Hello Bonsai devotees, my name is Suhendra. I want to share my knowledge about Ficus Glomerata Variegata (Loa Varigata in Indonesian Language). I bought the bonsai in northern Bandung in 2004. I drove my own car accompanied by employees. When arrived, I see numerous small and raw bonsai. Some were good, but some were only raw bonsai. Then the owner invited us to see his farm, which had raw bonsai planted in soil and polybags. Some of them were planted from seeds, graftings, and natures.
In his farm I saw a Kaliandar Variegata whose flowers were red, like timber tree flowers and I wanted to buy it. Unfortunately, the owner didn’t sell because he said it will die if dug in dry season. I was quite confused, since the tree was 2 meter height and had so many saplings. Why didn’t he separate them and planted in pots or polybags to be sold. I think the tree was good, because it had yellow striped leaves that very contrast plus red flowers. I thought it will attract so many people to buy.
When we were talking, he mentioned about Ficus Glomerata Variegata whose fertile was not good. I was interested to know more because I was interested in collecting rare plants especially that could be created as bonsai. When I saw the plant, it was only planted in polybag using unhulled paddy (paddy plants /rice that are hulled and then separated from the stalks) as media. It was put in the middle of higher trees, so there was possibility watering process could not be completed. Sunshine was also not than one hour, and there were so many branches were not cut in the lower position that made the variegata lost. I think that were the factors.
After I bought and took it home, I did the repotting: 1 part soil + 2 part fertilizer + 1 part Malang sand (any sand taken from volcanoes). Before the substances mixed in pot, the bottom should be covered by filter to shut the hole. On the filter put rough sand (2-3 mm), then softer sand (1 mm), and goat manure (mixed with unhulled paddy) with comparison 1:1. Cut all the branches, leaves including the green and variegata from the stalk. After that, pull the tree from its polybag, clean the soil, and cut and the oversized roots. Finally, put the tree in the pot, do watering, and keep in shaded place. Put in a place with 2 hour morning sunshine when the tree grows new buds. After having many variegata leaves, full dry in the sun. When the tree grow green leaves, cut immediately.
The result after 6 months, the tree became so fertile and good. So I started to shape it with Slanting Style. After 2 years with good nursery, it became 80% qualified bonsai. I kept doing the intensive care for the purpose of joining National Bonsai Competition.
One day there was a bonsai lover outside Bandung city came to my place to see bonsai. When he saw the Ficus Glomerata Variegata, he was so impressed and eager to buy it. I understood his feeling, because I had ever the same experiences when I wanted to buy good and rare bonsai tree. After he did some very good offer, I sold the tree. Why? Because I had the saplings from prior graftings, so I still could have the same trees. I felt happy because there was a person who appreciated my work from the same hobby.
And that’s the whole story and experience about how to do repotting and plant bonsai with the substances made especially for the Ficus Glomerata Variegata. I hope my information could give positive input for you, the world bonsai devotees. Thank you.
Suhendra is the owner of Bonsai Star Gallery (http://www.bonsaistar.com) and former chief of Bandung-Indonesia Bonsai Society (2003-2004). In his site you will get information on bonsai Tree, bonsai plant, bonsai for sale and everything about bonsai.
Your bonsai tree is somewhat dependent on you to provide it with the nutrients it needs to sustain life. While most trees can get the ease from the environment, the bonsai is confined to a pot and so it is up to you to be sure that it gets everything It needs to survive.
Just like anything other living thing, bonsai’s need food. This, of course, comes in the form of fertilizer. Fertilizer can be found at your local nursery or even bought online. The most common fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphates and potassium. In addition to these three elements, the bonsai also needs iron and, believe it or not, vitamins in particular the B-complex vitamins.
if you can’t find the complex vitamins for your bonsai you might try beer. Of course the alcohol content needs to be very low or you might damage or tree. Try using a weak beer and dilute it using a half beer half water mixture before using it on your bonsai.
You can also get B-complex vitamins and supplement form but no matter how you are getting the vitamins to bonsai one good way to administer it is to spraying the leaves. This needs to be done when the temperature is below 85°F as above that temperature the holes in the leaves close and the tree stops breathing so the exchange of moisture, and therefore the vitamins, will be negligible.
While you’re bonsai can benefit from having its leaves sprayed, doing this in hot weather can actually be harmful to your plant as it will cause the leaves to open up but then more sure be lost to the hot air. This can dry out the leaves and eventually the tree causing harm. The most common cause of bonsai death is actually incorrect watering so be careful when spraying your leaves.
You probably take vitamin pills to get your nutrients, right? Well you can give nutrients you bonsai the same way! You can buy commercially made pills that have all the nutrients your tree needs. Just put them in the soil on either sides of the trunk and water each day the water will cause the nutrients to be leached out of the pills and down into the soil.
How much nutrients you give your bonsai depends on many things includeing the species of the tree the size of the tree the age of the tree and how long it has been in Its current pot as well as the drainage in the pot and the development of the root system. Start off by following the directions on the nutrient package and watch your tree carefully. If you see signs of burnt leaves or drooping flowers you may be giving it too much nutrient.
When your tree is growing, you will want to give it more nutrients but in the fall you can also give It a little bit. Try using a mixture that is 0-10-10 (NPK) for the fall months.
Don’t feed your tree right after repotting at but otherwise a schedule of every two to four weeks is ideal. After repotting you want to wait at least four weeks before feeding. Feeding is best done when the soil is moist.
Proper care, including proper feeding of your bonsai tree will ensure that you have a beautiful healthy plant for many years to come.
Lee Dobbins writes for http://bonsai.garden-corner.com where you can learn more about bonsai trees and how to start your own bonsai hobby.
One of the most important parts of growing and nurturing a Bonsai tree is making the right soil selection. You have a choice of going to the local garden center and picking a soil that is suitable for your Bonsai tree or you can make your own mix with a variety of soils.
One thing that all Bonsai experts agree on is that the right soil for your Bonsai tree should be loose and facilitate water drainage. Some good examples of loose soil are shale or clay. Many Bonsai enthusiasts prefer to use volcanic soil from Japan as it is not very compact and has many nutrients that a Bonsai tree may require. However, the soil for your Bonsai tree should also be able to withhold moisture or else you will see your beautiful tree wilting away before your eyes. Therefore, when making a soil selection, these to aspects should be foremost in your mind.
Another factor that you should think about when selecting the right soil for your Bonsai tree is aeration. The soil should be able to breathe, so to say; and this will facilitate movement of oxygen into your tree.
These are some of the guidelines that you should follow when selecting soil for your Bonsai tree. Remember, there is no perfect soil that suits all Bonsai trees. If you are growing many different varieties of trees, it goes without saying that you may require many different types of soil. The best thing that you can do is be knowledgeable about your Bonsai tree and ensure you keep the above mentioned factors in mind when selecting soil for your Bonsai tree and you will not fail.
Kavita Masthoff is a freelance writer. She runs two websites — Quality PLR Articles and Bonsai Tree Care Tips. You can download a free report from Bonsai Tree Care Tips on Indoor Bonsai Tree Care.
Large finger holes – easy to handle even with gloves
Forged from solid steel
Product Description The traditional Japanese butterfly shaped Bonsai Shear/Scissor is an excellent all-purpose bonsai tool. It’s strong, durable and precise. It’s the most popular style of Bonsai tool in the world. The large finger holes make this shear easy to handle even with gloves on. This is a very high quality Japanese (not Chinese) made tool. Forged from solid steel, with a highly refined blade.
An excellent Bonsai tool at a great price, and a must have for any Bonsai enthusia… More >>
Product Description This is a beautiful 19 year old Juniper Bonsai tree. Like all of our Decade trees, this tree has excellent balance, proportion and realism. They have depth and definition and look like a million bucks. They also look great from far away because of their great silhouettes. This tree stands 11 inches high and has a spread of 18 inches – an excellent value. It’s a bit difficult to get a sense of the actual size of this Bonsai tree from the picture, but if you look … More >>
As you know, there are many different types, varieties and species of bonsai trees. One of the most beautiful bonsai varieties is the juniper bonsai tree. Juniper can be found in all corners of the world. It would surprise you to realise how many times you’ve actually seen one in your neighbourhood without even realizing it.
There are different varieties of juniper trees but two are probably the most popular types.
The first type is known as flaky. The flaky bonsai tree is small and will rarely reach over 30 feet high. As bonsai trees grow in the wild, they do tend to be much bigger than what you see at homes and private gardens. The leaves on the flaky plant are broad needles and take on a blue-green hue. This type is native to China and the Himalayas but can be found all the way from Afghanistan to southwest China.
Another very popular variety of bonsai would be the Eastern. This bonsai tree is known for it’s dense foliage that refuses to grow when planted in poor soil. While it is possible for this tree to grow in poor soil, it will end up being little more than a small bush. When grown in good soil, this tree climb all the way up to 15 feet tall. Soil is one of the most important considerations when growing a bonsai tree, especially with watering (above). The soil needs to be well drained, and suitable for your area; in any case, it should be coarse. There are many different mediums relating to soil and content, and bonsai experts (or seasoned veterans) can provide information about using the different types of material together. Because of the different types of material, your “soil” might be anything but soil. This is why fertilizer knowledge is important. This bonsai type is native to North America, and can be found in mostly south-eastern Canada to all the way down by the Gulf of Mexico.
The Eastern variety has dark red bark that will strip off in neat, narrow strips and two different types of leaves. The first types is adult leaf, which look much more like scales and are less than half an inch long. The second type of leaves are the sharp and spreading needles that are usually around half an inch long.
Once you start to make your way to the western half of the continent, the Eastern juniper bonsai tree gets replaced with the Rocky Mountain juniper bonsai tree or the Ashe juniper bonsai tree. The Eastern juniper bonsai tree were actually placed on the IUCN’s list of threatened species back in 1996. While it only holds the category of Least concern (LR/lc), it still is a species of tree that is being watched for future decrease and need for repopulation within the United States and Canada.
Have you ever heard about
Ficus Bonsai?
Read about this exotic bonsai type.
Known for its hard, heavy wood with resinous content
Unique branching
Small leathery paired leaflets and blue flowers
10 Seeds per pack
Product Description Very attractive. Fast germinating but slow growing 15′ tree. Known for its hard, heavy wood with resinous content. Has unique branching that lends toward a bonsai look. An arid/tropical ornamental with small leathery paired leaflets and blue flowers. Resistant to salt spray. May be kept pruned to maintain small size. Makes a great bonsai, also! All seeds include germination and growing instructions. … More >>
Product Description This beautiful Bonsai tree began as a living tree and has been carefully preserved and sculpted. This single Juniper branch Bonsai was carefully preserved to maintain its natural shape and color and then hand trimmed and arranged by skilled artisans. It will maintain its beauty, fragrance and will feel like a live tree. never need watering, sunlight or soil, making it a zero maintenance plant to just plain enjoy. It will always look like a live tree and you will hav… More >>
