How to Make a Ficus Bonsai

Ficus is one of the most iconic, widely available, and distributed tropical species that are utilized in the bonsai approach. There are so many species of Ficus-from the microcarpa to the macrocarpa, from the retusa to the benjamina, that they start to demand a greater degree of understanding. Exploring the handling and timing of horticulture and physiological responses allows us to evolve these independent Ficus species, giving them the proper care they need to flourish.
David Cutchin-a renowned tropical bonsai expert and practitioner of D&L Bonsai Nursery, walks us through the nuances of each of these predominantly utilized ficus species, and how to develop and evolve material at differing stages to facilitate the best possible outcome as a mature bonsai over time.

[@BonsaiMirai]

Sorry for the repost, youtube doesn't allow replacement of files and a few edits needed to be made. Expect new tropical content soon, full of valuable info that will help you on your bonsai journey!

[@ernsttencate6699]

Repetition is the best way to learn something.

[@hashiramabonsai]

this guy is a ficus bible! Amazing what he knows, listened the whole 38 mins! thank you so much for explaining all of this!

[@bulebonsaibatam1758]

I live in Indonesia and there are so many Ficus Bonsai here it’s unbelievable. Great info and and tutorials from you guys. Keep it up. Max

[@johngilbert974]

Wow - this was the BEST bonsai how to video I’ve seen in the 2 years I’ve been researching bonsai on the Internet !!! Very helpful tips - thanks !

[@bonsai_life_style]

yep not bad you can check my YT channel I talk a lot about Ficus trees www.youtube.com/@bonsai_life_style/videos

[@jenniferbatchelder6696]

Love the information you provide!

[@TexasDave2023gmailcom]

This is an excellent video!! Thank you so much!

[@mrpatchy9950]

Super information for a beginner ,all the finer points explained in a simple way. Thanks a lot.

[@oscarvidalquist]

i really like this guy! goes strait to the point!

[@johncavendish8552]

Fantastic info for the growing of figs as bonsai for all as we do in Australia.

[@johng1097]

Awesome video - lots of great info !

[@chrisgallagher85]

Great, great video. I learned so much. I thought the last segment was the absolute best.

[@geoffbreen2386]

Awesome video including the editing. I learnt so much.

[@nancyfahey7518]

My willow leaf and the too little or curly Benjamin were my first trees. They are 19 years old. Looking real gnarly too. 😊

[@mujalikula7040]

You explain it well.

[@alfredgrechbonsailicious4827]

Thanks for sharing.

[@ahappyimago]

Great video

[@zimmy1958]

Wow thanks.

[@grahamleonard8060]

Fantastic Information . In South Africa we use a number of ficus varieties . Burtt- davyi is readily available here 😊

[@matthewwood4008]

Nice video and a Tool fan✂️🤟

[@krasakkrusukbonsai7963]

Good bonsai👍👍❤️❤️

[@sebastiendemeyer2434]

Can I do this on an old retusa now ? I live in Lille, France. Thanks for your videos ;)

Thank bonsai video ❤️👍🔔👍🔔👍🔔

[@KillerBearsaw]

I love tropicals. Super jealous of the locations that enable such massive and rapid growth and aerial root systems. But thankful that i have the knowledge and means to create a similar environment indoors. Really excited to start grafting experiments soon! Thanks for the very useful and concise info about the effects of different pruning on these

[@anggirteja4675]

We in tropical areas also sometimes envy those who live in 4 season areas because you have extraordinary maple trees

[@KillerBearsaw]

@@anggirteja4675 good point! I imagine it's much much harder to create an environment where a Japanese maple would survive in an area outside its natural habitat! I didn't think about that. Thank you, you make me appreciate the few deciduous trees I have even more!

[@edvardasdriukas8369]

I didn write nothing bad but KZbin don't want to post !!! 1😡 Great video, You needd to write a book about a bonsai ficus, i would love to have it and study it beter 😊

[@watsup6084]

Why the re-upload?

[@spencer5082]

Absolutely LOVED this but how he struggled with the word matured or mature or maturing got to me. 😂. I finally thought maybe I missed something and maturized just might be a word. 😂. Someone please tell me I'm wrong and was just using webster's dictionary wrong! On a positive note, this guy is a GREAT instructor. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

[@PeterFullen]

Hi , Not sure if you covered this, but what was the process to create the ficus from a cutting? Do you just plant the cutting and it creates roots?

[@MrSitallewal83]

What soil mix is best for the ficus retusa? And the benjamina natasja?

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Did Ryan do something different with his hair? I can’t quite place my finger on it…

[@ronendvir]

what about Ficus sensitivity to cold. Should it be brought inside if the tree is immature or was pruned heavily ? Can you prune in autumn and still prevent decline in winter? can you summarize (maybe in a post) the thing to do and things you shouldn't do with a Ficus (keeping it alive). thank you Mine rotted last winter after 10 years...

[@bildahome]

Yep, seen this video a week ago, why again?

[@SuperPeleke]

So nice, we had to see it twice!

[@BONSAIenCORTO]

The good, better twice!!

[@danielwaldvogel579]

What soil do you use for ficus?

[@noisehead]

is it possible to grow a podocarpus inside? I think it looks simmilar to a juniper, but junipers def die inside of what i heard :) The long leaves ficus looks also like something i would like

[@edvardasdriukas8369]

I would buy your book about ficus bonsai trees, if you have one then link please and in few day's i will start studieng it!!! Thank you 😊

[@rommelrosales8318]

My Ficus microcarpa has a big and ugly surface root. Any pointers on how I can correct it? I live in a tropical country.

[@jenskarlsson4744]

Humidity !!!!

[@vincedavidarevalo2922]

ficus concinna is the best

[@takeoischi4156]

Where's Ryan?

[@jaspershepherdsmith9047]

Specialising in species that aren't tropical, I would guess

[@abstract200]

Tigerbark is a retusa? Which is also a microcarpa? No! And shame on you Mirai. This is really disappointing where usually your content is top level. Not this time

[@Lewisds]

Per Jerry Meislik’s book, this is a common taxonomical crossover. Ficus microcarpa var. Tiger Bark would be most correct, but many F. microcarpa varieties are represented as F. retusa.

[@abstract200]

@@Lewisds Retusa is a completely different species of Ficus

[@Lewisds]

@@abstract200 yes, however it’s very common for people to misapply F. retusa and F. microcarpa. The speaker still clearly knows his stuff. I already gave one source, however I will also reference the second sentence of this entry en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_retusa.