Hi all
Just after some tips and tricks for ficus in the winter and indoors.
I am in the UK so not always possible to keep it outside.
I have had this tree for over 5 years now and it has pretty much laid dormant for the majority of that time with the exception of the trunks thickening.
I haven't had much time for bonsai up until this year so not getting the best care.
This year I repotted the ficus to a soil with little organic compost, introduced fertiliser and have been putting the tree outside when the weather has been warm for several days or more. I am happy now the tree has started new growth and a fare bit of it including back budding.
The weather has now started to get colder spells here in Wales.
I will now have to start bringing the tree indoors again. It usually is in my bathroom. Figured the steam would be good for it from the shower and the window it's on get alot of light.
Are there any tips for it's health and keeping it moving in the right direction ready for next growing season?
Thanks again all.
l
hey mate, With ficus try to have them indoors or protected by the time the weather gets down to around 5c, don't begin any kind of work on them after winter until night temperatures reach at least 16c overnight for 2 weeks. try and have it outside for as long as possible. i am lucky here in Aus that i have 3 ficus here and only had to bring them in twice over the whole winter. When its inside over the winter you can pretty much put it anywhere. give it a good feed through autumn with a fertiliser that has a decent amount of potassium as this is the ingredient in fertiliser that strengthens the tree against stress. i probably wouldn't have it in the bathroom and the constant moisture on the tree and not being exposed to sun or wind could cause a fungal infection, this is the same reason we don't mist trees in cooler weather.
Find somewhere that's going to allow the tree to have a decent watering and isn't situated in front of a reverse cycle air conditioner or anything as this will dry the tree out really fast. besides that there isn't much more to say for ficus. pretty simple creatures. They love the warmth and hate the cold.