Ficus Benjamina Bonsai - from bush to bonsai (part II)

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Nice work Mike! 👍 I can sympathize with the 3D Tetris in the greenhouse .. and the hand in front of the camera. 🤣

[@BonsaiBoise]

It always seems so obvious when I watch the video but at the time it doesn't even occur to me. I'm so amateur. 🤓

[@zenobibonsai]

I love your sense of humor, it does not go unmissed :)

[@BonsaiBoise]

Ha, thanks! Come to me for all your dad joke needs lol.

[@johncalle8547]

I need part 3! Great job on this project.

[@BonsaiBoise]

I actually just bought another one of these last weekend and started work on it. So I guess that one can be 2.0.

[@johncalle8547]

@@BonsaiBoise awesome I just binged a few of your videos. I just got my first ficus benji and I learned a lot from watching your stuff.

[@emptynestgardens9057]

Just stumbled across your channel as I'm learning how to care for my 6" tall Benjamina Starlight. Now I want to take cuttings and bonsai the thing ✂️😁. Try women's knee high nylons from the Dollar tree for tieing up instead of the rubber bands. You can cut to size and they stretch with the growth.

[@BonsaiBoise]

I think I'm going to try that on my next fusion. For now I've been using that white plumbers tape and it's been ok so far.

[@emptynestgardens9057]

@@BonsaiBoise Hey not related to topic but because I started taking a closer look at my ficus to bonsai I discovered my first ever mealy bugs grrrr. I hope I'm getting this early. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@BonsaiBoise]

@@emptynestgardens9057 I battle with those as well. I find that Neem oil kind of helps, at least temporarily. But lady bugs are the best bet. I get 500 for $10 at a nursery in town, when they have them. I have an indoor greenhouse though, so I'm not sure how they would do out in the open. Especially 500 for them!

[@emptynestgardens9057]

@@BonsaiBoise lmao my cat would go bonkers 🤣😂

[@rokimbonsai8112]

Terimakasih ilmunya

[@baldyeti]

That progressed quickly! A testament to your indoor greenhouses. Thank you for sharing the experience, Toy. You’ve definitely got some healthy and vigorous trees to work with and they are responding well to your work!

[@BonsaiBoise]

Thanks, I appreciate that! I have to say, that little $30 greenhouse was a game changer for cuttings, air layers, and general rehabilitation.

[@BonsaiCornerSouthSumatera]

owh ,, nice process ,thanks for sharing .....

[@Tybold63]

I agree with you that smaller pot is better to start with and think it might be due to that it makes it drain and dry up quicker and get air to the juvenile roots. Might try an airlayer as I got large ficus almost for free but it is kinda sparse on the leaves and too big. Cheers!

[@BonsaiBoise]

Just picked up another one if these big bushy ficus. Hoping to have the video posted by this weekend. This one is a doozy!

[@Meskarune]

In the house plant world we say to pot the plant based off the size of the roots and not the top leaves. A small root ball needs a small pot. If the pot is too large it retains too much water and the roots will rot.

[@KennetDeBondt]

Hello Mike Any updates on the fusions? Grts Kennet

[@BonsaiBoise]

I was thinking to do an update on the cutting fusions within the next month or so. Some are coming along nicely while others and resisting..

[@OddBonsai]

Good job! The airlayering woked out pretty fast. The fusing will probably be a bit slower but if you can move the seedling bunch in a larger pot once they start to gain vigor it should help in speeding up their growth. Is the green tape you're using the kind used for tying up tomatoes and other plants in the vegetable garden?

[@BonsaiBoise]

Thanks! Yep, that green tape is just the cheapo stuff. I think I get a pack of 3 for $1. And I agree on up potting once they get major growing traction. That $20 ficus bush is turning out to be a worth while winter project. So glad I found it.

[@dwyanelee2203]

What soil mix did you use for the cutting? I'm trying my own bonsai after watching your video with my ficus benjamina variegated. Thanks for the video!

[@BonsaiBoise]

Hi! I just used my basic mix that I use for most trees. I have a few older videos on how I make it. Pretty easy the way I do it but makes a mess.

[@tracysibley6360]

Thanks for showing me.. Can you help me.. My hold Tree is Dead. How do i start to bring it back to Life or is it over for my Tree..😢

[@BonsaiBoise]

Well, if it's completely dead than there's not much you can do. But, one trick I do that works a lot is, water it first, then put a clear or semi clear plastic bag over it and spray some water mist in there. Then place it by a window for awhile. Every couple days just mist a little water in there again. After a couple weeks, 1 of 2 things will happen. It will either start to slowly bounce back with new little buds popping out. Or, it will start to smell and maybe grow a little mold. Keep an eye on it to see which way it goes. If it goes moldy, it's a goner. The bag acts as kind of a humid greenhouse and trees love it. That's worked for me many times.

[@debcampbell4076]

My question, is the Ficus Benjamina the same plant as the Ficus Americana?

[@BonsaiBoise]

Nope, I just googled it and they are definitely different.