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Red Dragon School of Martial Arts Monthly News Letter
January 2007
The Bonsai Guy talks about Tropical Bonsai

The use of tropical plants for bonsai is rapidly growing in popularity. Tropicals are, as all plants, outdoors in their native locals. Here in our north temperate climate we can grow them outdoors in summer but must not be exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees. They then must be brought indoors and given a warm place until spring. For those that must keep them indoors all year round they also provide them with the bonsai experience.

The biggest problem facing the keeping of tropicals is adequate lighting. A bright window is fine, but it should not have the hot afternoon sun beating down on the plant. Glass has a way of magnifying the rays of the sun and scorching the plant. A north or east window where you get morning sun is perhaps best. Many tropical bonsai are grown indoors under artificial lights and this is probably the most successful method. Any type of grow light bulbs will suffice. Leave them on 12 to 16 hours a day, regulating them with a timer.

The second problem is humidity. Most homes today are much too hot and dry for the growing of plants. I grow mine on humidity trays and mist them regularly. Humidity trays that incorporate a grill over a water reservoir may be purchased or you may utilize pebbles in a tray to keep the pots above the water level.

The late John Naka said “tropicals are not only a special plant requiring special care, it is more like a pet, and a little time each day should be spent on its care”.
Each month we will explore the various tropical species used in bonsai and their requirements and care. The most popular tropical bonsai is:Ficus (fig) they are excellent plants for beginners. Ficus are fast growers, tolerant of most soils and light conditions and most importantly, are remarkably forgiving of those just learning bonsai watering techniques. Most Ficus will grow in low light, but thrive in high light conditions. They require temperatures above 50 degrees. They should be fed in accordance with their growth activity i.e. weekly in summer months and monthly during the winter. I also recommend using a 7-7-7 liquid bonsai food, at the rate of ¼ teaspoon to one gallon of water, every time you water. Most Ficus should be repotted in spring every 2 to 3 years. Roots can easily be pruned by half. Top pruning can be carried out anytime it is required.

Ficus will bleed milky latex profusely when cut but when it dries it forms its own natural wound seal. No cut paste is required.
Of the many species of Ficus, the following are the most frequently utilized.

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjaminia), Green Island Fig (Ficus microcarpa), Natal Fig (Ficus natalensis), Golden Gate Fig (Ficus retusa), and Ginseng Ficus (Ficus rubiginosa)
Most Ficus produce an inconspicuous flower and an inedible fruit. They are relatively free of pests. If you are interested in getting into bonsai, I suggest a Ficus to be your first attempt.

Outdoor Bonsai
The holidays are past with none in sight until the Easter season. All bonsai should be completely dormant by now and snug in their winter quarters. With the unseasonably warm weather thus far this winter, we must keep a closer watch on them. Keep checking for moisture and pests. Keep your bonsai and pots cleaned up to prevent mold and fungus.

It’s still too early to begin any serious work on our bonsai, but use this month for planning your spring workload and schedule. Study your bonsai and plan any styling changes that you will make this spring. Reminder: Photographs and/or sketches, and notes will help remind you of what you had in mind for each plant, when the busy spring season arrives. Do not trust your plans to memory. I carry my memory around on a clipboard. On those bonsai that I plan on removing branches, I indicate those branches with a twist tie. Using different color twist ties can indicate other treatments to branches. Make sure that you keep notes on what each color indicates.

Another planning task is potting. Select the pots that you will use and identify which tree they go with. Again, don’t rely on memory. Include in those notes how and where the plant will be positioned in the pot. The more notes, indicators, sketches, photos, etc. that you produce this month, the easier and faster your tasks will be when the spring rush begins. It has a way of creeping up on us rather quickly. Get prepared!

The February Bonsai Clinic will be held at the Red Dragon on Saturday, February 17th from 10AM to 4 PM.
Bring your trees and/or questions. Or…. just stop in to talk bonsai. See You There………..

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