Fig Growing

Fig Growing

There are a huge variety of plants to choose from that can be trained and styled into bonsai. In fact, almost any plant that produces a woody stem will have characteristics that would make it suitable for bonsai plant growing and training.

You can begin narrowing down your choices of bonsai plants by choosing between winter-hardy trees, shrubs, and conifers, or tropical and sub-tropical plants. The winter-hardy varieties are generally grown and displayed outdoors, while the tropical and sub-tropical plants are more typically grown indoors.

Following are just a few examples of the types of plants that are commonly used in bonsai, are generally easy to find, and are suitable for the beginning, but future bonsai master:

The Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum) is a deciduous tree that has green leaves in the spring which turn a beautiful rich red during the summer and a brilliant red in the autumn. It can withstand full sun during the summer but will require protection from cold winds and severe frost during the winter. It does best with small but frequent watering, and the soil should not be allowed to dry out between watering.

The Chinese Juniper (Juniperus Chinensis) is a bushy evergreen conifer with dark green, needle-shaped foliage, and reddish-brown bark. Place it in full sun during summer months but protect the needles from extreme cold and frost in the winter. The soil should be kept moist throughout both the summer and the winter, making sure not to let the soil dry out completely during winter.

The Chinese Elm (Ulmus Parvifolia) is a hardy deciduous tree when kept outdoors, but will be an evergreen if kept as an indoor bonsai. The glossy, leathery leaves are often still present midway through winter. The plant should be placed in a sunny, but wind-sheltered area in the summer, and placed indoors in a cool room with good light during the winter. Keep the soil moist all summer, and then only keep the soil barely moist during the winter after the leaves have fallen off the tree.

The Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina) is a popular evergreen shrub often seen in homes and offices. Widely sold as a traditional houseplant it can be easily modified and trained as an indoor bonsai. The plant should be kept indoors throughout the year. Keep the soil evenly moist during the summer months, cutting back during the winter but never allowing the soil to completely dry out.

These four examples barely scratch the surface when it comes to the huge number of possibilities for selecting your bonsai plant. A reputable nursery or garden center will be an ideal place to begin your search for your first bonsai masterpiece.

Getting started in bonsai is easy. All you need to get started is the help of a comprehensive book or guide that will teach you the art and techniques of bonsai. I recommend a great book on my site so be sure to check it out. Get started today and begin enjoying this fascinating hobby!

Bonsai gardening is a hobby that is fascinating, affordable, and easy to get involved in. Bonsai can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and can last a lifetime. Click this link to learn more about selecting a good first bonsai plant, and sign up for your FREE 7-part introductory mini-course on how to grow miniature bonsai trees. Or, to get started growing your own bonsai trees right away check out the highly regarded "how-to" bonsai book "Beautiful Bonsai Secrets".

Flowers of the Hottentot Fig Growing Above the Coast at the Lizard, Cornwall, England, UK $19.99 Roy Rainford Flowers of the Hottentot Fig Growing Above the Coast at the Lizard, Cornwall, England, UK - Photographic Print

Close-Up of Climbing Fig Plant Growing in a Hanging Basket (Ficus Pumila) $24.99 C. Dani Close-Up of Climbing Fig Plant Growing in a Hanging Basket (Ficus Pumila) - Photographic Print

Close-Up of a Weeping Fig Plant Growing in a Pot (Ficus Benjamina) $24.99 G. Cigolini Close-Up of a Weeping Fig Plant Growing in a Pot (Ficus Benjamina) - Photographic Print

Fig Tree Growing over Crumbling Ruins at Angkor Wat $39.99 Rebecca Hale Fig Tree Growing over Crumbling Ruins at Angkor Wat - Photographic Print

Strangler Fig $70.1 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Strangler Fig is the common name for a number of tropical and sub tropical plant species, including some banyans and unrelated vines, namely: Ficus aurea, also known as the Florida Strangler Fig Ficus barbata, also known as the Bearded Fig Ficus watkinsiana Ficus obliqua Ficus benghalensis They all share a common strangling growth habit that is found in many tropical forest species, particularly of the genus Ficus. This growth habit is an adaptation for growing in dark forests where the competition for light is intense. These plants begin life as epiphytes, when their seeds, often birddispersed, germinate in crevices atop other trees. These seedlings grow their roots downward and envelop the host tree while also growing upward to reach into the sunlight zone above the canopy. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 84 Publication Date: 2011/12/19 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.20 inches

Under the Fig Leaf: A Cookbook for Fig Lovers $30.9 In addition to great fig recipes, this cookbook includes educational information about figs: preparation, selection, freezing, drying options, rehydration, packaging, and storage tips. A fabulous horticulture guide to growing fig trees and includes contact information for frequently used products and fig trees. Author: Lee, Sherri P. Binding Type: Hardcover Number of Pages: 160 Publication Date: 2009/09/01 Language: English Dimensions: 9.10 x 9.10 x 0.70 inches

Strangler Fig, Ficus Aurea, Growing on its Host Tree in a Tropical Forest, Florida, USA $24.99 Arthur Morris Strangler Fig, Ficus Aurea, Growing on its Host Tree in a Tropical Forest, Florida, USA - Photographic Print

Strangler Fig (Ficus) Growing on its Host Tree in a Tropical Rainforest, Costa Rica. $24.99 Henry Lehn Strangler Fig (Ficus) Growing on its Host Tree in a Tropical Rainforest, Costa Rica. - Photographic Print

Fig $49.99 Kate Ward Thacker Fig - Giclee Print

Fig Structure $10 Fig Structure

Fig Tree $19.99 Fig Tree - Premium Poster

Brunswick Fig $39.99 Brunswick Fig - Giclee Print

Growing Fruit Trees (Paperback) $61.79 Learn how to plant, prune, cut, shape, fertilize, train, and cultivate a wide variety of fruit trees-almond, apple, apricot, cherry, chestnut, fig, hazelnut, kiwi, olive, peach, pear, plum, quince, grape, and walnut. Technical details are elegantly and clearly illustrated in full-color photographs and drawings.

Mango and Fig $34.99 Robert McIntosh Mango and Fig - Giclee Print

Fig Shell $59.99 Carol Robinson Fig Shell - Framed Art Print

Fig leaf $19.99 Josh Westrich Fig leaf - Photographic Print

Fig Tart $19.99 Bernard Radvaner Fig Tart - Photographic Print

Fig Leaf $24.99 Nigel Cattlin Fig Leaf - Photographic Print