How long do I wait to wire my ficus bonsai after re-potting it?

Question

I recently got a ficus bonsai 3 days ago. It's responding well, however, it needs some wiring, pruning and general reshaping before the spring/summer growth. I was wondering how long should I wait before re-wiring it. I was going to wait until spring before pruning it.

Answer 1

You truly need to take a hands on class with a real expert in Bonsai. Bonsai is the apex of plants needing our constant help and needing us to know what we are doing. Not at all akin to a 'house plant'

Do not worry about using a timer for your bonsai for light. Just turn it off when it gets dark outside. What are the specs for the light? Good for you, I can tell you are going to really get into this. If you can care for a bonsai and keep it alive you will be able to grow anything...

Where was this Bonsai purchased? Indoors, out of doors, green house? What species is it? Depending on your pot and soil you might need to water every single day which is normal for bonsai. Taking the entire pot and plant and dunking the pot and soil into a bucket of water.

Hopefully, you used sterilized potting medium without water holding gimmicks and without added fertilizer. You want to be in charge of fertilizer so wait until you know more to add any to your bonsai. Fertilizer has to be carefully added and carefully chosen because a little too much is death. Also, that Fertilizer needs to be balanced, NPK. I recommend Osmocote extended release all purpose fertilizer. Use1/4 what the directions recommend.

Fertilizer? Less is Best, More is death and None is dumb, my little ditty about fertilizer. Fertilizer is NOT in any way some 'food' for plants!! But critical for our garden plants and indoor plants.

I would wait until I signed up for a bonsai class (lucky you!) and use my bonsai as my 'model'.

Get a couple of good books about bonsai, about the basics of raising plants, find a good indoor house plant book but no mistake get books on bonsai to read before the class starts. It will make far more sense and you'll be able to get far more out of your class. Allow your new baby to 'settle' in before trying any pruning. Take that class first before any wiring or pruning, okay? Have fun!