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| I was hoping you guys could help me identify a bonsai tree I recently bought from Hope Depot. The tag that came with it only said "Bonsai Tree" and gives some pretty general care directions--the same tag was on multiple, obviously different, bonsai trees.
I also had some questions: The pot comes with pebbles glued together on the surface. I've always heard this was a bad thing--should I remove them? In some places the pebbles are glued to the roots so I'm afraid of damaging them. When I bought the plant, a weird powder was on every leaf giving it a dull and motley appearance. I was glad I could wipe it clean, but I have no idea what it was. Any other general care advice would be welcome! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by head_cutter vietnam (My Page) on Sat, Aug 6, 11 at 9:42
| It's a ficus retusa, most ficus are pretty hard to kill, the retusa seems to be about the most hardy -- sort of like a junk yard dog. Yes, I'd recomend removing the pebbles and don't worry about breaking a root or two, it will survive. The name of the 'white powder' escapes me but I remember it as a general purpose fungicide some places dust the plants with. Could even be Rotenone dust which is a low grade general purpose pesticide mostly used on garden plants. Just Google 'ficus care' to get a ton of general info on care for the plant. Bob |
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- Posted by ryushiblade (My Page) on Sat, Aug 6, 11 at 17:50
| Thanks Bob! Glad to hear this one's resilient. My first bonsai (a juniper) was probably dead when I bought it from that old asian man at the side of the road. Hope this one lasts longer! |
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| Love the backdrop! Jane |
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| Nice ficus tree that you have there. Those rocks that are glued on are for shipping and show on the shelf of the store, I hope you took them off by now. The rocks stop the tree from getting enough air to the roots. Since you don't know when your tree was last re-potted last check the root ball; if they are pressed up against the outside of the pot you might think about re-potting the tree also. That old asian man at the side of the road has brought many members into our bonsai club. I was hoping to see him again and give him brochures for our club to pass out with every tree sold in northern Michigan. His trees are healthy and junipers not forgiving to mistakes and are easy to kill. Next time he has some nice elm trees but he wants big $$$$ for them. |
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- Posted by simsedward (My Page) on Fri, Aug 19, 11 at 22:18
| Where are you at edhall? Where is the old asian man selling trees in Northern Michigan? |
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| I have a ficus just like it that I bought on a whim in home depot back in may I am now completely obsessed with my new hobby, have juniper shrubs littering my yard waiting to be trimmed and styled. But, back to the ficus we both were so foolhardy in purchasing, mine if my favorite and easiest tree that I have just stick it infront of a window and it will grow as long as it has moderate water. I have found that misting it in the morning and evening causes mine to grow so vigorously that it nearly needs a trim less than 2 months after it's last one. |
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