atg
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bonsai is...bleeding?
2008/05/23 17:35
The leaves of my (i think it's a) ficus were yellowing, and i noticed a dark spot on the trunk, next to a little ceramic figure i have in there for decoration. When i moved the figure, it had red stuff on it, and when i touched the dark spot, my finger came back red too. Perhaps it's just the sap, but I don't know how it would have gotten scratched or punctured.
i repotted it yesterday; there were not many roots, even though it's been in one pot for a long time. Have not watered it yet because i read that overwatering easily kills a ficus tree. About a week ago, the trunk had gotten shriveled from (i assume) lack of water, but it had since plumped back up. It's not looking any better; I'd greatly appreciate help, because I love that tree...
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bonmore
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Re:bonsai is...bleeding?
2008/05/26 21:53
Hello atg,
Definitely a strange happening. Ficus sap is white, I cannot imagine where the red staining came from. If you live in a climate where the temp. is above 60deg. I suggest that you allow your Bonsai to enjoy the sun. The Ficus in our Nursery are watered every morning and are situated in either full sun or partial sun.
You did say that you repoted recently do not fertilize for at least 10days, allow the plant to stabilize. Then feed with a neutral ph. like 20-20-20 every 2-3 weeks. If a pic. is submitted I may be able to give more guidance.
Have a great Bonsai day,
Merv
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atg
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Re:bonsai is...bleeding?
2008/05/27 21:46
thanks so much for your help! i just moved the tree to a very sunny spot. the red splotch seems to have disappeared, and i've watered it. i'll fetilize it as you suggested (thanks again).
i'm not sure if these pictures will help, but, um, here it is?
http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs25/f/2008/
148/c/6/halp_by_bobwalrus.jpg
the bottom one is this little ceramic cat that's all covered in the "blood" just to prove i'm not crazy. my camera is very ungood. those leaves just dropped off today.
thanks much for your time/being nice
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bonmore
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Re:bonsai is...bleeding?
2008/05/28 21:54
Hello atg,
Your Pics. help, Which state are you located in? I see the branches are long and are without leaves, be adventurous, do not be afraid, Ficus is very forgiving :-) cut at least 1 inch off of each branch, even if it means removing the existing leaves, do so, within 3-4 weeks you will see new growth appearing all over the new shorter branches, this is how you encourage the tree to develope more Branch Ramification. Incedently your Bonsai Pictures looks like a Green Island Ficus, botanically, Ficus Macrocarpa.
Keep us informed. Have a great day,
Merv
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atg
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Re:bonsai is...bleeding?
2008/05/31 18:07
thanks so much for the identification information...
i clipped 2 out of 4 branches, because there are little buds on the ends of them, and i'm paranoid. one branch-stub released sap (white, thank goodness), the other didn't. I'm in New York, NY.
thanks for your continued help/support
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bonmore
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Re:bonsai is...bleeding?
2008/06/01 07:40
ATG,
From '68 thru '74 I lived in Albany N.Y. loved upstate, Saratoga being my favourite, but the weather sucked, so, I moved to Florida.
Now, you have to bite the bullet, doing half the job wont do.
With the buds on half the tree these will continue to grow and, the plant will assume that the cut areas are brocken branches and might allow them to die. :-(
Have a great Bonsai day.
Merv
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