Question
Hello Will,

I own what I believe to be a twisted trunk fichus but in "bonsai form" if that is a true label. It a "miniature" fichus. It is planted in a 6" long oval ceramic dish approximately 3 inches deep.

It resides on a window sill which receives great NYC eastern light.
During winter months I pull it off the sill but in a place that it still receives light.
I have never re-potted it as it has appeared to be very healthy for the past 5 years that I have owned it. Most recently I have noticed some whitening  or a white ring about 1/4 of the way up & around the trunk. Between the ring and the whitening the trunk appears to be wet, although it is not.  The leaves are very green and there is new growth budding. I am positive that it needs to be repoted. With my meager knowledge of plants I wonder if my tap water is too hard for the tree as it appears that there is some build up around the edge of the pot.

Is the trunk rotted? Can I save it?
What and how is the best way to repot it in terms of pot, type of dirt etc.?
Do you have any watering tips?
How about feeding/fertilizing?

I thank you in advance for your help. As silly as it may seem this tree was a gift with sentimental value and I don't want it to die.

Answer
Hi LisaMarie,

A gift plant with sentimental value is never silly.

I am having a difficult time understanding just what it is that you are seeing - the ring and the whitening. I will need a good photo to understand what this is. Perhaps it is a metal band that bonsai growers sometimes use to keep braided stems in place. That's all I can think of at the moment.

You can post a photo on this website or you can email a photo directly to me at [email protected].

I am positive your bonsai Ficus does NOT need to be repotted. Indeed, repotting defeats the purpose of bonsai, which is the miniaturizing of trees. However, I suspect that your tree does need to be pruned. It is unlikely, but possible that the roots also need to be pruned, but that is a bit complicated and not advisable unless you are experienced with bonsais.

I have written articles on Ficus tree care and bonsai that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com