Which Ficus Should I Purchase?

Here are some specimens which I can buy. Any ideas? BTW I live in Columbia, SC. They will be grown indoors. I do not have access to a balcony or outdoors.

Ok this is what I can buy. (Also Which looks the best?)

This photo below is: Ficus Retusa Shohin $200



This photo below is: Left is Green Island $100, and Right is Import Retusa $150



This photo below is: Right is Ficus over rock, Left is Crater Fig Both $100




I will most likely buy one of the above, then MAYBE one of these? I like the idea of Shohin and Mame. However, it isn't the most deciding factor. If I buy the Fukien Tea/Chinese Elm, I will probably have to buy some kind of light, and I am okay with that. However, I'd like to get away from not using a light.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flowering-Fu...item3ccc40da5a

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flowering-Fu...item3a7b86c31f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Established-...item416cc60832

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Established-...item416cc60832

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Fukien-Te...ien+tea+bonsai

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Erodium-Bons...item2323932c5f

I am also looking at: Willow Leaf Ficus Shohin $140

Also looking at:

14 in $125


12 in $125 (I could possibly do a windswept form on this one?)


Below is 6 in Shohin $60


Below is 6 in Shohin $80

GarlR,

If you have no experience growing anything, you will most likely end up killing some of the above.

What is the problem with lights ?
Why the rush, are you over 70 or 80 years.

Slow down, please.
Best to you.
Khaimraj

Hello GarlR,

If you ask which one looks the best, I would say the Ficus Retusa Shohin.

The others looks fine too.

The most true advice i can give you is - Go with your heart ....


Efi

Oh dear. Where to begin without offending?

I think Khaimraj is absolutely right in advising caution here. There are two simple facts that need to be borne in mind:

1. you are already at a disadvantage in not having access to outdoors and/or a balcony - your lack of natural light is a considerable drawback
2. you live in a warm climate in which means that most trees stay outdoors for most of the year, and will not do nearly as well from being kept indoors.

Now, this is not to say it can't be done. But please bear in mind you will probably have to use "specialist" techniques of which lighting is probably one. Bottom line is it's your dollars you're spending so it's very much your call. All I can say is if it were me, I'd be wanting to do a lot more research into how you keep a tree flourishing in what are essentially alien growing conditions and then make the tree choice dependent on what comes up as being the most likely to survive.

I would also extend a word of caution about buying trees you've never seen before. Get one you've been able to check the health and condition of. I'd never buy a tree I had not been able to examine in person.

Unfortunately I do not have the luxury of getting one in person.

And I am 27 yrs old. I work night shift, so I stay up at night. Not much to do at night.

If the photos are true representations of the actual trees then they're all pretty nice. But I would also like to advise you to be more patient before spending so much. You can get many of these species untrained at regular nurseries for a fraction of the price. Learn by trial and error how to keep them happy and healthy in whatever conditions you have and move on from there. I'm still very new to bonsai myself (3 yrs). In my first year I was in a huge rush and I purchased a bunch of pre bonsai. I paid way too much and a few died because of lack of experience. The main lesson I've learned in the last 3 yrs is the art of patience. Some of my favourite trees now are ones started from rough stock, 3 yr old seedlings and cuttings. They'll take forever to become anything to show off but there's no better way to learn in my opinion. I enjoy the Zen of bonsai. Coming home after a long day at work and spending an hour or so meditating in my humble garden watering, looking for signs of stress and bits of styling here and there is what this art is all about to me.

I think you are planning to pay a lot of money for a "house plant." Do you have other plants indoors that you have kept alive? Although we usually discourage this route, I would suggest going to Wal Mart or Lowe's and buying a tropical Mallsai, remove the rocks (if any) and see if you can keep it alive for six months.
I would use a day off to check out resources.
There might be a club near you and members who would help even if you can't get to a meeting.

Billy M. Rhodes wrote:I think you are planning to pay a lot of money for a "house plant." Do you have other plants indoors that you have kept alive? Although we usually discourage this route, I would suggest going to Wal Mart or Lowe's and buying a tropical Mallsai, remove the rocks (if any) and see if you can keep it alive for six months.
I would use a day off to check out resources.
There might be a club near you and members who would help even if you can't get to a meeting.

I was going to buy from Wigert's, which seems to be a pretty respectable place. I spoke with Andrea Wigert yesterday, and she gladly took some photos (which I posted) that were for sale.

It is just disheartening because some say they are nice looking, and other say they are crap. I don't know who to believe!

I don't know who to believe!

They're all OK. Believe YOUR feelings. Buy the one you like.

BUT!

PLEASE re-read your own thread here (and elsewhere) and absorb what the others are saying. You are bringing a tree into 100% hostile conditions. With little or no experience in growing bonsai (or anything?) -- much less growing one indoors -- your chances of keeping it healthy -- or even alive -- are very, very small.

Whatever your decision, Good Luck.

JimLewis wrote:

I don't know who to believe!

They're all OK. Believe YOUR feelings. Buy the one you like.

BUT!

PLEASE re-read your own thread here (and elsewhere) and absorb what the others are saying. You are bringing a tree into 100% hostile conditions. With little or no experience in growing bonsai (or anything?) -- much less growing one indoors -- your chances of keeping it healthy -- or even alive -- are very, very small.

Whatever your decision, Good Luck.

Yes, but i've made it 100% clear that it will be grown indoors, and I don't have a choice in the matter. People have grown trees indoors. Especially ficus. Which is why I picked the species.

I just want my tree. Patience is a virtue, and I have been patient!! I definitely don't want to kill a tree, or the money i've invested in it. It is time to take action!!

I'd probably bought one already, if it wasn't for you all. In other words, what trees I thought were good and priced well....some say yes some say no. It is so confusing!

Patience is a virtue, and I have been patient!!

In bonsai, "patience" extends over years, not hours or days.

You stress your working hours that make it impossible for you to go somewhere to shop. Surely you have days off that you can travel to a nursery -- perhaps in Charlotte, or Greenville, or down to Vero Beach.

I guarantee that disappointment in your purchase is a likely result of buying a tree without SEEING it in person.

And yes, many people have grown figs indoors, but figs grown indoors are very difficult to maintain and keep healthy. That is especially true for those with little experience. You need to be aware of that and to be willing and able to provide the 13 hours of intense light that they need to stay healthy and attractive.

The varied answers you have received about the quality of the trees you've shown them reflect the curse and the blessing of internet forums. And of bonsai. Everyone sees something different based on their experience and their tastes. Also, it is very difficult to determine quality from one picture.

In the end, the decision is yours.

Read what they're saying, GarlR. No-one has said those trees are "crap", in fact most seem to be saying they are on a scale of "fine" to "pretty nice".

But the really important information that people are telling you is:

First, for a first tree for someone with no bonsai experience they are higher in price than maybe most people would go for. Billy is offering you a second way - getting a cheaper one and learning the basics of bonsai on it.
Second, the bulk of the trees that I could see before (I cant see any of the images at all now) are outdoor trees and will suffer to some extent or other indoors
Third,

GarlR wrote:People have grown trees indoors. Especially ficus

. Of course people have grown trees indoors, but they are usually people with a lot of experience (that's why I referred to them as "specialists") and all of them will tell you they have killed a fair number. As I said before, bottom line is it's your bucks you're spending - we can only say what we'd do based on many years of experience.

But here is a more practical tip for you: Search for some of Ryan's threads on here and see how he grows his ficus indoors - it may very well be that this is a route that would suit you. He derives enormous enjoyment (and a lot of success) from his method, but it is a whole other way of "doing bonsai". Might be suitable for someone with long nights to fill and no outdoor space

...and not all ficus can survive indoors.

regards,
jun

Folks,

GarlR,

has Amazon for Bonsai Boy, Brussels, and others, with prices from $10.00 US to $40.00 plus reasonable shipping.Telephone numbers to talk to folk. Jack Wikle's bit on Fluorescent lights, books for Indoor Bonsai [ 0.01 to $6.00 US plus shipping ] and a suggestion to next time just buy a small concave pruner, and root pruner. Sorry I suggested Masakuni, I think buying better is most sensible.

AND a chance to choose any plant type desired.

What more is needed?

Leaving the topic ------------ too many cooks spoil the broth ---- and all that.
Khaimraj

As I've said on another forum, I would not, would not, dump that much money into a tree that you don't even know how it will do in your indoor environment. Buy a less expensive tree, see how it grows and responds, then think about spending a little more. Even though Ficus can grow indoors, it's still very much possible to kill them.

i am going out on a limb here !! listen to the people,,they have grown bonsai a long time... get the light to set over the tree a must.. i would chose inport retusa 150. i like curves in ficus trees...keep it watered but NOT TOO WET !! watch it close..also if there is anyway in spring summer give it some outside growing to build up some strength for the net winter... good luck and keep us posted...take care john

my 2 cents....the last tree is the best option,it has nice root flare and is very heavily branched. the later will give you more styling options. you do need supplimental lighting ,but a cfl bulb in a clip on lamp is a cheap way to get by. my ficus do fine indoors, i have a ficus natalensis that has never been outside ,just a south facing window. 6 years and still growing

Umbrella tree, the one true indoor bonsai.