Since I am proud owner of one of these for some time now, I am looking to obtain as much information as I can, but not all is answered on google and youtube. I am really puzzled by questions like:

1. How these tubular roots (nibari) are made? What technique is used for that?
2. Is this the real ginseng original we find in the drug stores or it only copies the look and the name?
3. Is Ficus Ginseng considered as real Bonsai, according to the Bonsai philosophy and principles or its just a very nice looking fake that imitates Bonsai?



Sorry if my questions are lame, but asking is the only way to fill in gaps in my knowledge.

Thanks.

- Ficus retusa (?) are grown from seed. The leaves are hacked off. New branches of smaller foliage grafted on it and potted with the roots above the ground. That is how they are made.
- They have absolutely nothing to do with ginseng
- They have nothing to do with bonsai.

Thanks LB.

I already read roots just imitate ginseng original roots, stupid me

and is this below off bonsai too?

leatherback wrote: - They have nothing to do with bonsai.

Is that due to being created through cosmetic surgery rather than training?

Solaris wrote:

leatherback wrote: - They have nothing to do with bonsai.

Is that due to being created through cosmetic surgery rather than training?

They are not created using bonsai techniques, don't follow any aesthatic bonsai rules, don 't look like bonsai and are not a realistic expression of a tree in nature.
Bonsai is an art, each tree is unique. These are mass products that all look the same. It is a cheap imitation made to look like a bonsai, not like a tree.

Don't know who wrote it, but you should "not make your tree look like a bonsai, you should make your bonsai look like a tree"

I don't know much about the creation or origin of these trees. I bought 2 of these years ago. They sparked my intrest in bonsai. They are definitely not tradition but I don't care. I still consider it bonsai. I practice ramification, defoliation and wiring techniques on them.

Squintwithme wrote: I don't know much about the creation or origin of these trees. I bought 2 of these years ago. They sparked my intrest in bonsai. They are definitely not tradition but I don't care. I still consider it bonsai. I practice ramification, defoliation and wiring techniques on them.

That still doesn't make the plants on the photos bonsai - which doesn't mean they cannot become bonsai - though for a 'Ginseng' - the one with the monstrous roots - in my opinion that's very difficult.

Still, you are practicing bonsai. Great!

Squintwithme wrote: I don't know much about the creation or origin of these trees. I bought 2 of these years ago. They sparked my intrest in bonsai. They are definitely not tradition but I don't care. I still consider it bonsai. I practice ramification, defoliation and wiring techniques on them.

Hi Squint and thanks replying. Can you share pictures of your ginseng? Curious how you made it look like. Thanks.