How to Grow and Care for Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Ginseng ficus is commonly used for bonsai, particularly for its narrow elevated roots that swell into a potbelly trunk and thin at the branches before spreading out to the crown. Ginseng ficus is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia and is a member of the Moraceae or mulberry family. Ginseng ficus grows best in acidic to neutral soil with higher humidity and full sun from a nearby window.

The sap from this plant is toxic to humans, and touching it can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions; wash hands after touching it. Ginseng ficus is toxic to dogs and cats.

Ginseng Ficus Bonsai Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a ginseng ficus bonsai:

• Grows best with warmth and humidity; avoid drafts.

• Prefers bright, indirect sun.

• Give water when the soil dries out.

• Provide fertilizer on a regular schedule once a month.

Light

Your bonsai will need six to eight hours of light. Indoors, placing it on a windowsill is a good idea. If this is not available, grow lights can aid in growing your ginseng ficus. If you take your tree outdoors during the summer, plan to place it in a spot with plenty of sunlight but not too much afternoon sun. The bonsai will not tolerate shade at all.

Soil

Ginseng ficus trees do well in a soil mix of sixty percent aggregate and forty percent organic matter. You can buy a premix or make your own using pine bark, lava rock, and a product called akadama, which holds water and slowly breaks down over time.

Water

Water your ginseng ficus thoroughly whenever the soil gets slightly dry. Misting the plant daily is a good idea, but do not water it to the point where the bonsai is dripping, or fungal issues can occur. More frequent watering will be needed if your plant is in a hot environment.

Take a damp paper towel and carefully wipe the leaves off when they get dusty. You can also use a spray bottle to mist the leaves.

Temperature and Humidity

The ginseng ficus is an indoor bonsai and is not frost-hardy. It can be brought outside once temperatures are consistently above 60 F but must be kept in the sun and not allowed to dry out. Low humidity can be tolerated due to the waxy surface covering the ficus’ leaves, but it will thrive in a humid environment.

Fertilizer

Bonsai draw on very little soil, so it is necessary to replenish their nutrients occasionally. Any multi-purpose liquid fertilizer available at your friendly local nursery or garden center should be adequate. For bonsai, dilute the mixture by 50% with water before applying monthly.

Using Ginseng Ficus as a Bonsai

For newcomers to the ancient Japanese art of bonsai, a great place to start is with a ginseng ficus. It looks terrific and requires minimal care compared to other bonsai, which can be challenging to maintain.

Bonsai artists especially focus on the raised roots of these funky little plants to create a particular aesthetic. In their natural habitat, these aerial roots grow easily in high-humidity environments. The effect is achieved by roots growing vertically downward from branches until they reach the soil, developing into thick, strong trunks. This can achieve the desired pillar style or the root-over-rock bonsai style, deshojo. 

Training a Bonsai

To train your plant, use anodized aluminum or annealed copper wire. Wiring your ficus’ thin and medium branches is easy since they are flexible and bend easily. Ensure the wires are not cutting into the tree and readjust if needed.

For larger branches, guy wires will be necessary and must stay on the tree much longer. Ficus trees are unique in that they can fuse their branches, roots, and other ficus plants.

Pruning

Pruning is necessary and part of what makes a bonsai a bonsai, not just a plant.

You can forego the pruning for a year or longer to achieve a thicker trunk. When ready to prune leaves, an excellent rule is to prune back to two leaves after six to eight leaves have grown.

New shoots will grow from old wood if you have left the trunk to thicken. But be sure to tend to any substantial wounds with cut paste so disease does not occur. Always use sharp and clean tools when working with your plant.

Propagating Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Ginseng ficus, aka ficus retusa, can easily be propagated, and there's no better time to do that than after you've pruned it. Here's how:

1. Simply select a healthy stem and cut a 6-inch cutting with scissors or pruning shears.

2. Put the cutting in a container that has been prepared with potting soil mix, and then water it.

3. Place a clear plastic bag over the cuttings to create a greenhouse effect, keeping the moisture in and encouraging it to root.

4. Water lightly every few days, making sure the soil stays moist.

5. The cutting should root in a few weeks.

Potting and Repotting Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Repotting a bonsai must happen when the root system has filled the pot. It needs to be done to give the tree new soil and to encourage a more compact root system.

You will only need to repot your ficus every other year during the summer. Simply remove the tree and soil from its pot and trim its roots' outer and lower quarters. Be careful not to over-prune or remove too much root material. Place the bonsai into the original pot or a new container using the bonsai soil mix.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Caring for your ginseng ficus bonsai properly, with the correct lighting and water, will keep it strong and more resistant to pests and plant diseases. However, the ginseng ficus can get spider mites, scale, mealybugs, and aphids. Use neem oil or a liquid dishwashing soap and water mixture to remove the pests.

Root rot, a fungal disease, can be a problem for ginseng ficus If overwatered. If you see any white or black spots on the leaves, trim them off and treat the bonsai with a fungicide.

Common Problems With Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Ginseng ficus is easy to maintain when given the right growing conditions.

Losing Leaves or Wilting

Water issues, such as too much or insufficient, can cause ginseng ficus to drop its leaves. Keep the top inch of soil moist but not soggy. Leaves that are underwatered will appear wilted but should plump up again after giving water.

Yellowing Leaves

All leaves will eventually turn yellow and die, but prematurely yellowing leaves can be caused by overwatering or a fungal infection, like root rot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my ginseng ficus bonsai dropping its leaves?

Ficus can drop leaves because they are either too wet or too dry. It can also be due to moving them to a different spot, a cold draft, or too much sunlight.

How long can the ginseng ficus bonsai live?

The ginseng ficus can live for 50 to 100 years. There are bonsai trees that are 1,000 years old.

What indoor rooms are best for a ginseng ficus bonsai?

Since these bonsai thrive on humidity, a kitchen or bathroom is a good place to put these plants. Make sure they get adequate lighting.

Do ginseng ficus bonsai produce flowers?

Ginseng ficus plants bloom, but the flowers are small, insignificant, and hard to notice.

Read the original article on The Spruce.