Keep in mind that although it is an "indoor" bonsai tree, it will still need a lot of light. If keeping it indoors I most definitely recommend some supplementary lighting.
I use 23 watt 1600 lumen compact fluorescent "daylight" bulbs. One of those in a regular old goose neck desk lamp next to the tree would be great.
From the photo I can honestly say that the soil looks inappropriate. You should do a little research on fast draining bonsai soil mixes and think about re-potting it some time in the near future. One of the cool things about ficus is that you can work on them year round. Re-potting in summer would be fine for the tree.
yep ficus retusa microcarpa( a retusa is a microcarpa so you know james)i do think it is a tiger bark species ,my retusa has plain gray bark but it is much older so not totaly sure and yes the soil doesnt look too good. these trees are very tolerant of anything you can throw at them branch chopping root chopping alot of water no water just dont do too much at once. these are the best trees to start with cuz they are so forgiving.
james's light recomendations are good the more light the better,but if the outside temps are above 60 they do like to be put outside, full sun is the best.when i got mine id let it go till the leaves would start to droop looking at it every day. it would take a week to 10 days at least with fast draining soil. depending on the soil you have it may be longer
by manofthetrees
The following user(s) said Thank You: James May, Zaphox
If he just got the tree, it's going to be stressed from the move, and then a re-pot....Don't be surprised if your tree freaks out a little and drops lots of leaves. It'll bounce back in a few weeks.
Thanks for the advice. The information with the tree said cut back the roots every 3 years (although I don't know how long it's been potted before I bought it!) so I may do that whilst I repot into new soil.
With regards to the lighting - it currently sits right next to a south facing window.. is this not enough light? How many hours would the suggested light suppliment be on for a day?
Nice little article but I have a couple more questions after raeding it:
"There is a time limit as well and it is mentioned that you should water for about ten minutes."
But how much? Saying water for 10 minutes to me could be taken several ways.
"The second very important characteristic is the amount of light that is put on the plant. Ficus bonsai care has shown that the plant should be kept not in much sunlight as we all know the nature of the ficus bonsai. So people prefer to put it in shady places so that the sunlight does not affect the leaves and growth of the plant."
This doesn't seem to quite marry up with what you guys were saying.. unless I'm to take it that it requires many hours of moderate/low light rather than full on light?
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