Ficus in autumn and winter. Ficus Benjamin: the secrets of proper cultivation at home What temperature can ficus benjamin withstand

The evergreen houseplant Ficus Benjamina was named after the famous British botanist Jackson Benjamin Deidon. Ficus Benjamin belongs to the Mulberry or Moraceae family and is a very popular houseplant among flower growers both in our country and abroad.

General information

Benjamin's ficuses are incredibly popular with lovers of indoor floriculture, masters of phytodesign and interior landscaping. Compliance with proper care contributes to the fairly rapid growth of Benjamin. The plant can reach a height of two or more meters.

The most popular among flower growers are the following types and varieties of ficus:

• ficus Danielle;
• ficus Exotica;
• ficus Monique;
• ficus Barok;
• variegated ficus Starlight;
• variegated ficus Reginald;
• small-leaved ficus Natasja;
• small-leaved ficus Kinky;
• small-leaved ficus Wiandi.

Description

Ficus Benjamin has erect shoots, a round stem part and very peculiar foliage. The leaves can be glossy, smooth, thin leathery, oblong-oval, and have a pointed apex. The average length of the leaves varies from 6 to 13 centimeters, the width can vary from 2 to 6 centimeters.

Whole-edge leaves are arranged alternately and are formed in the same plane. The pinnate-loop-like type of venation is characteristic, the central vein is weakly expressed and branches into eight or more lateral veins. The length of the petiole rarely exceeds a couple of centimeters. The color of the bark is gray with slight patches of brown. The crown is wide, the type of branches is drooping.

Benefit and harm

Benjamin's ficuses are practically harmless, however, growing these plants in room conditions requires caution if there is a tendency to allergic reactions, which is associated with the peculiarities of the ficus milky juice. The main benefits brought by this plant can be considered purification and improvement of indoor air quality. This property is due the ability of ficus to absorb toxic substances such as formaldehyde, phenols and benzenes.

In some countries, Benjamin's ficus is used as a remedy for oncological diseases of the female genital organs. Tinctures from the leaves of this variety of ficus are used for diseases such as osteochondrosis, sciatica and arthritis.

How to prune ficus Benjamin (video)

plant care

Benjamin's ficuses are unpretentious and easily withstand insufficient professional care, which makes it possible to recommend their cultivation even to beginner growers, as well as people with limited free time.

Microclimate

A permanent place for the plant should be well lit. A good option is a window sill. In summer, Benjamin's ficus can be taken out to a balcony or loggia, but the plant should be protected from precipitation and wind.

For ficus Benjamin, direct sunlight is a significant danger. Therefore, it is important to shade the plant. In winter, the ficus will have to be illuminated with fluorescent lamps. The temperature should not fall below 15 degrees Celsius. The plant should be protected from sudden temperature fluctuations.

Too low a humidity level in the room can harm the ficus. To ensure sufficient moisture, it is necessary to spray and rinse the plant frequently with warm and clean water.

Watering and fertilizing

Watering is carried out after the top layer has dried three centimeters deep. Ficuses tolerate a slight overdrying of the soil more easily than a flood of soil. Watering should ensure an even distribution of moisture over the earthen coma. Excess moisture should not accumulate in the tray under the flower pot. For irrigation, it is recommended to use settled water at room temperature.

The first couple of months after planting or transplanting, the plant does not need to be fed. Further, special fertilizers are used for feeding, which are sold in flower shops. Ficus Benjamin is fertilized in spring and summer. Fertilization is carried out twice a week. Alternate organic with mineral fertilizers.

At the stage of active growth and development of the plant, fertilizers should be applied, which contain a significant amount of nitrogen. Fertilizer must be added to the water when watering. In winter, the plant goes into the resting stage and ceases to need additional feeding.

Plant transplant

Ficus Benjamin transplantation is required in case of:

• complete braiding of the earth coma with the root system of the plant;
• too fast drying of the soil after watering;
• exposing the root system of the plant and insufficient size of the flower pot.

At the bottom of the new pot, two centimeters of drainage should be laid, two centimeters of a high-quality planting soil substrate, then the plant is transferred from the old container to a new one by transshipment. Next, the entire volume of the pot with the plant should be filled with soil.

For ficus, the transplant process is stressful. Immediately after transplanting, there is a slowdown in development or fall of foliage. Watering during this period is recommended to be partially replaced by spraying.

plant pruning

Proper pruning of the ficus not only helps the plant to acquire the desired shape, but also allows you to rejuvenate it. The formation of the crown consists in shortening and pruning the branches, as well as directing them in the right direction through the use of stretches. In order to form a more lush and beautiful crown of the plant, pruning of the shoots should be carried out in the spring. The activation of the growth process after winter rest is the most optimal period for pruning.

Plant diseases

Indoor plants can often be affected by various microorganisms that cause diseases. Ficus Benjamin is no exception and can be affected by diseases as a result of:

• unsuitable lighting for the plant;
• violations of the temperature regime and indicators of humidity during cultivation;
• violations of the irrigation regime.

Plants weakened by improper care are often affected by infectious and fungal diseases, among which the following are especially frequent:

• powdery mildew;
• cercosporosis;
• anthracnose;
• black or black fungus;
• root rot.

For the purpose of treatment and prevention of diseases, treatments are carried out with special fungicides.

Ficus Benjamina can be attacked by a variety of insect pests. Among them:

• mealybug;
• scab;
• flower aphid;
• spider mites.

Ficus Benjamina: transplant (video)

Ficus Benjamin is an excellent plant for indoor floriculture. From other varieties of ficus, this houseplant compares favorably with elegance and unpretentiousness, which makes it the favorite of most beginner flower growers. Compliance with simple rules will allow you to grow a very useful and beautiful plant with minimal time and effort.

Ficus is a traditional interior decoration of many apartments and offices in our country. It is believed that he brings happiness to the house where he lives. Not particularly demanding on the conditions of detention, the ficus has a noble exotic look. In captivity, it grows for a long time, but it does not require much attention to itself. Juicy bright ficus foliage looks attractive and pleases the eye for many years. An additional advantage of ficus is that it can be placed in the bedroom.

Ficus is undemanding in care. Feels good both in a lighted place, and with slight shading. In conditions of strong temperature fluctuations, it demonstrates amazing endurance. Most of the diseases characteristic of other indoor plants bypass it. In general, subject to simple rules, ficuses will bring joy for a long time with their magnificent appearance.

For ficus, it is advisable to choose a place on the spacious windowsill of a window facing east or west. The preferred air temperature at which the plant will feel good is + 25-30 degrees. Comfortable winter temperature for ficus ranges from + 16-20 degrees. With an increase in this indicator, it is required to spray the plant more often.

To increase the life of the ficus, it is still desirable to protect it from temperature fluctuations, drafts and hypothermia of the soil in which its root system is located. Try to place the pots on an insulated surface. In summer, the plant is allowed to be taken out to fresh air, taking into account its susceptibility to permutations. If the ficus feels good in its usual place, then it is better not to move it.

This plant loves good light. There are types of ficuses that take root very well, staying at a distance from a light source not exceeding 1.5 meters, and if the room as a whole is sufficiently lit. Variegated ficuses are especially susceptible to lighting. In any case, the light falling on the crown should be diffused. Otherwise, burn spots on the foliage cannot be avoided.

In conditions of lack of light, the branches of the ficus can stretch out and the size of the leaves will noticeably decrease. This is eliminated by the installation of auxiliary artificial lighting. Such lighting in the cold season will not interfere with all types of ficus.

How often to water in the warm season?

If you have a loggia or a balcony, it will be very useful if you take a cozy place for the ficus there for the warm season. Despite the fact that the ficus is quite photophilous, the direct rays of the sun are contraindicated for it. Therefore, the place for the summer habitat of the plant should be bright, but inaccessible to sunlight.

Important! Ficus in the summer needs moderate watering as the surface layer of the soil dries up to about half the height of the pots.

Since the air is quite dry during the summer heat, the plant must be sprayed up to twice a week. And you also need to wipe the leaves more often with a damp cotton cloth.

Ficus grows rapidly in summer, so it needs to be fed every 14 days with formulations that include both organic and mineral fertilizers.

Ficus prices

How often to water in the cold season?

Particular attention during this period should be paid to the humidity of the air in the room where the ficus lives. This factor is the most significant for the normal life of the plant. In winter, our apartments are intensively heated and the air becomes too dry. For ficus, this is harmful, so you should take the necessary measures to humidify the air in the room with the plant.

Ficus needs spraying with water at room temperature. It is allowed to use special humidifiers that can be found on sale to humidify the air. If in winter the air in the room is very dry due to powerful heating devices, it is recommended to fill the pallets. To humidify the air near the plant, a mini-fountain is well suited, which will also serve as an excellent interior decoration. If it is not possible to purchase a humidifier or fountain, it is recommended to place a water tank next to the ficus.

In winter, a specially constructed plant will also help protect the plant from excessive dryness of the air. In a poorly lit room where there is not enough moisture, the plant will lose leaves. Under such unfavorable conditions, the leaves may also turn yellow. If, after the discovery of this formidable sign of malaise, the plant does not take action, then it will inevitably die. That is why it is necessary to take care of sufficient lighting from the very beginning.

It is also important for the proper care of the tree in cold weather and the quality of the water used for irrigation. It is not recommended to use tap water for this purpose. It is advisable to water the plant only with water that has been previously settled and heated to +30 degrees.

Important! Water the plant in winter as often as it needs it, but less often than in summer.

In winter, experts do not recommend transplanting ficus. And also do not advise to feed the plant. It is preferable to perform such actions in the spring. Loosening the soil will help slightly improve its composition in winter due to oxygen saturation. The surface layer of soil, which protects the plant from pathogens, should be kept intact at the same time.

How to water ficus?

Water taken from the tap must be settled or filtered before watering. Otherwise, lime, which is found in large quantities in tap water, can harm the plant. During settling, the water will heat up to the required temperature, and the chlorine, which is part of it, will have time to evaporate.

To free water from excessive hardness, it is useful to boil it. After that, it should cool down to ambient temperature. As the liquid cools, excess lime will gradually settle to the bottom. Therefore, when further pouring water into the irrigation tank, care must be taken. It is undesirable to shake the vessel. Liquid residues with a high concentration of lime must be disposed of.

Rain water or melted snow can be used to moisten the soil. To obtain melt water, it can also be frozen in the freezer, and then melted at room temperature. It is permissible to use aquarium water for watering ficus. When using untreated tap water for irrigation, an ugly white coating may appear on the leaves and soil surface. And if the surface layer of the soil can be easily removed and filled with clean earth, then this plaque is removed from the foliage with difficulty, while the appearance of the ficus may suffer.

The amount of liquid for irrigation is selected individually for each particular plant and depends on the stage of development of the ficus, the season, the quality of the soil, and external circumstances, such as air humidity, temperature, and illumination of the room.

How to water a ficus

Table. Step-by-step instructions for watering ficus.

Steps, photo	Description of actions
	It is necessary to deepen the finger into the soil to a depth of 7 centimeters. Watering should be done if the soil feels dry to the touch. And if it sticks to your fingers, then watering is not necessary.
	This is necessary so that it is better saturated with oxygen. You can use a stick or spatula.
	Watering is done slowly. It is necessary to ensure that the earth is well saturated with moisture.
	It is carried out if moisture has not begun to appear in the pan. After half an hour, this excess water should be poured out.
	If necessary, the crown is sprayed.

Video - Ficus at home: care, watering, leaf spray

Watering ficus of any variety is carried out in compliance with certain rules:

• the soil should have time to dry between waterings;
• the regularity of watering depends on many factors (humidity, air temperature, light, etc.), so you need to monitor the soil to determine when watering is required;
• in the warm season, ficus is watered more often than in the cool season;
• to indicate the need for watering, an external examination is not enough - it is necessary to check the ground at a depth of up to 7 cm;
• the water used to water the ficus should not be cold.

What does improper watering ficus lead to?

When a tree grows in favorable conditions, the foliage grows more intensively than it dies off. The initial stage of malaise is manifested in the suspension of the formation of young shoots and foliage. After that, the leaves turn pale, and then the tree begins to intensively get rid of them.

The most likely reasons for the rapid loss of foliage by a tree include improper watering. It is undesirable to allow excess moisture during irrigation, as well as increased dryness of the land.

From excess moisture, the foliage of the plant becomes yellow and flies around in large numbers, there are 2-3 dozen leaves a day. To avoid such a problem, it is necessary to take care of good drainage when transplanting the plant into a new pot. Expanded clay, birch charcoal and vermiculite have proven themselves as drainage for ficus (the latter also protects the plant from fungus).

A sign that watering is carried out in insufficient quantities and the soil regularly dries up is the rapid loss of foliage. But first, foliage with a prominent yellowness begins to appear on the tree. In this case, the dropping of leaves occurs more than normal. With a constant lack of moisture, the loss of leaves occurs in an enhanced mode.

Another reason for dropping leaves can be hypothermia of ficus roots. That is why it is undesirable to put pots with a plant in winter on a windowsill and at any time of the year on a stone floor. If you use cold water to water the ficus, this will be a signal for him about the onset of negative environmental conditions.

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Feng Shui teaches that this plant helps to focus, promotes clarity of thought and energetic work. In general, it is a necessary attribute in the office of any self-respecting boss. We know many of its names (fig, fig, fig), it is grown in flower pots and large tubs, used in medicine and industry, one of the species is the official symbol of Bangkok , the other - the sacred tree of Muslims and Buddhists.Today Women's magazine Charla dedicates his story to ficus, and specifically to one of its species, known as ficus benjamina.

ficus benjamina is one of the most popular plants for indoor floriculture. In terms of the number of varieties, depending on the size, shape and color of the leaves, it occupies a leading position among its relatives.
Ficus Benjamin got its name due to a special substance - benzoin resin, which is obtained from this plant.

Ficus Benjamin: general characteristics

The homeland of the plant are countries with a hot humid climate: the Philippines, China, Australia. India. In open ground, the plant can reach 20 m in height. At home, ficus grows up to 3 meters.

The plant has the appearance of a tree or shrub with grayish bark, drooping branches and oblong leaves. The color of the leaves can be very different: plain, bordered, variegated. The edge of the sheet is straight or wavy, there are species with a twisted leaf shape.

Fruit ficus benjamina inedible, oblong or spherical in shape, orange to burgundy in color.

Ficus Benjamin: care

ficus benjamina- a real nerd. Therefore, the first thing to do when bringing the plant home is to choose a permanent place for it. If it is rearranged, rotated and moved, it can seriously “take offense” and drop leaves.
The choice of location must be approached very responsibly: ficus benjamina does not like cold, darkness, drafts.

The air temperature for good ficus growth at home should be about 25 ° C in summer and 16 ° C during the cold period. In general, the minimum temperature at which the plant can live is at least 10 degrees for most species and at least 15 degrees for varieties with variegated leaves.

A pot or tub with ficus should be in a well-ventilated area, but without drafts.

The air humidity has ficus benjamina great importance. Ideally, it should reach 70% or at least 50%. In hot summers, as well as in winter, when the air in the room is quite dry, the ficus must be sprayed periodically, and about once a month a full shower should be arranged.

Remember the old woman from the nursery rhyme who “washed the ficus on the window”? The old woman was wrong and you should not take risks, otherwise you will get a bare trunk as a punishment. “Washing” of ficus is a serious procedure that requires attention.

To do this, the flower is transferred to the bath, covered with a film and doused with warm water. After washing, it is good to leave the plant to dry in the bathroom - having cooled down after a shower, the ficus can shed its leaves.
Bathing water is taken soft, otherwise whitish spots from the salts contained in hard water will remain on the leaves.

Watering ficus benjamina also needed for science. Water is taken settled or boiled, heated to room temperature (some experts even recommend warming up to 50 degrees). If watered with boiled water, it is better to add fertilizer to it.

Watering on a strict schedule is not suitable for touchy ficus. The frequency of the procedure depends on the lighting, age, capacity in which the flower grows. The main task in caring for ficus is to prevent waterlogging or drying out of the soil.

They choose the right moment literally by the “poke method”. To do this, the finger is lowered into the ground by 2–3 cm (for plants in tubs by 6–7 cm) and the moisture content of the upper layer is checked. If the soil is dry at this depth, then it's time to water. If it is still wet, the procedure should be postponed.

Water is poured in several stages so that it covers the entire topsoil. After half an hour, when excess moisture drains from the drainage holes, it is drained from the pan.

Another important point in the care ficus benjamin- lighting.
Lighting affects the color of the leaves of the plant, especially variegated varieties.
The place where the tub stands should be well lit, but protected from direct sunlight.

Uniformly colored varieties tolerate a small shadow well, while ficuses with variegated leaves cannot stand even a small shadow, losing color.
In winter, at home, ficus needs round-the-clock additional lighting with the help of special lamps.

transplant ficus benjamina(if the plant is older than 4 years) is usually done in the spring-summer period once every 1-3 years. A signal that it is time to transfer the plant is a clod of earth completely braided with roots.
Young plants are transplanted annually.

The plant is watered, removed from the pot. The top layer of the earth is removed, the roots are slightly shaken off and placed in a larger pot for drainage, lightly sprinkled with earth. Then the lump is covered with earth from all sides.
If the ficus cannot be transplanted due to its size, then the topsoil should be changed once or twice a year.

You should not choose a pot of a much larger diameter for transplanting than the previous one. For young plants, it is enough to increase the diameter by 2-3 cm, for adults - by 3-4 cm.
The fact is that after transplantation, the plant is already under stress and can slow down growth for a while. And if the pot is too large, then the capricious can stop growing for a month or more.

Ficus Benjamin: substrate and top dressing

As seen, ficus benjamina- the plant is quite capricious. Therefore, in order to avoid trouble, it is better to buy a special substrate for ficuses in a flower shop for transplanting a plant. For a young plant, looser soil is suitable for better rooting. When the roots get stronger and the flower grows up, you can transplant it into a denser soil.
The consultant in the shop will give you more detailed information on this matter.

The choice of top dressing depends on the substrate in which the ficus grows, on the age of the plant and other factors. Traditionally, top dressing is applied in the spring-summer period once every two weeks, alternating mineral and organic fertilizers.
For this, special mixtures for ficuses or top dressing for deciduous plants are suitable.

In winter, the ficus is not fertilized, allowing it to rest. But if ideal conditions are created for it in terms of lighting, temperature and air humidity, then fertilizer is possible. It is applied once every one to two months, in a low concentration (about half the usual dose).

When choosing fertilizers for ficus benjamina usually pay attention to the nitrogen content. In spring and summer, when the flower is in growth and vegetative growth is desired, the nitrogen concentration should be higher. If the plant is fed during the cold period, it is necessary to limit the nitrogen content in order to curb unwanted growth during the dormant period.

Fertilizers are added to water for irrigation, or a concentrated solution is applied under the root after watering to avoid burns.

The plant, which is competently and well cared for, grows quickly and pleases the eye with fresh greenery all year round.
In addition, ficus at home is beneficial - it has been scientifically proven that Benjamin's Ficus is one of the types of ficuses that very effectively purify the air of dust.

Alexandra Panyutina

Ficus Benjamin is one of the most popular indoor plants that requires some care. This spectacular evergreen tree was grown in their homes by our grandmothers.

Today, many varieties of ficus Benjamin are known, differing in color, leaf size and growth rate. The shape of the leaves is also varied - ovate, pointed, triangular, with corrugated and twisting leaf blades.

Basic care for ficus Benjamin

If you purchased Benjamin's ficus, try to immediately find a permanent place for it. This plant does not tolerate frequent rearrangements and turns in relation to the light source.

Lighting

Ficus needs a very bright place: in the shade, its branches stretch out, and the plant loses its decorative appearance. However, it must be protected from direct sunlight - the bright sun can cause burns on the leaves.

Variegated forms require more intense lighting - with a lack of light, their foliage turns green

Ficus Benjamin is a heat-loving plant, hypothermia of the roots and cold drafts can be detrimental to it. The optimum temperature for its content is 18-25 degrees, and in winter - not lower than 12 degrees.

Air humidity

The plant needs high humidity, so the daily care of Benjamin's ficus includes spraying from a spray bottle, which is carried out 2-3 times a week to clean the leaves of dust and stimulate the growth of new shoots. Give your ficus a warm shower once a month. In summer, the plant is useful to take out to fresh air.

Ficus Benjamin Care: Watering and Feeding

Ficus is watered moderately, allowing the soil to dry between waterings to a depth of 2-3 cm. Do not allow the soil to dry out, as well as the bay of the plant. Pour with warm settled water, be sure to pour out excess water from the pan. Proper care of Benjamin's ficus is also regular feeding. From April to October, fertilize your ficus with mineral fertilizer with a high nitrogen content once every 2 weeks.

top dressing

Ficus Benjamin responds very well to foliar feeding. Young ficuses are transplanted annually, and adult tub ones - once every 3-4 years, with the obligatory annual replacement of the top layer of the earth. When transplanting, try not to destroy the earthen ball and lay good drainage at the bottom of the pot. The soil for Benjamin's ficuses is made up of leaf humus, sand, peat and garden soil, taken in equal proportions. You can also use ready-made purchased soil, designed specifically for ficuses.

Caring for Benjamin's ficus in the autumn-winter period consists in reducing watering and stopping fertilizing. During this time, keep the plant away from heaters and spray more frequently. Variegated forms from September to March may require additional lighting. In winter, some varieties of ficus can shed some of the foliage.

Formation of the crown of ficus Benjamin

One of the important aspects that make up the care of Benjamin's ficus is proper shaping. To form a beautiful and harmonious crown, a ficus tree needs regular pruning. When the tree reaches the desired height, cut off the top of the trunk, this stimulates the growth of new side shoots, which also need to be pinched from time to time.

In the spring, with the beginning of growth, and at the end of autumn, cut dry stems, weak and unnecessary shoots from the ficus. Stem cuttings cut in spring and summer are used for propagation. Root them in water or soil.

When forming the crown of ficuses, cut leaves and small shoots remain, from which you can grow new plants yourself

To make a real work of art out of an ordinary houseplant, it is necessary to form the crown and trunk of ficuses. The most popular method is weaving a pigtail from young plant trunks. For these purposes, you should choose three specimens no more than 13 - 15 centimeters high: more mature ficuses are characterized by a lignified trunk, which is difficult to external influence.

A few young ficuses will allow you to create a spectacular home tree without any problems.

In order to start braiding braids, you need to carefully remove a few side shoots. In this case, milky juice will stand out, which is removed with a damp cloth, and the slices are sprinkled with crushed charcoal.

The appearance of milky juice is a natural reaction of ficus to damage to the stem or leaves

For greater convenience, young ficuses should be tied together, a little higher than the roots, and begin to braid. It is necessary to ensure that there is a little free space between the stems: as they grow, they will increase in size and fill the empty space, forming a single intertwined trunk.

For fixation, it is necessary to choose only soft threads that will not injure the stems as they grow.

So that the resulting braid does not unravel, it should also be fixed under the crown. For these purposes, soft threads are used that will not cut into the trunk and thereby injure it.

If you notice that milky juice appeared at the place of wrapping, then the trunk was damaged. However, the ficus tolerates minor injuries well, and it is only necessary to treat the site of damage (wipe milk and rub with charcoal).

Now you need to plant the intertwined ficus in a pot, after pouring a layer of drainage on the bottom and pouring the appropriate soil mixture. In the future, as the houseplant grows, it will be enough just to weave the braid, and when the trunk gets stronger and grows together, the threads can be removed.

Over time, the ficus will grow into a strong strong tree with an unusual trunk, and will become a real decoration of any interior.

The formation of the crown of ficuses with such a figured trunk is best done in the form of a stem, pinching the side shoots.

Having mastered this simple type of weaving, in the future you can safely experiment and create trees of amazing beauty, giving their trunks the shape of an arc, complex pigtail, lattice, spiral.

Ficus Benjamin Care: Possible Difficulties

The most common problem when growing Ficus Benjamin is leaf fall. A plant can drop leaves for several reasons, these can be:

lack of light;

Frequent permutations;

Waterlogging or drying of an earthy coma;

dry air;

Low air temperature;

Cold drafts;

Overfeeding.

If your ficus has suddenly lost some of its foliage, don't be discouraged. Continue caring for Benjamin's ficus - provide him with a bright place, spray regularly and water properly. With proper care, the tree will very quickly grow a lush crown. In general, the loss of lower leaves is a natural phenomenon for Benjamin's ficus; with age, the lower part of the trunk of a tree invariably becomes bare.

By organizing the proper care of Benjamin's ficus, you will grow not only an attractive, but also a useful plant - phytoncides secreted by ficus leaves improve air quality.

Ficus benjamina originates in the nature of Australia, Philippines, South Asia, India and China. The brightest representative of the Mulberry family, under natural conditions, this flower is able to grow up to twenty-five meters in height. The leaves of the ficus are very smooth, with a beautiful glossy overflow. The length of each of them, depending on the variety, can reach from four to twelve centimeters in length and from three to six centimeters in width.

The perennial has a well-developed root system. The roots of the plant are quite fragile, this should be taken into account when transplanting an indoor flower. Ficus Benjamin is truly many-sided. Today, botany knows an impressive number of different varieties of this plant, differing from each other in color, size, leaf color, and conditions of detention.

Rules for the care of ficus Benjamin

Despite the fact that Benjamin's ficus can be safely attributed to plants that are unpretentious in home cultivation, it has its own small "preferences" for care. If you fulfill all the "wishes" of the flower, then, no doubt, it will delight you with rapid growth and amazingly bright healthy leaves.

Lighting

Accustomed to bask in the warm, gentle rays of the southern sun, a native of hot countries and in room conditions requires good lighting. At the same time, the intensity of plant growth and development directly depends on the amount of sunlight.

It is important! For the harmonious development of the plant, it is very important to provide it with decent lighting. If the ficus grows in the shade, especially for variegated varieties, then the plant will gradually lose its decorative effect, and its growth will be slowed down.

At the same time, it is very important to maintain a balance, because an excess amount of sunlight can also negatively affect the development of ficus, because no one has yet canceled burns and yellowing of leaves.

If you understand that your indoor flower does not have enough sunlight, you need to make additional lighting. This procedure acquires particular relevance in the winter months, when the sun becomes many times less. Illumination is carried out with the help of phytolamps. This is a modern energy-saving way to provide indoor plants with the light they need.

In the summer, Benjamin's ficus should be placed closer to the windows: on window sills, balconies, loggias. The southeast, east, west side of the house is perfect. It will be just wonderful if the sultry days the plant spends outdoors in partial shade.

It is important! Ficus Benjamin has a negative attitude towards too frequent rearrangements. A change of location can seriously affect the development of the plant, and it will begin to shed its leaves.

Content temperature

As we noted above in the article, in the summer, Benjamin's ficus can be safely kept outdoors. As soon as the temperature at night begins to drop below +15 degrees, you should bring the ficus into the house. The main thing is to prevent too much drop in temperature in the room where the indoor perennial is kept. The plant can "revenge" you for this and arrange an extraordinary leaf fall.

Strictly speaking, the temperature of the flower content can range from +18 to +30 degrees. These frames are considered the most comfortable for growing ficus Benjamin.

Attention! Ficus Benjamin, like the vast majority of other indoor plants, can not stand "drafts".

Watering Ficus Benjamin

Watering is one of the key points in caring for a home flower. With regard to Benjamin's ficus, there are no strict rules on how often the soil should be moistened. Yes, and it is useless to build a schedule for ficus, because watering depends on the conditions of detention and the individual characteristics of the plant. The frequency of watering is affected by room temperature, air humidity, age of the plant, as well as illumination and seasonality.

In the summer, you should rely mainly on the drying of the earthen coma. The soil should dry out two to three centimeters deep. The plant must be provided with a container with drainage holes through which excess moisture will drain into the pan. The water from the pan must be removed.

In winter, the amount of watering ficus should be reduced significantly. But in no case should an earthen one be allowed to dry out completely.

A little about water...

The quality of water when watering ficus Benjamin plays a crucial role for the harmonious development of the plant. Settled or boiled water at room temperature is suitable. A perennial will be immensely “thankful” to you if you periodically pour warm water on it in the bathroom. To carry out this procedure, it is enough to place the flower in the bath, cover it with a layer of polyethylene on top, and then pour over with a warm stream of water for a couple of minutes. After such a “tropical shower”, the plant should not be taken out of the bathroom immediately, because it can become supercooled. This procedure should be carried out at least once every three weeks. In addition to moistening the soil, a warm shower will help wash away dust and dirt from the leaves.

Difficulties in growing indoor perennials

If the leaves of your plant appeared whitish coating, then watering the ficus is too plentiful.

On the back of the leaf plate, plants appear black spots? This is a consequence of improper care for perennials. The leaves begin to turn yellow, and the plant itself fades.

The pests that Benjamin's ficus suffers from include the spider mite, as well as the well-known scale insect, the ubiquitous aphid and the mealybug. Aphids can be controlled with laundry soap, and other pests can be controlled with insecticides.

Ficus Benjamin Fertilizers

The golden rule for this indoor perennial: planting, transplanting, pruning, feeding the plant should begin with the first rays of the spring sun. Simply put, all changes in ficus occur with the advent of heat.

In March-April, the plant should be fed no more than once a month, and with the onset of gentle May days, Benjamin's ficus can be fertilized once every three weeks. In the summer, depending on the variety of the plant, you can feed the perennial once every two weeks.

For feeding ficus, either a specialized fertilizer, which can be purchased at a flower shop, is suitable. You can also use complex universal mixtures.

Remember! Ficus Benjamina will be grateful to you if you use organic matter as a top dressing. Sapropel, ash, and bird droppings are perfect.

Ficus Benjamin transplant

Many novice gardeners, just starting to get acquainted with Benjamin's ficus, are wondering when exactly the perennial should be transplanted.

A plant transplant should be done in the following cases:

• when ficus grows in transport soil (after purchasing a flower in a store. Such soil is not suitable for long-term cultivation of a plant);
• if the pot has become too small for the plant. The unsuitability of the pot can be determined by the roots coming out of the drainage hole;
• a great time to transplant is the breeding season of the plant;
• if the soil is affected by fungus or other diseases.

Transplant frequency:

• The plant should be repotted once every four seasons for the first four years of life.
• Starting from the fifth year of the plant's life - once every two to three years.
• In between transplants, simply update the top layer of soil.

Rules for transplanting ficus Benjamin:

• The transplant pot should be three centimeters larger than its predecessor.
• Ficus prefers to grow in leafy ground. You can also buy special soil for it, sold in flower shops. The acidity of the soil should tend to a neutral pH level.
• Be sure to put a good layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot.
• The roots of indoor perennials are best not to be cleaned from the ground during transplantation. They are quite fragile and the slightest damage can sadly affect the further development of the ficus. Optimal in this particular case would be to use the transshipment method. This is a reliable method that even novice growers can successfully practice.
• After transplantation, the plant is recommended to be watered no earlier than two days later.

Ficus Benjamin is a truly noble handsome man. An amazing indoor flower that will decorate your home surprisingly bright and unpretentious.