Ficus Bonsai Homepage

Question: Repot a ficus bonsai in winter?

(Posted by: smokinjoe2122 on 2007-01-22 12:24:29)

I live in wisconsin and we are in mid going on to late winter. Would I be ok re- potting my ficus (ginseng) bonsai? The roots are starting to pop out of the soil and it's getting harder to tell how moist the soil is. A few of the leaves on the lower part of the tree are turning yellow and dying, which didn't happen in summer. I have never re- potted a tree before, so if anyone wants to help me with the procedure, I would appreciate it. Right now it's in a deeper pot (3 " deep) and the new bonsai pot is 2.5 ". How much of the roots should I trim? I also heard I should leave it out of direct sunlight for a while afterwards.

Posted by: Munya Carr on 2007-01-22, 12:27:32

It didnt happen in the summer because the roots were smaller then. yeah, you have to repot it. if it's a true bonsai, you know you have to prune it, etc and the roots still do grow.

Posted by: Alorsdez on 2007-01-22, 12:29:32

I think it would be fine to re pot your bonsai, i so love those little trees.

Posted by: Bill Choat on 2007-01-23, 07:37:36

It's OK to pot a tropical any time of the year, and a ficus is tropical. Sounds like you're on the right track in that a plant that has become rootbound will not hold water thus causing leaves to brown and drop. I have potting tips on my website american-bonsai.com on the Bonsai Care page. If you have more questions, you're welcome to contact me at wchoat@american-bonsai.com . Also, I'll be glad to send you specific care instructions for the ginseng fig.