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Light requirements for a Bonsai Ficus Retuna 6 years 4 months ago #36692

  • JPea
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Hi all, as will become obvious I've never had a bonsai before but having won one in a raffle I'm determined to care for it a lot better than the donator. I've sighted it on the windowsill in my study which is just above a radiator but we'll back. It gets a lot of bright light but no direct sun. My question is will this be sufficient light for it?
I've well and truly soaked the roots as it had very much dried out and am gently watering it each day now hoping it will recover the leaves it had dropped
Is there anything else I should do please?

Thanking you in anticipation

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Light requirements for a Bonsai Ficus Retuna 6 years 4 months ago #36697

  • leatherback
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Welcome to bonsai world.

I am going to assume that your profile picture is the plant in question?
I think it is ficus retusa, not retuna ;0

At the momnt it is mainly a young ficus. They like lots of sunlight. So take it outside. My ficus are also just in the windowpane. Sitting on a heater is not a big issue, except that they do not like dry air, nor dried out roots. Sokeep very good track of the water needs. It will dry out VERY fast. Most people recommend not placing them directy over a heater. (I personally ignore that advise).

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Light requirements for a Bonsai Ficus Retuna 6 years 4 months ago #36699

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Thank you Leatherback, for all the advise but won't it be too cold for it as we have icy conditions?

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Light requirements for a Bonsai Ficus Retuna 6 years 4 months ago #36703

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Hm.. That should have read.. Take it out in summer!
It CANNOT stand temps lower than about 10c for any period of time.

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Light requirements for a Bonsai Ficus Retuna 6 years 4 months ago #36704

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Thanks, I assumed -10 would be asking too much

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Light requirements for a Bonsai Ficus Retuna 6 years 4 months ago #36705

  • JosephCooper
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Ficuses are well suited inside, but hate being dry, so make sure to water it extra. 3-5 hours of sunlight per day should be sufficient, but it can do only 2. Daily watering based on how wet the soil is will also keep it alive.

Ficuses are pretty easy to take care of, but they like a lot of humidity. If you have any humidity trays, put your ficus over it.

You should be good to go :)

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Light requirements for a Bonsai Ficus Retuna 6 years 4 months ago #36708

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Thank you, I'm watering every day to keep it damp but not sodden, plenty of light and an atomiser spray every two or three days so hopefully all will be well. Should I buy some feed?

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