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New to bonsai- looking for appropriate container

  • fteegardin
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New to bonsai- looking for appropriate container was created by fteegardin

Posted 2 years 7 months ago #72670
Hi! I received a lovely little ginseng ficus as a birthday gift, and I want to make sure I give it a happy healthy home. It looks like it came from Lowe’s, and it’s in a large square-ish container with moss covering the surface of the potting medium. I noticed that there are no drainage holes in the container, and I worry that this might not be healthy long term? I’m not new to houseplants, but this is my first bonsai so I’m excited to learn something new. All suggestions are welcome, but I need to know whether to repot first and foremost. Thank you!!
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  • Albas
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Replied by Albas on topic New to bonsai- looking for appropriate container

Posted 2 years 7 months ago #72672
It MUST have a drainage hole, if it doesn't, make one, otherwise roots will probably rot, can you post a picture for better understanding?
by Albas

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Replied by fteegardin on topic New to bonsai- looking for appropriate container

Posted 2 years 7 months ago #72673
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Hmm... I thought I attached this to the original post. I guess it didn’t work!
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Replied by Albas on topic New to bonsai- looking for appropriate container

Posted 2 years 7 months ago #72674
Ginseng Ficus is a small leaf ficus grafted on a trunk of another ficus. By most bonsai artists not considered a bonsai.

As Tropfrog once said (this is a recurrent topic), I think it's possible to turn into a good bonsai, but not easy nor for beginners.Just grow it as a potted plant and make sure it has a drainage hole.

You can also slide for a bigger pot (not now), let it thrive and propagate it by cuttings to get regular ficuses small leafed ones.
I've seen people even training grafted tree tops, and later, air layering it.

And congratulations, it seems healthy.

Just as an example, this tree here was a "Ginseng Ficus".
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Last Edit:2 years 7 months ago by Albas

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Last edit: 2 years 7 months ago by Albas.
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  • Tropfrog
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Replied by Tropfrog on topic New to bonsai- looking for appropriate container

Posted 2 years 7 months ago #72679
Bonsai is not house plants.
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