Ben: It may seem to you that your kitchen is like a greenhouse with lots of
sunlight, but I wager that if you measure the light, you will find that it
has considerably less light than outdoors or even a greenhouse. And that is
the primary key to the large leaves you are observing. Plants need to
photosynthesize, and that requires light. If light levels are low, then
plants adapt by making larger leaves to be able to capture more light. That
is fine for the plant, but not good for us who want leaves to be smaller to
enhance that illusion we call bonsai.
You also mentioned the desire to encourage the growth of aerial
roots. This will require high humidity, the likes of which you will not be
able to sustain indoors. You can keep humidity higher by putting wet
sphagnum moss around the areas you wish for roots to appear.
So, while your banyan fig will certainly grow indoors, it will not
perform to bonsai standards indoors. Try to find a nice outdoor place for
it, and bring it indoors only to protect against frost.
Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Ben

Hi all,
Last February I brought a small shoot from a Banyan tree from Calcutta
(Ficus benghalensis) home to Belgium.
Since it's such a nice tree to see (out in the open) i nurished it a few
months and many big leaves have come, and a bark is being formed (bottom
feels like a proper trunk).
Anyways, i was playing with the thought of making it into a bonsai. Don't
know really if this is advisable with this type of ficus but i assume so
'cos i think it's better of inside the house (climate is quite different,
chillier over here).
Some facts:
- I keep it in the kitchen where you get a sort of greenhouse effect (glass
all around, so lots of sun) thinking it woudl need a lot of sun.
- Current height: about 15cm. it's not already growing at a speed of 3
cm/month, each time a new leave opens a new shoot (leave) appears.
- I'm keeping it in a 20cm diameter shallow pot (looks more like a plate)
about 2 cm deep

I've found some bonsai info on the web, but not really answers to some of my
questions:
- when can you prune? can you start off as early as this?
- the leaves are becoming bigger and bigger. any hints as to keep them
small?
- how do you make it grow thicker instead of taller? put it out of the sun?
- food? what to give, what not to give? I've seen special bonsai food in
green centres (shops) when to start with that, if at all?
- any do-s and don't-s
- where to find good information
- aerial roots: can you induce those? how?
- am i doing things i shouldn't (spot, pot, food..)
Thanks a ton for any help,
Ben

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Ben wrote:

I've found some bonsai info on the web, but not really answers to some of my
questions:
- when can you prune? can you start off as early as this?
Let it grow free for now.

- the leaves are becoming bigger and bigger. any hints as to keep them
small?
- how do you make it grow thicker instead of taller? put it out of the sun?
A big pot (quite shallow and wide) and sun will help. A seedling in a
bonsai pot will stay a seedling in a bonsai pot. You need to let it
grow.

- food? what to give, what not to give? I've seen special bonsai food in
green centres (shops) when to start with that, if at all?
Often just an expensive version of regular houseplant fertilizer. Start
now and just follow the label.

- any do-s and don't-s
Use a well draining soil mix not just regular potting soil. Let the soil
dry up between waterings (not bone dry) and wather thoroughly when watering.

- where to find good information
Look for a local bonsaiclub. Look for books at the library in a shop or
on the web.

And last, I´m not familiar with this species so I can´t even say if it´s
good for bonsai. I´ll leave that to someone else.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Thanks guys, this certainly helped.

Some more things (while i haven't visited the library for some good
literature on the topic):
Let it grow free for now.
= Do i need to let it grow for another year or so, what signs would
indicate it's time?

"Henrik Gistvall" schreef in bericht
...
Ben wrote:

I've found some bonsai info on the web, but not really answers to some
of my
questions:
- when can you prune? can you start off as early as this?
Let it grow free for now.

- the leaves are becoming bigger and bigger. any hints as to keep them
small?
- how do you make it grow thicker instead of taller? put it out of the
sun?
A big pot (quite shallow and wide) and sun will help. A seedling in a
bonsai pot will stay a seedling in a bonsai pot. You need to let it
grow.

- food? what to give, what not to give? I've seen special bonsai food in
green centres (shops) when to start with that, if at all?
Often just an expensive version of regular houseplant fertilizer. Start
now and just follow the label.

- any do-s and don't-s
Use a well draining soil mix not just regular potting soil. Let the soil
dry up between waterings (not bone dry) and wather thoroughly when
watering.

- where to find good information
Look for a local bonsaiclub. Look for books at the library in a shop or
on the web.

And last, I´m not familiar with this species so I can´t even say if it´s
good for bonsai. I´ll leave that to someone else.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Thanks guys, this certainly helped.

Some more things (while i haven't visited the library for some good
literature on the topic):
Let it grow free for now.
* Do i need to let it grow for another year or so, what signs would
indicate it's time to? i believe pruning can be done twice a year (before
and after winter, right?).
* branches.. still to early, but i was wondering when branches normally
appear.. for all i know it can become a tall tree before any branches appear
(let alone growing aerial roots) any way to help forming branches?

i'll be transferring it into a bigger pot later on.
regards,
Ben

"Henrik Gistvall" schreef in bericht
...
Ben wrote:

I've found some bonsai info on the web, but not really answers to some
of my
questions:
- when can you prune? can you start off as early as this?
Let it grow free for now.

- the leaves are becoming bigger and bigger. any hints as to keep them
small?
- how do you make it grow thicker instead of taller? put it out of the
sun?
A big pot (quite shallow and wide) and sun will help. A seedling in a
bonsai pot will stay a seedling in a bonsai pot. You need to let it
grow.

- food? what to give, what not to give? I've seen special bonsai food in
green centres (shops) when to start with that, if at all?
Often just an expensive version of regular houseplant fertilizer. Start
now and just follow the label.

- any do-s and don't-s
Use a well draining soil mix not just regular potting soil. Let the soil
dry up between waterings (not bone dry) and wather thoroughly when
watering.

- where to find good information
Look for a local bonsaiclub. Look for books at the library in a shop or
on the web.

And last, I´m not familiar with this species so I can´t even say if it´s
good for bonsai. I´ll leave that to someone else.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Thanks guys, this certainly helped.

Some more things (while i haven't visited the library for some good
literature on the topic):
Let it grow free for now.
* Do i need to let it grow for another year or so, what signs would
indicate it's time to? i believe pruning can be done twice a year (before
and after winter, right?).
* branches.. still to early, but i was wondering when branches normally
appear.. for all i know it can become a tall tree before any branches appear
(let alone growing aerial roots) any way to help forming branches?

i'll be transferring it into a bigger pot later on.
regards,
Ben

"Henrik Gistvall" schreef in bericht
...
Ben wrote:

I've found some bonsai info on the web, but not really answers to some
of my
questions:
- when can you prune? can you start off as early as this?
Let it grow free for now.

- the leaves are becoming bigger and bigger. any hints as to keep them
small?
- how do you make it grow thicker instead of taller? put it out of the
sun?
A big pot (quite shallow and wide) and sun will help. A seedling in a
bonsai pot will stay a seedling in a bonsai pot. You need to let it
grow.

- food? what to give, what not to give? I've seen special bonsai food in
green centres (shops) when to start with that, if at all?
Often just an expensive version of regular houseplant fertilizer. Start
now and just follow the label.

- any do-s and don't-s
Use a well draining soil mix not just regular potting soil. Let the soil
dry up between waterings (not bone dry) and wather thoroughly when
watering.

- where to find good information
Look for a local bonsaiclub. Look for books at the library in a shop or
on the web.

And last, I´m not familiar with this species so I can´t even say if it´s
good for bonsai. I´ll leave that to someone else.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Thanks guys, this certainly helped.

Some more things (while i haven't visited the library for some good
literature on the topic):
Let it grow free for now.
* Do i need to let it grow for another year or so, what signs would
indicate it's time to? i believe pruning can be done twice a year (before
and after winter, right?).
* branches.. still to early, but i was wondering when branches normally
appear.. for all i know it can become a tall tree before any branches appear
(let alone growing aerial roots) any way to help forming branches?

i'll be transferring it into a bigger pot later on.
regards,
Ben
"Henrik Gistvall" schreef in bericht
...
Ben wrote:

I've found some bonsai info on the web, but not really answers to some
of my
questions:
- when can you prune? can you start off as early as this?
Let it grow free for now.

- the leaves are becoming bigger and bigger. any hints as to keep them
small?
- how do you make it grow thicker instead of taller? put it out of the
sun?
A big pot (quite shallow and wide) and sun will help. A seedling in a
bonsai pot will stay a seedling in a bonsai pot. You need to let it
grow.

- food? what to give, what not to give? I've seen special bonsai food in
green centres (shops) when to start with that, if at all?
Often just an expensive version of regular houseplant fertilizer. Start
now and just follow the label.

- any do-s and don't-s
Use a well draining soil mix not just regular potting soil. Let the soil
dry up between waterings (not bone dry) and wather thoroughly when
watering.

- where to find good information
Look for a local bonsaiclub. Look for books at the library in a shop or
on the web.

And last, I´m not familiar with this species so I can´t even say if it´s
good for bonsai. I´ll leave that to someone else.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

sorry for the multiple replying here.. something went wrong with my software
and i thot the posts didn't go thru.

"Ben" schreef in bericht
...
Thanks guys, this certainly helped.

Some more things (while i haven't visited the library for some good
literature on the topic):
Let it grow free for now.
* Do i need to let it grow for another year or so, what signs would
indicate it's time to? i believe pruning can be done twice a year (before
and after winter, right?).
* branches.. still to early, but i was wondering when branches normally
appear.. for all i know it can become a tall tree before any branches
appear
(let alone growing aerial roots) any way to help forming branches?

i'll be transferring it into a bigger pot later on.
regards,
Ben
"Henrik Gistvall" schreef in bericht
...
Ben wrote:

I've found some bonsai info on the web, but not really answers to some
of my
questions:
- when can you prune? can you start off as early as this?
Let it grow free for now.

- the leaves are becoming bigger and bigger. any hints as to keep them
small?
- how do you make it grow thicker instead of taller? put it out of the
sun?
A big pot (quite shallow and wide) and sun will help. A seedling in a
bonsai pot will stay a seedling in a bonsai pot. You need to let it
grow.

- food? what to give, what not to give? I've seen special bonsai food
in
green centres (shops) when to start with that, if at all?
Often just an expensive version of regular houseplant fertilizer. Start
now and just follow the label.

- any do-s and don't-s
Use a well draining soil mix not just regular potting soil. Let the soil
dry up between waterings (not bone dry) and wather thoroughly when
watering.

- where to find good information
Look for a local bonsaiclub. Look for books at the library in a shop or
on the web.

And last, I´m not familiar with this species so I can´t even say if it´s
good for bonsai. I´ll leave that to someone else.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden



************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++


************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/
--
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++

If you let it grow to approx 50 cm and then pinch of the leader,
branches will start to grow. Once again you let the tree grow free,
especially the lower branches. Keep them as sacrifice branches that help
to increase the girth and taper of the trunk. These will be removed
later on when you are starting to get satisfied with the thickness of
the trunk, but before the sacrifice branches are so thick they will
leave an ugly scare after removal.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden

Ben wrote:

Thanks guys, this certainly helped.

Some more things (while i haven't visited the library for some good
literature on the topic):
Let it grow free for now.
* Do i need to let it grow for another year or so, what signs would
indicate it's time to? i believe pruning can be done twice a year (before
and after winter, right?).
* branches.. still to early, but i was wondering when branches normally
appear.. for all i know it can become a tall tree before any branches appear
(let alone growing aerial roots) any way to help forming branches?

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

One problem, at least with some trees, is that if you try to grow branches
before the trunk is thick enough, the branches grow too thick.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

thanks to both of you :-)
"Iris Cohen" schreef in bericht
...
One problem, at least with some trees, is that if you try to grow branches
before the trunk is thick enough, the branches grow too thick.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)