Ficus Microcarpa: You’re next Bonsai Favorite!

Know everything about Ficus Microcarpa

Ficus, also known as Indian laurel, Malayan Banyan is a plant in the fig family Moraceae. It is natively found in the tropical regions of Asia and Australia. Ficus is by far the largest genus in the Moraceae and is one of the largest genera of flowering plants currently described, about 800 species of Ficus have discovered.

Ficus plants are perennial and usually grow at lower elevations and within tropical and temperate climate zones. Some of the Ficus can grow as a full-fledged tree in a suitable environment whereas some can be grown as shrub or bush at your backyard without any complicated follow-ups. Ficus Microcarpa has special soil and water tolerance, which makes it more suitable to make a Bonsai.

Important details:
Scientific Name : Ficus Microcarpa
Family          : Moraceae (mulberry family)
Type            : Indoor plant
Height          : 16 to 40 inches (0.4 to 1m)
Soil            : Indoor plant soil mix, well-drained
Exposure        : Indirect but luminous
Foliage         : Evergreen
Watering        : Moderate

Soil

Ficus has a special tolerance to soil mixture, although Ficus grow better in a soil that remains slightly dry with little to none moisture. Dry soil allows roots to have proper aeration and space to grow better.

If you are planting Ficus in a planter, add vermicompost or compost made from kitchen waste in proportion with soil to improve its nutrition.

Create your own potting mix with compost, cocopeat and normal garden soil

Repotting your Ficus microcarpa new soil mixture is essential, every one to three years. It ensures nutrients in the soil are replenished, also it allows roots to grow better in the new soil.

Climate

An environment where temperatures floating around 60 to 70 or 75°F (15 to 25°C) are ideal if maintained all year round. A lot of light will help, but not direct sunlight during the hottest hours. Indirect light is best.

Avoid direct exposure to gusts of wind and drafts, keep it protected and out of corridors or balcony.

Water

Ficus plants need consistent, but moderate watering throughout the growing season, with few dry spells in the monsoon. Make sure soil is just moist, not dry or drenched, at all times. However, reduce watering in the winter.

Ficus planted in the planters or containers need to have a better drainage else otherwise can lead to rotting of roots.

Propagation

Plants of the Ficus family propagate via vegetative propagation. That means We can grow Ficus by Seeds, Cuttings, and developing roots technique which is also known as Air Layering.

• Via Seeds: Ficus seeds are not easy to find, also growing Ficus from seeds takes a lot of time and requires regular follow-ups. Propagation via Stem

Ficus Microcarpa seeds

• Via Stem Cutting: Cuttings is the easiest and fastest way to grow Ficus. The best time to grow cuttings is pre-monsoon or monsoon, as temperatures are low and constant, the air has moisture and adequate humidity. Cut the mature branches at 45 degrees and 5 to 6 inches long. Plant them in a well-draining pot having good soil mixture. Rooting hormone can also be used to boost up root growth.

Ficus which has grown with Stem Cutting (After one month)

• Via Air Layering: This process is used on the delicate Ficus and larger tree types. The new plant develops while still attached to the parent tree. A scar around a branch is made, and moisture is maintained around the wound. It takes around 90 to 120 days for roots to form, and the entire branch is removed as a new ficus plant.
  We can also propagate Ficus with the help of leaves. Take a few mature leaves and place them in a container filled with cocopeat and a little compost. Maintain moisture all the time with regular watering. After a period of 30 to 45 days, new roots will be developed at the endpoint of the petiole, then transfer the grown leaf into a soil mixture and water it well.

Ficus Leaf propagated in Cocopeat (After one month)

Ficus microcarpa care

• Ficus microcarpa does great indoors. Keep your Ficus in a place where it can receive indirect sunlight, avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours as it will dry out leaves.
• Protect your Ficus from gusts and wind, it may lead to leaves falling off or it can harm weak branches.
• If you have planted your Ficus in a planter or container, repotting it in every one or two years is essential. It also helps to observe root growth and to check that the potting mix won’t lead the plant to rot. Clear roots that have passed through drainage holes to ensure water flows freely.
• Trim, prune and defoliate outward growing branches to create a sumptuous, beautiful Bonsai.
• Ensure good drainage, make a layer of clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom of the container. Clean the drainage holes often to guarantee that water does not reside down the container.

Now that you know essentials about Ficus, get a Ficus for yourself and multiply it or make your own Bonsai and share with me!

Thank you for reading!