Ginseng Ficus bonsai pruning: A year into the development of my Ficus microcarpa bonsai

I'm pruning my Ficus microcarpa ginseng bonsai through the year and showing the effects of each trimming.
Pruning is an important aspect of ginseng Ficus care and is necessary both in the bonsai training phase and for maintaining mature bonsai trees. Ginseng Ficus bonsai pruning may have to be performed several times a year because Ficus microcarpa is a vigorous grower given the right conditions.
My Ficus ginseng bonsai is in the early stages of development and I'm currently developing it's main trunk by using the clip and grow approach. I let it grow freely, then prune it back hard to obtain a natural trunk movement and taper.
In case you're wondering what happened to the large ginseng Ficus cutting, it was cut into several pieces and I'm propagating the cuttings for a future bonsai project.
All videos regarding the development of this Ficus microcarpa bonsai can be found in the dedicated playlist: • Ficus microcarpa ginse...
My winter setup includes a Mars Hydro 120/60 cm (4'/2') grow tent and an SP3000 grow light. Mars Hydro products are available here:
USA: mars-hydro.com
UK: marshydroled.c...
AU: marshydroau.com
EU: marshydro.eu
CA: marshydroled.ca
You can use this 3% discount code : ODDBONSAI
#ginsengficus #ficusmicrocarpa #ginsengficusbonsai #ficuspruning

[@TheBonsaiZone]

A very professional looking video Stefan! The tree has made such good progress, it's such an important step growing the trunk and primary branches!

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you very much Nigel! True, even if it's going to be a slow way of building the main structure I the result should look more natural. It still has a long way to go but I am satisfied with what I got this year. Next year's growth should make the trunk line even more clear and we should also see some taper.

[@blokkka9inety293]

bets pruning video on a ginseng ive seen on youtube! good job my friend!!!

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you my friend! Glad you found it useful.

[@dilysvela2717]

Thank you for all the videos and for taking the time to putting them together. I am very patiently waiting for an update.

[@scorcher219396]

This is so helpful for understanding the bonsai process!! Your videos have been the best in helping me get started :)

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you Sarah! I'm very glad to hear my videos helped you and I hope you can apply some of the techniques in training your trees. Do you also have a Ginseng ficus bonsai?

[@deucemaniac]

Please keep this series going, progress is fun

[@OddBonsai]

Will do for sure! Thanks!

[@katedodd79]

I agree with Nigel, Stefan, your videos are high quality. Impatient to see how this little guy progresses; not a great trait when it comes to bonsai though!!! Best wishes, Kate

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you for your kind words Kate. I'm constantly trying to improve both on the horticultural side and the video editing part. It's feedbacks like yours that help me understand if I'm making any progress or not. Patience is just one of the skills that have to be learned when growing bonsai. I'm still working on that part myself but found that having more trees is a good workaround. 😁 All the best! Stefan

[@petewilling3580]

Bought my first ficus. I’m an excited bonsai noob trying to soak up knowledge and inspiration. Thanks for this great video. Looking forward to checking out all your videos. Cheers from sunny Arizona.

[@OddBonsai]

Best of luck with your bonsai growing! Greetings from Romania on a cold autumn day! 😊

[@BeTheCREATOR]

I enjoyed the steps you followed. And yes Bonsai needs patience.

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you Mr. Samar. Yes, patience is one important ingredient. I'm still trying to learn how to be have more patience in some cases. I always want to do too much at once.

[@BlueJayBonsai]

That little ficus loves to grow and back bud! What a fun tree. Great job Stefan! 👍

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you Jay! Yes, Ficus microcarpa is notorious for it's back budding ability. I wish my Ficus benjamina would get at least 10% of the back budding I got on the ginseng.😋

[@gdalsin]

Great video - very thorough and detailed coverage of the early development of this tree. Looking forward to the next instalment!

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you! I'll try to make the next videos as detailed as this one. An update on this ginseng will be coming sometime this winter.

[@baldyeti]

What an aggressive lil’ bugger! It sure gave you lots of temptations/options to change your mind on the structure. Great discipline bringing it back! I’m looking forward to seeing how those roots developed. Until next year... Thanks for the education, Stefan

[@OddBonsai]

If that sacrificial leader would have gotten a bit thicker and if it wouldn't have had such a leggy growth (long internodes) I probably would have been tempted to keep more of it. 😋 I'm also very curious what lies below the soil surface. I can see a lot of roots on the surface but it's hard to tell where they come from.

[@realS4T4N1CH0RS3]

Just finding your content now, please keep it up, I'm hooked! Thank you.

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you like the videos! I hope I can finish a new one this or next week. Cheers!

[@ramapunjadi]

Ginseng ficus bonsai really inspires friends, thanks for sharing the knowledge

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you very much! I'm always happy to share what I do and know.

[@wendyleighcurtis]

Thanks!

[@lindaweinhopl2503]

Your videos are so relaxing to watch, even for someone that isn't a bonsai lover!

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks Linda! Glad you like them. Who knows, maybe you'll get to like bonsai too. 😋

[@mvlameiras]

Wow! The plant is taking shape...Success, Stefan !

[@OddBonsai]

Not much of a change yet but it is slowly evolving.

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

Wow, what a perfect video! This thing has come along nicely. You just know it will explode in the spring. Cheers man, happy new year!

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks Colin! In theory the grow tent should allow it to resume normal growth sooner than spring. In reality...we'll see 🙂. A happy new year! Looking forward to spring.

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

@@OddBonsai ah yes, the grow tent…how could I forget.

[@OddBonsai]

😁

[@Marius.Vrancianu]

1st time I actually spotted the Romanian accent without a doubt. :D Great content, Ștefan, got yourself a follower on all channels!

[@OddBonsai]

Mulțumesc Marius! My English is far from being perfect but I didn't realize the accent was so obvious. 😋 Anyway, not trying to hide it. I'm proud to be a Romanian.

[@Marius.Vrancianu]

@@OddBonsai Oh, but it's a compliment! I concluded this is the "true" Romanian accent after watching all sorts of programming tutorials, all those guys had it - somewhere in between Spanish and Russian ones. No reason to hide it. :D Eu mulțumesc, chiar foarte tare canalul! Nu știu cum de l-am descoperit abia acum..

[@OddBonsai]

Întotdeauna mi s-a părut că accentul nostru seamănă cel mai mult cu cel al rușilor, dar este drept că nu am ascultat prea atent și alte tipuri de accent. Mulțumesc pentru apreciere! Încerc să evoluez atât în ceea ce privește formarea bonsailor cât și în realizarea videourilor. Volumul de videouri de pe KZbin este imens și în continuă creștere. Și eu tot mai descopăr canale pe care mă întreb de ce nu mi le-a recomandat KZbin până acum. 😊

[@raggedbreath]

This is so helpful in describing how to develop a standard bonsai we can all buy in big shops. Thanks!

[@OddBonsai]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@raggedbreath]

@@OddBonsai any updates?

[@WahanaTaniBonsai]

Nice ficus bonsai,ficus growing the others, thanks for your sharing

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! I'm really enjoying developing this one.

[@wendyleighcurtis]

Really great instructions over time. Thank you!!

[@RosarioCostanzo]

Great work, Stefan! I like this little guy. I am curious to see it at repotting time. With this new tent, you can practically have 365 days of continuous growth. Happy new year, my dear friend

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you Saro! I'm also looking forward to seeing what's hiding below the soil line. 😋 A grow tent will indeed allow you to grow throughout the year but, unfortunately, there's limited space in the tent and there's also a limit to how many grow tents you can keep at home. 😊 I wish you a very happy and healthy new year Saro!

[@bonsaibrothers1766]

Small bonsai vicus cute ...great job broo

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you, I'm glad you like it!

[@BonsaiJCan]

Wow did it ever grow over this past year, nice job.

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks J! I didn't have much to do with the growing part but I take full responsibility for the pruning. 😁

[@mattbrennan647]

New Subscriber. Nice looking ficus. Great work. Thanks, keep growing

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you very much! Welcome to the channel! It's still in a veeery early development stage but I hope it will evetually make a nice bonsai. Cheers and a happy new year!

[@CocoNagi]

Nice decision to development your ficus 😍🙏

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! I'm glad you agree. I prefer a slow development to get a nice and natural looking trunk on this Ficus ginseng.

[@Moboanojourney]

it has a majestic base wow! more success to your channel🙏

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you so much 🤗Cheers!

[@lollern1234567]

if you keep this up you will have so many viewers in ~4-5 years time. 4real

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you! I try to make quality content. Like my trees, I'm also trying to grow in knowledge and skills.

[@picformat]

A beautiful process. Please continue, it's a pleasure to watch 🙂

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you very much! I will try to post updates on this tree at least every year.

[@bonsaibuenobyalexb]

Wow, amazing process..great work my friend...Happy new year..♥️👍👍

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you my friend and a very happy new year to you too!

[@therisingofroninbonsai]

That is fast growing the ficus my friend.

[@OddBonsai]

Yes it is. If it has all the right conditions it grows very fast.

[@therisingofroninbonsai]

@@OddBonsai yes...

[@ck8313]

Good work. Love to see the updates. A happy new year to you from Pakistan

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you very much! A happy new year from Romania too!

[@MaybeBonsai]

Good work Stefan, the tree is looking good. I wish you good luck when it comes to sorting out the roots haha. Happy new year!

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks Xin! I can already see there was a lot of root growth so I'm probably going to need every bit of that luck next time I repot. 😋 A very happy and healthy new year to you too!

[@MaybeBonsai]

@@OddBonsai yes the roots grows really fast on ficuses!

[@OddBonsai]

Hope it grew roots in all the right places 😋

[@minijadebonsai464]

I really love ficus of all kind they are good variety of bonsai, thanks for the video boss..

[@OddBonsai]

Yes, Ficus is a great plant genus. It conyains so many species suitable for bonsai.

[@katarzyna.wietecha]

Lots of useful information. Thank you :)

[@OddBonsai]

Glad it was helpful! 😊👍

[@mattjohnson9226]

Thank you 🙏. I love my ficus..

[@OddBonsai]

I'm also a big fan of plants in the Ficus family.

[@bosmainan115]

Ginseng ficus sharing very good,,,

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you my friend!

[@candrikaguslucky]

Nice my friend This is amazing vidio You the best

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! 🙏 I try to improve on my skills with each tree I work on.

[@AlexBraunton]

Awesome video! Happy New Year

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you very much! I wish you a happy and healthy new year!

[@Saiyato]

Looking very good!!

[@musicworld5874]

Very good plant tutorial

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you! Glad you found it useful!

[@TerezOpalkova]

Beautiful. Will we ever get another video on the progress? 🥰

[@PlantCraftDIY]

Great work 😍😍😍

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@vancityexe]

Can we see an update? Really enjoyed watching and would like to see the progress!

[@TropicalBonsai]

Nice growth, especially considering it is winter time.

[@OddBonsai]

Yes, I found microcarpa grows pretty well even in low light conditions. No wonder it's so often used to make bonsai trees.

[@waffledot]

would love to see how the ficus is doing now, I have 2 cute ficus ginseng and have no idea how to shape them so these updates make me get the idea much better.

[@OddBonsai]

I will have to work on my ginseng ficus this winter and when I do I will definitely make a video. Most probably it will be a pruning and repotting video.

[@Anything3lse]

@@OddBonsaiwaiting for the update video!

[@OddBonsai]

@@Anything3lse It's coming. Hopefully this month.

[@qaphqa]

Super, thank you!

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you too! Glad you liked it!

[@mclarsen61]

thanks👍👏 I'd like to see how this little tree has developed since then 🌱

[@OddBonsai]

Like last year, it just grows taller and taller, and I will cut it back at some point. I will try to post an update video sometime in winter.

[@mclarsen61]

@@OddBonsai great 😃👍🌴

[@OddBonsai]

👍🙂

[@danyelunderwood1119]

Any updates!?

[@julianramirez4713]

I love these videos. I wonder how the little guy is doing now

[@mpamparimpampatzi5374]

Great great work! this video reminds me how much work and discipline bonsai training requires, and patience too! That tent-lighthouse is a diy construction?

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! The grow tent is not my creation. I just assebled it. 🙂 I got it together with the grow light as a sponsorship from the Mars Hydro company which makes them. I made a video about the tent if you are inteterested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6HEgpKki8d7pJo . I'm preparing a video on the growight aswell.

[@SirPeacemaker]

Great video. Thank you. Any updates with this Ficus bonsai? Im very curious about that.

[@arnoldmmbb]

Nicely done! are you going to airlayer it?

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! Not sure yet. I buried the tuberous roots to encourage de development of new roots closer to what I envision as the base for this tree. So for now is more of a ground layer. Next time I repot it I will check the results and I may try to airlayer if my first attempt fails.

[@IMHobby121]

Very informative. Thanks and God bless. How many hours of light do you give it per day?

[@творческийканал777]

Какие интересные деревья вы выращиваете

[@OddBonsai]

Большое спасибо! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@esca_505]

I am wondering how does it look under the earth. I hope you will make a video about the repotting.

[@OddBonsai]

I'm also curious to see how the roots have developed. Not sure when I will repot it but when I do I will for sure document the process in a video.

[@Unsettled_one]

Hello! Thanks for the video! When can we expect a new one with the changes?

[@OddBonsai]

I have the footage, just have to put it all together in a video.

[@thedohhh]

wow talk about patience

[@TelfordTrace]

Hi Stefan, I enjoyed the video. I have two Ginsing Ficus Trees, about a foot tall....I need advice on pruning them and the roots, and also about a white sticky sap that comes out from the trunk and seems to spread around the leaves....do I just wash it off? I need to identify what it is in order to correctly eliminate it, in case it destroys my beautiful little trees. They have a curved S shaped trunk on my trees. I need advice on the pot size, and how often I should pot up, changing the soil/compost, best thing to put in its pot, and whether it needs its roots trimming. Thank you Tracey

[@annasnioszek3907]

Im sooo impressed! Where is the next video? ❤

[@OddBonsai]

Next video is in the making. I have the footage, just have to find the time to edit.

[@annasnioszek3907]

@@OddBonsai can’t wait to see the progress! 🙂 you have inspired me to cut my ficus today and I have left him with just one leaf 😳😅 let’s see! Greetings 😊

[@Eversify101]

Would love an update, just bought one a few weeks ago, as my first plant.

[@CocoNagi]

Like ficus bonsai

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks!🙏

[@brig1332]

I am new to bonsia and love watching your videos. I recently bought a ficus ginseng from a local Walmart/Asda. I am wanting to repot I am going to use a combination of a mainstream bonsia mix and put some akadama in too. Would this be OK and is it OK to do it at this time of year as it is a indoor mature plant.

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you very much! The mix you have in mind sounds ok. Ficuses in general like the soil to retain a bit more moisture but without it being wet or holding too much water. If your Ficus ginseng is in a good health state I would say it's fine and even recommended to repot it. The soil they usually come with is not that good.

[@brig1332]

@@OddBonsai thank you it is in good health but want to repot it with better soil and a better pot.

[@OddBonsai]

@@brig1332 This will surely give it good start .

[@SpencerA99]

When you repotted, did you just place most of that trunk under the soil? Or cut most off?

[@OddBonsai]

The tuberous root is still there. Just buried in the soil. You can see how the microcarpa was repotted in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/en2Xfn2npKeNpK8 For the future I haven't yet decided if I'm going to keep it or cut it. We'll see when I do the next repot.

[@zxzxzxz27]

need an update for this plant

[@OddBonsai]

Will do. It really needs a pruning and maybe a repotting too so there will be a new video coming this winter.

[@josec.6017]

Update PLEASEEEEE

[@Bonsaifly]

Nice :) I am curious to see how the root system looks. Are you planning to cut of what’s beneath the soil?

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! I'm wondering about the same thing😁. There will be some root chopping but I can't say how much yet. Even though they are ugly, my theory is that those potato roots are beneficial to the Ficus so I am going to keep as much of the original root as the future pot will allow. I'm hoping that some new finer roots will develop over to hide the potatoes. 🙂

[@Bonsaifly]

@@OddBonsai that makes sense. I am going to update my Ginseng Ficus soon - I have some interesting ideas for development, mainly through creating aerial roots

[@OddBonsai]

Looking forward to seeing what you have in mind for it. Happy new year!

[@Bonsaifly]

@@OddBonsai thanks - happy New Years!

[@joshimahan7497]

great video was waiting for an update sadly i dont think there will be any 😶

[@mytreescape6376]

Very neat! Did you keep the top microcarpa tree? It grows so well I guess you can get an better bonsai tree of it than the root base in 2 years time. I choose and buy ginseng ficus only for the top, graftet or direct shoot. I airlayer it when the trunk is reasonably thickened up. The roots are tossed. They fatten up more than the trunk and don't contribute to a good looking bonsai no matter how I style it.

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! I made several cuttings out of that big branch that I cut off and I propagated them. I haven't decided what to do with them yet. I was thinking of trying out a fusion but I guess individual trees would be better since they are all of different thickness. In the end, I might end up doing the same thing with my ginseng if I fail in smoothing out the transition from the root to the trunk. I just have to give it a try. 😋

[@Nickvilleneuvedursh]

We need an update!

[@sangramdalabehera7913]

Nice video I just wanted to know, in how many days new shoots are coming?? Love from India

[@mnilsson2704]

I leave mine alone mostly, and prune it in the spring. To dark and cold in Sweden . But itvis lovely

[@OddBonsai]

I left mine alone as well this year. No pruning since this video. Needs a pruning soon. :)

[@ebenoid6643]

Update would be cool

[@nyomanbalibonsai8388]

Thank you for sharing 👍🙏

[@OddBonsai]

My pleasure! Glad you liked it! 🙏

[@davidhalley9795]

Great video! Where did you get the pot?

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! I got the pot from a large home and garden store called Hornbach. It's a large chain of stores present in many European countries.

[@davidhalley9795]

@@OddBonsai Thank you but unfortunately I don't see any here in the US.

[@OddBonsai]

Yes, I think they only have stores in Europe. Try to search online for terra cotta pots with Greek patterns. You probably won't find the exact same pot but maybe you can find something similar.

[@Aganamusicproject2]

Morning broother,, coffe time

[@OddBonsai]

Good morning my friend!

[@amstrogaming9109]

love it got my sub immediately

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@Bertkido]

Can you describe the soil mix you use? Thank you.

[@OddBonsai]

It I remember correctly, for this ficus Microcarpa I'm using 25% perlite, 25% pumice, 25% vermiculite and 25% potting compost. However, the percentage of potting compost is still to high and a year after potting the drainage is already not that great.

[@bugbasher]

Any updates on this tree? Very curious to see how the root system developed after being repotted so deep.

[@OddBonsai]

No video update yet. It grew in the grow tent for a full year so I should be working on it soon. It's just a matter of finding the time to do this. :)

[@LucaSabato]

It's time for un update, i am curios to see the progress for 2022????

[@OddBonsai]

There's nothing much to show as an update, I just made this video a few months back in winter. The leader grew to 20 or 30 cm tall but that's about all. There will be for sure a detailed update at the end of the growing season like last year.

[@feliciabam9578]

all that cutting/pruning. my heart stopped

[@brunomaelstrom8823]

I would have chosen the central shoot for building the new trunk, it had more graphic curves … the right shoot has a weak curve of a « dog leg ». type

[@Neapetricafarafrica]

Sa incerci sa aplici taieturi pe scoarta, linii verticale, la calosare vor da un aspect de copac batran si caracter trunchiului.

[@OddBonsai]

Multumesc pentru sugestie. Cred ca am mai citit/auzit de varianta asta pe undeva, dar nu am testat sa vad ce rezultate poate sa aiba aceasta practica. Ai incercat sa faci asta pe ficus microcarpa?

[@Neapetricafarafrica]

@@OddBonsai da, pe ficusi, pe portulacaria afra si crasula ovata

[@mpamparimpampatzi5374]

Hello Stefan! Im following a similar path for my ex-ginseng ficus and its time for its reposition, what kind of soil mix do you use?

[@OddBonsai]

I planted this one in a mix of perlite, vermiculite, pumice and potting compost, but it's already too compacted after one year so next time I might use much less compost or replace it with pine bark.

[@mpamparimpampatzi5374]

@@OddBonsai so you are dropping the organic matter percenage in order to make the roots grow slower? Isn't it essential for the leaf-trunk growth?

[@OddBonsai]

I don't want roots to grow slower. I'm just trying to improve drainage. I apply fertilizer regularly so the amount of organic matter does not influence nutrient intake that much.

[@mpamparimpampatzi5374]

@@OddBonsai oh i see, thanks for the info

[@OddBonsai]

My pleasure!

[@hedaq8152]

hi! do you use any food for the plants? or it's not necesarry and they can grow healthy without it?

[@OddBonsai]

I use fertilizer on all my plants. Without it they will start to show signs of nutrient deficiency and their growth will be affected. If organic soil is used, there is a certain amount of nutrients that the plants can extract from it but it doesn't usually last too long.

[@garden-22]

Awesome

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! Glad you like it!

[@rizkyrijzalbonsai6990]

Mantap kawan

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks!

[@eszemaszeszed]

Can the cuttings be propagated?

[@OddBonsai]

Yes, they root easily. You can put them in water or directly in soil.

[@noorbanohouserecipe3623]

Very Nice 🌲🌲🌲🌲💐👍

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you! 🙏 Glad you like it!

[@Karen-px2py]

Dose the jen cen bloom

[@arifudinPro]

👍👍👍 amazing

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@gianluigitarantino]

update please!

[@ananyasharma3549]

It takes how much time to thicken the main trunk sir....??

[@OddBonsai]

There's bo easy way to answer this question. It depends on the growth rate. If your ficus microcarpa grows fast and vigurous you could reach a good thickness within a year or two. If you want to get fast results plant it in a larger pot and provide the best growing conditions.

[@ananyasharma3549]

Thanks

[@dianeschillinger8461]

what soil components are you using for this project?

[@Raggy766]

Any updates yet?!

[@vbeharry5601]

how is this bonsai now?

[@nidhismerchant6208]

Nice

[@OddBonsai]

Thanks! 🙏

[@mbahanto6494]

Hadir bos.. Good..

[@OddBonsai]

Thank you!🙏

[@ZidaneTribal93]

Waiting for the sequel

[@Julie-sw8xv]

Me too!

[@sharicochems6299]

Update on ginseng ficus bonsai?