Common Name: Ficus

Scientific Name: Ficus retusa (there are several species)

Characterisation: It belongs to the Moraceae family and is native to China and India.
There are several species of Ficus cultivated in Bonsai, but the care is practically the same. They all have medium-sized evergreen leaves.
The aspect that most attracts Bonsaists is the high resistance (it’s often said that “you need a degree to kill a Ficus!”) combined with the beauty of the bark and aerial roots it can emit.

Location: Indoors by a window where it gets 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight a day, without curtains or blinds cutting off the light, rotating 180º every week; it can spend the hot months outside, keeping the 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight.

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until enough water comes out of the drainage holes to evenly moisten the soil, always from above, never by immersion, using a fine-drained watering can (specifically for Bonsai).
Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).
If you have a dish under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent the roots from rotting).
There is no advantage in spraying the leaves, only do it on the days you fertilise and if the fertiliser is for foliar application, but make sure they arrive dry at night to avoid fungus.