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Ficus Ginseng Bonsai, or Ficus microcarpa, is a large tropical evergreen tree.
Latin name
Ficus microcarpa “Ginseng Bonsai”
Pronunciation
(“FY-kus my-kro-CAR-pah”)
Common name
Ficus microcarpa
Origin
Ficus microcarpa grows wild in the tropics of South and East Asia and Queensland, and has been widely introduced in mild climate zones all around the world, including Southern Europe. The Ginseng Bonsai plants are produced in nurseries by grafting young foliage onto older wood.
The plant is often used in interior landscapes and also as a fine ornamental outdoor tree in tropical, sub-tropical and mediterranean climates (they can tolerate quite low temperatures). The largest specimen in a botanic garden is over 33m high and has a spread of 76m.
Indoor plants are, however, much smaller.
The Ginseng Bonsai form is produced as a small decorative indoor plant by grafting small shoots of foliage onto sections of roots and stems from mature trees (sometimes from a different Ficus species), to produce highly characterful plants resembling traditional bonsai trees. These could be in a gnarly, clumpy shape or more elegant curves and ‘S’ shapes, and they can be produced in a large variety of sizes.
Ficus microcarpa is toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Its sap contains compounds that can cause skin irritation, mouth discomfort, and gastrointestinal upset.
caring for your plant
Light
Medium-high to high light.
Watering
Soil should be kept moist, but not wet, and allowed to dry out a little between watering.
Pruning
If some of the shoots get straggly, they can be lightly pruned, but do not attempt to prune the mature stems and do not cut back to the grafting point.
Feeding
Dilute all-purpose fertilizer can be added to the water at every watering.
pest & diseases
Mealybugs and scale insects may be occasional problems. Mealybugs can be removed by cleaning with a damp cloth or paper towel. Larger clusters can be removed by trimming off the infested leaves. Scale insects can be removed by scraping them off with a blunt tool such as a wooden lolly stick.
Where the Ficus microcarpa originates from
This species originates in the tropics of South and East Asia and Queensland, and has been widely introduced in mild climate zones all around the world, including Southern Europe.
Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.
According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.
Find out more about Ecoponic here.
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