Soilless Cultivation Methods and Techniques for Miniature Ficus Bonsai

Ficus is native to China, India and other places, and is commonly cultivated in Guangdong, Fujian and other areas of China.

Ficus is very easy to propagate by cuttings. During the growing season, in combination with shaping, cut off a portion of a branch, disinfect it with plant ash, and after the sap has drained, insert the cutting into sand; after one and a half months it will survive and take root. Once the root system grows normally, it can be potted for cultivation and care. After potting, with careful management, after one year of growth the tree shape will be full with luxuriant branches and leaves. In the spring of the second year, soilless cultivation can be carried out to cultivate a miniature bonsai. First, take the soil-cultivated small ficus out of the pot, rinse it clean with clear water, carry out the necessary disinfection treatment of the root system, and set it aside for planting.

Specific operation methods:

You can prepare the nutrient solution for soilless cultivation yourself, or buy it from a flower and plant shop. Take out 10 ml of the stock solution and add 2 kg of water before use. Place the washed ficus into a container holding the nutrient solution and soak for 10 minutes so that it absorbs sufficient nutrients.

Choose vermiculite with good air permeability and good water- and fertilizer-retaining performance as the growing medium.

Choose a miniature purple clay pot of suitable size and attractive appearance, and wash it clean. Because the pot is small, you can use plastic window screen to pad the bottom of the pot, place it over the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, and first put in a small amount of vermiculite.

Plant the ficus to be cultivated into the pot, straighten out the root system, and pay attention to the arrangement of the tree posture and root claws; face the side for viewing toward the front, then fill vermiculite around it, and press the vermiculite firmly with your fingers so that it combines densely with the root system.

After planting, observe the tree vigor and planting direction again and again, and only after you are satisfied may you pour in the nutrient solution, pouring until the nutrient solution flows out from the bottom hole of the pot. Finally, use a fine-mist watering can to rinse clean the dirt and soil stuck to the trunk and branches and leaves, and move it to a cool, ventilated place; by no means place it in the sun. After one week, the light duration can be gradually increased and it can be transferred to normal management.

Ficus likes sunlight and warmth by nature. Under high-temperature conditions in summer, you only need to place a tray of suitable size under the pot of the miniature bonsai, and ordinarily you only need water in the tray. When fertilizing, you can pour the diluted nutrient solution into the tray. To make the ficus grow well in a small pot, you can frequently spray a urea solution; the concentration ratio must not be too strong, and about 0.5% is suitable.

After a period of growth, the root system of the ficus becomes completely integrated with the vermiculite; even if the entire ficus is taken out of the pot, the vermiculite will not crumble.