Indoor plants care ficus. Care for different types of ficus at home

Houseplants are always beautiful and useful. It's no secret that flowers give off the air that people need so much to live. But you can not just take and buy a houseplant. To do this, you need to know if your room is suitable for a flower. It is worth paying attention to lighting, ventilation and the size of the room where the plant will be located. If you can't choose a houseplant that fits perfectly, then look for those flowers that suit absolutely everyone. Ficus belongs to this species. This flower is unpretentious and will perfectly dilute the decor of the room. Now you need to learn how to care for ficus at home.

Kinds

There are many types of ficus, among them there are:

Care

To make the ficus feel comfortable and always be healthy, you need to pay attention to the points below.

The soil

As mentioned earlier, ficus is unpretentious. That is why a universal primer is suitable for him, which can be purchased at any specialized store. You can also make the soil for the flower yourself.

To do this, you need to mix:

• 2 pieces of land;
• 1 part sand;
• 1 part peat.

landing capacity

You need to choose pots for ficus depending on the type of flower. For young plants, you can also purchase plastic containers. small size, for older flowers - larger and more stable, which means from heavy materials e.g. ceramics.

Due to the size of the pot, ficus growth can be controlled.

Temperature

These plants do not like frost. The temperature around the ficus should not fall below 10 degrees.

Optimum temperature:

• in winter (+16 - +20);
• summer (+25 - +30);
• winter peace (+6 - +12).

Sharp drops will harm the plant.

Important! The worst enemies of ficus: a cold window sill and cooled soil.

Air humidity

The optimum humidity is 50%.

In winter, when the room is heated, and in summer, ficus must be sprayed to increase humidity.

Important! You need to use warm and soft water.

Lighting

A bright place without direct sunlight. If the plant does not have enough light, then the ficus will shed its leaves, thereby attracting the attention of the owner.

For better development plants, in winter period using additional lamps.

Watering

Remember the golden rule: it is better to underfill than overfill. Depending on different external factors, ficus is not watered according to schedule. Only when the soil dries out (make sure that it does not dry out) you need to water. The water from the pan is drained after half an hour. In summer, this procedure should be carried out more often, in winter - less often.

top dressing

In every flower shop you can buy top dressing for this plant.

Ficus is very common, so there are a lot of sold fertilizers.

Everything you need to know (when, how much and how often) should be listed on the package.

Follow the instructions, as different types of fertilizers are used in different ways.

Important! No need to resort to folk remedies. No broths, about which much has been written on the Internet. Their use can damage the soil and the plant itself.

rest period

The dormant period falls in the winter. To do this, place the plant in a cool darkened room. Do not be afraid if the ficus drops its leaves. This is the norm for the rest period. At this time, the flower continues to grow, but more slowly.

reproduction

Breeding methods:

• cutting;
• layering;
• seeds.

With the help of cuttings

Time: late spring - summer.

Shank size: 7 cm.

What to do:

1. cut off the stem.
2. Prepare the ground.
3. Plant.
4. Fertilize with phytohormones.

With the help of layers

Time: May - September.

What to do:

1. An oblique incision is made in the place under the sheet.
2. Its size is 5 mm.
3. Take a wet match and anoint it with hormone powder.
4. Place a match in the cut.
5. Wrap this place with wet moss.
6. Tie with ribbon.
7. Wrap with foil.
8. Wait a couple of months.
9. When the roots break through, cut off the petiole.
10. Plant.

Ficus is one of the most beloved tropical plants grown in room conditions. It can be seen in many winter gardens of offices and homes. This is not only a beautiful flower, it is also credited with magical properties, it attracts wealth and good luck, removes negativity. The plant is quite capricious, so it is important to adhere to the basic rules of care.

We choose a resident of the tropics in the house

In the wild, there are more than 1,500 species of ficus, and numerous indoor varieties have been bred. They do not bloom, but thanks to aesthetic appearance serve for landscaping and decoration of premises, help to create a favorable microclimate, humidifying the air and enriching it with oxygen.

In the wild, ficuses grow in the subtropics of America, Asia, Africa and Australia. They are found in the form of trees, shrubs and even vines. There are deciduous and evergreen varieties. They belong to the mulberry family. Among other plants, ficuses stand out for their unusual, almost always glossy, dense leaves. There are instances with omitted sheet plate. The bush can be both large-leaved and with small leaves.

The following types of ficuses are popular: Benjamin, varieties, bonsai, rubber-bearing (elastica), lyre-shaped.

In order for the plant to please you for a long time after purchase, you should follow some rules when buying it:

• you should not make a purchase in cold weather, during transportation it can get supercooled and drop leaves, in addition, low temperature and wind can also cause slow growth;
• pay attention to the shape of the plant, it should not have a bare trunk below and cut side shoots;
• leaves should not have visible damage or defects;
• shake the plant, if a few leaves have fallen, do not take it;
• when examining, pay attention to the color of the roots, they should not be dark brown or black;
• visually inspect for pests or damage.

It is better to buy a young plant, as it will quickly and easily get used to new conditions.

How to grow a beautiful plant on the windowsill?

Home care for ficus is not so simple, because it is a rather capricious plant, and it is important to create a favorable microclimate for it. Flowerpots are best placed on windowsills facing the west or east side. The place should be well lit with diffused light, direct sunlight should be avoided. Ficus requires lighting for 12 hours, therefore, in winter time they need additional artificial light. To form beautiful bush, the pot is sometimes turned the other side to the light.

Variegated species require bright lighting, dark greens tolerate partial shade well.

Since the ficus tropical plant He loves warmth. Comfortable for him will be the temperature in summer from 22 to 25 degrees, in winter from 12 to 15 degrees. When the temperature drops below 10 degrees, the plant may die from hypothermia, in addition, it does not tolerate drafts.

Ficus is a moisture-loving plant, so water it regularly. In summer and spring more often, in winter and autumn moderately, without waterlogging the soil, otherwise it will get sick and disappear. Both from a lack and from an excess of moisture, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. We water as the topsoil dries, it should be dry 2-3 centimeters deep, for large ficuses a depth of up to 6 cm is acceptable. The speed at which the soil dries depends on the level of humidity and air temperature in the room.

Pour with settled warm water. We drain the excess accumulated in the pan so that the roots do not rot. Ficus loves moist air, so we regularly spray the bush with warm water, wipe large sheets with a damp cloth.

Once every two weeks it is useful to arrange warm shower. To do this, we transfer the plant to the bathroom and pour warm water from the shower head. Thus, we wash off dirt and dust from the leaves, allowing the plant to breathe better. At the same time, pests present on the leaves will be washed off. After the procedure, the leaves will shine.

Top dressing is necessary for the plant during the period of growth and vegetation. In summer and spring, we feed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which allows us to grow foliage. When dropping leaves, the nitrogen contained in fertilizers will help to rehabilitate faster. You can prepare homemade dressing - this is a tincture of wood ash, nettle and mullein. Can be used complex fertilizers. We feed the flowers once every two weeks.

Transplanting and pruning - taking care of the beauty of the bush

An important procedure for ficus is transplantation. We transplant young plants every year, older than 4 years - once every 2 years. The procedure is best done in the summer during the growing season. We take a pot for transplanting 4-5 cm more than the previous one. At the bottom we lay drainage from expanded clay, crushed stone or charcoal 1-2 cm layer, sprinkle with earth on top. The soil for a young plant should be lightweight, for example, a mixture of sod, leafy soil and coarse sand, peat can be used.

When transplanting, first fill the pot with water to make it easier to get the plant out of the container. We take out the ficus and gently shake it off. upper layer soil, being careful not to damage root system.

The removed plant is placed in a prepared flowerpot. We leave the planting depth at the same level. We fill up the top and compact the soil a little. If the goal of the transplant is to slow down growth, then cut off the roots and place the plant in a smaller pot.

In order for the crown to be beautiful, pruning is necessary for the ficus. After the procedure, new branches begin to grow, the bush becomes more lush. We cut off the top when the plant reaches the desired height. Once every 2-3 years we cut off thin, bare and half-naked branches. Before the procedure, be sure to disinfect the instruments with which we will work. We cut the trunk obliquely, and the branches straight. We remove the released juice with a damp cloth with blotting movements. We start feeding no earlier than two weeks after the procedure.

We replenish the winter garden with young ficuses

Ficus reproduces in three ways:

1. 1. Seeds.
2. 2. Cuttings.
3. 3. Air layers.

We plant the seeds in the spring in a soil mixture consisting of sheet soil and sand. We sprinkle them with a small layer of soil and cover them with glass on top. Twice a day we ventilate the crop, removing the glass for half an hour. Seeds must be kept in a moist environment. When the first leaf appears on the sprouts, we dive the seedling. We transplant the grown plants into separate flowerpots.

The best time for propagation by cuttings and layering, as well as for transplantation, is spring summer period. When choosing a cutting, we do not take young shoots, as they will not take root. Choose well-developed stems with dense structure. We cut off the stalk no more than 15 cm long at an angle with a pruner or a sharp knife. Remove the juice that has come out from the cut with a wet cloth and after an hour sprinkle it with wood ash or activated charcoal for disinfection.

To remove the juice that has come out from the cut cutting, put it in water for 2 hours, then drain and pour fresh. Remove all leaves from it to prevent rotting. If the cutting is placed in the ground, then cover glass jar to grow roots faster. They usually appear within 2-3 weeks. We transplant a seedling with regrown roots into a pot with loose fertile soil.

For layering, we select a straight strong shoot, remove a few leaves on it. Make an incision around the circle with a sharp knife. Next, we wrap this place with moss and moisten it. From above we wrap a film of polyethylene and tightly tie it from below and from above. We make sure that the moss is constantly wet. When the roots germinate through the moss, remove the film, cut off the layers below the roots and transplant into a pot with drainage and soil. We process the cut antiseptics- activated carbon or wood ash.

What misfortunes are ficus prone to and how to deal with them?

If you create favorable conditions and take care of the ficus correctly, then it rarely gets sick.

However, the following pests can affect it:

• Mealybug. Pests infect the plant, if the air is dry in the room, they lay eggs on the leaves. The worms feed on the juices of the flower, slowing down its development. Small accumulations of insects are removed with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol solution. If the lesions are significant, we treat the leaves with the following solution: dilute 40 drops of karbofos in one liter of boiled water.
• Shchitovka. It feeds on plant sap. With this disease, the leaves lose color and fall off. It appears in the form of black and beige plaques. When they are found, wipe the leaves with a cotton swab dipped in soapy water. With a large accumulation of pests, we process the plant with Actellik.
• Aphid. Settles on inside leaves of young shoots, feeding on their juice. Foliage infested with aphids turns yellow and curls. Treatment is carried out with a solution of pyrethrum or green soap, dissolved in water.
• Spider mite. When affected by pests, a white web appears under the leaves and at the ends of the stems. The upper surface is covered with yellow spots. Damaged foliage falls off. To remove pests, we wash the plant with warm water, increase the humidity in the room. If the damage is significant, we treat the bush with a solution of 20 drops of actellik and one liter of water.

Dry shriveled leaves appear with a lack of moisture. If the leaves fall off, turn yellow at the edges, yellow spots appear, this indicates waterlogging, which means we reduce watering. If in the room elevated level humidity, the plant can become ill with gray rot. It manifests itself by the presence of mold on the leaves and stem. We solve the problem by removing all affected areas, reducing the frequency and volume of watering. We ventilate the room more often.

If you want to have a beautiful tropical plant in your house, then ficus is the most suitable candidate. It is enough to create favorable conditions close to natural, follow the rules of care, and he will delight with his beautiful lush appearance.

Young plants annually, adults every 2-4 years Summer 22-25, winter 12-15 Check the soil of the fingers, for 1-2 phalanxes the earth should dry out Spray regularly At least 12 hours of lighting, west or east window

Lighting

It is advisable to place ficuses in well-lit places with bright diffused light. For their cultivation, western and eastbound- on the window or next to it.

It is necessary that ficuses receive light for at least 12 hours a day, therefore additional is recommended in winter.

In order for the plant to form a beautiful crown, from time to time turn the pot to the light in different directions. But don't do it too often or the leaves will start to fall off.

Ficuses with dark green leaves tolerate partial shade better, and variegated species need more light.

With insufficient lighting, the branches of the plant are drawn out, the leaves become smaller. In summer, the direct rays of the midday sun can cause leaf scorch.

Ficus loves warmth. In summer, the optimum temperature for it is 22–25 ° C. In winter, the plant prefers coolness - 12–15 ° C, but even in a warm room, the ficus tolerates wintering well.

The temperature should not fall below 10–15 ° C - the plant may die from hypothermia of the soil.

All types of ficuses do not tolerate drafts.

Watering

Ficus belongs to moisture-loving plants, so regular watering - necessary condition its content. In winter, water moderately, and in spring and summer - abundantly.

Between watering, the soil of tree-like ficuses should dry out. but don't dry out. Ampelous forms are watered more often.

To know when to water your plant, test the soil with your finger. If the earth has dried out to a depth of 1-2 phalanxes, it's time to water. For large ficuses, drying up to 6–7 cm is permissible.

It is advisable to use slightly warm, soft and settled for at least 12 hours. After some time after watering, do not forget to drain excess water from the pan.

Excessive watering leads to falling and yellowing of the leaves, as well as rotting of the roots.. From a lack of moisture, the leaves can also turn yellow and fall off.

spraying

The plant loves moist air, so it needs to be sprayed regularly, while the water should be at room temperature.

Ficuses with large leaves collect a lot of dust - this not only spoils appearance plants, but also negatively affects its development.

The soil

Ficuses are undemanding to the soil.

However, if you want your plants to have lush greenery and shiny leaves, use fertile soil, well permeable to air and water, with a neutral or low level of acidity.

Choose the composition of the soil depending on the age of the ficuses. For young plants - up to 4 years old, loose soil is more suitable, and for adults - more dense.

Can be used ready ground for ficuses, but it is quite simple to cook it yourself.

The soil for young plants is prepared from equal proportions of peat, leaf humus and sand.

For adult ficuses, two soil options are possible:

• Leaf humus - 2 parts, sod land - 2 parts, sand - 1 part;
• Equal proportions of leaf land, peat, sod land and sand.

Fertilizer

Ficuses are fed only during the period of active growth - from March to September. Fertilizers are applied once every two weeks. It is recommended to use liquid mineral supplements with a predominance of nitrogen - for the active growth of green mass.

Trimming / Support / Garter

For the formation beautiful crown it is necessary to carry out pruning - after it the lower buds wake up, and the plant begins to branch. The top is cut when the ficus reaches the height you need, and the branches once every 2-3 years.

Before pruning a plant, a pruner or a knife blade must be disinfected. The branches are cut straight, and the trunk is oblique.

When pruning a ficus, milky juice is released - it must be removed with light blotting movements with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm water. You can feed the plant only 2 weeks after pruning.

From some species, such as Benjamin's ficus, you can form an interesting geometric shape bush, and from others - to grow bonsai.

Diseases

fungal diseases

• Anthracnose - dark brown spots on leaves;
• Cercosporosis - small black dots on the underside of the leaves.

Treatment: removal of diseased leaves and treatment of the whole plant with an insecticide according to the instructions.

Dropsy

Cork growths on the underside of the leaves. The reason may be excessive watering.

Treatment: removal of diseased leaves and proper care.

Pests

• Spider mite;
• Shchitovki;
• Thrips.

Treatment: the plant can be gently washed in the shower; wipe the leaves with an alcohol solution; treat the plant chemical preparation according to instructions.

Problems

leaf fall

Occurs by different reasons. For example, in lyre-shaped and rubber-bearing ficus due to waterlogging of the soil, and in ficus Benjamin due to a sharp change in climate or lack of light. Also, the reasons may be: draft, insufficient lighting, low temperature, watering cold water, excess nutrients in the ground. Spraying with the Epin solution helps to cope with the problem.

Dry shriveled leaves

Causes: drying out of the soil, dry air, sunburn. This problem is more common in ampelous species. Give your plant the right care.

The edges of the leaves turn yellow or yellow spots appear on them, the leaves droop and fall off

Reason: waterlogged soil. To prevent this from happening, the plant needs to be watered moderately - the soil should dry out a little between waterings.

Brown spots on the edges and tips of the leaves

Reason: too dry air and high temperature, overfeeding with fertilizers. Spray the plant more often, move it to a cool place, feed it properly.

Old leaves turn yellow and fall, and new ones grow small

Reason: lack of nutrients in the soil. It is necessary to transplant the plant into fertile soil.

Bare trunk

The fall of old lower leaves is a natural process, but the trunk should not be completely bare.

Reason: lack of top dressing, nutrient-poor soil, untimely transplantation, violation of light or temperature regime. Follow the rules for caring for the plant.

reproduction

Ficuses can be grown in three ways: by seeds, layering or cuttings.

Reproduction by seeds

Seeds are sown in spring. As a soil, a mixture of hardwood and a small amount of sand is used. Seeds are only lightly sprinkled with earth, then the bowl is covered with glass. Twice a day, crops need to be ventilated - the glass is removed for 30 minutes. When the first true leaf appears, the seedlings dive. When the plants grow up, they are seated in small pots.

Reproduction by layering

In this way, ficuses propagate from May to September. Choose a strong, straight shoot and remove a few leaves from it. Then make a circular incision with a sharp blade.

Moss is applied to the cut point, fixed and moistened. Then wrap up plastic bag and tightly tied at the top and bottom. Moss should always be wet. After the roots grow through the moss and break through the film, the petiole is cut off below the roots and planted in a pot.

Reproduction by cuttings

This is the most easy way breeding. With a sharp blade, cut off 10–15 cm of the apical cutting from the plant and place it in water or soil (the juice that comes out is washed off with warm water).

Cuttings will take root faster if you cover the soil in a pot with a bag or a glass jar.. Rooting usually occurs in 2-3 weeks.

Transfer

Transplantation is very important for the normal development of ficuses. They grow quickly, and the pot becomes small for overgrown roots. This is evidenced by the quickly drying soil after watering.

Young ficuses are transplanted annually, and adults once every 2-4 years. The transplant is usually done in early spring or summer. The container should be 3-4 cm wider than the previous one. Ficuses do not like excess soil - the wider the pot, the slower the root system grows.

Before transplanting, you need to remove the top layer of soil and water the ficus. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of the new container, and sprinkled with earth. For large ficuses, crushed stone can be used as drainage - it gives stability to the container. The plant is taken out of the old pot and the earth is carefully shaken off the roots, trying not to damage them.

The ficus is placed in a new container and sprinkled on all sides with earth. The soil is chosen depending on the age of the plant (see above). The landing level should remain the same.

If it is difficult to transplant a ficus - for example, when the plant is very large, you can replace the top layer of the earth.

Video

The name Ficus (Ficus) was given by Karl Liney - the famous Swedish botanist. In total, there are about 1 thousand species of ficus. But scientists have described seven. Natural range - forests of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, which indicates the plant's moisture-loving nature and predilection for heat. Areas where temperature fluctuations between seasons exceed more than 8°, the variety of ficuses is much less. In arid regions, the ficus ceases to have enough of its moisture supply, and it turns into deciduous.

The fact about the use of the plant for rubber is also interesting. Ficus elastic was used as a source of rubber juice. It was grown on plantations in Southeast Asia. AT late XIX in. The Brazilian guinea was used to make rubber.

AT natural conditions the tree grows up to 30–40 meters, the leaves reach one meter in length.

Common species for home growing

The most common species in indoor floriculture relate:

• Australian ficus - F. Rubiginosa Vent.
• Elastic ficus - Elastica Roxb.
• Creeping ficus - F. Pumila L.

Many collectors consider ficus a source of positive energy, since creating comfortable atmosphere, it brings a person closer to nature and positively affects his well-being.

Spectacular trees for decorating the interior can be obtained from ficus Benjamin

Various types of ficuses are grown at home. Plants are easy to care for and highly decorative. Ficus is given beautiful design forms that make the interior of the room stylish and hospitable. Shrub plants are chosen for small apartments, trees for spacious ones.

The most popular indoor plant is rubber ficus. Its trunk is slightly branched. Glossy leathery leaves with a pronounced central vein are located on the stem in a spiral, have an elongated oval shape about 30 cm long and up to 15 cm wide. The tip of the leaf is pointed and slightly bent down. Young leaves are twisted into tubules and covered with reddish stipules.

A visitor from the rainforest is considered a tree of family well-being

Among the most ornamental varieties relate:

• Black Prince. Its leaves are black in color.
• Doechery. The leaves of this variety have pink spots and a red vein through the entire leaf.
• Variegata. The leaves of this variety are green with cream edging.
• Robusta. The leaves are large, evenly colored green.
• Abidjan. The color of the leaves is dark beetroot.
• sriveriana. Light green leaves are interspersed: dark green, light green, gray.

Belonging to a particular variety does not affect the recommendations for the care and maintenance of the plant.

In nature, such an evergreen tree grows up to 20 meters. In residential conditions - up to three meters. The branched, dense crown of the plant is colored in grey-beige color and has correct form. Oval leaves reach 20 cm in length and 5 cm in width. Shoots - they are also called aerial roots, grow very actively. The direction of their growth can be formed by yourself. With the help of a creative design solution, unusual decorative forms are created.

Ficus Benjamin gives you the opportunity to experiment with its shape

The natural range of the plant is the south of China, Australia and Southeast Asia. The scarlet centimeter fruit served as the name of the ficus. Indoor plants reach a height of 1.5 meters. When grown in the bonsai style, more miniature sizes are achieved.

Without much effort, you can grow a bonsai tree from a ficus microcarp

You can recognize the ficus microcarp by its roots, which rise strongly above the soil surface and have unusual shapes. Smooth, leathery leaves are located on short cuttings, grow up to 10 cm long, up to 5 cm wide.

variegated

The name of this ficus suggests that the leaves on it have a different shape. It looks like a shrub with a tree-like stem and leathery dark green leaves with brown spots. Berries during fruiting resemble olives. They cannot be eaten.

Various types of ficuses decorate homes, offices and public places.

Creeping

From the name it is clear that this plant belongs to shrub species. Its long and flexible stems spread. They have suction cups, they suck the plant. Rigid leaves are decorated with a yellow mesh pattern.

Creeping ficus suitable for vertical gardening

Dwarf

The second name of this species is Pumila White. Ficus is like a vine. The stem reaches a thickness of 5 cm. The shoots have many roots that adhere to the soil. Oval leaves are arranged asymmetrically. Their surface is rough and wrinkled with a reticulate pattern. Growing, they completely cover the soil.

Dwarf ficus is resistant to light frosts

lyre-shaped

The large leaves of this ficus have unusual shape- in the form of a silhouette of a violin. The size of each reaches 60 cm in length and 30 cm in width. The wax that coats the leaves of young plants makes common color light green. In adults, the leaves are painted in white specks on a green background.

In the African tropics, the lyre-shaped ficus reaches a height of 13–15 meters.

This type is capricious. It suits only a bright room and uniform illumination from all sides.

Rubiginosa (rustyleaf)

This is a spreading tree with reddish shoots. Aerial roots form at the bottom of the crown. Bright pink buds grow at the top of the tree. Large leaves are dark green above and brownish-red below.

In spring and summer, ficus rubiginosa is best kept on the balcony.

Karika

This deciduous indoor shrub. Its second name is fig. The crown of the plant is spreading. The trunk is brown-gray. The serrated leaves are covered with light yellow and white veins that have irregular shape. Proper care and maintenance help the plant bloom with small flowers. The fruits are called wine berries. In autumn, ficus often sheds leaves.

Ficus karika fruits are used in traditional medicine for making tinctures

Melanie

The crown of this plant is underdeveloped, but aerial roots grow very actively, and sometimes reach the ground. Elliptical leaves are dark green in color. Does not bloom at home.

Ficus melanie takes root well and does not require special conditions

Growing conditions

Important criteria for the success of the growth and decorativeness of the plant are the correct supply of temperature, lighting and the provision of normal humidity.

When conditions change, the ficus can partially shed its leaves.

Lighting

The plant prefers a well-lit place, but it categorically does not accept direct sunlight. With a lack of light, the growth of the ficus slows down or stops, the leaves lose their elasticity and fall off.

In winter, when the daylight hours are much shorter, it is recommended to increase it artificially. To do this, turn on fluorescent lamps for several hours at night.

To provide plants with diffused light, it is recommended to settle them on the western or eastern windowsill. A high ficus is placed near the windows of this direction on a special stand.

Temperature and Humidity

The maximum temperature in the summer season is +29° C, in winter + 15° C is enough for a tree. The maximum temperature in winter is + 20° C, therefore it is not recommended to place a tree near heating radiators.

Ficuses are sensitive to dry air. Lack of moisture often serves as a source of various diseases, pests begin to affect the plant. When sprayed with warm water, it comes to life. This procedure is repeated daily if the temperature in the apartment rises above + 20 ° C. It is also useful to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.

How to care for ficus

Ficus is easy to care for. But a certain set of recommendations must be followed.

Dust on large ficus leaves interferes with oxygen production

Watering and hygiene

Watering is carried out in moderation, but regularly. Excess moisture leads to decay of the root system. Therefore, it is recommended to water after the topsoil has completely dried. Excess water is poured out of the pan.

Before watering, the water is preliminarily defended. Watered in the summer no more than 2 times a week, in the winter once every 7-10 days is enough.

Air exchange occurs from the surface of the leaves. The dust that quickly accumulates on them slows down this process. For this, leaf hygiene should be carried out.

In dry periods, the pot with soil is covered with a film, and the plants are bathed in the rain from the shower. If it is not possible to take a shower, then dust is removed from the leaves with a dry cloth. After that, wipe them with a damp cloth.

Achieve the brightness of the foliage by wiping with a special solution. To prepare it, dilute two tablespoons of mayonnaise in a glass of water. First, the leaves are wiped with this composition, then wiped dry with a clean cloth.

fertilizers

Since active growth mainly occurs in the summer season, it is recommended to combine watering with top dressing at this time. For this, liquid flower fertilizer is added to the water twice a month.

pruning

Benjamin's shoots grow unevenly - the apical ones stretch much more intensively than the lateral ones. To give shape to the crown and accelerate the growth of side shoots, it is recommended to shorten the apical shoots.

Pruning rules exist and must be followed. Experienced flower growers It is recommended to engage in the formation of the crown only in the spring. Pruning in summer or autumn can lead to damage to the plant and even death. Along with pruning the shoots, the direction of their growth is corrected.

Not all types of plants are pruned. If the question is only in changing the shape of the crown, then this can be achieved without pruning. To do this, the shoots are fixed in the right direction. So give ficus various forms and turn a nondescript plant into an ornament. How younger plant, the higher the flexibility of the shoots. This insures the plant from injury.

The need for support

Some species are able to cling to any adjacent surface. It can be vertical and horizontal. Often creeping shoots can be seen on the walls. Artificial supports are usually arranged to create new design solutions. Support may also be needed for flexible cuttings when propagating.

rest period

The absence of visible plant growth is called the dormant period. In most plants, it falls on the autumn-winter period.

Ficuses basically do not need a dormant state. Only slightly slowing down, they can continue to grow throughout the year. favorable conditions for this, they are created artificially, providing the plant with lighting and the right temperature.

Experienced flower growers note the presence of a mild dormant period in ficuses: rubber-bearing and Benjamin. At this time, leaf shedding is observed. Watering at this time is reduced to a minimum.

Transfer

The transplant procedure is carried out at the time of active growth. Suitable for all spring period or early summer. The need for a transplant is determined visually: when the roots become cramped in the previous container, the roots are densely braided with an earthen clod.

To improve life, the ficus needs a transplant

Young ficuses are transplanted after a year or two in the spring. But specimens imported from other countries are recommended to immediately change the substrate to their native one. Adult plants are transplanted less often - with a frequency of three to five years. They are recommended to replace only the top layer of the earth.

Newly transplanted ficuses are not fed for two to three months.

Tank and soil

Soil for ficuses is prepared from soddy land and leaf humus. Take them in equal amounts.

The second version of the substrate - instead of leaf humus, high-moor peat with a small proportion of river sand is used. Ready store soil for plants is not recommended - peat has a high content of mineral additives, which will not be favorable for ficuses.

A quality substrate should be loose and nutritious at the same time. The optimum acidity (PH) should be in the range of 6–6.5. Before transplanting, the roots are pre-moistened strongly. After planting, the soil is watered abundantly. root collar should protrude above the ground.

When choosing a container, they are guided by the space from the roots to the walls of the pot. Small plant species have enough freedom of about 3-5 cm, large - 5-10 cm.

How to transplant

Step by step process:

1. Prepare the substrate and loosen it.
2. Choose a container that matches the size of the roots of the plant, taking into account the ability of the roots to grow.
3. Lay drainage from expanded clay on the bottom.
4. Strongly moisten the root system of the transplanted plant.
5. Insert the ficus into the pot.
6. Carefully fill in the soil.
7. Pour abundantly with settled water.
8. Place a tub or pot with a plant in a well-lit place.

Reproduction methods

Ficuses propagate in the spring: apical cuttings, air layers and leaves. When using the latter propagation option, it will take much longer before the roots appear.

cuttings

With this method of reproduction, lignified shoots are used. Cuttings about 10-15 cm long are cut with a scalpel. Make sure that there is no damage to the bark. Root cuttings in soil or water.

Step-by-step execution of cuttings in water:

1. The cuttings are placed in warm water for one to two hours. During this time, milky juice should come out of them. Its presence can interfere with rooting.
2. Prepare a vessel with opaque walls.
3. Place the shoot in a container. The lower leaves should not touch the water.
4. They create a greenhouse effect - they cover the structure with polyethylene, film or a plastic container.

Further care comes down to periodic ventilation (removal to a short time film) and water level control.

Rooting cuttings in the ground:

1. Prepare the soil. To do this, mix equal amounts of nutrient soil (turf and leaf), peat and sand.
2. Fill the planting containers with the prepared substrate.
3. Prepared and soaked in warm water shoots deepen by 2-3 buds.
4. The soil is compacted and watered.
5. Create a greenhouse effect using a film or a transparent plastic container.

Plants are periodically ventilated. If new shoots have appeared in the axils of the leaves, then there are already young roots. This process usually takes about three weeks. During this time, permanent pots and substrate are prepared.

Ficus with larger leaves is also propagated by the middle cutting. For this, a section of the stem with one internode is suitable.

Air layers

Reproduction by air layering is used in cases where the stem is very bare.

Propagation by air layering is good to use for treelike ficuses

Procedure:

1. Choose a straight and long shoot. Extra leaves are removed.
2. With a sharp blade, make two cuts every 3 cm.
3. In the area between the incisions, the bark is cleaned and powdered with Kornevin.
4. Wrap this area with sphagnum moss. Layer thickness 5 cm.
5. Wrap cling film on top and tie tightly.
6. Make sure the moss stays moist.

When the roots germinate, they will break through the film. Then the shoot under the incision is cut below the formed roots, and the plant is planted in a pot.

Possible Care Mistakes

About what the ficus does not like, he will say himself: he will begin to drop leaves and simply wither away.

Table: symptoms of plant diseases and measures to prevent them

Symptoms	Possible reasons	Measures
Leaves fall. Wrinkle. Dry.	More often this happens with ampelous plants: With a burn. At low humidity levels. When the soil dries up.	Change location. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Spray the plant from a spray bottle, shower. Install a factory humidifier. Place several containers of water nearby. Immerse the ficus pot in a bath of water to the level of the height of the drainage. This will allow the soil to accept what it needs.
The leaves turn yellow. Nicknut. Unpleasant smell during watering.	The reasons include: Excess moisture. Root rot. Lack of illumination.	Change location. Illuminate with artificial light. Change substrate. Remove rotting parts of the roots.
Leaves grow slowly. They turn pale. Shallow. Turn yellow.	Chlorosis from nutrient deficiency (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, etc.) Soil depletion.	Replace the substrate completely.
Leaves turn brown. The ends dry up.	Low humidity.	Apply any of the above methods of normalizing humidity.
Deformation of the central vein - it shrinks, the leaf becomes wavy.	Too much light.	Increase the distance between the ficus and an artificial light source.

Novice flower growers may be alerted by the appearance of white drops with back side leaves or white specks that suddenly appeared along the edges of the leaves. These processes are natural for ficus and do not require solutions.

Diseases and pests

Even at the stage of buying a ficus in a flower shop, it is inspected with passion for the presence of pests and diseases. This is signaled by spots of non-natural origin. It's not worth buying this.

Diseases may appear later. Therefore, the purchased plant is first placed away from other plants. They watch him for a week, and only after this period they are truly accepted into the green family.

Diseases

Ficuses are prone to viral and fungal diseases.

As a preventive measure, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is used for healthy plants, with which the soil is shed once a month, and a little charcoal is added to the soil mixture.

Pests

Pests cause the appearance on the leaves of various spots of non-natural origin. The leaf then changes color and falls off. The main harmful insects:

The danger from pests is high. Their sticky secretions create a favorable environment for the development of all fungal diseases. Timely noticed negative changes in the plant will help save the plants.

Usually ficuses are evergreens, but deciduous ones are also found among them. Manifold various kinds and subspecies surprises, there are more than 800 of them, and each is beautiful and unusual in its own way. Let's look at the most popular homemade ficus species: their appearance, features and subspecies.

What is Ficus Benjamin

This is one of the most common types of this plant. He came to us from Asia and Northern Australia. In addition, this type of ficus is a symbol of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.

It got its name from the benzoin resin, which is obtained from the juice of this plant. Although some still believe that he owes his name to a certain dealer in indoor plants.

In nature, the tree has a spreading lush crown and grows up to 25 meters. Also, Benjamin's ficus has gained great popularity among indoor plants. It has become a hit in interior floriculture because it is beautiful and has many varieties.

Varieties of ficus Benjamin:

• Large-leaved: Anastasia, Boucle, Bushy King, Golden King, Golden Monique, Daniel, Midnight, Lady, Samantha, Irene, Exotica;
• With medium size leaves: Curly, Kinky, Naomi, Naomi Gold, Starlight, Fantasy, Esther;
• Small-leaved (dwarf): Barok, Viandi, Natasha, Nicole, Nina, Nina, Safari.

Leaves can differ not only in size, but also in color and shape.

The main types of ficus

Amazing and original Bonsai

Bonsai is a plant growing technique that originated in Japan a very long time ago. Literally translated as "plant on a tray." By definition, it is miniature decorative tree. There is a whole technique for its creation.

Ficus Bonsai does not belong to varieties; it is formed in a special way from Benjamin's ficus. This is a very difficult and very laborious process! During growth, it is periodically necessary to cut the roots and pinch the tops. Receiving a balance between the crown and the rhizome, the tree is given the necessary shape. Ficus Natasha, Nicole, Nina, Viandi, Barok are best suited for such purposes.

Excellent rubbery ficus

Its second name is ficus elastica. This plant is very popular and is found in many homes. Such universal love is caused by its extraordinary beauty. In addition, he is unpretentious in care.

Rubber-bearing ficuses are dark green in color, but sometimes they are decorated with a yellow border.

The most popular types:

• dark green leaves Abidjan, Melanie, Robusta, Shriveriana;
• leaves with a yellow border: Belize, Teaneck, Tricolor.

How to take care of ficus

With proper care, this houseplant grows quickly and reaches 2-3 meters in height. The growth rate is about 20 centimeters per year. The plant needs about 3 months to adapt and take root in new conditions. After that, caring for Benjamin's ficus, as well as for rubber, as a rule, does not require much effort.

Before you decide to bring the ficus home, you should carefully choose a place for it in advance. permanent residence. Try to comply with several important conditions:

1. direct rays of the sun should not harm the tree;
2. no need to put it next to the batteries;
3. humidity in the room should be medium, but in no case low;
4. draft is contraindicated.

From the first day, start spraying your flower. Always check the soil moisture in the pot.

Read more about how to care for ficus, read on.

Consider the main components of the proper care of this indoor plant:

• The soil. The soil should be breathable, slightly acidic, fertile, moist. Natural fertilizers can be added to the soil. It is necessary to ensure good drainage: it is better to make the lower layer of expanded clay, and the upper layer of sand;
• Lighting. These plants are very photophilous, so a bright place in your apartment is ideal for them. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, especially at lunchtime. It is best to put a pot of ficus on a window that does not face south or east. It is feasible for a ficus to survive a temporary lack of light, but its leaves will noticeably fade. In winter, it is necessary to highlight the plant, because in low light, Benjamin's ficus drops its leaves. Also, you can not often rearrange the plant in order to avoid one-sided dropping of leaves;
• Room temperature. The optimum temperature in summer should be within 18-25 degrees, in winter - no colder than 16-18 degrees. When keeping ficus in a cool room, it is necessary to reduce its watering. When dry, the plant can withstand temperatures up to 10 degrees above zero;
• Watering. It is advisable to water the ficus regularly in moderation. AT summer months do this 2-3 times a week. In early September, watering should be gradually reduced so that by winter the watering schedule is 1 time per week. The ficus flower does not like both excessive soil moisture and its drying out. However, before the next watering, the soil still needs to be slightly dried. In addition, periodically the soil must be loosened so that it dries out better. From excessive moisture, the ficus can rot the roots, then it will throw off a lot of leaves. Water your tree only with settled and soft water at a temperature not colder than room temperature. Do not forget to occasionally spray the leaves with a spray bottle;
• top dressing. Top dressing should be carried out in spring and summer 2 times a month. It is preferable for her to use natural fertilizers(for example, wood ash, nettle infusion). Before feeding, the plant should be watered so as not to burn its roots. You can also spray the leaves with a fertilizer solution. In winter, ficus can also be fed, but with the obligatory condition of additional lighting and no more than 1 time per month.

Learning to transplant ficuses correctly

Young ficuses are transplanted annually in the spring in new land. Plants that have reached the age of 4 can be transplanted every 2 years, and every year it is enough just to add fresh soil to the pot.

The soil for transplanting ficus at home should be nutritious and loose.

If the soil in the pot dries out quickly, then the roots have little space and nutrients, therefore, it is time to transplant the plant. After transplanting, it may shed its leaves or its growth will slow down somewhat. This is in the order of things, because with increasing space, the roots grow more slowly. Over time, new leaves will appear, and growth will accelerate.

How to transplant ficus:

1. It must be watered so that it is easier to remove;
2. Remove a layer of earth;
3. Pour drainage into a new container and sprinkle with earth;
4. Transfer the plant to a new pot;
5. Evenly cover the roots with earth;
6. Pour water.

Reproduction methods and their features

Many indoor plant lovers are wondering how to propagate ficus correctly. There are 2 ways in total:

Cherenkovy. Cuttings are stem and leaf-bud. They must be planted in a container with water, and after 2 weeks the cuttings will have roots. After that, they can be planted in a pot.

Air layers. The second way is the propagation of ficus by air layering:

1. Choose the shoot you like, remove a few leaves from it;
2. Make a circular incision;
3. Insert a piece of wood into the incision, then apply wet moss and wrap with cling film;
4. When the roots sprout, separate this part and transplant into another container.

What if the plant sheds leaves

Leaves can fall off for various reasons. Ficus Benjamin, for example, does this much more often than its counterparts. Why does this happen and what to do if the ficus sheds leaves:

Do not be afraid if the leaves of the ficus Benjamin fall. It is necessary, first of all, to identify the cause of this and immediately eliminate it. And here rubbery ficus, unlike Benjamin, is more adapted to home life and fall leaves much less often.

Diseases of this houseplant

• fungus on leaves. It appears as small black spots and eventually leads to the death of the leaves;
• Gray rot. It manifests itself in the form of gray mold on the leaves and stem with dampness or excessive heat in the room. If you shake the sheets, the mold will fly off and you will notice a dusty cloud. In this case, it is necessary to remove the affected areas, water the plant less often and ventilate the room more often;
• sooty fungus. It is characterized by a gray coating on the leaves. To get rid of it, you need to process the leaves with a soapy sponge. And with a heavy lesion, it is better to remove them altogether;
• Root rot. Ficus becomes gray color and fades. Alas, it is impossible to cure the roots. No matter how sorry, but you have to throw the plant along with the pot.

Very often, pests attack ficuses, affecting completely different parts of the flower. In many cases, the plant cannot be saved, and it dies.

To avoid bad consequences, regularly carry out disease prevention, spray water more often and wash the leaves.

Do you want something interesting?

Causes of the occurrence and development of diseases

Thus, the following causes of the development of ficus diseases can be distinguished:

1. Insufficient lighting, especially in winter. Growth slows down, leaves fall off and turn yellow. Remarkably, ficuses with dark green leaves are less demanding on light than those with light ones;
2. Unsuitable temperature or sudden changes in temperature. This affects decorative form plants. It begins to lose leaves and wither;
3. drafts. Ficus does not tolerate drafts. So his leaves may begin to fall and the stems dry;
4. over watering. If the top layer does not dry out for a long time, the tops of the shoots die off, bad smell rot from the soil, leaves fade and fall off;
5. Insufficient watering. With insufficient water, the leaves dry out, curl up and the ficus leaves fall. The branches become dry and brittle, and the earth is detached from the pot;
6. Excess fertilizer. Do not abuse fertilizers and violate their dosage. Root scorch can occur if the plant is fertilized in dry soil.

Make sure that there are no deformations, damages, spots and pests on the leaves. Any change is not good. Always remember that it is better to identify the causes of the disease in advance in order to be able to take action in time.

It is important to periodically inspect the flower and clean it from dried leaves.. AT difficult situations it is better to completely replace the ground, cut off the old rotten roots, transplant into a smaller pot.

Most often, the causes of the disease are caused by a lack of attention to the ficus from the owners. If you treat your pet with care and take proper care of the ficus at home, it will delight you with its well-groomed appearance for a long time.