Can be planted with seeds. As a rule, seeds are purchased at a specialized store. Before planting, it is necessary to prepare the soil, which in equal parts consists of soddy soil, humus and coarse sand. You can add some bone meal. Seed treatment, soaking or immersion in a phyto solution is not required for this plant. Seeds are planted in the ground to a depth of approximately 5 mm. A container with planted seeds should be in a bright place at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. To maintain a constant level of humidity, the container is placed with a plastic bag, and direct sunlight is excluded. After planting, you need to be patient, as Benjamin's ficus seeds germinate after three months. After the appearance of several leaves on young shoots, the plants are picked into separate pots.
Location and lighting
Ficus Benjamin belongs to light-loving plants, which must be considered when choosing its location. If the plant is located on the windowsills of the south side, then in this case the window must be slightly shaded from the sun, which can cause burns to the foliage. It is even better to place the plant in the back of the room. Windows on the east and west sides are optimal for ficus. On the north side, especially in winter, when daylight hours are short, Benjamin's ficus needs additional lighting. For this, ordinary light bulbs are not suitable, as they get very hot and dry the air. You have to use fluorescent lamps. When choosing the place of "registration" of ficus Benjamin, it must be remembered that he painfully perceives the change of place of "residence". In the summer, if there is a place protected from drafts and precipitation, the plant can be put on a balcony or terrace.
pot size
The pot for ficus Benjamin must be changed at the annual transplant, when the plant is actively growing and its root system is developing. This period lasts about four years, after which the pot remains the same size. The change in the size of the pot during transplantation in quantitative terms increases by 2 - 3 cm without fail. Pots should have drainage holes. There are no special requirements for the material of the pot, it can be either ceramic or plastic, the main thing is that it fits the plant in size and harmoniously fits into the interior.
The soil
Soil for ficus Benjamin is sold in specialized stores. You can prepare the soil for planting the plant yourself. The acidity of the soil for ficuses is neutral or slightly acidic. Depending on the age of the plant, the mixture will be slightly different from each other. For young plants, the soil is made up of equal parts of peat, leafy soil and sand. For adult plants, the soil is denser and consists of leaf and sod land, with the addition of sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5.
Transfer
Ficus Benjamin transplantation is carried out in several cases:
- with an annual transplant of young plants, when a replacement of the pot is required;
- in case of reproduction;
- when soil is depleted and drainage is replaced.
Usually transplantation is carried out in the spring. In order for the ficus to transfer the transplant painlessly, without damaging the root system, the plant transshipment method is used. In this case, the old earthen ball does not collapse, the roots remain intact, and we fill the gaps formed in the pot with fresh soil. After transplantation, the first watering of the plants is carried out only on the third day. If the room is very hot, dry and there is no way to ventilate without harming the plant, spraying the plant can be applied. If the ficus was purchased in a store, then the best time for a transplant would be the period after three to four weeks after purchase.
Fertilizers and top dressing
When growing ficus Benjamin, you can not do without top dressing and fertilizers. Fertilizer is produced from April to September, usually twice a week, alternating complex mineral and organic fertilizers. During the period when the foliage is actively growing on the plant, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are recommended. The fertilizer dissolves in water and is applied along with irrigation. As an organic top dressing, a mullein solution is used in a ratio of 1:10. In winter, Benjamin's ficus begins a dormant period, during which the plant does not need fertilizer.
Watering
There are no special rules for watering ficus Benjamin. It is produced as the soil dries out, which can be determined simply by feeling it with your hand. Overflowing ficus tolerates quite hard, so it is better to underfill the plant, since the plant tolerates drying out more easily than overflowing. But it is still better not to bring the plant to extreme conditions. To prevent the plant from overflowing, it is usually watered in several approaches, especially if the root ball is too dense and does not absorb moisture well. Excess water, if any, must be poured out of the pan. In winter, the plant is watered less often. Water for irrigation should stand for several days, or it must be boiled, cooled, and only then water the plant.
Temperature
Ficus Benjamin in terms of temperature content is a rather unpretentious plant. In the spring and summer months, the temperature for normal growth and development of the plant should be in the range from 20 to 25 degrees. The only thing to consider is that the plant does not tolerate drafts and the temperature fluctuations associated with it. In winter, when the plant has a dormant period, it has enough temperatures in the range of 16-18 degrees. If the plant is cold, you will notice it by yellowing leaves, which will begin to fall off over time. You should not be afraid when, with the onset of a dormant period, the plant begins to shed its leaves. It is in the order of things when in winter the ficus loses 10-15% of foliage.
Humidity
Ficus Benjamin is a moisture-loving plant. A comfortable level of air humidity for him is at the level of 70%. In the summer months, ficus requires regular spraying of the leaves, and the plant should be sprayed with boiled water at room temperature. Once every two weeks, the plant can be given a warm shower, also from boiled water, by installing a ficus in the bathroom. In winter, when heating devices are on, the humidity level is maintained with the help of air humidifiers or with the help of a container of water in the immediate vicinity of the ficus.
pruning
Ficus Benjamin pruning is done in late spring or early summer, when the plant has the highest growth rate. The attractiveness of this flower is that with the help of pruning it can be given a different shape. The most popular are the crowns of the plant in the form of a ball, a neat bush, in the Japanese bonsai style and in the form of various sculptures. There are a number of rules that should be followed when pruning Benjamin's ficus: the cut is made only with a sterilized tool at an angle to the upper edge, while you can not damage the bark, twist and cut off the leaves, and you should also try to maintain the natural appearance of the plant and take your time to cut branches that can be saved. Ficus Benjamin with woven trunks looks very attractive. This can be achieved by planting two or more young plants of the same height in one pot. Young ficuses are easy to braid, after removing branches and foliage in places of plexus. The coils of the plexus are fixed with electrical tape.
Pests and diseases
Common diseases of Benjamin's ficus are: botrytis - white bloom on the foliage due to overflow of the plant, cercosporosis - black dots on the underside of the leaf and anthracnose - drying of the edges of the sheet and the appearance of brown spots on them. To treat the plant, severely affected parts are removed, the plant itself is transferred to another place and provided with proper care, namely, proper watering and lighting, compliance with the humidity and temperature regime.
Of the pests, ficus Benjamin is most often affected by spider mites, aphids, scale insects and mealybugs.
A plant infected with a spider mite, if urgent treatment measures are not taken, dies. The fact is that this insect, sucking juice from foliage and other soft tissues, lays eggs within one to two weeks and multiplies exponentially. A preventive measure against the appearance of a spider mite is the steaming of drainage and soil, as well as regular spraying of the plant. If the spider mite has already appeared, then they fight it both with folk methods and with the help of chemicals.
Folk methods include washing the entire plant and pot with soapy water, which leads to a decrease in the mite population, and then water the plant abundantly, spray the leaves and cover it with a plastic bag. The fact is that this creates high humidity, from which the spider mite dies.
An alternative treatment is to spray the plant with chemicals such as Aktara. If the leaves of the plant are severely deformed, begin to curl and dry out, then this indicates that the plant has been damaged by such a pest as aphids, which reproduces no less rapidly than the spider mite. It is necessary to fight aphids by spraying the plants with tobacco, onion or garlic tincture, as well as tinctures from pepper, celandine and others. Also, the plant can be treated with insecticides and other chemicals.
If brown plaques are found on the stems of the plant, which are nothing more than a scale insect, the plant must be urgently isolated from other indoor plants. You can fight the scale insect quite effectively by wiping the affected areas of the plant with a soap-alcohol solution after you remove all insects from the plant with a damp cloth or toothbrush. Alcohol can be replaced with engine oil. This procedure is recommended to be carried out weekly until the complete destruction of pests. Another method of dealing with scabies is rubbing the affected areas with tinctures based on garlic, celandine or hot pepper. Of the chemicals, drugs such as Fitoverm or Akarin are the most effective.
To combat the mealybug, a soap-alcohol solution should be prepared, which is sprayed on the plant. The next day, the ficus is washed with warm water, and after another 3 days, the procedure is repeated again. Garlic tincture wipe the affected leaves. Chemical preparations such as phosphamide, actellik and others treat the leaves of the plant, sucking in the juice of which, the insects are poisoned and die. In the chemical methods of processing plants, in no case should one forget about personal safety by using protective equipment.
Bloom
At home, unlike in the wild, Benjamin's ficus practically does not bloom. Yes, and as such, there are no flowers, but there are inflorescences in the form of peas or berries with small holes for pollination by insects that live in a tropical climate.
reproduction
Reproduction of ficus Benjamin can be carried out in two ways: cuttings and leaf propagation. The most common method is the cutting method. For a cutting, a strong and healthy shoot is cut. Cut with a sharp sterilized scalpel or blade. The lower leaves are removed from the cutting. You can root the cuttings both in water and in the ground. To root the cutting in water, the cutting is placed in water by about 1 cm and regularly, adding water to replace the evaporated water, we wait for the roots to germinate. When the cutting takes root, it is clearly visible through the glass, it is planted in a separate pot in the ground for young ficuses. When rooting the cuttings in the ground, the cut of the cutting is washed in warm water and planted from the ground. A container with a planted cutting is placed in a plastic bag or covered with glass. This is how the greenhouse conditions necessary for the rooting of the cuttings in the ground are organized. After new leaves appear, indicating successful rooting, the plants dive into separate pots.
For leaf propagation, cut off the bottom leaf of the plant and place it in a container of water. The leaf should be cut with a small part of the stem. After new roots appear, the leaf is planted in the ground. You can immediately plant the cut leaf in the ground, but for its rooting you will have to create greenhouse conditions by placing the container in a bag or under a glass flask.
Plant toxicity / beneficial properties
The beneficial properties of ficus Benjamin include its ability to purify the air, but the milky juice of this ficus can cause allergies.Ficus Benjamin is one of the most common and popular indoor plants, which has high decorative qualities and is able to delight its owners with green foliage throughout the year.
However, its cultivation is a rather laborious process, especially in the first months after planting, but if you know all the nuances and subtleties of plant care, this process will become simple and easy.
A little about ficus
Ficus Benjamin (the photo is in the review) is an evergreen plant of the Mulberry family. Under natural conditions, it can be found in the tropics and subtropics of China, India, Australia, Asia, and the Philippines.
In nature, this is a large bush or tree up to 10-20 m high, in room conditions it can grow up to 1.5-3 m. The crown of Benjamin's ficus is wide and very beautiful. The trunk of the plant is gray with small strokes. Branches are inclined down. Ficus Benjamin leaves are dense, glossy, oval with an elongated tip. Color from light green to very dark. The central vein is not clearly expressed.
Indoor varieties
Ficus Benjamin has a huge variety of varieties that differ in size, shape and color of leaves, stem shape. Let's consider some of them.
- Exotic. The leaves are flat and soft, the color is rich green, length - up to 8 cm, width - up to 3.5 cm. Internodes up to 4 cm. The bush grows quickly.
- Daniel. The leaves are dark green, plain, glossy, dense and flat, the edges are straight. It grows very quickly - it grows by almost 30 cm per season.
- Monique. It differs in more delicate, thin, hanging branches and light, elongated, slightly wavy leaves along the edge.
- Nicole. The leaves are more elongated, with a light edge.
- Safari. The variety is distinguished by a tricolor color and obvious spotting.
- Baroque. It is considered the most unusual, original and difficult to grow variety. Each leaf of this very miniature plant is twisted in the form of a spiral.
Location in the house
Before you bring this plant into the house, you need to decide on its location - Benjamin's ficus, the photo of which is provided in the article, is very difficult to change places, and after moving it most often sheds foliage. If this trouble happens shortly after the purchase, then you should not be scared and upset, because this is normal. Providing proper care to the plant will help it adapt. The place in the room must be chosen well-lit, but without direct sunlight. The plant does not like drafts and cold. The air temperature should not be lower than 15°C, relative humidity - 50-70%.
Features of care
In order for Benjamin's ficus to be able to constantly delight with its green chic crown and attract all the eyes of guests, it needs to provide timely and proper care. It is not super complicated, but it is still necessary for the plant to provide certain conditions.
Lighting and temperature
Depending on the color of the foliage, the optimal area for the location of the plant is selected, taking into account the lighting. For dark green ficuses, light penumbra and diffused light are suitable, and bushes with variegated light leaves, on the contrary, are very demanding on the intensity of lighting, but areas with direct sunlight should be avoided.
Ficus Benjamin is a heat-loving plant, in summer the optimum temperature should be 25-30 ° C, in winter not lower than 18 ° C. When the temperature is insufficient, the leaves are shed.
Watering
In summer, watering ficus Benjamin should be moderate, as the surface of the top layer of the earth dries up. Recommended abundant spraying in the morning and evening, washing the leaves.
Water the plant for uniform moistening in several stages, draining excess water from the pan that has passed through the drainage.
In winter, watering is reduced. Water is used settled or filtered, the soil is loosened before watering.
Ficus should be watered carefully, because with an excess of soil moisture, its root system is prone to decay. The soil should dry out between waterings.
Plant nutrition
For the normal growth of the plant, the formation of a lush and dense crown of a saturated color, it is important to take care of complete feeding. For this, universal flower fertilizers are used. They are introduced from spring to late autumn. At the same time, mineral and organic varieties alternate.
The introduction of concentrated dressings is carried out when watering the plant. The dosage is calculated depending on the growth rate: the faster the ficus grows, the more often it needs to be fed.
crown formation
By pinching, pruning, weaving branches and trunks, a plant can easily be given a varied look.
There are some of the most common ways to form a ficus crown, including:
- single and multi-tier stem;
- bonsai;
- domed and spherical crown;
- various sculptures.
The formation of a tree is best done in the spring. It is easiest to form a young plant, because it is actively and rapidly growing. Pruning helps awaken dormant buds, from which new shoots then grow and the plant becomes more magnificent. In addition, with the help of pruning, you can ennoble a strongly overgrown and unattractive ficus. Secateurs before this procedure must be disinfected with alcohol or a weak solution.
In the plant to be pruned, it is necessary to determine the main bush, it is impossible to cut it by more than 20 cm, but the side branches are cut according to creative need and desire. Slices after trimming must be treated with crushed coal.
A standard plant can be formed from a ficus by removing the lower branches and forming a dense crown with pruning.
The intertwined trunks of several plants can look very interesting and impressive. To obtain such a decorative effect, several young ficuses are planted in one pot and, as they grow, their trunks are intertwined, braided into a pigtail or other shape.
Ficus Benjamin: transplant
Looking at how the plant grows and becomes prettier, one should not forget that not only the number of branches and leaves is added. Month after month, the ficus increases the volume of the root system, and the soil, even with constant top dressing, begins to gradually become impoverished.
Ficus Benjamin transplantation will help to correct this situation.
It is usually done when the roots of the plant are thickly braided with an earthen ball, and they emerge from the drainage hole. But it is better not to allow this and perform a planned transplant.
Before transplanting ficus Benjamin into another pot, you must select a suitable container. The younger the plant, the more actively it increases the root mass, so it is transplanted annually into pots, 2-3 cm larger in diameter than before. Adult ficuses are transplanted 2-3 times less often. At home, this is carried out in spring or autumn.
The best soil for ficus is ready-made universal, bought in a specialized store. But you can make your own mixture at home, consisting of equal parts of leafy and soddy soil, sand and grassroots peat. Drainage must be laid at the bottom of the tank.
Ficus Benjamin transplantation is carried out as follows: after watering, the plant is removed from the old pot, the old earth is removed, the flower is carefully transferred to a new container and sprinkled with fresh soil.
After transplantation, the plant adapts and it may begin to shed its leaves. There is no need to worry about this, the ficus will soon develop rapidly again.
Reproduction of ficus Benjamin at home
The most favorable time for the reproduction of ficus is spring and early summer. This is due to the fact that during this period there is an active growth of foliage and roots.
Reproduction of Benjamin's ficus at home is best done using cuttings, since the cuttings give good roots both in soil and in water. The second method is seed, but it is used extremely rarely.
How to root ficus Benjamin?
The upper cuttings, on which there are leaves, are cut off and placed in a container with water. The leaves should not get wet, otherwise rotting may occur. As the water evaporates, it should be topped up periodically. After 2-3 weeks, callus tissue will appear on the stems in the form of growths. After some time, roots form at this place, after which the cutting is planted in the soil substrate.
If the cutting is planted in the ground, it can be covered with a jar to create the effect of greenhouse conditions. Before you root Benjamin's ficus, you need to prepare the ground. It is advisable to disinfect it by heating in a steam bath for 30 minutes.
Problems in growing ficus
Ficus Benjamin has some growing difficulties that you need to pay attention to:
- Dry leaf tips in winter indicate a lack of indoor air humidity. Most often this is due to turning off the heating. In this case, it is necessary to increase the frequency of spraying and organize artificial lighting. This will help the flower wait for spring.
- If a plant suddenly begins shedding leaves, this should alert its owner. So the flower can respond to sudden changes in the conditions of detention, for example, to a decrease in temperature, the appearance of a draft, a change of place, abundant watering in winter, when, on the contrary, it was necessary to reduce the amount of moisture.
- The change of season in any plant causes yellowing and shedding of leaves. Ficus is also no exception. But if Benjamin's ficus turns yellow at another time - what to do? There are two main reasons why this happens: the first is an excess of water that can kill the plant, the second is too low a temperature. These causes must be eliminated.
- If the flower does not grow and develop for a long time, you need to evaluate whether the size of the pot is chosen correctly. If the pot is too large for the size of the plant, the roots will begin to wither, stop growing and die. On the contrary, tight capacity prevents the formation and development of the crown.
If, after correcting errors in the care and maintenance of the flower, there is no improvement, you need to pay attention to the presence of diseases and pests.
Diseases and pests of ficus
Among the most common diseases that affect Benjamin's ficus, the following can be noted:
- Anthracnose. Dark brown spots develop into ulcers. If left untreated, the ficus will die. Control methods: removal of affected leaves, fungicide treatment, reduction of spraying and watering, frequent airing.
- Cerskoporosis. Small black dots appear on the back of the leaf. Treatment - as with anthracnose.
- Dropsy. With this disease, cork growths form on the back of the leaf. Treatment: remove affected leaves and provide proper care.
The main pests of Benjamin's ficus are spider mites, thrips and aphids.
The most dangerous among them is the spider mite. The pest damages the flower very quickly and adapts to many chemicals. That is why the fight against it should be started at the first signs of the disease. To destroy this pest, you can use folk methods, for example, garlic tincture, leaf treatment with laundry soap, or apply an insecticide.
Any home plant needs care, without which it will not be able to grow normally. The transplant is part of this care. To approach the matter responsibly, you need to study the features of a particular flower, its requirements for the volume and composition of the soil. Let's talk about transplanting homemade ficuses.
Transplanting houseplants is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, over time, the flower becomes crowded in an old pot. The root system grows simultaneously with the growth of the plant itself. The appearance of roots from the drainage hole can serve as a signal for the need for a ficus transplant.
It is also necessary to transplant the plant due to the fact that over time the soil is depleted, there are no nutrients left in it at all and the flower stops growing. In the water with which we water our ficuses, there are various impurities and salts, which after a certain time spoil the substrate and begin to harm the roots.
The transfer may be forced. The plant must be urgently freed from the old soil if:
- the pot suddenly broke;
- the earth acquired an unpleasant musty smell;
- there is a suspicion of root rot or the appearance of pests.
Important! If urgent measures are not taken, the ficus may die.
The best time to transplant ficuses is early spring. Even if the plant does not require a dormant period in winter, all its vital processes slow down, it receives little light and therefore hardly vegetates. In the spring, the phase of active growth begins and it is necessary to transplant the ficus even before the start of these processes, then the transplant will be the least traumatic.
You can transplant a flower in the fall, while there are warm sunny days. Then the injured roots will be able to recover before the start of the difficult winter period. Autumn transplantation is most often resorted to because of an urgent need. The plant may grow too large over the summer, or the soil in the pot may become compacted and caked and needs to be replaced immediately.
How often should ficuses be transplanted?
- Young specimens of large species grow rapidly, so they require an annual transplant.
- Adult plants are transplanted less often - once every 2-3 years or even less often.
Experts advise once again not to disturb adult ficuses, the roots do not like it when they are injured by a transplant. If the plant is sitting in a huge pot or tub, you can simply replace the topsoil.
Ficus is a tropical plant, so it is important for it that the root system does not overcool. Given this, it is better to choose a plastic pot for your green pet. Glass and ceramic containers are not suitable; in winter, their walls on the windowsill become too cold and the roots will freeze.
If you are confused by the unpresentable appearance of a plastic pot, you can pick up a beautiful glass planter for it - then the flower will also serve as an interior decoration. The advantage of this approach is that a boring planter can be replaced with another at any time.
Pots with automatic watering have become an innovation in home floriculture. They are quite expensive, but allow you to forget about watering for 2-3 weeks. A special indicator shows the liquid level at the bottom. All that is required from the plant owner is to add 1-2 glasses of water to the tank in a timely manner. This is very convenient for those who have a lot of plants in the house or when the owner of the apartment often goes on vacation and business trips.
The size of a ficus pot depends on the volume of its root system. The new container should be 2-3 cm wider and 3 cm higher than the previous one. Ficuses definitely need a drainage layer, so the pot should be quite high.
The soil should be nutritious and loose at the same time. According to the composition for ficuses, the following mixture is recommended:
- 2 parts of leaf land;
- 2 parts of sod land;
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part coarse sand.
Expanded clay or brick chips are used as drainage.
Note: instead of sand, agroperlite can be added to the soil, it absorbs excess moisture, and then slowly gives it to the roots of the plant. Agroperlite also increases the air permeability of the soil. It is inexpensive and is sold in any flower shop.
You can also purchase ready-made soil for ficuses. It takes into account all the needs of this particular type of plant.
- It is better not to water the plant before transplanting, as it is easier to remove it from the old pot. The walls of a plastic or shipping container should be lightly crushed so that the soil falls behind them more easily.
- It is better to cover the place for work with old newspapers or film - this will facilitate subsequent cleaning.
- The next step is to prepare the soil, a new pot, a watering can with water, a small spatula or a scoop.
- A layer of drainage 3-5 cm thick is poured at the bottom of the container, depending on the size of the pot.
- About 1/3 of the soil is poured onto the drainage layer, leveled with a spatula.
- The ficus is carefully removed from the pot, keeping the earthen ball, and placed in a new pot.
- The voids along the edges of the pot are covered with fresh soil, after which the soil is lightly tamped.
- The newly planted ficus is abundantly watered with settled warm water. After the first watering, be sure to arrange a light drying.
On a note! If the root system has been damaged as a result of improper care, it is cleaned from the ground as much as possible, inspected and removed all damaged areas. After this, the places of the cuts are powdered with charcoal.
Reproduction of ficus by a shoot can be combined with spring pruning. This procedure will help to perform two tasks at once: to give the necessary shape to the crown of the mother plant and to obtain planting material. A spring cutting is more likely to take root well before the onset of autumn.
Only mature, semi-lignified shoots are suitable for propagation by a shoot. A shoot taken from the crown of the ficus will be stronger and more viable, since in the upper part of the crown all metabolic processes are more active. You also need to pay attention to the presence of a healthy leaf bud at the top of the shoot.
For self-planting, shoots are taken 12-15 cm long with two or three internodes. The stalk is cut off only with a sharp tool so as not to crumple the tissue of the tree (cambium). The cut is made 5 mm below the internode at an angle of 45 °, the wound on the tree is sprinkled with crushed coal.
Then the cuttings are washed under running water or soaked for a short time to get rid of the milky juice. If this is not done, a film may form on the cut, which will prevent the growth of roots. The leaves are treated differently, depending on the type of ficus.
In varieties with small leaves, the lower part of the cutting is bare, leaving only a few upper leaves. If the shoot is large-leaved, part of the leaf is cut off, and the remaining portion of the leaf plate is twisted into a tube and secured with an elastic band to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture.
To stimulate root growth, cuttings can be treated with special preparations for root formation and cross-shaped notches can be made on the cut. Rooting is carried out in two ways: in water and substrate. Everyone chooses the most convenient way for himself.
When the cutting is placed in a glass of water for rooting, it is necessary to ensure that the leaves remain in the air, otherwise they will quickly rot. From above, you can cover the stalk with a bag to reduce the evaporation of moisture. When the water level decreases, it is gradually added.
After about a week, the appearance of callus can be observed on the cut. It looks like the appearance of a light growth at the end of the cutting. Soon the roots will grow. When their size reaches 2-3 centimeters, the shoot is planted in its own pot. At first, you can keep it in a greenhouse to facilitate the rooting process.
A small plastic cup or small pot is suitable for rooting a ficus shoot in the substrate. The substrate is best disinfected. After calcining it in the oven or spilling it with a solution of potassium permanganate. For rooting, a mixture of 2 parts of peat, 2 parts of washed sand and 1 part of vermiculite is most suitable. It is better to mix the components in advance so that the soil can acquire the necessary structure in 2-3 days.
The milky juice is washed off the cuttings and the cut is powdered with "Kornevin" or crushed coal. The cutting is planted in the ground so that the lower node remains above the surface. Rooting is possible only at high humidity and a temperature of 28-30 ° C, so for ficus it is necessary to build a greenhouse.
The shelter is raised twice a day for ventilation. The necessary temperature conditions can be provided by a special heated mat designed for plants or a nearby battery. On average, it will take a month for the roots to appear.
Please note that the rooted shoot is not planted in too much land. The size of the pot at each stage of growth should correspond to the volume of the ficus root system.
No matter how carefully you transplant, it is still a traumatic operation for the plant. In ficus, growth may stop, the leaves will partially fly around. This is normal and you shouldn't panic. It is better to reduce watering in the first days after transplantation, but spray the crown more often. After a slight drying, the plant is watered again.
Feeding is temporarily suspended for two reasons. First, there are enough nutrients in fresh soil. The stock of microelements in the soil is enough for the plant for 1.5-2 months. Secondly, it is necessary that the wounds on the roots completely heal before fertilizers begin to flow to the root system. After 2 months, you can return to the usual feeding regime - 1 time in two weeks.
- Ficus requirements for soil composition are not taken into account. Each type of plant has its own needs, determined by nature. It is imperative to select soil with the correct acidity (neutral or slightly acidic soil is necessary for ficuses), a certain combination of components. Some flowers like heavier soil, others need light and breathable soil. If you doubt that you can properly compose the soil mixture, it is better to buy a special substrate specifically for ficuses.
- When planting, some neglect the laying of the drainage layer. and completely in vain. Drainage will allow the roots to not sit "in the swamp" in case of accidental overflow. The roots of many plants, including ficuses, are sensitive to excess moisture and easily rot in damp soil.
- The wrong pot. Do not try to take a large pot right away in order to avoid transplants for a long time. The soil not mastered by the roots easily turns sour, acquires an unpleasant odor, the plant does not feel well in such conditions. As a result, you still have to make a transplant.
- Transfer at the wrong time. Experienced flower growers always coordinate their plantings with the lunar calendar. It is believed that if a plant is transplanted on a growing moon, it will grow faster and get sick less.
Ficus transplant: video
If you do everything according to the rules, the ficus will delight you with a lush green crown and decorate your home with its presence. Possessing a large green mass, these plants actively enrich the air with oxygen and purify it from harmful impurities. Signs say that a well-groomed ficus in the house will bring prosperity, prosperity and comfort to its owners.
Ficus elastica, better known as rubbery ficus, is one of the most common potted crops. This plant filters the air, purifies it of harmful substances and saturates it with oxygen. In addition, ficus elastica is considered a symbol of the family hearth.
Does rubber ficus require special care, how to properly organize the place, and what kind of microclimate is needed for this plant? More on everything below.
What should be the soil for rubber ficus
Rubber ficus is not a "capricious" plant. But he also needs to create all the necessary conditions for full development.
Ficus loves mixed soil, which ideally should consist of 4 components: peat, leaf humus, soddy soil and sand. In flower shops, you can buy ready-made mixtures for planting ficuses, or you can cook it yourself from universal soil and river sand.
Did you know? Rubber ficus at home can grow up to 1 m in height. But this is nothing compared to the size of the "wild" species of ficus, the crown of which can rise 30 m from the ground.
Optimal lighting, temperature and humidity
In order to decide where to put rubber ficus, you need to know three facts about this plant.
- Direct sunlight is contraindicated for him - the ficus loves bright diffused light.
- The optimum temperature for the plant is 20-25°C. In the summer heat, the ficus can withstand up to 30 ° C, and in winter it can withstand up to 15 ° C. But the plant will not be able to stay in such conditions for a long time.
- Elastic likes moderate air and soil humidity. With an excess of moisture, the plant sheds foliage and slowly fades.
Watering rubber ficus
Maintaining moderate soil moisture is one of the most important rules for caring for ficus. An excess of moisture in a pot of rubbery ficus prevents the crown from forming properly and leads to a slow withering of the rhizome - the heart of the plant. The appearance of red spots on the leaves is a sure sign of oversaturation with moisture.
In the summer, water the ficus 1-2 times a week, in the winter 1 time is enough. In order to check if the plant needs watering, dip your finger into the pot to a depth of 2-3 cm, if the soil is dry, moisten it. The leaves also need to be sprayed and wiped, but rather to get rid of dust than to moisten. This should be taken into account for those who do not know how to make the ficus branch, because this simple procedure helps to increase the number of branches and leaves.
Important! Plants also like to take warm showers, and ficus is no exception. Put the flower pot in the bathroom, cover the soil with a film and use a shower head to pour warm water over the crown.
When is top dressing needed, and how to do it correctly
Ficus needs soil rich in vitamins and nutrients, so “saturation” of the soil is an important part of caring for this houseplant. Feeding the flower should begin in April, when the ficus only wakes up after winter, and stop in September.
You can buy ready-made fertilizers for rubber ficus, but for its full growth, you need to alternate mineral and organic (nitrogen-containing) stimulants. In order not to burn the roots, it is necessary to water the soil before feeding, and only then fertilize it.
How to properly trim and arrange the crown of a rubbery ficus
In order for the ficus to become a lush and branched bush, it is necessary to cut its branches from time to time. The end of winter - the beginning of spring is the best time for crown formation, but only adult bushes that have reached 50-70 cm are subject to pruning.
If the ficus is stretching up and you don't know what to do, then just cut off the top of the bush. How much you need to cut in order to properly form the crown depends on the height of the ficus. For lower bushes, it is enough to remove 3-4 internodes, for high ones - 5-7. This is quite enough to stimulate the growth of the ficus crown, the appearance of new branches and young foliage.
Important! Do not rush to throw away extra branches. The cut tops of the bushes can and should be rooted!
When caring for rubber ficus, you need to know not only how to form a crown, but also how to stimulate the appearance of new side branches.
There are two ways to make the crown lush and thick:
Change the position of the stem. So you outsmart the plant: the top becomes a side branch and slows down its growth, and the side becomes the top and begins to grow.
Make a hole in the stem. Using a needle or awl, make a hole 1/3 the thickness of the stem. A new shoot will grow through this hole.
Ficus propagation
One of the most important gardening skills is the ability to properly propagate a flower.
Ficus elastica is one of the few houseplants that is difficult to grow this way. A leaf can be put in water, left in a warm place, and it will even give a spine, but, as a rule, it does not go further than this. Ficus needs a trunk to take root.
Reproduction by cuttings
This method of propagation of elastic is more efficient, but also more laborious.
Ficus rubber has its own characteristics of propagation by cuttings, and when doing this at home, you need to take the following steps:
- Cut the cutting at a 45°C angle.
- Substitute the cut point under a stream of water until all the juice has drained.
- Leave the cutting in water or soil until the root shoot appears.
- To speed up the process, make a mini-greenhouse - cover the pot with soil with a film. In order for the sprouted stalk to take root, it must be treated with Kornevin before planting.
Did you know? Not all ficuses can be propagated by cuttings. Variegated species are accepted only by the air withdrawal method. To do this, an incision is made in the trunk, a match is inserted so that the cut does not grow together. Then the cut point is covered with wet sphagnum moss and wrapped in cling film. The part of the trunk with the root that has appeared is cut off and planted in the ground.
Plant transplant
Like most indoor plants, ficus should be repotted in spring or early summer. The new pot should be 3-4 cm wider than the previous one.
As you know, ficus is one of the most spectacular plants for home and office. But he is rather capricious and an incorrectly chosen place or irrigation regime will almost certainly affect the condition of the flower,. The ficus pot also matters and directly affects the growth rate.
How to choose a pot for ficus?
For young plants, standard pots are quite suitable, but adults need large tubs with a volume of several tens of liters. It is worth choosing a container taking into account the shape, size and type of plant.
- What shape is needed for a ficus pot? For most representatives of this species, the standard model, in which the height is approximately equal to the diameter, is quite suitable. For example, such a pot is suitable for. The only exceptions are those plants that are grown using the bonsai technique. Then you need to pick up flat pots or bowls, in which the height of the sides is not more than 10 cm. In this case, for ficus Benjamin, you need a pot in the form of a bowl or container, preferably made of clay and without a glossy finish.
- The size of the ficus pot is selected depending on the development and size of the root system. Ideally, the container should have a good drainage hole, from the roots to the walls of the pot should be at least 2 cm. The new pot should be only 2-3 cm wider than the old one. If you pick up too much capacity, this can lead to root rot or even death of the plant. And for some species, space is generally contraindicated.
- What pot is needed for ficus in terms of material? Everything is simple here. For this plant, a container made of plastic, clay or ceramics is quite suitable. There is only one condition: the plant should not be exposed to chemical attack from the material. An ideal pot for a ficus no older than one year is made of uncoated clay; for an older plant, a tub of wood or plastic is quite suitable.
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