Common Name: Chinese Banyan tree; Malayan Banyan; Indian Laurel; Curtain Fig; Gajumaru; Bonsai Ficus
Scientific Name: Ficus microcarpa; Ficus retusa
Light: Lots of light. Place in windowsill inside. Will not do well in shade. Check for sunburn and adjust lighting as needed
Water: Water thoroughly when soil becomes dry. Mist often.
Care: provide humidity with misting, pebble tray, or humidifier, especially if one wants to encourage aerial root development; does not like drafts; Will not tolerate anything under 60°F; Forego the pruning for a year or longer to achieve a thicker trunk. When ready to prune leaves, a good rule to follow is to prune back to two leaves after six to eight leaves have grown; repot your Ficus every other year during the summer. Do this by removing the tree and soil from its pot and trim the outer and lower quarter of the tree's roots. Be careful not to over prune or remove too much root material. Place the bonsai into the original pot or a new container using the bonsai soil mix.
Details: one of most common starter bonsai plants