---
title: "Hi all This is my daughters ginseng bonsi I took over custodian of…"
description: "Hi all This is my daughters ginseng bonsi I took over custodian of just over a year ago. It lost a lot of leaves and looked nearly dead but I managed to revive…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/hB0M8pmURCqUK7zhKpIOTw/2YuvZAT7phEwLrvu9KfnCZ"
community: "Bonsai Matters"
author: "Sarah"
published: "2026-05-12T08:47:48.274511Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cxZYOtChb-vS7sgK4B9-SD1qunbJlooS-vccwVRE5xU/6w2GRW7uT92MUfksnRy7BQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi all This is my daughters ginseng bonsi I took over custodian of…

_Posted by Sarah on 2026-05-12_

Hi all

This is my daughters ginseng bonsi I took over custodian of just over a year ago. It lost a lot of leaves and looked nearly dead but I managed to revive it. This is as far as I have got, with regular watering and fertilising. I also packed out the soil as it has lost some.

Any ideas on how to get more leaves?

I live in the UK and the plant is on a south facing window.

I thought about repotting it but that would only be cleaning out the current pot and putting back what it’s in already, which I think is mostly loose stones/pebbles. I don’t think there’s any soil in it (I didn’t do the repotting).

Thank you for any advice you can give.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cxZYOtChb-vS7sgK4B9-SD1qunbJlooS-vccwVRE5xU/6w2GRW7uT92MUfksnRy7BQ.webp?size=large)

## 11 comments

### Tracy Lee commented on 2026-05-12

It sounds like the only thing missing is fertilizer 💚

#### Sarah replied on 2026-05-12

Thanks however I have been fertilising it. I was wondering whether I should repot or at least look at the roots to see if there lies the problem?

### Tracy Lee commented on 2026-05-12

In that case everything sounds right. I was thinking when I lived in the UK there wasn’t always much sun. South facing is good but maybe she needs additional light.  
All that said, it sounds like your instincts are to check the roots so I would do it. You could always give her some soil then that is most suitable for her. Godspeed 💚💚

#### Sarah replied on 2026-05-12

Yeah, not much light. I could in theory put it onto a sunny spot on my balcony but it would be very close to the edge and it’s windy 4 floors up, yikes

### El Oso Polar commented on 2026-05-12

I’m no pro and have not worked with ficus. But most trees, when they are healthy and in early grow season can be pruned back really heavily to promote back budding and a denser canopy. Should be fairly easy to find a how to on YouTube.

#### Sarah replied on 2026-05-12

Oooo, I was scared too as it doesn’t have much. It worked really well with my jade plant so I’ll have a look, thanks

#### Waspinator replied on 2026-05-12

I have worked with ficus. They really appreciate regular pruning. For shaping it, these are also pretty nice because the new growth will come in in the same direction that the leaf below the cut is pointing. The white sap from these can irritate skin in some people. You don't need gloves unless you react to it, but wash hands after pruning and avoid touching your eyes while it's on your hands. These can bounce back from almost anything, but to be gentle to the plant, don't remove more than 1/3 of its leaves in any single trim session

#### Sarah replied on 2026-05-13

Thank you. I thought it was too small to prune but I’ll give it a go

#### Waspinator replied on 2026-05-13

If you want to encourage branching without changing the size too much, just pinch off the new leaf buds. Here's a close-up of one:

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/0aEjxie6sp2j8dSN-ejLnU9dTQl1mR1VekkhDobC1Og/60TG8DlFT7WXEumWLMFuSQ.webp?size=large)

#### Sarah replied on 2026-05-19

Thank you. I ended up taking two cuttings from the bushiest bits 🤞🏻

### Sarah commented on 2026-06-09

So taking cuttings has produced results. No new branches but definitely new leaves

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/cxZYOtChb-vS7sgK4B9-SD1qunbJlooS-vccwVRE5xU/AJzaboUBT6SVlh-3rhgqUQ.webp?size=large)

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