In keeping with the Majestic Figs a.k.a, Ficus Tree’s burgeoning prevalence as a prized Bonsai, Avadh Bonsai Association’s, President, Mrs. Santosh Arora, & Chief Advisor, Mr. K.K. Arora, prepared and presented, a well-documented Slide Show pertaining to Ficus. It was based on Mr and Mrs Arora’s, three decades of ‘hands-on’ personal working experience in the field of Bonsai, coupled with extensive reference from eminent Bonsai Artist Jerry Meislik’s Book, ‘Ficus – The Exotic Bonsai’.
This interactive meeting / presentation exclusively for ABA members only; was held on Saturday, 16th May, 2009 at a Senior Member Dr. Saroj Malhotra’s spacious and plush Office Premises, where she had beautifully showcased some of her Bonsai plants complimenting the décor appreciatively.
The occasion also saw polite and soft spoken Mr. K.K. Arora, effortlessly step into AUNTY, Mrs. Arora’s ‘mighty-high’ shoes as he shared valuable insights, referrals, information and points to consider whilst training-maintaining, growing-nurturing and working with Ficus Trees.
He stated that no other plant genus offers such diversity in terms of variety as a Ficus does. This group has about 800 different species commonly found in nature, of which some 20 – 25 varieties were extremely popular amongst the Bonsai Fraternity in India. To name a few….…Ficus benjamina, F. salisifolia, F. retusa, F. nuda, F. macrophylla, F. nerifolia, F. panda, F. macrocarpa, F glomerata, Ficus natalensis, F. rubiginosa, F. virens, F. compacta, F.capensis, F.hispida, F.long island, et al
Additionally, FIG Trees gaining popularity as a Bonsai was also attributed to its ready availability & easy maintenance; its dense twigging pattern and vigorous growth; its inherent tolerance to great variation in climatic changes, hot / dry air conditions and also atmospheric humidity.
Ficus as group can readily be identified based on a sticky substance called the SAP or the LATEX which oozes out from the bark of the plant. These plants also have remarkably distinct AERIAL ROOTS which instantaneously differentiate them from other plants. They bear small to large berry like fruits in varying colors like green, yellow or even red, popularly referred to as FIGS, hence the name…. FIG TREES.
The V. President, Mrs Benu Kalsi, further elaborated and enlightened all in the audience, that this so-called ‘Fruit’ or FIG is basically the Flower of the Ficus Tree i.e. it’s an INFLORESCENCE formed by joining together multiple teeny-tiny flowers.
Placement of Ficus Bonsai:
Mr. Arora stated that Ficus trees were quite adaptive and so could be kept both outdoors and indoors, with little care.
They were especially suitable as indoors plants as they helped enhance the ambiance of both Residential & Official Premises, because of their evergreen striking visual appeal. However, these plants needed considerable aeration and so when kept indoors; they should ideally be placed in well-ventilated rooms only.
He explained that more fruiting was directly proportional to more lighting, so the plants should also be intermittently exposed to the fresh air and natural sunlight outdoors.
Drainage and Potting
Ficus trees usually posses well disposed spread of surface roots, aerial roots which add considerably to the aesthetic beauty of these plants, and most importantly nourish the plant, making them flourishing and sturdy growers throughout the year.
By way of observation, he specified that these plants did not like saline and hard water and so require a soil mixture which has good porosity vis-à-vis good drainage. They seem to like humid atmosphere and moderate winter conditions didn’t pose much problems for them in general.
Repotting
The best time to pot / repot was during the spring (February-March) and during monsoons (July-August).
Younger trees need regular and frequent….yearly repotting, while, mature and older trees, could be repotted every once in a while, as and when needed… i.e. when the soil mixture became too fine and hindered in good drainage or with accumulation of toxins in the soil over a prolonged period of time etc.
After repotting, the plants should always be kept indoors / under the shade, away from direct sunlight for a while. Care should be taken so as not to fertilize the plants, immediately after repotting them.
Trimming and Complete De-foliation
Trimming, pruning the Ficus can be carried out through out the year, more specifically at the onset of the dormant or slow growing season i.e. Winters or specially before showcasing the Bonsai for an important Exhibition. At other times the plants can be allowed to grow vigorously so that they derive maximum benefits from photosynthesis.
Most importantly, these plants can withstand complete defoliation, wherein all the leaves are cut leaving behind only the leaf stubble i.e. the PETIOLE. As an added advantage, the new leaves which are formed, subsequent to defoliation are considerably smaller in size.
Problems Encountered
Though easy to maintain, Ficus does have its own share of problems like curling of the leaves or their turning black, brown edging, or even yellowing of leaves and later falling off on their own accord.
Yellowing of leaves is often caused due to low Nitrogen contents and adding Urea or NPK with higher concentration of Nitrogen proved beneficial.
Senior Member, Mrs. Padma Singh suggested and shared her ‘tried and tested’ remedy exclusively to counter sudden yellowing of leaves, which regained its colour and vitality, when ½ tbs of Zinc Powder dissolved in about 1 L of water, was used on such plants.
Fusion Technique
Mr Arora also added that the uniqueness of Ficus was ascribed to its inherent Fusing Nature, wherein multiple individual trunks could readily be joined i.e. FUSED together, over a period of time, to give the appearance of one single trunk.
Moreover, individual young and tender Ficus plants having remarkably flexible trunks could gently be braided together, also giving an appearance of a conjoint yet braided trunk with a single Canopy at the top.
Conclusion
Having imparted, exchanged, discussed, beneficial information and personal experience on a concluding note Mr. and Mrs. Arora said that Ficus Trees were incidentally, also one of their personal favorites. These plants were indeed a pleasure to work with, as they readily and positively responded to trimming & shaping, effectively molding & adapting themselves as per the Artist vivid design imagination, befitting of a Bonsai.
PS: As Presented by Santosh Arora and K.K. Arora, ABA, Lko
This interactive meeting / presentation exclusively for ABA members only; was held on Saturday, 16th May, 2009 at a Senior Member Dr. Saroj Malhotra’s spacious and plush Office Premises, where she had beautifully showcased some of her Bonsai plants complimenting the décor appreciatively.
The occasion also saw polite and soft spoken Mr. K.K. Arora, effortlessly step into AUNTY, Mrs. Arora’s ‘mighty-high’ shoes as he shared valuable insights, referrals, information and points to consider whilst training-maintaining, growing-nurturing and working with Ficus Trees.
He stated that no other plant genus offers such diversity in terms of variety as a Ficus does. This group has about 800 different species commonly found in nature, of which some 20 – 25 varieties were extremely popular amongst the Bonsai Fraternity in India. To name a few….…Ficus benjamina, F. salisifolia, F. retusa, F. nuda, F. macrophylla, F. nerifolia, F. panda, F. macrocarpa, F glomerata, Ficus natalensis, F. rubiginosa, F. virens, F. compacta, F.capensis, F.hispida, F.long island, et al
Additionally, FIG Trees gaining popularity as a Bonsai was also attributed to its ready availability & easy maintenance; its dense twigging pattern and vigorous growth; its inherent tolerance to great variation in climatic changes, hot / dry air conditions and also atmospheric humidity.
Ficus as group can readily be identified based on a sticky substance called the SAP or the LATEX which oozes out from the bark of the plant. These plants also have remarkably distinct AERIAL ROOTS which instantaneously differentiate them from other plants. They bear small to large berry like fruits in varying colors like green, yellow or even red, popularly referred to as FIGS, hence the name…. FIG TREES.
The V. President, Mrs Benu Kalsi, further elaborated and enlightened all in the audience, that this so-called ‘Fruit’ or FIG is basically the Flower of the Ficus Tree i.e. it’s an INFLORESCENCE formed by joining together multiple teeny-tiny flowers.
Placement of Ficus Bonsai:
Mr. Arora stated that Ficus trees were quite adaptive and so could be kept both outdoors and indoors, with little care.
They were especially suitable as indoors plants as they helped enhance the ambiance of both Residential & Official Premises, because of their evergreen striking visual appeal. However, these plants needed considerable aeration and so when kept indoors; they should ideally be placed in well-ventilated rooms only.
He explained that more fruiting was directly proportional to more lighting, so the plants should also be intermittently exposed to the fresh air and natural sunlight outdoors.
Drainage and Potting
Ficus trees usually posses well disposed spread of surface roots, aerial roots which add considerably to the aesthetic beauty of these plants, and most importantly nourish the plant, making them flourishing and sturdy growers throughout the year.
By way of observation, he specified that these plants did not like saline and hard water and so require a soil mixture which has good porosity vis-à-vis good drainage. They seem to like humid atmosphere and moderate winter conditions didn’t pose much problems for them in general.
Repotting
The best time to pot / repot was during the spring (February-March) and during monsoons (July-August).
Younger trees need regular and frequent….yearly repotting, while, mature and older trees, could be repotted every once in a while, as and when needed… i.e. when the soil mixture became too fine and hindered in good drainage or with accumulation of toxins in the soil over a prolonged period of time etc.
After repotting, the plants should always be kept indoors / under the shade, away from direct sunlight for a while. Care should be taken so as not to fertilize the plants, immediately after repotting them.
Trimming and Complete De-foliation
Trimming, pruning the Ficus can be carried out through out the year, more specifically at the onset of the dormant or slow growing season i.e. Winters or specially before showcasing the Bonsai for an important Exhibition. At other times the plants can be allowed to grow vigorously so that they derive maximum benefits from photosynthesis.
Most importantly, these plants can withstand complete defoliation, wherein all the leaves are cut leaving behind only the leaf stubble i.e. the PETIOLE. As an added advantage, the new leaves which are formed, subsequent to defoliation are considerably smaller in size.
Problems Encountered
Though easy to maintain, Ficus does have its own share of problems like curling of the leaves or their turning black, brown edging, or even yellowing of leaves and later falling off on their own accord.
Yellowing of leaves is often caused due to low Nitrogen contents and adding Urea or NPK with higher concentration of Nitrogen proved beneficial.
Senior Member, Mrs. Padma Singh suggested and shared her ‘tried and tested’ remedy exclusively to counter sudden yellowing of leaves, which regained its colour and vitality, when ½ tbs of Zinc Powder dissolved in about 1 L of water, was used on such plants.
Fusion Technique
Mr Arora also added that the uniqueness of Ficus was ascribed to its inherent Fusing Nature, wherein multiple individual trunks could readily be joined i.e. FUSED together, over a period of time, to give the appearance of one single trunk.
Moreover, individual young and tender Ficus plants having remarkably flexible trunks could gently be braided together, also giving an appearance of a conjoint yet braided trunk with a single Canopy at the top.
Conclusion
Having imparted, exchanged, discussed, beneficial information and personal experience on a concluding note Mr. and Mrs. Arora said that Ficus Trees were incidentally, also one of their personal favorites. These plants were indeed a pleasure to work with, as they readily and positively responded to trimming & shaping, effectively molding & adapting themselves as per the Artist vivid design imagination, befitting of a Bonsai.
PS: As Presented by Santosh Arora and K.K. Arora, ABA, Lko
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