I read the bulbous root on the ginseng ficus stores a huge amount of water and nutrients to be used by the tree. I agree that they add a strange aesthetic to the tree.
Certainly looks better with the rocks. I have 3 of these. Because I have been doing bonsai for years, when people want to gift me something, it's usually bonsai related. So like yourself, I can't get rid of them ☹️. In my opinion, they are the ugliest tree ever!! Next time I repot, I will try adding some rocks into the root crevices.
I'm not a fan of the big fat ginseng roots too. I think the rocks really help and the second one is looking like it never even had the old roots. great work :)
Ever tried defoliation? I have seen that people who grow ficus bonsai in warmer climates use it regularly. The ficus with the rock which has a more formed canopy would benefit from smaller leaves and more ramification. Also I don’t think the yellow will revert to green.
@@KennetDeBondt how long should i wait? how often should i water it ? I haven’t used any fertilizer since i bought it, Will Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food work?? Which fertilizer do you recommend
So question. I have a full spectrum uv grow light, red and blue lights. Been using a mix where both are on and been using on my ginseng grafted ficus. I read conflicting reports where I should use the grow light indoors 15+ hours a day and then I read that it'll be fine on a window sill with some direct sun in the morning and indirect light the rest of the day. It is very leafy, a lot of foliage. Some newer leaves are kind of curling? Should I just put in the window? Also how often should I water and how much? Just wondering if because of winter if it's too much light
Hello I think the window should be enough. It's been 2 years now that I left mine outside during winter. I just put them in the garage if there is frost. Watering isn't a problem then. The trees should be moist but not wet: it all depends on the substrate they are in. Drainage is important. It is difficult to give a good answer to 'how often should I water'. Hope this helps. grts Kennet
Happy planting. You are using a lot of light for your dear plant! Depending on your area a windowsill that gets 6+ hours of light a day (less afternoon sun) is great. They do like to be outside in weather that doesn't fall below 50°f (below that can put it in dormancy) if curious on it's water retention get a meter, always use well draining soil, repot when root bound in mid summer. When you trim roots you also must do some defoliating. Hope this helps!
And I thought, all people from Belgium love the Potato look and everything about the Potato. I also keep cutting off the fat potato roots of my ficus plants, I just cut it all of and stick it back into the pot, and it grows again as if nothing happened. So you want the rock to fuse with the fat roots ? Fusion, fusion ... 😅👍 Thx for sharing.
Kennet, good thing you added some organic material to your soil mix. Should help these little trees a lot. Good job on turning these monstrosities of a Ginseng "bonsai" into something much nicer...
The root system of these is what appeals to people who own them. I’m not sure why some of you seem obsessed with turning them into a bonsai when it clearly isn’t one. And the fact that you call them monstrosities and make fun of people who own them just goes to show your superficial thinking of bonsai keeping. Why could you not just admit to the person who donated them to you that it’s not the sort of tree you like to deal with instead then trying to change it into something that it isn’t!
