A tree on the windowsill? This is possible with the Ficus Ginseng. We will show you how it works and how to properly care for the Chinese fig.
Ficus ginseng (Ficus microcarpa) is a popular type of bonsai with a modern yet Far Eastern flair. With its dense and compact growth and decorative dark green leaves, the Ficus Ginseng fits into any home. We'll show you what to look out for when it comes to care.
Ficus ginseng: origin and properties
The synonyms by which the bonsai is known are just as varied as the forms that Ficus microcarpa can take. The name we use most often is Ficus Ginseng. This name derives from the particularly thick root of the ficus, which resembles a ginseng root (Panax ginseng) in shape. But Ficus microcarpa is also often called Ficus microcarpa ginseng, Chinese fig, Indian laurel or bay fig.
The laurel fig originally comes from the subtropical regions of Southeast Asia and Australia. In its natural habitat, the tree reaches a height of about 30 meters. Ficus microcarpa naturally branches out very strongly and is also particularly tolerant of pruning. This results in a good suitability for cultivation as a bonsai. This includes the rearing of cuttings, a one-time strong cut and then repeated topiary, as well as a strong reduction of the root space. The result is a Ficus Ginseng 30 to 150 cm in size, as can be bought in garden centers. In the case of particularly small trees, the Ficus Ginseng is cut off just above the root when it is about ten years old and a species-specific shoot is grafted onto it. The decoratively curved base of the plant is actually not a stem but part of the root.
The leaves are dark green in color and have a slight sheen on the upper side. If visible, the trunk is covered with a brown to gray bark.
The Chinese fig usually blooms as a bonsai in an apartmentnot. But even without flowers, the plant is beautiful to look at. If Ficus Ginseng does form flowers, they can be found small and inconspicuous on the leaf axils.
Planting Ficus Ginseng
Since most Ficus microcarpa ginsengs are cultivated as bonsai or at least in the style of a bonsai, the planter is an important part of the appearance and proper care. As a rule of thumb, one can say: The flatter the bowl, the more frequently it has to be watered and the more important it is to choose a high-quality and structurally stable substrate that does not sag. And furthermore: the smaller the planter, the weaker the Ficus Ginseng grows and the easier it is to keep as a bonsai. This is why bonsai pots are flat and give the roots little room to develop.
If you water less often and want to use normal soil, you can choose a larger pot. This should be at least half as high as it is wide and give the roots space to develop. But keep in mind that a ficus ginseng in a large pot may not be a small bonsai any longer.
The right location for the Chinese fig
Ficus microcarpa feels most comfortable in a bright location without direct sunlight. A normal room temperature of 18 to 22 °C is just right for the period between March and October until winter. The Chinese fig does not tolerate strong drafts or temperature fluctuations. The Ficus Ginseng is therefore also well suited as a plant in the bedroom. In midsummer, the ficus can also be cultivated outside, but only if the night-time temperatures do not drop below 15 °C and it can be protected from direct sunlight.
Procedure for planting
Since a relatively small planter is often chosen in relation to the plant, the quality and, above all, stability of the plant substrate is particularly important. The Ficus Ginseng needs a soil with high water storage capacity and at the same time good ventilation. A mixture of equal parts high-quality potting soil, lava grit and Akadama soil is recommended. A mixture of loose herb soil or seed soil, Akadama and pumice in a ratio of 2:1:1 is also possible and thanks to a high coconut fiber content, it is loose and structurally stableare.
Care of Ficus Ginseng
Above all, an adapted water supply and a good supply of nutrients are important for the successful care of the Ficus Ginseng. Increased humidity, for example by spraying it weekly with low-calcium water or by placing it in the bathroom, has a positive effect on the he alth of the ficus ginseng. However, the Chinese fig is hardly affected by plant diseases anyway. Infestation of Ficus Ginseng with pests is also rather rare.
Watering Ficus Ginseng
Water supply is one of the key points for a successful cultivation of Ficus microcarpa ginseng. Due to the small planter, the substrate dries out quickly, but should always be kept moderately moist. The right time to water is usually when the substrate has dried on the surface. Rainwater is best for watering. If you don't have this on hand, mineral water is also a good alternative. Calcareous tap water is not recommended, as this can cause unsightly limescale deposits on the planter. We have compiled a special article for you on how to water your bonsai correctly.
Fertilize Ficus Ginseng
Fertilizing with a liquid fertilizer is particularly important when cultivating the Ficus Ginseng - as with all bonsai. Especially in the period from March to September, due to the growth and the small amount of substrate, care should be taken to ensure a good supply of nutrients. During this time, a fertilizing interval of once a week or every two weeks is very good. We recommend that you pay attention to a special houseplant fertilizer such as our Plantura organic house & green plant fertilizer. More helpful tips on fertilizing bonsai can be found in our special article.
In winter, an interval of one fertilization per month is completely sufficient for the Ficus Ginseng due to the reduced growth.
Pruning Ficus Ginseng
Regular pruning is very important when cultivating a bonsai. If you have chosen a ficus ginseng bonsai that has already been shaped, pruning is made easy for you. The guideline for pruning in spring is: At the latest when a shoot has formed eight new leaves, it should be cut back by half. If you feel that the crown is getting too big overall, the plant can also be pruned harder. Since Ficus Ginseng is very pruning friendlyis, it also forgives cuts in perennial wood. You can find more detailed information on the topic of "pruning bonsai" in our article.
Tip: In order to steer the shoots in a certain direction of growth, they can be wrapped with a wire and bent slightly - this process is called wiring or shaping.
Ficus ginseng is losing leaves: what to do?
Lack of light or a change of location are common reasons for your Ficus Ginseng losing green leaves. If you bought your Ficus Ginseng new or moved it to a new location, a moderate loss of leaves is normal. This stops after a few weeks. If a lack of light could be the cause, a brighter location should be chosen and the Ficus Ginseng left in the new location for at least four weeks. If there is no improvement, the water supply could be the cause. Because even in dry or waterlogged conditions, leaf loss occurs. If the soil always feels very damp or smells musty, you should reduce the water supply. On the other hand, if the substrate is dry, it should be watered more frequently.
If the leaves of the Ficus Ginseng have become lighter or yellow, more frequent application of fertilizer or repotting can help.
Wintering of Ficus Ginseng
Ficus microcarpa ginseng is easy to overwinter. A slightly cooler room such as a guest room, stairwell or bedroom is very suitable. The optimum temperature is 15 to 18 °C. A bright location is also important in the winter quarters. However, a window sill over a heater is not recommended due to the very dry air.
Propagating Ficus Ginseng
Ficus ginseng can be propagated by cuttings, but it should be borne in mind that small bonsai do not appear immediately, but rather large, vigorous plants first. The mother plant was pruned and cultivated in a very special way, which requires a certain amount of effort and a few years of patience to do your own work herbal soil inserted. These shoots often come up when you trim your bonsai. The cuttings and the pot should be covered with foil and cultivated in a warm place with a temperature of 25 to 30 °C. After about three weeks, the cuttings will have rooted and new onesBuds can be seen.
Propagation via seeds is possible, but very expensive.
Repot Ficus Ginseng
The right time to repot the Ficus Ginseng is when the substrate is completely rooted or the roots are growing in circles on the vessel wall. This is usually the case every two to three years. In the spring, the plant can then be removed from its planter and the roots freed from the old soil as far as possible. The roots should be shortened slightly, but not nearly as much as is done with other bonsai. A bonsai pot that is about 1 cm wider in diameter than the previous one is suitable as a new planter. The new substrate can now be pressed down with a wooden stick. We have compiled the best way to proceed when repotting in our special article on the topic "Repotting bonsai".
Is ficus ginseng poisonous?
All parts of the Ficus Ginseng plant are poisonous. It is therefore important to ensure that children or pets do not swallow the leaves or other parts of the plant. Nausea and gastrointestinal upset are common symptoms.
Ficus ginseng is also toxic to pets - especially rodents, cats and dogs - and can even be life-threatening.
Pruning and caring for the ficus ginseng you should make sure that your skin and mucous membranes do not come into contact with the white plant sap, as this could lead to skin irritation.
The rubber tree also belongs to the genus Ficus and is a popular indoor plant. We'll show you how to properly care for rubber trees.