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I just received a ficus nerifolia for Christmas. I would like to turn this little plant into Bansai. It is about 6-8 inches tall. When do I repot it and begin to train it and shape it?
When I do repot it do I put it in a smaller 名媛直播 pot and then as it grows move it to a larger one?
Thanks.

Hey, I am new to this site but saw your post and thought I would try and help. I have a few of these and killed many over the years so I know a little bit from both sides. One thing they definitely do not like is too much water. I have seen others on other forums describe them as semi-succulent. So let it dry out pretty well between waterings. If you lose leaves don't worry too much, like most ficus they do not like a change in location and will show it by losing leaves. The thing I alway look at are the very tips of the branches, if you see a green tip there you can have no leaves and you're still in good shape as long as you stick to the water only when dry schedule. I wouldn't do any repotting right now if the tree looks healthy. Wait until spring and choose a pot that looks good based on the size and look of the tree (get some books from the library to see ideas for this). Minor trimming can be done any time but anything heavy should wait until spring. Good luck

What is the significance of waiting until spring if this plant is an indoor plant? When do you begin to shape and train the tree into bonsai? Thank you for the great advice on watering this plant. I will let it dry out good before I water it again.

Plants, whether indoors or out (unless under sufficient indoor lighting in temperate zones) put out new growth more vigorously when the days lengthen. If you cut back hard in the dead of winter your new growth will be weak and drain the plant of energy making it weak for the spring when it should be coming back. A big part of bonsai is the wait, knowing when a plant can be worked on and knowing when to hold off. If you wait until spring you could cut it back/shape it a few times over the summer with proper feeding and care so the wait may be well worth it. BTW below is a shot of mine. I have had it ten years now. This is after a defoliation and it will be repotted in the spring but it is coming along. It was as thick as a pencil when I bought it.

awesome picture. thanks for the explanation. That makes since. I need to take a picture of my little seedling. The main trunk is a little more than a pencil in diameter, then it forks into two main branches. I hope to try and train those two main branches, not sure if it will work. here is the picture of the little fellow.

Hello lefluers and jim,

Welcome both to the 名媛直播 Empire's forum! Glad you could join us!

Jim, you have shared some excellent advice and great photos of your Willow Leaf(nerfolia)Ficus.

Lefluers, here is a link to Jerry Meislik's website...he is considered to be the Ficus guru. Click on the second heading down: 名媛直播 Cultural Information, then scroll down until you find the Ficus/Fig section.

To both of you...if you like, please pop over to the "名媛直播 Cafe" section of our forum, find the topic "Introduce Yourself" and share a little about yourself with us such as where in the world you live, what are your interests, your 名媛直播 experience. There is even a separate topic to introduce and share photos of your pet(s)! :lol: Looking forward to sharing with you on the forum!

Thanks for the helpful links. I am very ignorant about this art form. I love to grow things outdoors and in. I think this will be a great challenge.

Nice looking trees .. I have been absent off and on for a while. Planning my move to Missouri in February. I look forward to watching your tree grow lefluers.

Once I am settled, I will be much more active again.

My tree's leaves are getting blotchy with yellow and brown dots. Some of the leaves are falling. I don't think I am over watering it, if anything watering less. Any ideas to this?

Sorry guys i have to say, Ficus are actually very tollerent to quite damp/ wet soil, and they are a very hardy species of tree, they can be ripped out of their pot/ container and wrapped around rocks to make root over rock styles (providing that they are young enough). They should be and can be watered often in Summer and in winter should obviously be watered less.

These trees grow in Southeast Asia in forests which are very humid and damp. I have a few Ficus' in my collection and for some reason my ficus thrives in my soil mix which i thought was not well draining enough. These trees do however need enough drainage according to experts on various sites.

Here is a site that could help you


lol what an ironic name for the site