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Mon, Feb 23, 09 at 15:51
| Hi, everyone!
Okay, so I need some major help. My mother just bought two bonsai trees from Walmart a little over a week ago, and since she hasn't really been taking care of them, their care has now fallen onto me, as I can't bear to let them just sit there and die. The only problem is, I haven't the foggiest idea on what to do for them, at all. I'm the epitome of 'beginner', lol. I've been doing a ton of research today just to figure out what type of bonsai they are (My mom took the tags off, so I didn't get a chance to see, and she couldn't remember.), and I've come to the conclusion that they are Ficus Bonsai. At least I think so. I would post pictures, but I'm new here, and can't quite figure out how to do so. Anyway, they both have a bit of moss on their bark. Is that normal? And they also have glued rocks, which I've read are bad for them? I'm going to try and get them off, but after that, I have no clue on what to do next for these little trees, and that's where I need the help. I don't know what to do to water them, like when, how often, or how much. Not what to do to prune them, or when to prune them or how often, if at all. I have no idea what to do with the soil when I re-pot them, or if I should even re-pot them once I get those awful stones out of the way. I don't even know HOW to re-pot them, lol. And I also read something about fertilizer? I've tried to find sites to explain all this to me, but what I've found on their care is very vague. I would love detailed, step by step instructions on their overall care. Consider me completely clueless, which I pretty much am, lol. Any good websites you know of, or anything at all you can share would be absolutely wonderful, and an enormous help. I'm a bit overwhelmed, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to care for these guys. Thanks, Kat |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by bill_ftmyers_fl 9b-10 SW Florida (My Page) on Mon, Feb 23, 09 at 22:52
| repot: First off, repot. At the least, get new soil. Remove the plant and rake off the soil using a chopstick or a plastic fork. Soil: For soil.... we will assume that you do have a ficus. I would go to home depot and get a bag of schultz 'profile' or 'aquatic planting medium' it will be called either and not all home depots carry it. You will probably have to ask for it and then describe what it is ( 10 pound bag of fired clay to plant aquatic plants in, in the pond section or in the soil section). Ok, so you got that now, plant your plant back into the same pot using 100% profile. You could add some bark into the soil mix but I would not bother with it. You’re a beginner, so we will keep it simple. water: Now, water it using tap water, rainwater, aquarium water, if it is a ficus, the water quality really doesn’t matter. Ok, so now you watered it, do it again. Now water when the soil is dry about 1/2 way down. Or put a chopstick in the soil and keep it there. TO check to see if it needs watering, pull the stick, if its damp, it does not need water. Put the chopstick back in the soil. Placement: Ok, put the plant A) outside if the chance of frost of freezing is gone, but put it in the shade till it gets used to being outside. Say about 1 week, then get it in some direct sun. B) In indirect window light, inside if the chance of frost or freezing has not past. Move to step A when the chance of frost of freezing has past. Write back here when the plants get bigger and well tell you how to prune... Better yet, If you really think you are going to get into this hobby, buy some books or go to your local libray ( or the next town over, I dont care if its local ). Just to make sure it’s a ficus, does it have oval leafs with No serrated edges? That is the edges are smooth? When you break off a leaf does it oouzzz out a white milky sap? Are the leafs alternate? |
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