ficus tiger bark

ficus tiger bark characteristics

The world of bonsai is full of interesting and exotic species. One of them is the ficus tiger bark. These are trees produced in large greenhouses where there are very controlled growing conditions so that they can develop well. These conditions to be different depending on the tree you are going to have. In this case, we are going to talk about this curious bonsai.

In this article we are going to tell you what are the characteristics and care that the Ficus tiger bark needs.

Key features

ficus tiger bark

These trees are produced in large greenhouses with controlled growing conditions. These conditions will be very different from what trees are found in your garden, terrace or balcony. As location, watering, different sunlight and humidity change, the tree usually has a negative response. If it loses some leaves or they turn yellow, don't be afraid.

Its habitat is in the sister countries of Central America and South America with hot and tropical climates. The only precaution is that if you have cold winters they can suffer and die (less than 5ºC). The ficus tiger bark, although a tropical species, can tolerate colder winters and low relative humidity, but as long as it is protected.

If the temperature in your location is below 5 ° C, you must make sure that it is protected, sheltered from the wind or covered directly to avoid frost (below zero), otherwise you may lose leaves. If you decide to place it in a home, keep it away from heat sources such as heaters and radiators, and as close to windows as possible so that it receives as much light as possible.

Ficus tiger bark care

bonsai

The most normal thing is that many people want to have this bonsai at home in places such as the living room or bedroom. This specimen cannot survive in these places. Although it is a species that can be grown indoors it is necessary to have more constant care and in a very specific location. However, even if all this is perfect, you will never be in good health than if you lived abroad.

The substrates in which it usually comes from the tree when we buy it are not good at all. To do a transplant, this type of substrate must be taken into account. Usually these substrates are useless. The idea is to change the original substrate for one that does suit you. For it, it is important to transplant the tree as soon as summer begins. You better make your own substrate mix than you can buy a commercial one. When the Ficus tiger bark begins to show symptoms of sprouting, it is time to transplant.

The best time is with the heat in early summer. With the substrate that they usually bring and after the transplanting process, it is very difficult for the entire root ball to get wet when we water it. Let's summarize some ideas:

  • In a commercial type of tree with a commercial substrate it should be transplanted as soon as possible.
  • The transplant must be performed on the correct date. In this case, it is late spring or early summer when temperatures begin to rise.
  • Preparations sold as bonsai substrate will not work.
  • Bonsai suffers if many techniques are applied at the same time.

Irrigation of Ficus tiger bark

bonsai care

Watering a bonsai is one of the most difficult techniques to master. However, it is one of the most important tasks for its survival. While the bonsai is the soil that came, it is convenient to water abundantly on the surface. After that, wait a second and water again. Even if the soil seems wet, water again. Repeat a third time, waiting a few minutes and water with plenty of water. This ensures that it can be well covered.

If you have the feeling that the substrate on which the bonsai grows soaks us well, it is because it is full of roots or is very exhausted. You can water by immersion if you want the first method is not working properly. To do this, use a bucket of water where the pot can fit perfectly and is completely submerged up to above the substrate. Hold it for just a few minutes until no air bubbles come out of the substrate. This means that the substrate has been completely saturated with water. When you take it out, you can see what the substrate is going to look like. Don't let it get completely dry. You also shouldn't water if it's too wet. It is best to find a balance.

Once you have transplanted the Ficus tiger bark, you just have to have a substrate that has good drainage and is well aerated. It must have good properties between moisture and nutrient retention for each time irrigation is performed. When you see the water coming out of the drainage holes, it means that we have done it correctly.

Requirements

Let's see what the most important requirements are. First of all is exposure to the sun. It should have full sun exposure, although it can be grown in semi-shade. It is advisable to sow in the sun since if you cannot increase the size of the leaves. The humidity must be high and we know that can accept sprays in the hottest summers. It may have wire, although its rapid growth forces us to remove the wire early to prevent it from digging into the bark.

It has little resistance to cold, although it is not very demanding on the quality of the water. Its growth is quite fast and allows to have remarkable results in a few years. It responds quite well to any type of bonsai technique. So much pruning, such as pinching and defoliating can be done perfectly. It is a fairly suitable species for beginners who do not know this world of bonsai well. It is quite tough in almost all respects, except at the lowest temperatures.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Ficus tiger bark, its characteristics and its care.


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