What is the name of the ficus with small leaves. Ficus Benjamin: types, photos and care at home. Rare types of ficuses - description, subtleties of cultivation

ficus- very beautiful plant, which is adapted for growing at home. Science knows about a thousand of its species. Ficus (English Ficus) belongs to the family of mulberry plants. Homeland - the tropics, or rather tropical Southeast Asia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands. For the most part, it is an evergreen plant. The only exceptions are deciduous ficuses (fig tree - fig or fig tree). These plants can be both trees and shrubs. Ficus leaves are most often whole, up to 70 cm long and painted in a pleasant green color, but there are also species with bicolor leaves. The flowers are small with a simplified perianth. Each part of this plant contains the so-called milky juice.

In nature, ficuses are trees that reach a height of 40 meters and a diameter of up to 5 meters. Sometimes they are creeping or climbing. There are ficuses that start their lives on other trees, lowering their roots to the very bottom. Then they become very strong and increase in volume, resembling columns. Ficuses need such powerful roots to hold a huge crown of a tree. Sometimes they wrap themselves around their host (the tree on which it grows) so tightly that he dies.

Varieties of indoor ficuses.

Representatives of this plant are very different. There are bushy ficuses, and there are tree-like ones with a variety of leaf shapes and colors. You can shape a houseplant yourself, for example, if you pinch off the top of a ficus, side shoots will begin to grow, and it will become a bush. Conversely, if you pinch off the side shoots, the plant will stretch upwards like a tree. At home, they can reach 2 meters in height.

Plant growers and amateurs often have these types of ficuses:

Ficus rubber or rubber (lat. Ficus elastica).

With proper care, this variety at home most often looks like a rather large shrub with many shoots. Its leaves are very beautiful: dense, having the shape of an elongated oval with pointed tips and reaching 45 cm in length. When the leaf first appears, it has a bronze color, but over time it becomes dark green.

Ficus Ali (lat. Ficus Alii).

Because of its long and narrow dark green leaves, this plant is also called Ficus salicifolia, as well as Ficus subulata, Ficus neriifolia var. regularis, etc. Its trunk is dark brown with white stripes. Ficus Ali is very hardy and undemanding, but does not like being moved from place to place.

Ficus Bengal (lat. Ficus bengalesis).

This plant can reach 3 meters in height, so it needs a spacious room to feel good. This type of ficus is very beautiful and has powerful branches, which in nature form powerful superficial (aerial) roots. The leaves of this ficus are green, have an oval shape with sharp tips and reach 25 cm in length.

Ficus Benjamin (lat. Ficus benjamina).

This plant has the appearance of a small tree or large shrub with densely growing hard leaves with pointed tips, 3 to 8 cm long and oval in shape. The color of the leaves of this ficus is solid green and variegated (a mixture of dark green with light tones, and sometimes even white patches). They look like they are covered in wax. This ficus is great for home growing and therefore it is very popular among growers.

Lyre-shaped ficus (lat. Ficus lurata).

This plant is either a huge shrub or a small, slightly branched tree. lyre-shaped ficus has hard leaves from 25 to 45 cm long, bright green in color with light veins. Their shape is guitar-like. Like many other types of ficus, the leaves of this one give the impression that they are covered with wax. Because of its extraordinary beauty, it can often be found in the apartments and houses of plant lovers.

Ficus dwarf (lat. Ficus pumila).

This type plants can be ampelous or climbing. The heart-shaped matte leaves of this ficus are thin, small (only 2-5 cm long) and have a green color. The stem of this plant is thin and wiry, constantly giving new layers.

Growing ficuses and caring for them.

Home ficuses are not whimsical and therefore are one of the most beloved plants grown by flower growers in apartments and houses. All they need is stable conditions: good lighting, the right temperature, no drafts, and the right time to water.

Lighting and a place for growing ficuses.
Most often, these plants are grown on a well-lit windowsill. The main thing is that the window near which it grows faces south, west or east. AT summer time Ficuses do not want direct sunlight. If you notice that the sun is shining on the leaves of the plant, then be sure to build a shadow.

Ficuses are photophilous plants, which in winter suffer from long nights and short daylight hours. If you have the opportunity, then highlight the plant a few extra hours a day.

It is also not advisable to move or rotate the plant often, as this can lead to leaf fall.

Home grown ficuses are one of the best air purifiers, saving us from inhaling xylene, benzene and toluene, which are very harmful to health.

Temperature conditions for ficuses.
The normal spring and summer temperature for this plant is 23-25 ​​0 С, and in the autumn-winter period - 12-15 0 С. But don't worry, ficuses winter well and at room temperature of 20-22 0 С. I like it - it's dehumidifying heat from batteries.

Watering ficuses.
In the summer, these plants love abundant watering and spraying with water at room temperature. At other times of the year, they must be watered evenly, preventing the soil from drying out or waterlogging.

If the ficus feels a lack of moisture, then its leaves will turn yellow and the leaves will begin to fall off. For small-leaved plants, this is generally fatal.

With excessive watering, not only the leaves fall off, but the roots rot. This can lead to the death of the ficus.

Washing ficuses.
These plants love periodic cleaning of leaves from dust and dirt by washing under a shallow shower or from a watering can with a strainer. In summer, this must be done 2-3 times a month, and in winter - 1-2 times a month. With such washing, it is advisable to cover the upper open part of the pot with plastic wrap so as not to erode the upper ball of earth.

If washing in the shower or from a watering can is not possible, then periodically wipe the ficus leaves, first with a soft, dry cloth, and then with a damp one.

To wipe these plants from dust, some growers use a solution consisting of water with ordinary mayonnaise. After this procedure, the leaves acquire a bright rich green color. To wipe, you need to collect 0.5 cups of water and dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of mayonnaise in it. Then moisten a soft cloth with the solution and wipe the leaves with it until dust and dirt are completely removed.

Ficus nutrition.
In the summer, top dressing should be done every 10 days. For this, organic and mineral fertilizers are alternately used.

In winter, the frequency of feeding is reduced, and sometimes even reduced to zero, but at the same time, for the well-being of the ficus, it can be fed with tea leaves. To do this, make small holes in the soil, pour black tea leaves into it and sprinkle them with earth. This will be enough to make ficuses feel great in the winter.

Ficus soil.
These magnificent plants thrive in slightly acidic or neutral soil (pH = 6.5-7). They grow best in a specially prepared mixture consisting of equal parts deciduous, soddy light and soddy heavy earth with the addition of sand and humus. You can also add rotted manure and compost flour here.

If there is no possibility or desire to make such soil on your own, then you can purchase it ready-made in a flower shop. At the same time, be sure to specify whether it is suitable for ficuses.

Ficus transplant.
Old plants are rarely transplanted - once every few years. This is necessary to renew the shriveled and sour soil. Young ficuses, due to their constant growth and pulling everyone out of the ground useful substances, need an annual transplant.

At the same time, good drainage must be made at the bottom of the pot. It will protect the plant from waterlogging. For transplanting, it is advisable to use the above soil mixture.

Reproduction of ficuses.

Most often, these plants are propagated by cuttings, seeds and layering. We will consider only the first two methods, since they are simpler and most often used.

Propagation of ficuses by stem cuttings.
This method of reproduction is the most common. It is carried out as follows: in the spring, shoots with 2-3 leaves are cut off with an oblique cut under the lower node. The bottom leaf of the cutting is usually removed. After that, the secreted juice is washed off with warm water from the wound of a young ficus and placed in water or wet sand. Then the stalk must be sprayed abundantly and covered with a cap, which is used as a cut-off transparent plastic bottle. In this form, the ficus is placed in a shaded, warm place for rooting, periodically opening for ventilation. Do not place the cutting in the sun, as direct sunlight is fatal to it. As soon as you notice that the plant has begun to grow in size, feel free to plant it in a pot with the usual soil for ficuses. From this point on, the plant must be placed in a warm and well-lit place, for example, on a windowsill.

Cuttings of ficuses can also be carried out using a large leaf cut with a "heel". It is rooted in wet sand or peat, having previously rolled up into a tube and placed a stick next to it for stability. Then the leaf is sprayed and covered with a flask, removing it from time to time for airing, watering and spraying. As soon as the plant takes root, it must be planted in a pot with the usual soil for ficuses.

Reproduction of ficus seeds.
In spring, the seeds of this plant are laid out in flat cups - bowls, and covered with a soil mixture consisting of hardwood and a small part of river sand. Then the crops are well watered and the cups are covered with clear flasks, cut plastic bottles or glass. This allows the seeds to be in a constantly moist environment. Seedlings need to be ventilated for half an hour 1-2 times a day, removing the "lids" for this. As soon as they have the first leaves, young ficuses need to dive, that is, transplanted into a separate pot with soil of the same composition. Then, as they grow, they are transplanted into large pots.

Ficus formation.

These plants can be grown different forms and sizes. The same species can grow both as a bush and as a tree. Formation usually occurs in early spring (in March).

To make the ficus look like a bush, it is necessary to remove its upper shoots. In this case, it will grow in width.

In order for the ficus to have the shape of a tree and grow in height, remove its side shoots.

Thus, growers give them almost any shape and size.

Ficus pests and their control.

The most common ficus pests are:

1. Spider mites are insects, from 0.3 mm to 2 mm long with a rounded body. When they appear, you will notice the appearance of small cobwebs on the leaves and branches;
2. Mealybugs - insects sucking plant juice, 3.5-5 mm in size;
3. Thrips are small dark (often black) insects with an elongated body;
4. Scale insects and false scale insects are sucking insects 0.5-0.9 mm long.

To combat these pests, it is necessary to periodically (repeatedly!) Soap the stems and leaves of the ficus, and then rinse with cool water. To prevent soap from getting into the soil, it must be covered with a film. This procedure continues until the complete destruction of insect pests.

Problems of growing ficuses and their solutions.

1. What to do when ficus leaves turn yellow and fall?
Most often this is due to a lack of nutrients. To solve this problem, it is necessary to transplant the plant into a new nutrient soil.

2. Have the leaves fallen, yellow spots appeared on them, the edges turned yellow or fall off prematurely?
Most often this is due to excessively moist soil. To solve this problem, moderate watering is needed, after which the earth should have time to dry out.

3. Ficus leaves dry up and shrivel.
This is due to the drying of the soil, too dry air or when sunburn. To eliminate these problems, normalize the frequency of watering, humidify the air, or remove the plant from the sun.

4. The appearance of brown spots on the edges and tips of ficus leaves.
Most often this happens due to overfeeding the plant with fertilizers, insufficient feeding, when the air is too dry or the room temperature is elevated.

5. Falling ficus leaves.
There may be several reasons for this:

• frequent turns or changes in the place of growth;
• drafts;
• incorrect lighting;
• excessive watering.

6. The appearance of dark spots on the leaves of the ficus.
The plant urgently needs to be transplanted. In this case, the damaged roots are removed, and the places of cuts are sprinkled with finely ground charcoal. In the new pot, be sure to install drainage, plant the plant and water well. The next moistening of the soil should be only after the top layer has dried. Before that, you can only spray ficus leaves.

Rating 4.47 (15 Votes)

Fans of indoor flora are increasingly starting their journey with the cultivation of ficuses. The popularity of the plant is caused by unpretentiousness, the ability to purify the air, and a pleasant appearance. In the wild, there are more than 1 thousand representatives of the genus Ficus, for indoor floriculture much less is used, but the range is still too wide. How to choose a green pet that will become an unpretentious companion for many years? Ficus varieties with photos and names, described in the materials of the article, will help facilitate the task of choosing the right specimen. You will also learn about the intricacies of care, reproduction, transplantation, treatment of a green pet and the signs associated with the appearance of an exotic on the windowsill.

Ficuses: varieties, description, photo, origin

The genus Ficus is included in the large Mulberry family, it has from 850 to 2 thousand species. Representatives of the genus are evergreen or deciduous plants with a habit of trees, vines or shrubs. Most ficuses are epiphytes, that is, species that use other representatives of the flora as a physical support. Over time, the epiphyte develops many adventitious roots that form a continuous grove - a banyan tree. In such thickets, other inhabitants of the rainforest have no chance of survival.

Know! Strangler ficuses are able to braid their support over time and cause its death.

Exotics are distributed mainly in the tropical regions of Africa, on the islands of the Mediterranean, the Pacific and Indian Ocean. A well-known representative of the genus - figs grows in Central Asia, the Crimea, and the Caucasus.

The main advantage of exotics is leaves. Their shape, size, color depend on the species, variety. The plates are arranged in the next order, have fleshy stipules that envelop the kidney. Milky sap is present in all parts of plants and is used in medical purposes. There are rubber plants in the genus, which are a valuable raw material for the production of rubber.

In nature, exotic blooms in ears or brushes with nondescript flowers located inside a receptacle similar to a ball. After the buds wither, the fruiting body grows, forming a fig fruit with nut seeds. At home, fruiting is extremely rare.

The fruits of the sycamore and fig tree have been used as food since ancient times. They are rich in protein, trace elements, sugars, have a pleasant taste. Medicine also uses the gifts of nature, producing medicines based on leaves, fruits and milky juice.

It is interesting! The fig tree is revered by many Eastern religions as sacred. Islamists, Buddhists and Hindus reverently eat the fruit of the fig.

The exotic root system is growing rapidly. This property has long been noted in India, where the indigenous people came up with the idea of ​​building strong living bridges, directing roots along bamboo poles. Such a bridge is able to live for a very long time and withstand a weight of more than 3.5 tons. Large foliage is suitable for the manufacture of coarse fabrics, roofing, awnings.

But ficuses are most widely used as green pets. There are few varieties of indoor flowers, and the number of varieties can confuse even an experienced grower. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the main inhabitants of the window sill belonging to the genus Ficus. The most common types are:

1. Benjamin.
2. Rubbery (elastic).
3. Karika (room fig).
4. Bengal.
5. Deltoid (variegated).
6. Lyre-shaped (lyrata).
7. Dull (retuza).
8. Sacred.
9. Dwarf (pimula, creeping).
10. Triangular (triangularis).
11. Binendiyka.
12. Rubiginosa (rusty leaf).
13. Ivy.
14. Parcel.

Not all representatives capable of settling on the windowsill are listed here. Rare varieties and the intricacies of caring for them will be discussed in the corresponding section of the article.

The biological name of Benjamin's species is brilliant. At home in Australia and South Asia, the plant forms large trees, the crown of which consists of graceful thin branches. The height of such a giant often reaches 20-30 m. The upright trunk is covered with gray bark with brown strokes. The crown is wide, sprawling drooping shape.

It is interesting! If the tree grows in a tropical forest, then the aerial roots, which serve to absorb moisture, gradually descend to the level of the soil. Rooting, they form continuous thickets resembling a living arbor.

In room conditions, the growth rate of this species is slowed down, in 10 years its height reaches a little more than a meter. Centenarians form shrubs 2-3 m tall.

ficus benjamin

Variety of Benjamin refers to small-leaved crops. The length of the glossy leathery plate rarely exceeds 10 cm. The shape of the leaf is oblong-oval, gradually flows into a pointed apex. The leaves grow in the next order, have a solid edge and mild venation. The length of the petiole is 1.5-2 cm. The color of the plate and the dimensions depend on the variety. In nature, exotic blooms, forming syconia fruits (figs), located in pairs. The size of the berries is 2 cm, they are inedible for humans, but birds enjoy the gift of nature with pleasure. At home, even favorable conditions flowering occurs only in exceptional cases.

The advantages of the Benjamin species include the ability to form not only a beautiful crown of a bizarre shape, but also create an amazing interlacing of trunks. Flowers planted close to each other weave graceful trunks, this sight looks very attractive. You can meet exotic in various institutions, offices, at home, and at home, the variety is planted in gardens and in the local area.

Know! With proper care, Benjamin's ficus will produce an exquisite bonsai. The Viandi variety is ideal for these purposes, prone to arbitrary curvature of the shoots.

There are several exotic varieties that differ in the color of the foliage. At the Carly cultivar, the plates are covered with white specks, beautifully curved. Buckley forms tight curls of green. Varieties of the Monique line are also variegated, have a wavy edge.

Hybrid Natasha is a slow-growing variety with a compact crown consisting of bright green foliage. In Kinka, the edges of the pointed leaves are edged with a ragged border of white, light green or cream. Hybrid De Gantel stands out among other varieties with white foliage with tiny areas green shade, demanding care. Also of interest to flower growers are the hybrids of Lovely, Starlight, Nitida, Midnight Lady, Anastasia, Barok, Daniel.

Another well-known window resident is Elastica - rubbery ficus who came to us from India and Indonesia. Gigantic sizes are characteristic of wild representatives. The trees have a height of more than 30 m, and the thickness of the trunk reaches 2 m. Due to the abundance of aerial roots, which eventually take root and woody, the tree becomes impenetrable thickets. Buddhists rank the tree as sacred. Scientists use rubber for industrial purposes.

Indoor copies are much more modest. At home, the shrub reaches a height of 2 m, is characterized by rapid growth, thickened crown. A popular species is easily recognizable by large elongated leathery leaves with a clear central vein. The length of the plate reaches 20-35 cm, and the color varies from variety.

Interesting fact! In the Soviet Union, the cultivation of overseas elastica on the window was considered a sign of the unacceptable bourgeois lifestyle at that time.

Robusta is recognized as the best variety for growing in an apartment. A large representative of the flora has a rich green crown, consisting of beautiful large leathery leaves. Robusta shoots practically do not branch. The black prince has foliage so dark shade that it appears almost black.

Doechery is characterized by the presence of pink specks on the foliage and a grown reddish central vein. The popular variety Melanie has short stature 40-60 cm, but its dark foliage shines brightly, pointed at the end. Young leaves and shoots are painted in an intense red-brown hue. Teaneck forms olive specks along the edge.

Variegated cultivars are decorated with spots of various colors and sizes, there are hybrids with white or cream edging along the edge of the plates. Interestingly, this color is typical for young leaves; in older specimens, the color fades over time or disappears altogether.

Karika, or indoor figs differ from their wild relatives in habit. If a tree-like form is inherent in a freely growing specimen in Asia, then homemade figs are shrubs up to 2 m tall. The spreading crown consists of large palmate or lobed leaves with white or yellowish veins.

The trunk is covered with gray bark. After flowering, which, with proper care at home, becomes quite likely, juicy figs with small seeds are tied. Yellow-green fruits have been used since ancient times for eating, treating coughs, constipation, and exhaustion.

It is interesting! Figs belong to ancient cultures. Cultivate fruit trees began in the XIII century BC, the fruits and foliage are repeatedly mentioned in the Book of Genesis, the Bible.

The culture is cultivated in Asia, receiving unprecedented harvests of juicy sweet fruits. At the same time, care for it is simple, and the requirements for soil quality are minimal. There is an increase in the sweetness of fruits in areas of high moisture. During the dormant period, the shrub sheds foliage.

Bengal the species grows in India and Bangladesh, forming an interesting life form - the banyan tree. Garlands of powerful aerial roots, reaching the soil, take root, become like tree trunks. Non-viable roots remain hanging, forming dense dry vines. The banyan is able to occupy an area of ​​several hectares, and the crown volume exceeds 600 m. The fruits of the tree are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Thanks to the formation of the banyan, the pet is ideal for growing bonsai. Intricately twisted roots are covered with velvety foliage on top. In the shrub form, growth reaches 2 m, and ovate leaves with a leathery surface grow up to 20 cm in length. The light green surface is covered with a network of white veins. The most popular variety is Audrey.

Malaysia and Indonesia - motherland deltoid (variegated) ficus. There it grows up to 4 m, but at home growth barely reaches a meter height. The foliage is rounded, has the shape of a triangle, which is attached to the petiole by one of the corners.

Know! The name deltoid comes from the shape of the leaf blade, resembling the Greek letter delta. The name variegated is given for the arrangement of leaves of different sizes on the shoots.

The surface of the leaf is a bright green color with tiny white dots. Length 5-8 cm, width up to 6-7 cm. The twigs writhe gracefully, the bark is gray with a brownish tint. Even at home, a young specimen produces spherical, yellowish-green, inedible fruits 1 cm in diameter. It has many variegated varieties, among which Golden Leaves is the most original.

Lirata- a large representative of the genus, therefore, it is found only in large rooms. The leaves have nice shape in the form of a violin, reach half a meter. The surface of the plate is hard with pronounced venation, bright green, has a wax coating. In nature, it reaches a height of 12 m, the apartment version has smaller dimensions - 2.5-3 m. It is not surprising that such a large exotic does not tolerate proximity to other representatives of the flora.

Dull (retuza) grows in the Asian tropics in the form of a banyan tree. The trunk is covered with yellow-gray bark. The life cycle of a plant begins as an epiphyte, but eventually becomes independent.

Grown as a bonsai with medium sized foliage. Oval plate 8 cm long and 3-4 cm wide, pointed at the end. The surface is fleshy, dark green, leathery.

It is interesting! Sacred ficus trees have long been worshiped by Buddhists, because according to legend, meditation under such a tree turned Prince Gautama into a Buddha. At home, it is called the Bodhi tree.

The natural look forms fast-growing trees of gigantic sizes. Average Height Bodhi reaches 30 m. Before the banyan tree, the tree does not grow, but actively uses fleshy air feed for additional nutrition. Heart-shaped foliage 20 cm long has a process of the same length at the end. The leaves are smooth, green with pronounced veins. The appendage serves to remove excess moisture; in the rainy season, the tree begins to “cry”. Small rounded red berries are inedible for humans, but birds peck at the delicacy with pleasure.

It is impossible to grow Bodhi in an apartment because of the size, so true Buddhists acquire specimens for cultivation in greenhouses.

pimula- the eastern guest comes from China, Vietnam, Japan. Differs from tall brothers life form. The dwarf variety is represented by creepers or ground covers with woody thin shoots. Graceful thin branches densely strewn with small ovate leaves with a wavy edge. The plant clings to air roots, climbs various surfaces.

The leaf cover of lignified twigs is somewhat larger, reaches a length of 10 cm. Breeders gave flower growers a lot of variegated varieties with bordered or speckled leaves, for example, the Sunny variety series. In nature, after flowering, orange syconia are formed.

Know! Although the fruits are inedible for humans, they are widely used in the folk medicine of the East. Indoor specimens do not bear fruit, they belong to ampelous plants.

Unpretentious view of Binendijk came to us from the island of Java. There, the tree grows up to 20 m. At home, its height does not exceed two meters. The trunk is covered with brown bark, silvery in adult specimens. Second name this plant- willful.

It is easy to guess that it happened because of the characteristic elongated plate up to 40 cm long. The shiny foliage gracefully hangs from the crown, making the tree look like a miniature palm tree. The leaves are curved, the edges are wavy, the venation is pronounced. Siconia are small, burgundy.

Varieties of Ali, Amstel King, Amstel Queen with a bright glossy crown and variegated Amstel Gold with uneven yellow spots are popular with flower growers.

Triangularis it is not difficult to distinguish from the deltoid relative. The leaves of this meter-long shrub have more angular edges, and the point of attachment to the petiole is sharper than that of the deltoid. Leathery dark green leaves 5-6 cm long are covered with a network of grayish veins. From afar, the color of the crown casts blue due to a thin wax coating.

Triangularis is characterized by a rapid pace of development - shoots lengthen by 10-15 cm per year. The fruiting of an African guest at home is a fairly common phenomenon. Among variegated cultivars, "Coconut cream" is especially beautiful with a yellow surface, on which green spots are scattered.

rusty variety outwardly similar to elastica, but differs from it in small leaves and slower development.

Important! Rusty-leaved exotic will appeal to a beginner grower. The plant is inherent resistance to external conditions, endurance.

The Australian exotic at home looks like a sprawling tree. In room conditions, the height reaches 80-100 cm. The elongated oval leaves 10-12 cm long are covered with reddish hairs below.

Shoots of a brown-red hue grow by 15-20 cm per year. Aerial roots grow at the bottom of the trunk, absorbing moisture from the environment. The crown of the bush is spherical, strongly thickened.

Ficus ivy- an ampelous representative with tiny thin leaves (10 mm) sitting on short petioles. The surface of the plate is wrinkled, convex. It looks like it is covered in small bubbles. A rather capricious exotic, originally from the northern part of India, requires high humidity.

Parcel- a tree or shrub about 1 meter tall. The dense crown is formed by large oblong leaves 20 cm long and half as wide. The edges of the sheet are rough due to the presence of hairs, slightly wavy. The parcel is characterized by marble coloring with a mosaic white-green pattern.

Among the listed representatives of the genus Ficus, you will definitely choose a suitable sample for home cultivation.

Features of caring for various representatives of ficuses

Despite the unpretentiousness of exotics, they still need the attention of the owner for proper development. A few simple operations will help keep your green pet beautiful, healthy and tidy.

Important! Regarding tropical inhabitants living outside their homeland, flower growers adhere to the rule - to create an atmosphere for the flower as close as possible to the natural environment.

Indoor flower care includes the following points:

• creation of optimal temperature;
• correct irrigation regime, water procedures;
• choice of a permanent place of growth;
• fertilizer application;
• pruning.

In addition to the components described, the culture from time to time requires transplantation and pest control. They will be discussed separately.

Since different varieties grow in different conditions, then care for them needs to be organized specific. Consider the main points of caring for each species described, we will separately dwell on the nuances of agricultural technology for variegated varieties.

Benjamin

An exotic guest loves good lighting, but direct sunlight often causes crown burns. The acquired flower must be subjected to acclimatization and temporarily protected from the burning sun. For placement, you should choose a place where the lighting will be sufficient, but the midday heat will not burn the leaves. Rotate the pot from time to time to even out the light.

With its love of fresh air, the flower does not tolerate a draft. The optimal temperature background is 17-27⁰C. In winter it is not lower than 15⁰C, and in summer it is above 25⁰C. Hypothermia is dangerous for the root system, so the container is not placed on a cold floor. The flower reacts sharply to climate change - it sheds its leaf cover partially or completely. You probably won't like bare branches, so take Benjamin's "place of residence" seriously. He does not like unnecessary movements, so you need to place the pot so that after moving it as little as possible.

Attention! Ficus should not be placed near heating appliances. Minimum distance to the battery is 2 m.

Moisten the soil as it dries out. Too frequent or rare watering will certainly deprive you of the opportunity to admire the lush greenery. If the soil is dry at a depth of 2 cm, it's time to water your pet. Do not let the soil become waterlogged, it leads to the development of root rot. It is difficult to fight the disease, so it is better not to provoke its development. Watering is carried out only with water at room temperature, previously settled. Too cold water causes the leaves to fall off. Water the pot thoroughly, remove excess liquid from the pan.

Dry air is not good for a tropical guest. The situation will be corrected by double daily spraying of the crown. It is especially important to maintain a humid atmosphere in winter, when the air is mercilessly dried up by heating devices. Hygiene procedures come down to rubbing the crown from dust, but experienced flower growers prefer to bathe their pet in the shower once a month.

Without mineral supplements, it is difficult for a plant to grow new shoots, forming a lush green mass. Nitrogen is especially important for young growth, which contributes to active growth. After the winter rest period (in March), the first thing to do is apply nitrogen fertilizer. Carry out subsequent top dressing with mineral complexes, specialized fertilizers. Multiplicity - twice a month, duration - until the end of summer.

Remember! It is unacceptable to use top dressing during the dormant period. Instead of lush vegetation, you will get elongated thin branches with a small leafy cover.

ficus benjamina attracts with the possibility of creating a luxurious crown of any shape. Annual pruning helps to rejuvenate the bush. Consider the basic pruning rules:

1. They form a crown after waking up from hibernation, during the period of active growth - from March to June. Use secateurs for cutting. Pre-treat the tool with alcohol or a strong solution of potassium permanganate.
2. According to the idea, cut off the extra branches, not exceeding a quarter of the volume of the hardwood mass. Wipe thick sections from milky juice and sprinkle with crushed coal.
3. To get a wicker trunk, plant 3 individuals in one pot, weave the trunks together. As the boles grow, the thickness of the stems will increase, a beautiful pigtail will form.
4. Do not rush to throw away cut branches, they will be useful for reproduction.

Such simple care will be needed for the Benjamin variety and most representatives of the genus Ficus.

rubbery

Elastica does not require too intense lighting. Western or eastern windows are ideal for her. From elevated air temperature, the leaves quickly fade, the flower is kept at a temperature of 19-22⁰C, reducing the background for the dormant period to 15⁰C. From cold air, brown spots appear on the leaves, significantly spoiling the decorative effect.

To prevent the roots of the bush from freezing, place the pot on a sheet of foam. Top dressing is carried out in the same way as with Benjamin, but it is better to alternate mineral complexes with organic matter (mullein infusion). Make sure that the fertilizer does not get on the crown, as a chemical burn may occur.

Advice! Elastica can do without hibernation if the temperature background is maintained year-round at a mark just above 20⁰C.

In irrigation, it is important to maintain a balance, avoiding drying out of the substrate and stagnation of moisture. When the earth ball is thoroughly dry, water the pot abundantly. It is convenient to do this by immersion, and then wait for the liquid to drain completely. Water procedures positively affect the health of the green ward. Wipe or spray the surface of the leaves daily warm water, water the tropical guest from the shower, after covering the ground with polyethylene. To bring gloss, buff the leaf with non-alcoholic beer.

The elastic grows quickly, so you need to restrain its growth by trimming the crown. The released juice is wiped with a clean swab, the cut is sprinkled with crushed coal.

Karika

What does a beginner grower need to know about homemade figs? In order for the shrub to bear fruit, you need to take care of proper care and as close as possible to natural growing conditions.

The shrub loves good lighting, but is afraid of direct rays. Figs are thermophilic, the optimal background in the warm season is 25⁰C. Abundant regular irrigation with warm water and bathing will give the carica a healthy look, but you do not need to be zealous with watering. Top dressing and pruning are carried out in the same way as for relatives.

The second nuance of growing indoor figs is the need to organize a winter dormant period. To create an artificial winter with the onset of autumn, switch the flower to a moderate watering regime, lower the temperature to 10⁰C, and do not feed the tree.

Know! Dropping leaf cover during hibernation is a normal occurrence for carica.

Bengal

It is recommended to grow a banyan in spacious rooms, because it is able to quickly occupy an area of ​​​​up to 3 cubic meters. Penumbra or diffused artificial lighting is optimal for a banyan tree. Maintain the temperature background at the level of 22-26⁰C, protect from drafts. The lower limit for a heat-loving Asian is 17⁰C. There is no rest period.

It is watered regularly, plentifully, when the earth dries out by 2-3 cm. It is not recommended to spray to optimize the humidity of the environment, it is enough to regularly wipe the crown from dust. Banyan is prone to strong growth, so top dressing is carried out once a month. Use half the concentration of a special fertilizer. Thanks to pruning, a Bengal is made into a bonsai or shaped according to one's own taste.

Deltoid

The island inhabitant of Malaysia needs bright diffused light and high humidity for development. Daily spraying will help replenish moisture deficiency. The Malaysian is watered moderately twice a week, in winter it is irrigated every 7-10 days. The flower is kept at a temperature of 18-22⁰C, periodically airing the room, preventing the formation of a draft.

Fertilize every 2 weeks, alternating mineral supplement and organics. A haircut will help to beautifully decorate the crown or create a bonsai.

On a note! The deltoid variety is resistant to temperature fluctuations, but may lose its cover due to frequent movement.

lyre-shaped

Luxurious lirata needs a spacious room. If you have a small apartment and there is no way to isolate the lyrata from the "neighbors", it is better to refrain from buying a flower.

The best place to grow is a well-lit office space.
Observe the following growing conditions:

• put the pot in a well-lit place, but protect from midday rays;
• ventilate the abode of the lyrata more often, do not allow through blowing;
• irrigate the substrate 2-3 times a week in summer and weekly in winter;
• in summer, take the pot out to fresh air or a balcony;
• spraying only at low humidity, wipe the bush from dust;
• a sharp change in temperature is bad for the health of the lirata, keep the background 22-26⁰C;
• Once every 3-4 weeks, feed your pet with a half portion of an all-purpose fertilizer.

blunted

Retuza is most commonly grown as an indoor bonsai. Caring for it is simple, the main thing is to prevent the ingress of liquid on the root-trunks sticking out of the ground when watering.

Moderate diffused lighting, a stable balance of moisture in the soil, periodic spraying, crown formation, monthly application of complex top dressing are the basis for caring for the retuza.

Remember! While the purchased specimen is acclimatizing to new growing conditions, the fall of a certain number of leaves is considered a normal reaction. This period lasts from 2 weeks to a month.

Sacred

Growing the sacred Bodhi tree requires a spacious room. The greenhouse will become the optimal abode for him.
The Indian visitor prefers diffused light, easily tolerates penumbra, but with complete shading, it signals a lack of light by shedding part of the cover. A heat-loving individual creates a background of 22-25⁰C. If you want to create a dormant period (which Bodhi can do without), lower the temperature to 16-17⁰C. Protect the sissy from temperature changes and drafts. Watering is carried out as the top layer of the substrate dries.

Bodhi is undemanding to high humidity, but too dry air can be softened with a humidifier or a container placed next to an artificial reservoir. For normal development, the flower needs potassium and nitrogen. Make up for their deficiency by alternating mineral and organic feeding every 2 weeks.

Bodhi can be given any shape. Trimming and interlacing of trunks are carried out in the same way as with Benjamin.

Dwarf and ivy

Pimula is a unique plant. Among relatives, the possibility of transferring small frosts stands out, but the background of 20-23⁰C is optimal for it. With a lack of light, the bush will release bare branches. Place the pot in a west or east window, covering from the midday light with tulle. You can use artificial lighting.

The complete drying of the earthy coma will destroy the pimula, therefore, irrigation is started after 2-3 cm of the earth has dried. Moisten the foliage with a spray bottle daily. Feed the pimula once every 2-3 weeks with a complete mineral complex. Ivy ficus does not like drafts and a sharp drop in temperature; otherwise, caring for it is similar to that described.

Know! By trimming, you can create a neat spherical arrangement in a flower pot, but graceful twigs look most beautiful hanging down. The ivy-leaved variety can be allowed to curl along the support.

Triangularis

Triangularis is kept at 20-22⁰C, watering abundantly every 4-5 days. Exot shade-tolerant, direct rays cause burns on the surface of triangular leaves. To increase the humidity, use a spray bottle or purchase a floor humidifier.

Feed triangularis monthly. Formation is carried out based on their own preferences. An important point - you can not remove hanging air roots. Gently tie them to the trunk to direct them to rooting.

Binnendi

It is very easy to grow a beautiful palm tree. Benendijka needs very moderate watering and light shading. If you put the pot on the north window, the growth of the culture will slow down, but this will not affect the decorative effect. Background 20-25⁰C, shaping to reduce size, daily spraying and shower every 20-30 days will give the flower a healthy look.

Rusty, Parcel

Rubiginose and parcel are cared for in the same way as elastica.

How to care for variegated cultivars

Variability - special kind mutations of a part of the cells of the leaf plate. Chimeras do not contain chlorophyll, which is why they lose their typical green color and become spotty. When buying a variegated variety, you need to remember that it is more demanding to care for. In particular, variegated individuals need more intense lighting. This is due to the lack of chlorophyll in the tissues, which is involved in photosynthesis, supplying the flora with nutrition.

Variegated hybrids need intensive nitrogen fertilization. Such individuals are more thermophilic, do not tolerate drafts.

Important! Chimeras have a tendency to degenerate. If the usual shoots that appear are not cut off in a timely manner, then the entire bush will soon be reborn.

Reproduction of ficuses

Tropical perennials reproduce both by seed and vegetatively. You will learn how best to sow and organize the care of layering in this section of the article.

seed propagation

It is rarely used due to long period seedling development. Seeds are sown in 1.5 cm increments to a depth of 0.5 cm in a soil mixture consisting of sand, perlite and peat in a ratio of 1: 1: 2 or a mixture of peat with crushed sphagnum moss. The greenhouse is covered with a film and maintained constant moisture, background 25⁰C, diffused lighting. With the appearance of 2 leaves in seedlings, they swoop down in separate containers. Seedlings are cared for as adults of a certain species.

Any ficus can be grown in this way, but it is better to use the seed method to get bonsai. It is well propagated by Bodhi seeds, because the cuttings take root in it very hard. Figs grow easily from seed.

Reproduction by apical cuttings

Cuttings are the most popular method of exotic propagation. Suitable for all varieties of the genus Ficus. Only the time required for the rooting of the cutting is different.

Use the following instructions to propagate your pet from cuttings:

• for cuttings, use apical cuttings 10-20 cm long;
• there must be at least three internodes on the branch;
• make the cut obliquely with a knife, because the scissors injure the tissues and rooting will take more time;
• remove the lower pair of leaves, wipe off the secreted juice, place the shoot for 8-12 hours in a heteroauxin solution;
• put the cutting in a container with settled water, after adding a tablet of activated charcoal;
• when rooting in the ground, use a mixture of sand and peat or peat and perlite;
• deepen the branch by 2-5 cm, cover with a film or jar on top, pre-treat the cut with root powder;
• keep the substrate moist and the lighting moderate;
• roll large leaves into a tube and secure so that moisture does not evaporate too quickly through the pores.

Advice! Material for propagation is harvested during the period of active growth. You can use the branches left after shaping.

Although cuttings take longer to root in the substrate, this method is preferable. In a container of water, often the lower part of the stem rots.

leaf reproduction

Is it possible to get a full-fledged plant from a leaf? You can, if you cut it along with the heel - part of the trunk. Otherwise, after the development of the root system, the leaf will remain sitting in a pot without turning into an adult.
The shoots are rooted in a substrate of peat and sand according to the same rules as cuttings. This method is used for elastica (rubber tree).

Reproduction by layering

Layers are divided into 2 types - air and stem. Air layers propagate elastica, triangularis, Benjamin. Ampelous and creeping species propagate by stem layering - pimula, ivy.

To get an air layer, select a mature shoot, make two circular cuts in 1-3 cm increments, 2-5 mm deep. Remove the bark between the incisions, sprinkle the wound surface with Kornevin. Wrap wet sphagnum on top with a layer of 5 cm. Fasten over sphagnum polyethylene film. Under such a cocoon, maintain a moist environment by watering the moss with a syringe. Roots will appear from the wound surface. Make a cut 1-2 cm below the moss and plant layers in a pot.

It is very easy to get a new individual of a pimula. It self-roots at the points of contact of the nodes with the substrate. Pin the shoot from the mother liquor into a separate pot (without cutting). After the roots appear, separate the mother liquor and layering.

Reproduction by part of the rhizome

For individuals that are characterized by the development of banyan trees, a rare method of reproduction is used - rooting a root cutting. Separate a viable fleshy root and plant it in a separate container to a depth of 2-3 cm. Cover the container with a film and keep the substrate moist.

Important! Periodically ventilate the greenhouse so that the layer does not rot.

After 2-3 months, greenery will appear on the layering. After rooting, gradually harden the seedling, briefly removing the shelter.

Transplantation of ficus and its varieties

The primary transplant of a tropical guest is started after a period of adaptation. Let the new tenant acclimatize for 2-3 weeks, and then you can transfer it to a new pot.

As the tropical visitor grows, it will need to be transplanted to expand its feeding area. Too large a pot will slow down the development of seedlings, as they will use all their strength to develop the root system. Pots are selected in size so that the new container has a diameter 2 cm larger than the previous one. Young individuals develop intensively and up to the age of five they need an annual transplant by transshipment.

Mature specimens are transplanted less frequently, once every 2-4 years. You can replace the transplant process by changing the top of the soil in a pot. To do this, remove 3-4 cm of soil and replace it with fresh, well-fertilized. Be careful when removing the earth, do not damage the roots.

Remember! Each variety requires a certain type of substrate, but you can buy ready-made potting mix for ficuses.

The substrate for exotic should be nutritious, loose, permeable, the acidity level is closer to neutral.
Benendijka feels good in a 2: 1 mixture of soddy and leafy soil, to which absorbents are added - crushed bark, vermiculite, charcoal.

Triangularis and Banyan need a mixture of peat, sand, turf and leafy soil. Pimula and Benjamina love peat, sand, leafy soil and turf, mixed in a ratio of 1:1:2:1. Bodhi requires more frequent transshipment - 2 times a year. A mixture of turf and leafy soil with sand and peat is suitable for him. This substrate is suitable for lyrata.

Primary retuza transplantation is performed only after 3 years. It is planted in pots, removing excess roots. For the substrate, mix sand, humus, granular clay. The deltoid needs a soil mixture of soddy and leafy soil, to which a half portion of sand and a small amount are added. charcoal. For figs, it is enough to mix peat and sand to get a high-quality substrate. Elastica loves soil based on perhum, peat, sod, coniferous and leafy soil.

All ficuses are divided by growth into undersized and tall. The transplantation of such plants has insignificant differences associated with the dimensions of the pet. Smaller individuals are easier to extract from old container with a garden scoop, and large ones are taken out by tapping the walls of a pre-watered container.

Attention! Be sure to lay out at the bottom of the pot drainage layer from a mixture of expanded clay and charcoal.

Pour a layer of soil over the drainage so that after transshipment the bush is at the same height. Place the root system in a new container, add the required amount of earth, water. To restrain the violent growth of young growth, experienced flower growers recommend slightly thinning the roots.

Nature has endowed the inhabitant of the tropics with good immunity, so diseases and pests rarely appear on the bushes. More often you can see a withering flower with improper care. To begin with, conduct a thorough external examination, exclude violation of agrotechnical rules.

A tropical perennial signals the owner about a disease, an attack by pests, a violation of agricultural technology, a change in crown color or other changes in appearance:

1. The loss of turgor of leaf plates indicates a lack of moisture. Urgently water the green ward by immersion.
2. Yellowing on the underside of the leaf indicates an excess of moisture in the soil. Stop watering, change the mode to moderate.
3. Deformation and pallor of the leaves indicates a lack of nutrition. Feed your pet organic. The same symptoms appear with a long absence of a transplant.
4. The fall and the appearance of brown spots on the foliage occurs with a lack of heat. Stabilize the temperature background, move the pot to another place.
5. Fleecy white spots on the underside of the plate indicate the appearance of a mealybug. The pest is removed with a damp sponge or insecticide.
6. A tiny yellow speck, folding the edge of the leaf, the presence of thin threads of cobwebs - a colony of spider mites settled on the plant. This means that there is not enough humidity in the room. Install a humidifier and treat with Aktara acaricide. Can apply folk method- treatment with infusion of garlic, dandelion. Wash off pests from glossy leaves with a sponge dipped in soapy water.
7. If brown spots appeared on the underside of the plate and on young shoots, the bush was attacked by a scale insect. Insects are washed off with soapy water, treated with Actellik three times.
8. The appearance of aphids on the bushes does not go unnoticed. Swarming insects can be seen with the naked eye. The colony secretes a sugary liquid in which soot fungus spores develop. Aphids are easily washed off even with plain water. Give the bush an unscheduled shower or spray it with insecticides.

Remember! A healthy individual of the disease and the attack of pests are not terrible.

From fungal diseases, root and gray rot, anthracnose, botrytis (spotting) are dangerous. If you find plaque, mold or rounded yellow-brown spots, treat with fungicides - Fitosporin, Topaz, HOM preparation or Bordeaux liquid. With root rot, transplant the bush into a new pot, after removing the damaged tissue. Disinfect the root system by immersing for 20 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Ficus in the house - signs

Scientists have officially recognized representatives of the genus Ficus as useful plants. Their ability to purify the air from harmful substances - compounds of phenol, benzene, trichlorethylene is noted. Absorbing chemicals, the perennial processes them into harmless glycosides (sugars), which it uses for nutrition. But a pet can be harmful to health. Milky juice is a strong allergen, and its compounds released into the air cause an exacerbation in asthmatics and allergy sufferers. It is important to exclude the contact of animals and children with this representative of the flora.

In addition to scientific evidence, there are a number of superstitions associated with the tropical guest. For example, it is believed that for the onset of a long-awaited pregnancy, you should be presented with layering. It is desirable that the person be close and bring you only positive emotions. It is better if it is a family in which a baby has recently appeared.

Various sources consider the exotic flora to be a muzhegon, but most indicate that a girl who has grown a luxurious ficus with her own hands will soon marry. Ayurveda speaks of the accumulation of favorable energy in a family that has acquired a green pet from the tropics.

Know! Exot destroys pathogenic microorganisms, releasing phytoncides into the environment.

Since the cultivation of bonsai in the East is traditionally considered a symbol of prosperity, the owner of the tree needs to carefully monitor its health. Falling leaves promise need, and a lush bush, put up on the kitchen windowsill, will increase the well-being of the house. Great luck, lack of anxiety, positive energy and family harmony will bring a green pet to its owner.

Rare types of ficuses - description, subtleties of cultivation

Having got a few described plants, you will probably want to replenish your collection. unusual view. We recommend paying attention to the following varieties - Krishna, reed, boxwood, microcarp, palmera. Let's open the veil of secrecy by spending brief digression in the description and subtleties of the cultivation of these crops.

krishna

The Indians gave an unusual name to a tropical plant because of the special shape of the leaves in the form of a funnel. According to legend, Krishna himself drank water from such a glass! The edges of the leaf blade, bent down, grew together, and an interesting living glass was obtained, 20 cm long and 15-20 cm wide. The trunk up to 1.5 m tall is covered with silvery bark, at home the trunk length reaches 10 m. As it grows older, the bark darkens a little, air roots appear.

Subject to high humidity, the Krishna tree is not afraid of direct sunlight, it languishes in the shade.

Important! Exot does not tolerate changes in the external environment, so it is not necessary to move the pot endlessly or often transship.

It is enough to plant a bush in a spacious container with a margin of space, water, spray, bathe abundantly and often. Use ready-made soil for planting, add some coal. The tree propagates by air layering, the cuttings take root much worse.

reed

The African rainforest visitor has glossy leathery foliage up to 5 cm long. It grows best next to a vertical support. Caring for an African is easy: regularly water abundantly, maintain high humidity, temperature 22-26⁰C, keep out of direct sunlight, shape in spring and feed regularly. Easily rooted cuttings.

boxwood

The name is given for the small dark green leaves, similar to the cover of boxwood. Homeland - Africa. The tree is covered with dark brown bark and forms many syconia. Used to create bonsai. Likes high humidity, but excessive watering is detrimental. Tolerates light shade, photophilous. For planting, they use the same soil as for a banyan tree, and they take care of it in the same way. Propagated by cuttings.

Microcarp

The Asian guest at home has gigantic dimensions - it grows up to 25 m. In room conditions, growth rarely exceeds 1.5 m. The dense wide crown consists of pointed oval foliage. The surface is glossy, leathery, rich green, length 8-10 cm, petioles are short.

Know! The main advantage of a microcarp is not a crown at all, but luxurious bizarre roots sticking out of the ground. Outwardly, they resemble the rhizome of a mandrake.

Such a root system is formed artificially, so the price of tiny seedlings is prohibitive. It is not surprising that bizarre miniature compositions are obtained from them.

You need to take care of them like a type of banyan (Bengal), but in winter additional illumination will be required. Propagated by all methods described in the article. Of the varieties, Panda, Moklame, Ginseng (ginseng) are widely used.

Palmera

The second name is bottle tree or anaba. It grows in Mexico, has a very unusual appearance. The lower part of the trunk is transformed into a special thickening - caudex, which serves to store moisture. Individuals growing in desert areas reach a height of 4 m, where there is enough moisture, their growth is limited to nine meters. heart-shaped leaf blades light green shade covered with a pronounced network of veins, length 15 cm, width up to 12 cm. At home it grows small, used to create bonsai.

The Mexican guest is unpretentious, they look after him like a banyan tree. And reproduction has an interesting feature. Seeds are not easy to obtain, and the only way to grow a caudex bottle tree is through sowing seeds.

Remember! Anaba cuttings take root well, but will grow in the form of a bush.

Conclusion

Whatever varieties of ficuses you like, the description with photos and names described in the article will help you choose the right green pet for yourself. BUT detailed instructions on the basics of cultivation and care will certainly give the tropical guest health and a luxurious crown.

Ficus (lat. Ficus) - a species of plants belonging to the Mulberry family (Moraceae), form a separate genus Ficus (Ficeae). Among them there are both evergreen and shedding leaves. There are over 800 species. Some of them take root well at home and enjoy the well-deserved love of flower growers. Care for all species and reproduction are quite simple.

Grow in countries with a tropical climate (in South Africa, on the islands and coasts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, in the Mediterranean). Some flowering species grow in Japan, Australia. Rarely found in temperate climates. Nevertheless, he feels great in Central Asia, Transcaucasia and Crimea. A description of some types of ficus is given in the article.

Kinds

Ficus Benjamin (F. Benjamina)

One of the most common types that are grown at home.

Refers to evergreens. In appearance, it looks like a small tree resembling a birch. Under natural conditions, they reach 20-25 meters in height, at home - - - 1-1.20. Grows slowly. Under natural conditions, it has a fairly branched aerial root system, but it does not form in room conditions.

Let's talk briefly about several of the most interesting varieties of ficus Benjamin.

Kinky

This common ficus is small in size, belongs to dwarf species. The leaves are light green with cream edges, narrow and small. Light and warm rooms are suitable for him, but the light should be diffused. Dislikes heat and drafts. It is difficult for him to move, he needs to immediately determine the place and not move anywhere else. Kinki need regular watering and foliar spraying.

Lovely

Grows as a bush, not a tree. The branches are thin, the leaves are round or oval, dense, tricolor. The color can vary from dark green to very light green.

Likes bright light and moderate humidity. In spring and summer, abundant watering is needed, in autumn and winter - moderate. It is recommended to feed with mineral and organic fertilizers.

Baroque

The name was given due to the unusual shape of the leaves - they have twisted veins, which give the leaves such a bizarre shape. The leaves themselves are glossy, smooth edges, Green colour.

The baroque grows slowly, there are few leaves. Usually several plants are planted in one pot, then they look interesting and unusual.

Ficus rubber (F. elastica), other names - elastic, elastic, "snake tree". Grows well at home. In nature, it grows in Indonesia, India, reaches 20-30 meters in height. The rubber plant has been cultivated as a houseplant for about two hundred years, but does not bloom in the house. The leaves are round, with sharp tips. The first few years the trunk is straight, then it begins to branch. Rubber-bearing is quite unpretentious, but does not like excessive watering and humidity.

The plant got its name - rubber-bearing - because of the juice containing latex. Natural ficus elastic was used to produce rubber.

Robusta has several subspecies, differing in patterns on the leaves. The leaves themselves are large, fleshy, dark green in color. As already mentioned, depending on the species, they may have patterns, and the color also changes from dark to light.

Robusta is unpretentious, does not require any special conditions, but it needs to be watered often and little by little.

Melanie. It was this variety that was once the raw material for the production of rubber, but is now grown exclusively as ornamental plant. Works great as a house plant. Medium-sized, with a neat crown, the leaves are large, glossy, dark green. Melanie is not capricious. Likes moderate lighting frequent watering and spraying. But its juice can cause allergies.

Bengal ficus (F. Benghalensis). His homeland is India.

Unlike other types of ficuses, it is not very popular as a houseplant, although it is unpretentious and does not require difficult care. Likes bright light, but not direct sunlight. Therefore, it is better to place farther from the bright sun. Watering is recommended medium.

At home, it grows up to two meters. The leaves are large, velvety. Depending on the variety, it can be monophonic and variegated, combining white, green and yellow.

Ficus deltoid (F. deltoidea)

Low (up to 80 centimeters), the leaves are bright green with white, shaped like the Greek letter delta (hence the name), the trunk is brown or gray. Fruits in room conditions. The fruits are yellow or orange, up to a centimeter in diameter. Likes light, heat and moderate watering.

Ficus Lyre (F. lyrata)

This ficus got its name because of the shape of the leaves, really reminiscent of a lyre. The leaves themselves are very beautiful: large, up to 50-60 centimeters in size, dark green with characteristic veins and wavy edges. The trunk is straight. Due to the height and wide crown, the lyre-shaped ficus needs a lot of space. But this ficus has a variety called bambino, small, but no less beautiful.

Microcarp (F. microcarpa) aka ficus small-fruited

Outwardly, the microcarp resembles Benjamin's ficus. It got its name because of the fruits (mikros - small, karpos - fruit), they are really small (up to 1 centimeter). There are several varieties that differ in the shape of the leaves, they are round, elongated, oval, long narrow.

In nature, the microcarp reaches 20-25 meters in height, has a branched aerial root system, which is why it is sometimes also called the "strangler", since these roots wrap around the trunks of nearby trees and prevent them from growing.

At home, it grows no more than one and a half meters in height. Unpretentious, but rarely blooms with small flowers. Prefers indirect light and moderate watering.

(F. triangularis)

His homeland West Africa. Under natural conditions, it reaches 30 meters in height. The name was given because of the shape of the leaves: triangular, with a thick vein in the middle, dark green.

At home, it takes root well, even blooms and bears fruit, the fruits are small, yellow. Loves humidity and heat, diffused light.

Fig tree or fig (F. carica)

This is probably the most known species ficus. It has several names - fig, fig, wine berry. Its fruits are not only edible, but also very useful.

It grows in Central and Asia Minor, in the Carpathians, Crimea.

The trunk is short, with a gray-brown bark, the leaves are large, green, bizarre in shape. In nature, it grows up to 5-10 meters in height. It is deciduous - that is, sheds leaves.

Perfectly adapted to home conditions and even bears fruit.

Ficus rusty red or rusty (F. rubiginosa), another name for the place of origin - southern (F. australis)

Growing in Australia. Evergreen. It looks like rubber ficus, but its leaves are much smaller, smooth, dark green in color. Unpretentious, but grows slowly. The crown is spreading, the trunk is smooth, dark gray. Care is the same as for elastic ficus.

Large-leaved ficus (F. macrophylla)

The leaves are similar to the leaves of an elastic ficus, but they are thinner, the edges are wavy, and form a dense crown. The trunk is wide, with dark gray bark.

(F. binnendykii)

It grows in Southeast Asia, but also takes root in other places with a tropical climate.

In nature, it reaches 15 meters in height, but in room conditions it does not grow above two meters.

The leaves are long, large, dark green in color, lowered down. Sometimes because of this, it is also called loose-leaved, but this is an unofficial name.

He loves light and warmth, but does not tolerate heat well.

Rough ficus (F. aspera)

The leaves are elongated, beautiful marble colors: a combination of light green, white and dark green. Even young plants bear fruit.

In height, indoor ficus with colored leaves grows up to one meter. Refers to evergreens.

curly

Creeping ficus (F. repens), other names - (F. pumila), stipules (F. stipulata)

This medium-sized climbing plant comes from Japan. The leaves are bright green, small, oval in shape. Grows in long vines. They have small sucker roots, with the help of which the ficus clings to suitable surfaces. For him, you can put wooden vertical supports or pull ropes.

Loves water, with a lack of moisture, the leaves fall off.

Cool air is needed in winter.

Arrow-shaped ficus (F. sagittata) or rooting ficus (F. radicans)

Also, like the creeping ficus, it belongs to the ampelous varieties of ficuses. The stems are thin, the leaves are small, oval, green with a creamy stripe along the edge.

Undemanding to temperature and lighting, but water a little, in the heat - spray.

In the first three years, the young plant must be transplanted once a year in the spring, then every 2-3 years.

Care

Caring for ficuses is not difficult, since almost all species are quite unpretentious. Ficuses love sunlight, but not direct sunlight - otherwise the leaves may burn. Watering is mostly moderate, some species like spraying. Optimum temperature- from 15 to 25 degrees, in winter it can be a little cooler. Humidity is average, but some varieties require increased.

Since the leaves are very large, dust can collect on them. They should be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth. Ficus species with variegated leaves are more demanding to care for than those with green leaves.

In nature, ficuses are tall, in addition, their crown can grow strongly. Therefore, when grown indoors, they need to be cut and form a crown.

Fertilizing is required about once a month.

Ficuses are transplanted in early spring. Young - usually once a year, adults - once every 5 years, but it is better to carefully remove three centimeters of the top layer of soil and fill it with fresh.

The pot should be the size of the root system; when transplanting, the new container for the plant should be 1-2 centimeters larger than the previous one.

Soil: seven 1:1:1 turf, peat and leafy soil and some sand, but for larger ones, compost with gravel or sand is good for stability.

reproduction

There are several ways to propagate ficuses:

1. cuttings;
2. kidneys;
3. leaves;
4. air outlets.

Although, as a rule, cuttings are still used more often.

Cuttings are carried out in spring or summer. The size of the cuttings is 10-15 centimeters.

After pruning, the cuttings must be washed with warm water to wash off the juice, otherwise it will harden and clog the cuts, or put the cuttings in water for a couple of hours. Then they are dried for 2 hours and placed in water. You can make incisions on the trunk - this will accelerate the appearance of roots. After the appearance of the roots, transplant into the ground.

Pests

For ficuses, mealy worms, scale insects and spider mite.

For prevention, it is necessary to monitor the humidity. If necessary, use special means for processing plants.

ficus (Ficus) belongs to the Tutov family. It is a light-loving, shade-tolerant, deciduous ornamental plant. To date, this plant is one of the most common among indoor flowers, is especially popular with flower growers and beginners. According to various literary sources, the genus Ficus includes from 800 to 1000 species of evergreen, deciduous shrubs and woody vines. But only 20 types of ficus are considered indoor. Ficus grows in tropical and subtropical regions of various continents - America, Australia, Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, on the islands and coasts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

It is known that most types of ficus in nature reach a huge size, these are thick branched trees that give a dense shade. There is such a fact, for example, in Bengal there are specimens that with their crown are able to cover an area of ​​​​1 hectare.

Indoor ficuses are considered long-lived and, having planted such a wonderful plant on your windowsill, you will admire the plant for a long time. The leaves of the ficus are the most diverse in thickness and shape, as well as in color.

In the Buddhist tradition, the ficus is considered a cosmic tree, it is called the "tree of enlightenment" or "Bo".

Now your attention is given a description and characteristics of the most common types of ficus that are grown indoors.

Ficus rubbery Ficus elastica

(Ficus elastica) , is a large and branching shrub.

Leaf characteristics: the leaves are beautiful, dense, 30 to 45 cm long, oblong-oval, pointed at the ends. Growing at home under optimal conditions, the plant turns into a tree up to 2 meters high. Mature leaves are green in color, but the leaves of young plants are bronze in color. This type of plant will fit perfectly for landscaping winter gardens, foyers and shop windows. In winter gardens, small figs appear on old individuals - they are inedible.

The Himalayas, Burma, Nepal, the tropics of India, Sri Lanka, and West Africa are considered to be the birthplace of rubber ficus. In these zones, the tree can grow up to 25-30 meters high. From historical facts it is known that in the 19th century they learned to grow an narrow-leaved form. Variegated forms are harder to grow than green forms.

In astrology, the ficus rubber plant is the plant of Capricorn, and affects a person on a physical and emotional level.

Your attention is given to the most common forms of rubber ficus:

1. Ficus Robusta - they have powerful and wide leaves, dark green in color.
2. Ficus variegate - on the leaves are light yellow, white stripes and spots, there are also pink shades.
3. Ficus Black Prince (Ficus "Black Prince") is very similar in appearance to robusta, the leaves are almost black.
4. Ficus doescheri The leaves have a red midrib.
5. Ficus schrijvereana - there is a complex marble pattern on the leaves.
6. Ficus tricolor - cream spots of the plant, as well as light pink stains on green leaves.
7. Ficus elastica variegata - sheet plate with cream edges.
8. Ficus diversifolia - the bush grows slowly, 1 meter high. The leaves are covered with brown spots.

When caring for such forms of rubbery ficus, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the leaf plate.

Be careful, if a leaf or cutting is damaged, the ficus releases poison.

During the dormant period, with excess moisture or too dry soil, rubber ficus can shed its leaves.

Ficus benjamina Ficus benjamina

(Ficus benjamina) , it is a large spreading shrub or small tree with dense foliage, stems penetrating. The leaves are small, elongated and pointed at the ends. Their length is from 3 to 8 cm, they are oval, hard, mono and variegated, waxy in appearance. Under natural conditions, this form allows excess moisture to drain during the monsoon period. Ficus Benjamin has thin and weak shoots, they need to be formed so that the plant looks neat. Shoots can stretch without formation, the bush will be one-sided. Ficus Benjamin normally tolerates a haircut, only the cut points must be treated with crushed coal. There are times when several plants are planted in one pot, as they grow, their trunks intertwine into a “pigtail”.

The popularity of this flower is growing very much, as the flower fits perfectly into modern interior.

Ficus lyre-shaped Ficus lyrata

(Ficus lyrata) , this is a small tree or shrub of impressive size. Has dense petioles. Upright and not very branched.

Leaf characteristics: the leaves are hard, 25-45 cm long, bright green in color, with relief light veins, have a wax coating and wavy edges. Shaped like a guitar. AT young age leaves slightly pubescent. There are no aerial roots. The plant needs good lighting. Burns may occur if exposed to direct sunlight.

ficus pumila

Ficus pumila Ficus pumila

Ficus dwarf or pumila(Ficus pumila) , decorative climbing small-leaved species (ampelous species). The plant is perennial, does not shed its leaves, the stems are flexible, wiry, give layering. The length of the leaves is from 2 to 5 cm, in shape - heart-shaped, thin, in color - green, matte on a thin stem. Young shoots are asymmetric plates. The length of the shoots is up to 5 m, if the plant is propagated vegetatively with such shoots, then in the future the asymmetry will remain in the adult plant. China and Japan are considered to be the birthplace of pumila.

Ficus Bengal Ficus benghalensis

(Ficus benghalensis), in other words "The World Tree", is a symbol of endless reward and immortality. The evergreen tree has spreading and powerful branches. Aerial roots are long, formed in natural conditions. The bark of the ficus bengal is smooth, grayish-brown in color. By color, the leaves of the Bengal ficus are dark green; oval in shape, with a sharp tip. The leaves are dense and velvety, 15-25 cm long with large quantity vein. Ficus Bengal in a pot grows up to 3 m in height. This flower needs a spacious room.

Ficuses are the most common plant to grow and care for at home. In this regard, a large number of people who decide to have ficuses have many questions related to the cultivation and cultivation of these flowers.

If you take into account all aspects of ficus care at home, this flower will become a beautiful and elegant decoration for your interior. Remember that this plant loves care and attention. Without them, it will lose its leaves and lose its attractive appearance.

In this article, we have collected answers to a wide range of questions related to caring for ficus at home. Also here are tips on how to choose the right ficus, choose a flowerpot for it, how to transplant, propagate and treat for diseases.

What rules for caring for ficuses at home should be followed so that these plants have a healthy appearance? How ficuses are watered, propagated? Where is the best place to place them?

Lighting

Ficuses should be placed in well-lit places. An abundance of light is the most important condition for the well-being of ficuses. Species with dark green leaves tolerate more shading than variegated ones and do not like direct sun. Variegated species can also be placed in the open sun, shading on especially hot summer days.

In winter, during short day, ficuses need additional lighting. The lack of light in winter is the main reason that ficus leaves fall. It is advisable to purchase a special lamp and illuminate the ficuses so that the plants receive light for at least 12 hours a day.

To form a beautiful crown during the period of active growth, it is necessary from time to time to turn the plants in different directions to the light source.

Air humidity

This plant loves high humidity.

• Although this condition is not so obligatory for him, it is advisable to regularly spray the ficus or give him a shower.
• Varieties of ficuses with large leaves collect a lot of dust, which prevents plants from eating properly, and it looks ugly.

The leaves of these species need to be wiped from time to time with a damp sponge.

Temperature

Ficus is a thermophilic plant. Comfortable temperature for him: in summer - 25-30 degrees C, in winter - 16-20 degrees C. Minimum temperature- 10-15 degrees C (lower temperatures are acceptable for green-leaved species than for variegated ones).

Drafts and hypothermia of the soil are undesirable for ficus. No need to put it on a cold window sill or floor.

Watering

Proper watering is another important condition for the maintenance of ficuses. In summer they need abundant watering, in winter - moderate. The soil between waterings should dry out, but not dry out, ficus is a moisture-loving plant. However, in cool conditions for ficuses, waterlogging of the soil can be dangerous. At the same time, their roots and, sometimes, the base of the stem begin to rot.

Ampelous species require more abundant watering than ordinary ones.

top dressing

Ficuses are fertilized during the period of active growth, i.e. from March to September. Top dressing is applied 1 time in two weeks. Fertilizers should be used with a predominance of the nitrogen component, which stimulates the growth of green mass.

reproduction

They are easily propagated by cuttings. For rooting, a small twig is cut off, although even a small cutting with one leaf is enough. The cutting is placed in water or soil mixture.

• You can use soil heating, cover the cuttings with a glass jar or a plastic bag, so rooting will happen faster.
• But even without this, the cuttings take root easily.
• Many types of ficuses in the process of growth need to form a crown by pruning and pinching.

Transfer

Ficuses grow very fast, so they need an annual transplant. Large tub specimens are not transplanted, they are replaced with the upper part of the soil. Ficuses require a nutritious earth mixture. There is a special primer for sale, you can also use a universal primer.

Ficuses are transplanted in March, the pot for transplanting should not be taken too large, because. they do not like excess land, the growth of ficus in this case slows down. A drainage layer should be placed in the pot.

Diseases and pests

Ficuses are rarely affected by diseases and pests, but it happens that they are attacked by scale insects, thrips or spider mites.

myflo.ru

Accommodation

In my opinion, the first rule in Ficus care at home- do not disturb once again and do not overdo it. What I mean. When I received a Ficus cutting from a flower lover like myself, I immediately determined a permanent pot and a permanent place for it.

And so, after the stalk took root, I rooted it in a fairly spacious (but still not huge) flowerpot. And immediately put this container in the place where it will grow constantly. After all, the main feature of Ficuses is that they do not like a sharp change in location and frequent transplants. The result of your insecurity may be crumbling leaves.

Proper watering

The second very important rule in caring for Ficus is the correct watering regimen. Also, water should be used only a little warm and settled. If this flower is not watered enough, the soil will dry out, and the leaves will also wrinkle and begin to fall off.

You need to water according to this principle - if the land mixture has dried up by 1-2 phalanxes of your finger - it's time. For large specimens, the drying of the earth is permissible and to a depth of 6 - 7 cm.

Wet air

Ficuses come from the tropics, so wet air they are vital. Especially the ampelous varieties of this plant. Caring for ficus at home involves mandatory spraying. Make sure that the water is warm and soft (settled). When spraying leaves traces of water on the leaves? What to do? - From time to time wipe the leaves with a damp soft cloth. This will save the plant from dust and give the leaves a beautiful look.

Temperature regime

For successful breeding of Ficus at home, the correct temperature regime is important. As they say, no matter how cold or hot. In winter, the flower must be provided with a temperature not lower than 16 ° C. The critical minimum is 12°С. In summer, conditions of 25-30 ° C should be provided.

Light mode

Most Ficuses easily tolerate light partial shade. They are even more harmful to direct sunlight. But variegated forms - for example, Ficus Benjamin prefer to grow in the light. Another thing is that this light should be diffused. Otherwise, the leaves may get burned.

In winter, any type of Ficus requires additional illumination using fluorescent, mercury or sodium lamps. Otherwise, they shed their leaves.

top dressing

For active growth, especially during the growing season, Ficus needs top dressing. In spring and summer, I apply nitrogen-containing fertilizers. This helps to build up more green mass to make the flower lush and beautiful. By the way, if your homemade Ficus shed its leaves, then good feeding help in his rehabilitation.

You can use "home fertilizer": an infusion of wood ash, mullein or nettle. And you can use ready-made mineral complex fertilizers: Humisol (I use it), Ideal, Palma, Ficus and others.

Frequency of fertilization: 1 time in 10-14 days. It is not necessary to fertilize in winter. An exception is if you provided Ficus with the same conditions as in summer (additional lighting, moisture, warm air). But even then you need to feed once every 1-2 months, and even then half the dose indicated on the bottle.

Diseases

Domestic Ficuses are prone to various diseases. Most often they are affected by spider mites. Therefore, as a preventive measure, it is necessary to spray. And sometimes I give Ficus a warm shower.

The conclusion is: caring for Ficus at home requires certain knowledge and most importantly, following the rules. And then there will be no problems at all. In the end, Ficuses grow even in public institutions, and in your home they will certainly grow and delight with their appearance.

floristics.info

Ficus care at home

• Most ficuses are unpretentious plants, except for ampelous forms.
• They do well in slightly shaded conditions.
• The most suitable temperature for them in winter is 20 degrees, in summer it can be a little higher.
• Do not allow the temperature to drop below 12 degrees.

How often to water

During the period of intensive growth, ficuses will need a lot of water. From spring to autumn, the plants must be watered regularly, but the water in the pan should not be constantly present, otherwise the roots will rot. In early September, watering is gradually reduced, and in winter it is enough to water once every ten days.

top dressing

Top dressing of ficuses is done from spring to early autumn - once every two weeks. To do this, it is better to use natural fertilizers such as mullein, wood ash and nettle infusion.

How to transplant ficus

Ficuses are transplanted once every 2 years. This is best done in the spring. As a substrate for transplantation, a mixture of earth, sand and peat is used in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. When transplanting, ficuses are first well watered, and then determined by the method of transshipment in larger containers.

Do not use too large containers. It is better to transplant into tight pots. This will limit the growth of the plant, which is more acceptable for home conditions.

Self-propagation, or how to propagate ficus correctly

Ficuses propagate using seeds, cuttings and layering.

Seeds are sown in spring in pre-prepared bowls. Landing is done shallowly and then the bowls are covered with glass. Contain crops in a humid environment. Glass is removed twice a day for 30 minutes to ventilate the crops.

• As soon as the first leaves appear, the plants dive. The composition of the soil should include leafy soil and some river sand. The grown ficuses are seated in separate pots with a diameter of 7 centimeters.
• Top cuttings are propagated in late spring or summer. A freshly cut stalk 5-7 cm sits in a pre-prepared soil. In this case, phytohormones are used.
• Ficuses are propagated by air layering from May to September. Just below the sheet from the bottom up, an incision of 5 mm is made.
• A wet match is dipped into a special hormonal cutting powder and inserted into the incision. This is done so that the incision does not close.

The prepared place is wrapped with wet moss and tied with braid. From above everything is covered with a film. After a few months, roots will break through the moss. In the lower part of the roots, the petiole is cut off and thus material is obtained for planting a new plant.

Ficus diseases

If you take care of the plant incorrectly, it can be affected by pests: mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites.

The scale insect feeds on the sap of the plant. When affected, the leaves lose their color and fall off. It is necessary, upon detection, to wipe the leaves with a cotton swab, which is pre-moistened in soapy water or use actellik. It will be enough 20 drops per 1 liter of water. When using Actellic, be sure to follow the precautions, it is toxic.

When affected by a spider mite, a white web can be seen under the leaves and between them. In this case, it is necessary to wash the plant with warm water. If the infection is strong enough, use the same actellik. It is also recommended to increase the humidity in the room.

• If the air is too dry, the plant can infect the mealybug. It appears more often on older plants.
• If the accumulations are small, they can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. In case of severe damage, use a solution of karbofos - 40 drops of emulsion per 1 liter of water.
• In the fight against spider mites and mealybugs, it is very effective tool it may turn out to be a soap-oil emulsion, which is easy to prepare yourself.
• It is necessary to dilute 5 tablespoons of washing powder and 5 tablespoons of diesel fuel in one liter of water. Pour this solution into a bucket of cool water and wash the leaves and stems of the ficus.

To destroy the scale insects, a solution with chopped garlic and soap is quite useful. A day after treatment, the plant must be thoroughly washed to remove the remnants of the mixture. It is necessary to process 3-4 times with a five-day interval.

Why do ficus leaves fall?

Sometimes ficus leaves can fall off. The reason for this may be excessive watering or a change in location. In the first case, due to excessive moisture, the roots rot, and the leaves become drooping, lifeless and fall off.

As for the second case, it has long been known that ficus does not perceive a change of place well. At the same time, he experiences a shock, which leads to the dropping of leaves. Be sure to monitor the lighting in the room where your plant is located. With a lack of light, plant growth slows down. Leaves can also fall due to low temperatures and drafts.

What you need to pay attention to

Do not buy plants in autumn or winter. Adaptation during this period is much more difficult. Do not buy too large specimens. Older plants are more difficult to adapt to new conditions.

1. Look through the drainage hole for ficus roots.
2. If they are black or dark brown, then this plant is not worth taking.
3. When buying ficus, lightly shake the plant or run your hand gently against the leaves.
4. If at least two or three leaves fall off, then it is better to purchase another plant.

Good luck with your choice.

After watching the video below, you can learn how to care for ficus in winter.

vdomashnih-uslovijah.ru

Ficus varieties

In room conditions, a large number of different types of ficuses are grown, sometimes very dissimilar in appearance. Most often in homes and offices you can find the following types of ficus: rubbery, Benjamin, lyre-shaped and dwarf. Outwardly very different, they are grown almost the same way. In general, they are easy to care for.

The most common types

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.

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.

Small-leaved compact tree with a dense crown. The branches of Ficus Benjamin in old plants, 8-10 years old, droop, and give the tree a special attraction. At home, it grows up to 1.5-2 m in height.

Ficus benjamin care

Temperature

Moderate, optimal within 20-25°C, in winter it is possible to keep at lower temperatures of about 16-18°C, with limited watering, limit 10°C with dry content.

Lighting

Ficus benjamina loves light, especially variegated varieties, but with protection from direct sunlight in the afternoon. In spring and summer, an east window is suitable, where the sun is in the morning or evening. But in middle lane Russia for the period from September to January, the southern or southwestern window is ideal for him. With a lack of light in winter, the ficus can leaf fall.

Watering

Ficus benjamin has moisture-retaining thickenings on the roots, therefore it does not tolerate waterlogging, it must be well dried before the next watering.

If the roots of a ficus dry for a very long time after watering, rotting may begin: the plant simultaneously throws off a large number of leaves, some lose their color, turn yellow, others fly around still green.

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. It is 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 yellow border: Belize, Teaneck, Tricolor.

It has several varieties that differ in the shape and color of the leaves. Particularly spectacular varieties with yellow spots and stripes on the leaves. Some cultivars branch well and are quite compact, while others are reluctant to form side shoots and tend to grow upwards.

At home, rubber ficus is undemanding to air humidity and tolerant of lack of light.

We advise you to pay special attention to proper watering and care for growing shoots, which can reach several meters and bend intricately. It is necessary to form a crown in a timely manner, tying up the stems or periodically cutting them off and rooting.

Ficus rubber care

Ficus elastica is not demanding in care, it is important to choose the right place, especially for large specimens - so that it is light and does not fry from batteries; do not water excessively and periodically wipe the leaves from dust.

Temperature

Preferably moderate, not below 18°C. They like to "keep their feet warm" - do not put a ficus pot on a cold windowsill, marble or tile floor, etc. In an above-moderate temperature room, the leaves begin to hang down.

Lighting

All varieties of ficus elastica prefer a bright place, protected from direct sunlight during the midday hours. Variegated forms need a lighter and warmer place than dark-leaved forms.

Watering

Ficus rubber-bearing watering loves moderate, does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. Water at room temperature, better settled. Top dressing with fertilizers from March to August in two weeks.

iplants.ru

Ficus Ali (binnendika) Ficus binnendijkii ‘Alii’

Ali is the most popular variety of ficus binnendik Ficus binnendijkii, which is also found under the name "willowleaf ficus". The leaves of this ficus in shape really resemble willow, but this vernacular name and not botanical.

At good care ficus Ali at home reaches 1.5 m in height and about 70-80 cm in diameter. You should not put this ficus on the floor: firstly, it is dark, the lower part of the trunk will begin to become bare, and secondly, it is always colder on the floor, the earth in the pot dries longer and the roots can rot if watered too plentifully.

Ficus Ali Care

Temperature

Moderate, optimal in the range of 20-25°C, in winter it is possible to keep at lower temperatures of about 16-18°C, with limited watering, the limit is 13°C with a dry content. With sudden changes in temperature, it can drop leaves.

Lighting

Bright diffused light, light partial shade. With an acute lack of light, the shoots stretch out, the leaves thin out. From direct sunlight in the hot afternoon can get burns. Ficus Ali with green leaves is more shade tolerant than many other types of ficus. But variegated varieties like ‘Amstel Gold’ need more intense light, with some morning or evening sunlight.

Watering

In summer, the ficus is watered moderately, the topsoil should dry well to a depth of about 1/2 the height of the pot. In winter, when light and temperature decrease, watering is limited, allowing the earth to dry out almost completely.

Ficus lyre-shaped Ficus lirata

Lyre-shaped ficus Ficus lirata - distinguished by its large leaves similar in shape to an inverted violin. Its leaves reach a length of 50-60 cm. He loves loneliness, you should not put him close to other plants.

This ficus is not often seen in flower shops, but it is wonderful - the leaves are leathery, directed upwards, have an interesting shape. The ficus itself grows slowly, with good care it does not become bare from below. A real decoration of a spacious office or hall. Ficus lyre-shaped at home does not branch well, often grows in one trunk, at the age of 4-5 years it can produce side shoots.

Ficus lyre care

Temperature

In summer, ordinary indoor, does not like extreme heat, in winter it is optimally 18-20 ° C, limit 12 ° C. Does not like soil cooling after watering!

Lighting

A bright place, protected from direct sunlight in spring and summer from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Watering

Moderate, the soil should have time to dry out before the next watering. Water at room temperature, well settled. Top dressing with fertilizers from April to August in two weeks.

Ficus dwarf Ficus pumila

Fast-growing, small-leaved ficus, completely unlike all other types of ficus. You can grow it as an ampelous plant, you can tie it to a support so that it stretches up.

The main care for the ficus is to tie up the support, timely transplant and water, fertilize with fertilizers. The flower responds well to a hot shower, as a prevention against ticks.

Temperature

Moderate, optimal in the range of 20-25°C, in winter it is possible to keep at lower temperatures of about 12-14°C, with limited watering, the limit is 8°C with a dry content. Although under natural conditions, the tiny ficus can withstand lower temperatures, and even slight frosts, when grown at home, it’s not worth the risk - protect the plants from drafts.

Lighting

Ficus pumila grows well in bright diffused light with some sunlight. An east and west window is suitable, shading is required only at noon. Grows well in artificial light. The variegated ficus is more photophilous. If the ficus lacks light, it can grow new shoots without leaves.

Watering

Pretty plentiful in summer, this is a rare ficus that does not tolerate complete drying of the earth, it should always be slightly damp, but have time to dry from above for the next watering by about a quarter of the height of the pot. In winter, the ficus is watered less often, with the drying of the earth at half the height of the pot.

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.

The key to successful adaptation

Before you decide to bring a ficus home, you should carefully choose a place of permanent residence for it in advance. 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.

Peculiarities

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 period 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. During the 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. For her, it is preferable 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 to a 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:

Reproduction methods and their features

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

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. But the rubber-bearing ficus, unlike Benjamin, is more adapted to home life and falls leaves much less often.

Diseases of this houseplant

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 the decorative appearance of the plant. 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.. In difficult situations, it is better to completely replace the earth, cut off 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 take care of your pet and take proper care of the ficus at home, he will delight you with his well-groomed appearance for a long time.

uplady.ru

Ficus: types, photos and names

Beautiful evergreen plant ficus belongs to the mulberry family. Plants growing naturally in New Guinea, Southeast Asia and the Solomon Islands can be both trees and shrubs. Depending on the type, ficuses can have green or bicolor leaves up to 70 cm in size. Small flowers of the plant are located on simplified perianths.

In nature, ficuses can grow up to 40 meters in length, and their trunk diameter can reach 5 meters. There are climbing and creeping plant species. In total, there are more than 1000 varieties of ficuses. However, much less is grown at home. Ficuses known in amateur floriculture, we will consider today in our article.

Popular types of ficuses

Rubber ficus is one of the most popular and unpretentious species of this genus of mulberry plants. He characterized by a weakly branched trunk, which at home can reach two meters. The leathery and glossy elliptical leaves are slightly pointed at the tip. The grayish-green crown of the tree is rough and dotted with horizontal grooves.

In damp rooms, the tree gives aerial roots. This type of ficus has different varieties, which mainly differ in the color of the leaves:

1. Variety "Black Prince" is a plant with black leaves.
2. Variety "Doechery" is distinguished by the presence of pink spots and a red vein in the middle of the sheet.
3. Variety "Variegata" has beautiful green leaves, along the edges of which there is a cream edging.
4. The Robusta variety is a plant with large, glossy deep green leaves.

Let's follow right!

Indoor plants are unpretentious, therefore they are very popular and loved by flower growers. Ficus care at home is good lighting, regular and proper watering and a suitable temperature. However, there are still some nuances of growing, especially some types of plants.

Lighting

The best option for placing ficuses is a well-lit place. without direct sunlight. A small plant can be placed on a western or eastern window sill, and a tall bush or tree can be placed on the floor or stand near the window. Pushing the plant deep into the room is not recommended. In the shade, the bush will slow down growth and shed its leaves.

In the warm period of time, ficuses can be taken out to the loggia or balcony, arranging them so that direct sunlight does not fall on the plant. In winter, light-loving plants suffer due to a short daylight hours, so it is recommended to additionally highlight them for several hours a day.

Temperature and humidity

In summer, the optimal temperature for growing ficus maybe in the range of 25-30C. In winter, the plant is recommended to be kept at an air temperature of 16-20C.

Ficuses feel good at room temperature. The only thing they don't like is the dry air coming from the heating radiators. Therefore, it is recommended to spray the plant two to three times a day with water at room temperature. Otherwise, dry air can cause damage to the tree by pests or diseases.

Watering and water procedures

When caring for a ficus, regular watering is required, which depends on the humidity of the air and the temperature regime in the room. The plant is watered only after the top layer of the earth mixture dries well. Too frequent watering can lead to root rot. It is also necessary to ensure that water does not accumulate in the pan.

In the dry season, twice a month, ficuses are recommended to be bathed in the shower, having previously covered the soil with a waterproof film. In the absence of a shower, the leaves of the plant can be periodically wiped first with a dry and then with a wet cloth.

To make the leaves of the tree a rich green color, experienced flower growers wipe them with a special solution:

Ficus feeding

When caring for ficus at home, top dressing is done only in the summer. It is recommended to use mineral and organic fertilizers alternately for this. Plants are fed every ten days.

In winter, when there is little light and heat , fertilizers are not applied. But for good health, plants can be fed with tea leaves, burying a small amount of them in the ground.

Transplant and soil for ficuses

Young, actively growing plants need to be transplanted every year. Old trees and bushes are transplanted once every few years. This should be done in order to renew the sour and settled soil.

For transplanting, a neutral or slightly acidic special soil for ficuses sold in flower shops is suitable. Young plants need a specific soil mixture that can be cook from equal parts:

• peat;
• sand;
• leaf land.

Mature trees are transplanted into denser soil, so humus and soddy land are added to the mixture.

About a day before planting, the plants are watered. For young bushes, new pots should be about 2 cm larger than the previous ones. At the bottom of the tank, drainage is first poured, and only then a small layer of soil. A plant pulled out of an old pot along with an earthy clod installed in a new container and covered with soil.

Growing Ficus Benjamin

A small tree with small leaves requires more attention and some care. Otherwise, leaves begin to fall from it, and the plant becomes completely bald.

Ficus Benjamin in nature lives in conditions of high humidity, so it does not tolerate too bright lighting and dry air. Therefore, it is recommended to grow it away from direct sunlight, and spray it several times a day. A very good option to increase humidity would be to use a special humidifier.

If, nevertheless, ficus Benjamin leaves started to fall, the reason could be:

1. Acclimatization of the plant to new growing conditions.
2. Irrigation with cold water.
3. Lack of light.
4. Uncomfortable temperature for the plant (above 23C or below 17C).
5. Drafts and sudden changes in temperature.
6. Dry air.
7. Excessive or insufficient soil moisture.

All these reasons should be eliminated when caring for Benjamin's ficus. The plant is placed in a bright place away from sunlight and drafts, regularly watered, sprayed and fed. Also, do not forget to periodically loosen the soil in a pot and replant a young plant annually.
Reproduction of ficuses at home

The simplest and most common way to propagate ficuses is cuttings.

To obtain cuttings in the spring, shoots are cut off from the bush under the lower node, on which there should be at least 2-3 leaves. The bottom leaf is removed, the cut is washed, and the cutting is placed in wet sand or water. A segment of the plant is abundantly sprayed and covered with a transparent plastic bottle or other cap. In this form, the cuttings are placed in a warm, shaded place, and ventilated daily. As soon as the plant gives roots and begins to grow, it can be safely planted in a pot filled with earthen mixture.

As a cutting, you can also take a large leaf of ficus, cutting it off along with the heel. A leaf rolled into a tube is rooted in wet peat or sand. A support is installed next to it for stability. The leaf is sprayed and covered with a flask.

During rooting, it is necessary to ventilate the cutting and moisten the peat. After the appearance of the roots of the leaf landed in small pot . As the plants grow, they are transplanted into large pots.

True ficus lovers consider caring for a pet at home to be quite easy. By fulfilling just a few conditions, you can admire all year round beautiful greenery of a small bush or a magnificent and spectacular adult tree.

All types of ficuses love bright places, but too bright rays of the sun can damage their leaves. The corner should be slightly shaded so that the plant does not languish under the scorching sun. Variegated species are more resistant to the sun, solid greens prefer partial shade. Choose a permanent place, without turning and rearranging, all types of ficuses do not like this.

Temperature: The plant prefers natural conditions. The optimum temperature in summer is 22-26 degrees, in winter 16-20 degrees, but not lower than 13-15 degrees. For ficuses, drafts are extremely dangerous.

• Watering: Any species requires regular watering - this is a prerequisite for their maintenance. Broad-leaved species are watered less frequently.
• Small-leaved plants have small surface roots that absorb moisture only from the surface layer of the soil, and, as you know, it dries quickly.
• In summer, watering is slightly increased, in winter, especially with a decrease in temperature, it is reduced.
• The exception is ampelous species that require constant abundant watering.

Watering a ficus is a delicate and responsible job. A dry earthen ball leads to yellowing and falling of leaves, too waterlogged substrate - contributes to rotting of the root collar and the appearance of pests. The end result is that the ficus will shed its leaves and be more likely to die.
Water is used settled for several hours, or soft, rainy.

A prerequisite is the presence of expanded clay drainage in the pot and several holes for excess moisture to escape.

The soil

Soil: If you buy soil, choose a slightly acidic or neutral soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5.
For self-preparation, you need: peat, sand and leafy earth taken in the same proportions. For large specimens add turf (2 hours). In order to avoid rotting of the roots, a layer of expanded clay, or household shards, is laid on the bottom as drainage, and pieces of charcoal are brought into the soil.

• Ficuses with thick trunks prefer a dry climate and rocky soils. It is necessary to add small pebbles, or broken bricks to the ready soil.
• Transplantation: For young plants, transplantation is required annually in the spring, adult ficuses are extremely sensitive and transplanted as needed if the pot is too small and the roots crawl to the surface.
• Often they do transshipment, or update every year top layer soil is more nutritious. During the transplantation of young plants, you can add a little rotted manure.
• Lack of good drainage leads to root rot.
• Reproduction: Ficus is propagated in several ways: cuttings, seeds and air taps. The first is the simplest and most popular.

Seeds: In early spring, seeds are sown in bowls in soil from leafy earth and sand in equal proportions. Top covered with a glass jar, or placed in a mini greenhouse. Constantly keep high humidity with regular airing.

After some time, the first sprouts will appear, upon reaching 2-3 leaves, I dive into separate containers. As soon as the young sprouts get stronger, they are re-transplanted into pots using the substrate for adult plants.

Elbows

From spring to autumn, slightly below the leaf, make a small vertical incision of 5 mm.

Using a match previously moistened with a growth stimulator, they are inserted into the incision so that it does not close. Top wrapped with moss and covered with foil. Moss is constantly kept moist. After a few months, roots will appear. The petiole with the resulting root is cut off a little lower and planted in a small container with soil.

cuttings. One or two summer shoots are suitable. They are cut in early spring before bud break, 10-15 cm long and planted in light soil from leafy soil and river sand. Previously, the stalk is placed in water until the release of white juice stops. Some types of ficuses (Benjamin, rubbery) take root well in water. From above, the container is covered with a glass jar, regularly airing. Constantly keep a humid climate. The ambient temperature is 25 degrees. The stalk will quickly start roots, after about 1-1.5 months, then it is planted in a pot.

When using thick shoots, for better rooting, an incision is made at the bottom (split). When watering, water should not fall on the leaf plates.

You can root the cutting in peat tablets, where the time for the appearance of roots is significantly reduced.

Wintering

Wintering: Often, ficuses shed their leaves through insufficient lighting and lower temperatures. Some species need to deliberately reduce the temperature of the content during the dormant period. Starting from October-November, ficus significantly slows down its growth and resumes it only in spring. Bottle species are watered very rarely and in small amounts of water.

Pests: ficus can infect scale insects, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites. Often associated with a violation of the irrigation regime, or temperature.

Difficulties in growing

• Leaf yellowing, growth retardation, new leaves small - insufficient nutrients in the soil, fertilize, or transplant into a new substrate.
• Leaves turn yellow and fall off - lack of moisture, too dry earthen lump.
• Leaves fall off - insufficient or excess watering, water is too cold, climate change, or situation (moving ficus from one place to another negatively affects growth), not enough light, a sharp drop in temperature, the presence of a draft.
• Falling of the lower layer of leaves. Often ficuses really shed the bottom layer, but if there are new, young, or if the leaves are really old. In other cases, it is: a lack of nutrients, an untimely transplant, or the pot is too small for the root system.
• The leaf plate is twisted and wrinkled - dry humidity in the room, or lack of moisture in the soil. Especially for ampelous species.