PEEPAL (FICUS RELIGIOSA) MAME BONSAI

Ficus religiosa or sacred fig is a species of fig native to Indian subcontinent, south-west China and Indochina. It belongs to the Moraceae, the fig or mulberry family. It is also known as the bodhi tree,  pippala tree, peepal tree or ashwattha tree (in India and Nepal). 

          Ficus religiosa is a large dry season-deciduous or semi-evergreen tree up to 30 metres (98 ft) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 3 metres (9.8 ft). The leaves are cordate in shape with a distinctive extended drip tip; they are 10–17 cm long and 8–12 cm broad, with a 6–10 cm petiole. The fruits are small figs 1–1.5 cm in diameter, green ripening to purple. The leaves of this tree move continuously even when the air around is still and no perceptible wind is blowing. This phenomenon can be explained due to the long leaf stalk and the broad leaf structure. However, religious minded people in Hindu/Buddhist religion attribute this movement of the leaves to the fact that "devas" or "gods" reside on these leaves and make it move continuously. This fact is also mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita as a verse "O Ashvatha, I honor you whose leaves are always moving.

       I have been growing this fig for the past one and a a half year. The actual age of this peepal is 5-6 years. I collected the tree from an old wall and potted it and let it grow for one year. 6 months back, I separated  a  trunk out of three trunks and allowed it to grow in a polyethene bag. Today, I have uprooted it and pruned the roots and leaves and put it in a small plastic pot. After the training is over I will shift the small plant into a  bonsai pot.
      I want to make this a mame bonsai. A  “mame” is a Japanese word that literally means “bean”. In terms of bonsai, it is the mini bonsai between 3" – 6". And because mame  bonsai is  so small, it can easily fit onto our palm. 
   

before pruning the roots and branches

after pruning and repotting