Comments on: What is the best way to get the glued rocks off this poor ficus bonsai plant.? http://www.japanesebonsaicare.com/bonsai-plant/what-is-the-best-way-to-get-the-glued-rocks-off-this-poor-ficus-bonsai-plant How to Care For Bonsai Trees Mon, 02 May 2011 07:27:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Bill Choat http://www.japanesebonsaicare.com/bonsai-plant/what-is-the-best-way-to-get-the-glued-rocks-off-this-poor-ficus-bonsai-plant/comment-page-1#comment-87 Bill Choat Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:52:59 +0000 http://www.japanesebonsaicare.com/bonsai-plant/what-is-the-best-way-to-get-the-glued-rocks-off-this-poor-ficus-bonsai-plant#comment-87 Use an ice pick or knife to break the rocks apart, then pitch them. Most likely the soil needs to be replaced. You're welcome to send your photo to me at: wchoat@american-bonsai.com , and I'll send you good care instructions. Also, you're welcome to read my Bonsai Care page on: http://www.american-bonsai.com<br><b>References : </b><br> Use an ice pick or knife to break the rocks apart, then pitch them. Most likely the soil needs to be replaced. You're welcome to send your photo to me at:
wchoat@american-bonsai.com , and I'll send you good care instructions. Also, you're welcome to read my Bonsai Care page on:
http://www.american-bonsai.com
References :

]]> By: briggs451 http://www.japanesebonsaicare.com/bonsai-plant/what-is-the-best-way-to-get-the-glued-rocks-off-this-poor-ficus-bonsai-plant/comment-page-1#comment-86 briggs451 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:45:59 +0000 http://www.japanesebonsaicare.com/bonsai-plant/what-is-the-best-way-to-get-the-glued-rocks-off-this-poor-ficus-bonsai-plant#comment-86 The arrangement you have is called a Mallsai, which is a Bonsai purchased at a shopping mall. There's nothing wrong with this and, with proper care, can be just as attractive as any other specimen. The rocks you mention are simply top dressing to improve appearance and help hold the soil in place during shipping. They're are usually held on with a light water-soluble adhesive called, I think, "mastic" or something like that. It should break away fairly easily, but if it doesn't there's not a problem. The plant won't die because of the rocks so long as the layer doesn't block water from reaching the soil. If you feel you must remove them, just keep hacking at it until it breaks away.<br><b>References : </b><br>Grower The arrangement you have is called a Mallsai, which is a Bonsai purchased at a shopping mall. There's nothing wrong with this and, with proper care, can be just as attractive as any other specimen.

The rocks you mention are simply top dressing to improve appearance and help hold the soil in place during shipping. They're are usually held on with a light water-soluble adhesive called, I think, "mastic" or something like that. It should break away fairly easily, but if it doesn't there's not a problem. The plant won't die because of the rocks so long as the layer doesn't block water from reaching the soil. If you feel you must remove them, just keep hacking at it until it breaks away.
References :
Grower

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