Hello! I have a small Ficus Retusa (I believe) bonsai tree in a small pot. I have a habit of watering it about every day - to ensure the soil is moist. I top water it mostly with a spray bottle, and I spray the soil until water flows from the bottom of the pot. I let it finish draining and back into the light it goes! Is this an ok watering method?

I noticed when I was watering it today, that some of the roots have begun to poke up through the pebble-like soil which it is planted. Is this normal? I know Ficus' like to form aerial roots, is this the start of them? Am I doing something wrong?


Thank you so much for reading this!

Aerial roots are root growing from branches into the soil so pictures i am sure will end this mystery. It would be a long watering regiem so not the most effiecent nor is it the best way to water all the soil. I would recommend you water with a kind of watering can (with a fine rose but try to get the finest possible but dont water without a rose) only when the soil starts to go dry.

no, these are roots that are protruding up from the soil, not down from the branches. Is this protrusion normal? do i need a new pot? are the roots raising because of the way that I am watering?

They could be raising due to the fact that when you water with the sprayer you only water the top half of soil in the pot so yes it could be the way you water. You dont need a new pot but pictures would be honestly superb.

Do these help at all?


Thank you so much for your time and help!!!

I dont think much or anything is wrong with it now . The soil looks quite dry now so possibly water tommorow morning if you are in the uk try to use a watering can with a rose. Another thing to consider is whether you have fed it. It is not vitl at the moment but feeding it next year from spring will boost that ficus higher th our roof

okie doke, thank you so much for your help! I just do not know what to do with those roots as they start to poke up... ignore them?

Thanks again!

I dont know thats the thing i cant see the roots poking up so... I may just have bad eyesight or something. Looks like the ficus is doing well so the best yet most generic advice i can give is: care for it with your upmost attention and mind. maybe read up a bit on this awesome species. Something that you will enjoy thoughroughly is maybe joining a bonsai club to enhance you vision and knowledge-and experience.

Nice to see this one - a tree in good soil, looking healthy. We don't see that here often, unfortunately.
Where did you get it, or did you repot it yourself ?

The way you water is perfectly fine - but agreeing with Bob that it seems a bit much work and not very efficient. It won't hurt the tree though. I wouldn't worry about the roots.