How to make Ficus Green island plant on a rock

Dear Friends I am sharing development of Ficus green island plant and its long journey. the first and second photo was taken long back, that time we don't have any digital photography, it is a print out. This photo is taken in 1995. Actually the plant was bought in 1993 from a nursery. Then I kept in a rock. and allowed it to grow. During the growing period lots of changes takes place in plant trunk line started thickening and roots are coming out of  rock.

This is the First photo of the plant during 1995

This photo was taken on May 2nd 2020.

This is recent photo. some did ramification was done on plant and started removing all criss-cross roots and given a fresh look to the plant. After defoliation many new leaves are started growing and they are in smaller size when compared to last year leaves size. The Plant is having great time this summer and growing nicely.

 The below link shows howto defoliate leaves of Bonsai plant to reduce the size of the leaves

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Defoliating a Bonsai plant

Defoliating a Ficus Bonsai plant

Defoliating means removing or cutting down the leaves of Bonsai plant. It is a regular practice all Bonsai masters do it their deciduous trees during the autumn season before spring. First we will see what are deciduous trees. Deciduous trees are usually Maple,oak mostly giant flowering trees around the region of equator , between tropic of cancer and tropic of Capricorn. Deciduous means  fall off or shedding the leaves. Most of these tropical plants they shed their leaves during Autumn season after their flowering season is over.  Leaves of  these plants are broad and the canopy of tree is round are umbrella shape. Ficus is Pan tropical ever green tree with broad leaves. Ficus tree sheds their leaves to reduce the leaf foliage and evaporation of water during dry season to control water storage in the plant. As soon as monsoon returns new leaves starts developing.
In Bonsai We do regular defoliation to reduce the size of the leaves. Bonsai is a miniature tree , so if the plant is having Big leaves as it in nature the proportion of the leaves and size of the plant won't match. To have Balance and Harmony of the plant and to get a pleasing look of the tree Most of the Bonsai masters reduce the size of the leaves by cutting them. Usually it can be done twice a year to keep the Bonsai tree in a perfect shape. Some artists do defoliation before wiring the plant to have a clear look tree and the branches.
Before starting defoliation two points are very important.
First overall Health of the tree
Second don't do defoliation on a freshly re potted plant
To defoliate we need a tool like sharp leaf cutter
To Defoliate first select a plant which is healthy, energetic with full leaves without any infection . Start removing leaves leaving the stalks of the leaf . Remove only the leaf . stalks will fall down on its own.  see the picture below .

Below video gives How to reduce the size of a leaf. For More Information Click on below Link

To Reduce the Size of a Bonsai Tree

This Ficus Plant Leaves are already in size when compared to the natural leaf growing in the Nature.

How to Fertilize a Bonsai plant

Fertilizers for Tropical Bonsai plants
Information of fertilizers for our Bonsai plants,

Generally all plants needs fertilizer when they are growing in pots. Potted plants have confined soil with limited nutrients. It is advisable for proper growth of a plant. Plant needs organic and inorganic fertilizers for overall growth of the plant.

Organic fertilizers like completely dried cow dung , sheng kath means excreta of animals like sheep , goat, bonemeal , kitchen waste made in to fertilizer, neem cake, neem seed cake it also acts as fertilizer and pesticide .Organic fertilizers are without any chemicals and are natural. These organic fertilizers are used in once in three months.Organic fertilizers take a little more time to mix it into the soil., the best way is to fertilize is in the morning or in the evening, first water the plant and take out top soil, put the fertilizer,cover the fertilizer with soil and  water the plant again. Fertilize the plant on regularly, maintain a calendar, and you can see the difference.

Dont fertilize a freshly re potted plant, wait for two months let the plant settle and start fertilizing the plant.

Liquid fertilizers are chemical fertilizers which can be absorbed by the plant instantly. they contain micro nutrients. Plants  require minor elements which are also called as micro elements such as calcium, sulphor, magnesium, along with trace elements such as zinc, copper, manganese, iron, chlorine etc. All these nutrients are available in liquid fertilizers. Regular course of feeding the plants with micro nutrients is once in a month. these liquid fertilizers are mixed 1 ml in one liter of water  and will be sprayed it on the plant. 

One more chemical in - organic fertilizer is to be used in powder form is super mix it is the combination of potassium and other micro nutrients, these elements are to be provided to the soil regularly for proper yield.. Potassium mainly contributes to the plant for  proper growth of fruits and flowers.This super mix to be used once in a month to the soil in very little quantities like half tea spoon. First give a shower to the plant. feeding of fertilizer depends on the size of the pot. if the pot is small with 6 to 14 inches half tea spoon is enough. if the pot is big more than tree feet then it needs one teaspoon.

Ficus  plants grow well in  sunlight but not as much as Bougainvillea,the hot summer sun burns the leaves of the plant . They need fertilizers like nitrogen which are water soluble, Example Ujjala or  suphala can be used . Suphala  ( start with little doses ) and neem cake are the best combination for ficus plant because neem cake avoids loosing of nitrogen in the soil and it improves its efficiency. Suphala and  neem cake can be used alternatively, watering the plant before and  after fertilizing is very important.

Bougainvilleas are the beautiful among flowering bonsais , they need lees or dont need wiring , they love lots of hot sun and well drained soil,These plants need some dryness in between watering , they bloom  twice in a year during march and September because they bloom well when the night and day lengths are equal. they need lots of fertilizers like micronutrients and organic fertilizers like completly dried cow dung , sheng kath means excreta of animals like sheep , goat, bonemeal , kitchen waste made in to fertalizer, neem cake, neem seed cake it also acts as fertilizer and pesticide , as bougainvillea plant prefers little acidic soil. The best way is you can buy a bio fertilizer from a shop or neem cake or neem seed cake are best. once in a month provide the plant with fertalizer, you can choose two types of organic fertilizers and alternative you can use them.

for example this month if you are using neem cake , next month you can use other like bone meal or any other fertilizer  like cowdung etc...

Schefflera doesn't need that much ferlalizer, once in 3 to 4 months is enough for the plant. This plant needs only morning or evening sun light and right amount of water .

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