Ficus anyone?

[scott]

I was just wondering about using ficus trees in terrariums. Has anyone here had any success using the bonsai varieties in their tanks? I know that they like high hight light levels, but a nice bonsai ficus thats allowed to grow out can effectively shade the bottom of a tank. I recently saw one in a terrarium at my university, and it put out the advantageous arial roots, wich gave it a nice jungle effect. I have also read that they can grow in low light conditions. What are all of your opinions on this subject?
much thanks,
-Scott

 

[tony]

i'm not an expert and this will not help with your bonsais but had good luck with pothos and this meduim light ivy i bought at home depot. i've lost the tag that game with it but this ivy receomed medium light and has been doing well in my tank for 2 months. my room is very dimly lit.. ultra low engery bulbs and i like the darkness and work wierd hours so the light is on for very little

to note i bought anohter plant @ home depot(lost the tag again not an ivy more of a thick stalk varerity) with receommed medium light to replace a pathos i stole from mom. this stalk type plant does very poor without sunlight( the pothos i stole was in a bathroom with no direct sunlight and low light to give you an idea of it's hardyness) try to search the forums/google for better answer but i doubt you'd find a hardier plant han pothos

 

[edward]

I have seen dwarfed ficus in terraria that looked great. The problem you also have to remember is that the bonsai ficus will not remain small in the tank unless you keep it cut back.

Ed

 

[gord]

I put a small ficus in my shanjing tank...it is hydroponic...and sits in some gravel with its roots submerged in water.I wasn't sure this would work and the plant looked a little limp to start. Oddly, one part of the plant died right off, while the other section has thrived and is doing well. It looks good and does provide a nice shading effect. It gets a fair bit of light however.

There is a pic of the tank the ficus is in here:

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/setups4.shtml

GE

 

[scott]

I have some of the devils ivy all ready growing in the tank with a different variety of what seems to be devils ivy as well, but i has holes in its leaves. I also have a philedonderon. Im currently trying to get some cuttings ficus cuttings to root. That looks great with the hydroponically grown ficus,i might try that with a cutting. Thanx for the info Ed, its good to know that i would have to trim the ficus back rigorously, since im not really used to cutting anything back. I might go with a dwarf ficus and see how that works, thank you all for your responses

-Scott