How To Take Care Of Your Emerald Green Ficus Bonsai Tree

Ficus Microcarpa Bonsai Care

Green Island Ficus Care

About The Emerald Green Ficus Bonsai Tree

The Fruiting Emerald Green Ficus, also known as the Chinese banyan, Malayan banyan, Indian laurel, green island ficus (and a few more names...), is a rapidly-growing tropical evergreen tree. It is broad, and develops a full canopy with it's small, dark green leaves.

This is a fruiting ficus, and can showcase some tannish-red figs if the conditions are right.

It has an extremely aged looking, pale bark.  Very coveted in the bonsai trade.

It is incredibly tolerant to various conditions and is VERY trouble free to keep indoors as a houseplant.

Placement

The Emerald Green Ficus is a tropical tree that can thrive indoors or out, as long as there is adequate lighting.  While indoors, a south facing windowsill is best, with east or west being second.

It is happiest outdoors when the temperature is above 45 degrees.

Watering

The Emerald Green Ficus, like most bonsai trees, will die if it dries out.  It enjoys plenty of water in well draining soil. Never let it dry out completely.

Humidity

The Emerald Green Ficus is a tropical tree that thrives in high humidity.  If you add enough, it will grow lovely and exotic air roots. A suitable humidity drip tray can provide that.

Fertilizing

Since your Emerald Green Ficus bonsai is in a small pot, and not the ground, it needs nutrients.  A slow release (pellet based) fertilizer is perfect for this, and can be added sparingly every 1-2 months during the growing season.

Pruning & Trimming

Trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point that looks good to you — but never remove all of the new growth.

A regular trim will help keep your Emerald Green Ficus bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.

Repotting

Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, Emerald Green Ficus included, when its root system has filled the pot.  If you can clearly see the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time to repot your bonsai.

Generally, this means every 2-3 years for a deciduous tree and every 4-5 years for an evergreen.  Emerald Green Ficus, being a tropical evergreen, will need to be repotted around every 3-5 years depending on its environment.

Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.

Your Emerald Green Ficus bonsai, along with all of its soil, should be removed from the pot.  From there, you can trim away no more than 1/3rd of the root mass (1/4th is preferred.) 

Then you can repot the tree in the same pot, or give it a newer / bigger pot to thrive in.

After repotting, your bonsai Emerald Green Ficus should be thoroughly watered.

Diseases, Insects & Other Pests

Your Emerald Green Ficus bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal Emerald Green Ficus tree.  Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.