First steps for making a Ficus microcarpa ginseng Bonsai: repotting and pruning

I'm taking the first steps for making a Ficus microcarpa ginseng Bonsai, that is, repotting the Ficus in proper Bonsai soil and pruning all the unwanted shoots to start forming a primary branch structure.

Ficus ginseng is commonly sold as a Bonsai. But is it really a Bonsai? In this video I start by discussing what is a Ficus ginseng and how it is grown. Then, having my own Ficus microcarpa ginseng specimen I take the first small steps to transform it into a real bonsai. I'm repotting the ginseng ficus into a larger pot using proper bonsai soil and bury the bulbous roots to enable the tree to grow vigorously. Next, I'm pruning back all the small branches to a bare minimal that should make the start of the primary branch structure.

This Ficus microcarpa project is a long term one as I first have to let the tree grow for a year or two to obtain a thicker main trunk from the current leader and correct the existing inverse taper as well as the size discrepancy between the roots and trunk.

All videos presenting the development of this Ficus ginseng are available in the dedicated playlist:    • Ficus microcarpa ginseng bonsai  

Image used in this video: Ginseng by Eugene Kim, via Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0, https://www.flickr.com/photos/eekim/5...

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