How to grow Ficus Bonsai tree | A Complete Guide

Ficus Bonsai Tree:

Fig tree species are very popular for bonsai making. Several characteristics like fast growth, ability to grow indoors, and very tolerant of overwatering make fig so popular in bonsai use. It grows a dense canopy, and it has thick, shiny, evergreen leaves. Figs all have in common a habit of producing aerial roots from branches and the upper trunk. 

In nature, the aerial roots growing from the branches eventually become strong enough to support the parent branch, structurally and nutritionally. Those emerging from the trunk tend to self-graft to the trunk as they grow downwards. This causes the trunk to thicken rapidly and adopt a deeply fluted appearance. Large specimen bonsai figs use this natural process to good effect. Most fig trees grow "banyan" roots naturally; this feature is often showcased by styling Ficus bonsai trees in dramatic air-root and root-over-rock styles.

Ficus Bonsai (Source: Bonsai Empire)

How to care about the ficus bonsai tree?

Position: Where to keep a ficus bonsai?

     The ficus prefers lots of light, places the tree in good light but protected from direct sun. Keep the temperature stable. Figs tolerate low humidity levels and dry air because of their thick waxy leaves. But moving figs around or exposing them to dry air or drought conditions for a long period of time, can cause the older leaves to turn yellow and fall. Turning it around once a week to ensure that it receives an even amount of light on all sides.

Watering:

     Normal watering. The ficus is very tolerant of over/under-watering. Daily misting to maintain humidity is advised. Water well during the growing season and kept moist in winter. On hot days, water trees in very shallow containers twice a day as necessary.

Pinching:

        Pinch out the growing tips once two true leaves have formed.

Pruning:

       Regular pruning is necessary to retain the tree's shape. Prune back to 2-4 leaves after 6-8 leaves have grown. Leaf pruning can be used to reduce leaf size, as some ficus Bonsai species normally grow large leaves.

When to prune the ficus bonsai tree:

Prune in winter when the sap flow is reduced. Figs 'bleed' a milky sap profusely from pruning wounds at all times of the year. The trees respond well to hard pruning.

Repotting: 

       Repot the tree during spring every other year, using a basic soil mixture. Keep the pot warm after root running to aid the rapid regeneration of roots. Never water straight after repotting or all the leaves will drop. 

Propagation: 

       Use cuttings during the summer.

Feeding:

      Balance feed during the growing season, reduced to half strength in winter.  Twice monthly during summer, every two months in wintertime, unless growth stops.

Beware! : The bark on most varieties swells rapidly when the plant is growing and is being well watered. This can cause the wire to make scars and check all the wire regularly and remove it as soon as it appears too light, reapplying afterward if necessary.

Reference:
1. https://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/ficus
2. Bonsai Basics by Colin Lewis.