Page 45 - Ebook bonsai for beginner

Ficus Salicaria Bonsai.

Fertilizing: Fertilize weekly or every two weeks during summer, every two
to four weeks during winter (if the growth doesn’t stop). Liquid fertilizer
can be used as well as organic fertilizer pellets.

Pruning: Regular pruning is necessary to retain the tree’s shape. Prune
back to 2 leaves after 6-8 leaves have grown. Leaf pruning can be used

to reduce leaf size, as some species normally grow large leaves. If a
considerable thickening of the trunk is desired, the ficus can be left to
grow freely for one or two years. The strong cuts that are necessary
afterwards don’t affect the ficus’ health and new shoots will grow from old
wood. Larger wounds should be covered with cut paste.

Wiring: Wiring of thin to medium-strong ficus branches is easy as they
are very flexible. The wires should be checked regularly though, as they
cut into the bark very quickly. Strong branches should be shaped with

guy-wires because those can be left on the tree for a much longer period.
Special training techniques: Ficus has the ability to fuse plant parts that
touch each other with some pressure. So branches, roots or trunks can

fuse together and form appealing structures. You can use this feature for