would like any
thanks guysps: I have plenty of other plants roses, orchids etc so I'm not afraid I'll kill it
Click this link to view the images! http://imgur.com/a/g5sOk#8M7vU