名媛直播

I need some help identifying my bonsai and if it is actually a bonsai or not (and why). It was nice and full when I got it but now the leaves are kind of sparse. I don't know if I am watering too much or not enough or if there is some other problem. Should I repot? Will it fill in again with proper care? Thanks!

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I think you got a reply already. This is a Ficus Ginseng, and it's not a bonsai.

Why is it not a bonsai? I thought the definition of a bonsai was a miniturized tree planted in a shallow pot? One that is not genetically small but trained to be so. Is that not also the gist of the definition given on this website? What makes mine not a bonsai? I am not trying to be obtuse I really do want to understand the differences. Thank you so much.

Naturebuff920 wrote: Why is it not a bonsai? I thought the definition of a bonsai was a miniturized tree planted in a shallow pot? One that is not genetically small but trained to be so. Is that not also the gist of the definition given on this website?

Exactly, and that's why this is not a bonsai.

Exactly what? Again not trying to be stupid but trying to understand the differences and everything I am reading a researching say this is a bonsai. Ficus Ginseng is commonly know as a type of fig tree as I understand. This website classifies Ficus Ginseng as a bonsai species. What characteristics exactly about my plant make it not a bonsai?

Naturebuff920 wrote: What characteristics exactly about my plant make it not a bonsai?

If what you research says this is bonsai, you need to do better research. If I do research on ficus ginseng bonsai, what I find is that practically all bonsai enthusiasts find them useless.

"This art form is derived from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was then redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism. It has been around for well over a thousand years. The ultimate goal of growing a 名媛直播 is to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree."

- Your plant is a mass product, it is not art
- No 'ancient horticultural practices' were used, in stead, techniques were used to create big fat (and damned ugly) roots quickly, to make it look look like that what would be a real trunk in a real bonsai. The top has been cut off and another plant has been grafted onto it, also to get a quick result and to make something that is supposed to look like a bonsai.
- The plant is not a representation of a miniaturized tree in nature, and absolotely not a realistic one.

You have a houseplant in a pot. It's not a bonsai. And it's ugly, but that's not objective as it is an opinion.

BTW: That's not a bonsai pot either.

This too is a Ficus Ginseng. This IS a bonsai: