Hello gardenmessenge members. How are you ? My name is
Suhendra, the owner of Bonsai Star Gallery
(http://www.bonsaistar.com). I will share my knowledge about Ficus
Glomerata Variegata (Loa Varigata in Indonesian Language).
I bought the bonsai in northern Bandung in 2004. I drove my own car
accompanied by employees. When arrived, I see numerous small and raw
bonsai. Some were good, but some were only raw bonsai. Then the
owner invited us to see his farm, which had raw bonsai planted in soil
and polybags. Some of them were planted from seeds, graftings, and
natures.
In his farm I saw a Kaliandar Variegata whose flowers were red, like
timber tree flowers and I wanted to buy it. Unfortunately, the owner
didn=E2=80=99t sell because he said it will die if dug in dry season. I wa=
s
quite confused, since the tree was 2 meter height and had so many
saplings. Why didn=E2=80=99t he separate them and planted in pots or polyb=
ags
to be sold. I think the tree was good, because it had yellow striped
leaves that very contrast plus red flowers. I thought it will attract
so many people to buy.
When we were talking, he mentioned about Ficus Glomerata Variegata
whose fertile was not good. I was interested to know more because I
was interested in collecting rare plants especially that could be
created as bonsai. When I saw the plant, it was only planted in
polybag using unhulled paddy as media. It was put in the middle of
higher trees, so there was possibility watering process could not be
completed. Sunshine was also not than one hour, and there were so
many branches were not cut in the lower position that made the
variegata lost. I think that were the factors.
After I bought and took it home, I did the repotting: 1 part soil + 2
part fertilizer + 1 part Malang sand. Before the substances mixed in
pot, the bottom should be put filter to shut the hole. On the filter
put rough sand (2-3 mm), then softer sand (1 mm), and goat manure
(mixed with unhulled paddy) with comparison 1:1. Cut all the
branches, leaves including the green and variegata from the stalk.
After that, pull the tree from its polybag, clean the soil, and cut
and the oversized roots. Finally, put the tree in the pot, do
watering, and keep in shaded place. Put in a place with 2 hour
morning sunshine when the tree grows new buds. After having many
variegata leaves, full dry in the sun. When the tree grow green
leaves, cut immediately.
The result after 6 months, the tree became so fertile and good. So I
started to shape it with Slanting Style. After 2 years with good
nursery, it became 80% qualified bonsai. I kept doing the intensive
care for the purpose of joining National Bonsai Competition.
One day there was a bonsai lover outside Bandung city came to my
place to see bonsai. When he saw the Ficus Glomerata Variegata, he
was so impressed and eager to buy it. I understood his feeling,
because I had ever the same experiences when I wanted to buy good and
rare bonsai tree. After he did some very good offer, I sold the tree.
Why? Because I had the saplings from prior graftings, so I still
could have the same trees. I felt happy because there was a person
who appreciated my work from the same hobby.
And that=E2=80=99s the whole story and experience about how to do repottin=
g
and plant bonsai with the substances made especially for the Ficus
Glomerata Variegata. I hope my information could give positive input
for you, the world bonsai devotees. Thank you and see you in the next
blog about Black Pine tree. Please give some input through the blog
or email to contaq@bonsaistar.com. Thank you.
