The evergreen houseplant Ficus Benjamina was named after the famous British botanist Jackson Benjamin Deidon. Ficus Benjamin belongs to the Mulberry or Moraceae family and is a very popular houseplant among flower growers both in our country and abroad.
General information
Benjamin's ficuses are incredibly popular with lovers of indoor floriculture, masters of phytodesign and interior landscaping. Compliance with proper care contributes to the fairly rapid growth of Benjamin. The plant can reach a height of two or more meters.
The most popular among flower growers are the following types and varieties of ficus:
- ficus Danielle;
- ficus Exotica;
- ficus Monique;
- ficus Barok;
- variegated ficus Starlight;
- variegated ficus Reginald;
- small-leaved ficus Natasja;
- small-leaved ficus Kinky;
- small-leaved ficus Wiandi.
Description
Ficus Benjamin has erect shoots, a round stem part and very peculiar foliage. The leaves may be glossy, smooth, thin leathery, oblong-oval, and have a pointed apex. The average length of the leaves varies from 6 to 13 centimeters, the width can vary from 2 to 6 centimeters.
Whole-edge leaves are arranged alternately and are formed in the same plane. A pinnate-loop-like type of venation is characteristic, the central vein is weakly expressed and branches into eight or more lateral veins. The length of the petiole rarely exceeds a couple of centimeters. Coloration of the bark is gray with slight inclusions Brown. The crown is wide, the type of branches is drooping.
Benefit and harm
Benjamin ficuses are practically harmless, however, growing these plants in room conditions requires caution in the presence of a tendency to allergic reactions, which is associated with the characteristics of the milky juice of ficus. The main benefits brought by this plant can be considered purification and improvement of indoor air quality. This property is due the ability of ficus to absorb toxic substances such as formaldehyde, phenols and benzenes.
In some countries, Benjamin's ficus is used as a remedy for oncological diseases of the female genital organs. Tinctures from the leaves of this variety of ficus are used for diseases such as osteochondrosis, sciatica and arthritis.
How to prune ficus Benjamin (video)
plant care
Benjamin's ficuses are unpretentious and easily withstand insufficient professional care, which makes it possible to recommend their cultivation even to beginner growers, as well as people with limited free time.
Microclimate
A permanent place for the plant should be well lit. A good option is a window sill. In summer, Benjamin's ficus can be taken out to a balcony or loggia, but the plant should be protected from precipitation and wind.
For ficus Benjamin, direct sunlight is a significant danger. Therefore, it is important to shade the plant. In winter, the ficus will have to be illuminated with fluorescent lamps. The temperature should not fall below 15 degrees Celsius. The plant should be protected from sudden temperature fluctuations.
Too low a humidity level in the room can harm the ficus. To ensure sufficient moisture, it is necessary to frequently spray and rinse the plant with warm and clean water.
Watering and fertilizing
Watering is carried out after the top layer has dried three centimeters deep. Ficuses tolerate a slight overdrying of the soil more easily than a flood of soil. Watering should ensure an even distribution of moisture over the earthen coma. Excess moisture must not accumulate in the tray under flower pot. For irrigation, it is recommended to use settled water at room temperature.
The first couple of months after planting or transplanting, the plant does not need to be fed. Further, special fertilizers are used for feeding, which are sold in flower shops. Ficus Benjamin is fertilized in spring and summer. Fertilization is carried out twice a week. Alternate organic with mineral fertilizers.
At the stage of active growth and development of the plant, fertilizers should be applied, which contain a significant amount of nitrogen. Fertilizer must be added to the water when watering. V winter period the plant goes into the resting stage and ceases to need additional feeding.
Plant transplant
Ficus Benjamin transplantation is required in case of:
- complete braiding of the earth coma with the root system of the plant;
- too fast drying of the soil after watering;
- exposing the root system of the plant and insufficient size of the flower pot.
At the bottom of the new pot, two centimeters of drainage should be laid, two centimeters of a high-quality planting soil substrate, then the plant is transferred from the old container to a new one by transshipment. Next, the entire volume of the pot with the plant should be filled with soil.
For ficus, the transplant process is stressful. Immediately after transplanting, there is a slowdown in development or fall of foliage. Watering during this period is recommended to be partially replaced by spraying.
plant pruning
Proper pruning of the ficus not only helps the plant to acquire the desired shape, but also allows you to rejuvenate it. The formation of the crown consists in shortening and pruning the branches, as well as directing them in the right direction through the use of stretches. In order to form a more lush and beautiful crown of the plant, pruning of the shoots should be carried out in the spring. The activation of the growth process after winter rest is the most optimal period for pruning.
Plant diseases
Indoor plants can often be affected by various microorganisms that cause diseases. Ficus Benjamin is no exception and can be affected by diseases as a result of:
- unsuitable lighting for the plant;
- violations temperature regime and indicators of humidity during cultivation;
- violations of the irrigation regime.
Plants weakened by improper care are often affected by infectious and fungal diseases, among which the following are especially frequent:
- powdery mildew;
- cercosporosis;
- anthracnose;
- black or black fungus;
- root rot.
For the purpose of treatment and prevention of diseases, treatments are carried out with special fungicides.
Ficus Benjamina can be attacked by a variety of insect pests. Among them:
- mealybug;
- scab;
- flower aphid;
- spider mites.
Ficus Benjamina: transplant (video)
Ficus Benjamin is an excellent plant for indoor floriculture. From other varieties of ficus, this houseplant compares favorably with elegance and unpretentiousness, which makes it the favorite of most beginner flower growers. Compliance with simple rules will allow you to grow a very useful and beautiful plant with minimal cost time and effort.
The genus of ficuses is one of the most "populous". It has more than 800 species of plants, among which there are many unexpected specimens - strangler ficus, tropical epiphyte and the well-known fig tree. In indoor floriculture, only four representatives of the family are grown.
In room culture are known and popular:
- ficus Benjamin;
- rubber ficus;
- ficus bengal;
- ficus dwarf.
Plants are good for everyone - they look solid, not capricious, highly decorative, creating a positive mood, easy to care for. But one day, any owner of a ficus is faced with a problem that appears suddenly, from nowhere - the green pet begins to behave strangely. This is expressed in changes in the leaves.
Ficus leaves can:
- turn yellow or turn brown;
- dry up and curl up;
- fall off, partially on one side, selectively throughout the tree or completely.
Something is wrong, the owner understands, but it is not so easy to determine the cause. Meanwhile, the following should be known about ficus - 90% of problems with this plant are due to errors in watering.
What you should know about ficus
It is worth preparing for the appearance of ficus in the house. Before you settle a ficus in your home, making it a full member of the family, you need to think about and foresee everything.
- First, think about the area of the room. If this is not a dwarf ficus, with good care, indoor specimens can reach a height of three meters (in nature, some members of the genus grow up to 30 meters).
- Secondly, you need to take care of the climate. For a ficus, it is important that the temperature and humidity of the room in which it lives "like" it. Incorrect thermal and water conditions are the main cause of problems with indoor ficuses. If the humidity is not suitable, the temperature is too low or high, watering is wrong, the plant not only loses its decorative effect, but may also die.
Climate for ficuses
Ficuses are tropical plants. They need an appropriate climate - hot and humid. The soil in the pot should be moist, the air in the room should be moist, no drops or even fluctuations in temperature.
For summer, ficus is provided with a temperature of + 28 ... 30 ° C. In winter, the plant needs + 20 ° C. The climate should be uniform, no drops, drafts.
Important! The minimum temperature mark for the problem-free existence of ficus is + 14 ° C. When lowered, the plant can not only get sick, but also die.
Ficus is a lover of fresh air, but drafts are fatal for him. One long airing, and your pet will say goodbye to foliage for a long time, and not all leaves can fall, but only from the side of the draft.
Humidity and watering
With humidity in the air - understandable. There are two ways to ensure its high rate - by constant spraying (at least twice a day, especially when heating is operating in winter) or by installing a special device that humidifies the air.
As for watering, everything is not so simple here. High humidity is needed by the plant only in the air. The soil in rainforests often dries out in the absence of rain. But when it rains, it is moistened abundantly and remains with a high level of moisture for a long time.
The soil in a ficus pot should not be constantly waterlogged. If you water the plant often and haphazardly, mold will appear on it, and possibly root rot. It will be difficult to save ficus from this scourge - cut off damaged roots, disinfect, transplant into a dry, disinfected substrate. The plant will take root for a long time and painfully. In general, pouring ficus is bad.
It is also impossible not to water it for a long time - if the soil in the pot dries out, the tropical tree will immediately shed its leaves and remain bare. In addition, with increased dryness of the soil, the plant easily starts spider mite which is also difficult to deal with.
Ficus watering rules.
Soil for ficus
The amount of moisture in the pot is influenced by the quality of the soil. It is necessary to use special land for growing ficus (it says “For ficuses”). The main criteria for a suitable soil are looseness above average, increased moisture capacity, good aeration. To do this, sand, vermiculite, coconut fiber and sphagnum and other baking powder are added to the store standard soil.
Advice! For greater aeration and uniform evaporation of moisture from the pot, the soil must be loosened regularly and deeply.
If you want to make ficus soil yourself, use high-moor peat as the main component. Drainage in a thick layer at the bottom of the ficus "house" is a must.
Ficus lighting
Ficus does not need too much sunlight. For him, some not too dark corner in the apartment is quite suitable. The plant prefers diffused rays to direct ones. But if it stands in a cool shaded place, this should be taken into account when watering. Without the sun, the evaporation of moisture from the soil is slower, and again there is a danger of disrupting the irrigation regime. In this case, the frequency of watering must be adjusted.
Mineral supplements for ficus
Ficus needs to be fed. Not too often, but quite plentifully, because the tree has a thick, lush crown that the roots need to “nourish”. Top dressing is made by universal mineral complexes only after watering. First - watering with clean water, then - top dressing. The frequency of feeding and their volume - according to the instructions on the preparations.
Ficus does not get sick more often than others and is damaged by insects. It does not have a bright dormant period, and its decorative effect decreases slightly in winter. The plant does not require special conditions. It breeds easily apical cuttings. One has only to put the ficus in the right place, create it comfortable temperature and ensure a competent water regime, the plant will decorate your home for many years, rustling with healthy leaves in greeting.
Video - How to care for ficus
Ficus Benjamin is an evergreen tree-like shrub from the genus Ficus of the Mulberry family. Its homeland is Southeast Asia, the Philippine Islands and northern Australia. Under natural conditions, some of its specimens reach a height comparable to a ten-story building.
We are used to dealing with their lower, but no less interesting room counterparts. They look great in the interiors of apartments and offices, and, as many believe, just like the fat woman and zamiokulkas, they are a symbol of wealth and prosperity. And if we add to these advantages the inexpensive and relatively uncomplicated process of growing Benjamin's ficus at home, we can say with confidence: "This plant is quite worthy of the attention of both experienced and novice flower growers and phytodesigners."
Ficus variegant (spotted) variety Reginald
Benjamin ficus, without exaggeration, is one of the most interesting and ornamental plants. It has an invasive root system that develops well both in depth and on the surface layer of the soil. So strong that the roots easily break through the asphalt and, together with the trunk, are intertwined into a dense, intricate sculptural form.
Young shoots also easily grow together with each other. If several cuttings are planted side by side and as they grow, direct them at your discretion, you can get a trunk braided in the form of a tourniquet, pigtail, lattice, or any other openwork structure. Thus, it is possible to "build" even hedges and arbors. It is thanks to this feature that Benjamin's ficus is very popular in indoor floriculture and landscape design.
Concerning appearance, Benjamin's ficus is distinguished by gray-brown bark, erect shoots and drooping branches that form a dense spreading crown. Thin-skinned glossy leaves of a lanceolate form, with entire edges and pointed tops, are arranged alternately, on short, up to 2 cm petioles. The venation is pinnatiform, with a well-marked central vein and 8-12 pairs of weakly expressed lateral veins. The length of each leaf of an adult plant, depending on the variety, varies from 5 to 13 cm, and the width is from 2 to 6 cm. If the leaf is cut, white juice will stand out from it. Young foliage is thinner and lighter than mature.
The fruits of the benjamin tree growing naturally
In its natural environment, Benjamin's ficus bears fruit with oblong or rounded inedible paired fruits (syconia) up to 2 cm in diameter. As they mature, their color changes from red to burgundy. Ficus Benjamin flowers, especially in comparison with dense variegated or glossy green foliage, are inexpressive. At home, the ficus does not bear fruit and does not bloom. A rare exception is large greenhouses with the appropriate climate.
Like sansevera and chlorophytum, benjamin tree is in the top ten best filter plants. It purifies the air by absorbing toxic substances from it (formaldehydes, benzene, toluene and the like) and releasing oxygen into it.
Variety Daniel with glossy evenly colored leaves 
Variety "Anastasia" is one of the most common Of course, homemade varieties of ficus Benjamin do not differ in the same dimensions as those that grow in natural conditions, but with proper care they can grow up to 5 meters. True, experts believe that it is not worth growing them above 3 meters in height. Of the traditional varieties of ficus Benjamin in Russia, the most widespread are: Monique, Danielle, Barok, Anastasia, Exotica. Of the variegated (with spotted leaves): Reginald and Starlight. From small-leaved: Wiand, Kinky, Natasja. As well as all dwarf varieties with small fluffy foliage, ideal for bonsai.
Dwarf ficus for bonsai grown from cuttings How to care
This plant is considered one of the easiest to grow. But in order for it to please with a healthy look, fresh bright leaves and active growth, certain rules must be followed when caring for it.
Temperature and lighting
Ficus Benjamin, especially its variegated varieties, like most plants from the warm southern regions, loves light very much. Although he will be able to come to terms with his absence, but remaining in the shade, he will grow very slowly and lag behind in growth. It must be borne in mind that direct sunlight is just as harmful to this plant as lack of lighting. They cause burns and yellowing on the foliage. Therefore, the most the best place for e ficus Benjamin and caring for him - near a window or balcony with soft diffused light.
Despite the fact that the Benjamin tree quickly "gets used" to the place and does not like change, it is advisable to take it out into the fresh air (loggia or balcony) for the summer. In gratitude, it will begin to grow and fluff faster. The optimum air temperature for Benjamin's ficus is in the range of 18 to 30 degrees, when it drops to 15-16 degrees at night, return the plant to the room.
Watering and humidity
The original tropical inhabitants of ficuses love humidity no less than light, but frequent watering in low light conditions, characteristic of home growing, do not require. In summer, the roots drink water more intensively, the soil dries out quickly enough and you can water the plant every 4-5 days. If the soil in the pot remains wet, you should not water the ficus. In addition, in order for the tree to feel comfortable, its leaves must be wiped from dust.
In winter, watering is usually enough once every 10 days. And so that when working heating appliances to provide the plant with comfortable conditions, you can use an electric humidifier in the room or arrange a warm “tropical” shower from a spray bottle two or three times a week, after wrapping the pot with a tree in a plastic bag and tying it around the base of the trunk.
Evergreen tropical plants do not have a pronounced dormant period, so they need to provide approximately the same lighting, nutrition, heat and humidity throughout the year.
Fertilizers and top dressings
In late March, early April, Benjamin's ficus awakens to growth. At this time, you can begin to practice pruning, transplanting and start feeding. Its periodicity depends on the growth rate, which begins in spring, picks up pace by mid-summer, and begins to decline by autumn. So, in March and April, top dressing is carried out once a month, starting from May - 1 time in 3 weeks, from mid-June to September - 1 time in 2 weeks.
Ficuses perceive well all organic top dressings: ash, chicken manure, sapropel, as well as universal mineral mixed fertilizers for home flowers and plants. Starting from mid-November, stop feeding and let the plant rest. But if ideal conditions are created in the apartment for ficus in terms of illumination, temperature and air humidity, you can continue to fertilize at half the usual rate once every 2 months.
How to give ficus original shape
For flower growers and landscape designers, this ficus is primarily attractive as an opportunity to show their creative potential. Young cuttings of Benjamin are quite flexible. By planting several cuttings side by side, they can be braided together as you like. In some places of contact, so that they get used to the new position, they are tied up with threads or wire. Over time, the stems will grow together into the desired shape. There are many different techniques and methods of such "weaving". And if you are in doubt or don’t know how to braid Benjamin’s ficus, watch video tutorials from professionals.
To fix the new shape, the braided stems are tied up at the points of their contact with each other. 
To obtain a structure resembling a vase, the cuttings are planted around a cylindrical tube. 
So a young stem sprouted from a cutting is bent for bonsai The formation of the crown of ficus Benjamin is another important design procedure that should not be forgotten. The best time for her, the first weeks of March. Mostly bare branches and branches that have grown parallel to the main trunk are cut. This action not only improves the exterior of the plant and forms a crown, but also encourages buds that have fallen asleep for the winter to wake up.
From frequent rearrangements, the leaves of Benjamin's ficus fall.
Reproduction and transplant
Pruning ficus Benjamin, like all procedures for its reproduction and transplantation, is carried out in the second half of March - early April. New plants need to be transplanted within a month. In order for Benjamin's root system to cope with the development of the entire volume of new soil as quickly as possible, and the flower to take root in a new place, the planting container should not be too voluminous. To its form, as well as to the composition of the substrate, the ficus is not picky.
The natural environment for the Benjamin tree is the humid tropics with their characteristic nutritious moisture-intensive soil. For artificial cultivation, he needs a soil with a similar composition: a mixture of garden soil, sand, peat with the addition of humus, or a ready-made substrate for decorative deciduous plants. The soil for ficus should be not only nutritious, but also breathable, so expanded clay should be poured into the bottom of the pot.
Benjamin trees are propagated by cuttings. Ficus Benjamin reproduces well with stem cuttings remaining after pruning. In the spring, they quickly release roots even in plain water poured into a glass or jar. Milky juice is released from the cut stems, therefore, before lowering the cuttings into the water, they are slightly dried. If you want to further accelerate growth, add some kind of root formation stimulator to the water, for example, Kornevina. As soon as the first roots appear, the cuttings are planted in a permanent place in the prepared soil.
When transplanting, it is important to prevent increased growth and intensive development of the plant's root system, so the new ficus pot should not be much larger than the previous one.
The main problems in the care and cultivation
Some problems in the care and cultivation of the Benjamin tree, despite its unpretentiousness, sometimes cannot be avoided. But they are all removable:
- Leaves dry. The tips of the leaves dry out due to lack of light and moisture. This usually happens during the winter. To stop this process, extend the daylight hours for the plant with the help of artificial lighting and spray it more often.
- Leaves fall. By dropping leaves, the ficus tree reacts to sudden changes in care: a change of place, a decrease in air temperature in the room, cold drafts. These phenomena are most characteristically manifested during the change of seasons. For example, when with the advent of autumn and the reduction daylight hours, the plant continues to be watered abundantly, not paying attention to the fact that the soil between waterings remains wet.
- The crown turns yellow. Dropping individual old yellowed leaves in autumn and spring is a natural process for any plant. But massive yellowing means that ficus care is wrong. Its main causes are excess moisture and a decrease in temperature. The soil between waterings should not dry out, but when its top layer is wet, watering is not needed. If the ficus pot is standing in a draft (near the balcony door or on the window), even young leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, and it must be rearranged.
- Ficus does not increase in growth. The reasons for the decrease in the growth rate of the plant, most likely, lie in the disproportionate volume of the pot and the lack of sunlight. If the tree does not have enough space, the growth of the crown slows down, if the ficus pot is too large, the roots wither. Well. And we have repeatedly said that light is the main growth stimulator of any plant. Variegated, more tender varieties are especially sensitive to these shortcomings.
Even a completely “bald” tree can be brought back to life by placing it in a makeshift greenhouse from a transparent plastic bag, placing it in a bright place and maintaining the required level of humidity.
Ficus Benjamin is considered by many to be a family amulet, and the house in which it grows especially luxuriantly is considered prosperous. However, lovers indoor plants know that for good growth, a plant simply needs timely and proper care. We will describe below how to care for ficus and successfully propagate it.
Necessary conditions for the growth of ficus
You can find out what a ficus loves by simply observing it: this plant does not like an excess of sun, does not like it when it is often rearranged from place to place, and grows only when all these conditions are well fulfilled. Let us consider in more detail all the nuances of caring for this plant.
Choose a place and adjust the lighting
Ficus care primarily involves right choice places for a pot with it, which, in turn, will also depend on the lighting. In this matter, Benjamin's ficus is quite whimsical - on the one hand, it requires a lot of light and in shady places begins to lose its leaves very quickly. But on the other hand, direct sun rays this houseplant also does not tolerate, so put it on the windowsill with south side at home would be a big mistake.
The ideal place for him would be a place about a meter from the window, which does not particularly actively illuminate the sun. Also note that if the plant likes the place you have chosen, it is better to leave it there and not experiment with others. Only in the summer, you can try to take the ficus out onto the street or balcony, also making sure that the plant does not stand under the sun for the whole day.
Important! In winter, when the daylight hours are reduced, the ficus may stop growing a little, and you will be able to notice the fall of its leaves. To protect it from fading, it is recommended to organize artificial illumination with the help of fitolamps.
Ficus and content temperature
Like any other indoor plant, ficus is quite thermophilic. Therefore, if you take it outside in the summer, make sure that at night the air temperature does not fall below + 15˚С. If the plant freezes, it will begin to shed its leaves, and it will not be able to move away after such a “shock” soon.
Important! Do not install a Benjamin ficus pot near heating installations.
Ficus Benjamin's leaf fall is also able to respond to temperature changes in the room. This again brings us to the fact that the plant should not be placed on the windowsill on the south side of the house, where it will get too hot during the day and cool at night. The plant should not be allowed to endure temperatures below +18˚C and above +30˚C. It is also worth taking care that during the growth the plant does not fall into drafts.
How to spray and water Benjamin's ficus
Watering is the most difficult task in the care of ficuses. The fact is that the intensity and frequency of watering this houseplant directly depends on such factors:
- Room temperature.
- Air humidity.
- Type of ficus.
- Illumination of the place where the plant stands.
- Season.
Therefore, when watering a ficus, it is worth checking the moisture content of the earth in a pot - if it dries out by about 2-3 cm (if the pot is small, then you should not allow it to dry even by 1 cm, if it is very large - nothing bad will happen if the earth dries out and everything 5 cm). At the same time, the ficus should grow in a pot with good drainage, so that if you pour too much water, its excess can go down to the bottom plate. It is important to periodically remove water from it, as it can stagnate.
Important! When watering a ficus, do not forget to regularly loosen the soil in a pot with it. Thanks to this, water will flow better and faster to the roots of the plant and nourish it.
With the onset of cold weather, watering the plant can be slightly reduced, while not forgetting to monitor the condition of the earth. After all, if your apartment is too hot, in winter the ficus will have to be watered as often as in summer. V heating season the plant also needs spraying of its crown, since artificial heat can greatly dry its trunk and leaves, which, from interaction with dry air, can begin to dry and fall off.
What water to water the ficus
To ensure normal growth, this plant requires specially settled or boiled water. When watering, it is important to warm it up a little. Many fans of this plant recommend organizing real tropical showers for this tropical plant. To do this, move along with the ficus to the bathroom, cover it with a plastic bag and pour warm water from the shower for a few minutes. If at the same time she gets into the pot - it's okay.
Important! If you water the ficus too often and abundantly, a white coating will begin to appear on the surface of its leaves.
After such a procedure, do not rush to return the plant to its original place. Let the ficus first adapt to the temperature in the bathroom, after which it will be easier for him to adapt to the air in other rooms.
Necessary fertilizers, fertilizing ficus Benjamin
First of all, it is worth finding out what kind of soil the ficus loves. In general, this plant is unpretentious, but if you have collected soil directly from the garden in a pot, you should immediately take care of its fertilizer. In general, indoor plant lovers are advised to buy special land mixtures for ficuses, which are sold today in every flower shop and which should consist of peat, leafy soil and sand in equal proportions. It is also allowed to use substrates consisting of soddy soil, peat, leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:1, or peat, leaf soil and humus in a ratio of 2:1:1.
It is important to fertilize the soil in a ficus pot in the first two spring months, when absolutely all plants begin to grow especially actively. At the same time, in March and April, the number of top dressings should not exceed once a month, while closer to summer in May they should be increased to one in three weeks.
But when the summer time comes into its own, the plant will need even more attention and nutrients, so fertilization will have to be done every two weeks. This is due to the rapid growth of the plant, as well as the fact that in summer the moisture from the sand in the pot evaporates faster, and with it substances useful for the ficus can also evaporate. As fertilizers, you can use special solutions designed for ficuses, or universal solutions that are suitable for deciduous houseplants. You can periodically alternate organic and mineral substances.
Ficus pruning features
Ficus is one of those indoor plants, the shape of which can be formed independently. In particular, several plants can be planted in one pot at once, the trunks of which can be intertwined and fixed along the plant, and additional support will also be useful. When the tree grows to a more mature age, the clamps can be removed, and it will continue to grow in the direction you set.
You can also form the shape of the crown of a small ficus tree. To do this, it is periodically recommended to trim its shoots a little, but this can only be done in the spring. Also keep in mind that the stem of the cut branch should still remain long enough, otherwise it can dry out and make the plant very ugly. Thus, you will get a bushy ficus, but if you want to form a stamp-shaped tree - just choose one strong center shoot and let it grow, cutting off all the side shoots.
Important! Various pests can also appear on ficuses, and a regular solution of laundry soap will help you get rid of them. This solution must be periodically sprayed on the plant, and soon all pests will disappear.
How to transplant ficus, and when to do it
When the ficus is transplanted, the spring sun should already appear on the street, so this period may fall at the end of February and all of March. Choosing this period of time will help the plant to quickly adapt to the new soil, and to the new pot, and possibly to a new place. During the annual transplant, it is necessary not only to change the soil in the pot, but also to constantly increase the diameter of the pot by 4-5 cm. By providing the roots of the plant with more space for growth and more land for obtaining nutrients, you will ensure the active growth of its trunk and crown.
The most favorite type of indoor plants for many gardeners is ficuses. These representatives of the flora have long become a kind of symbol of home warmth and the special comfort of childhood, which is often remembered later for many years.
This article will tell about the features of caring for these pets, in particular, how to water the ficus, the moisturizing technique and its frequency.
Common types
For the most part, ficuses are evergreens, but there are also deciduous plants among them. A huge number of the most different types and subspecies (about eight hundred) surprises with a variety of shapes and colors. We will focus on the most famous and popular of them - Benjamin's ficus and its rubber-bearing counterparts - elastic ficus.
From the whole complex of caring activities for them, we will single out only one and learn how to water ficus at home.
ficus benjamina
Native to the humid tropics of Asian countries, the ficus, named after the famous biologist Benjamin D. Jackson, has become a hit in home floriculture, combining perfectly with many plant species that decorate modern interior. This is an evergreen small tree from the mulberry family with a real trunk covered with gray-beige bark, a branched crown and dense, glossy, elegant leaves with a characteristic pointed tip. There are three varieties of this ficus: large-leaved, with medium-sized leaves and small-leaved, or dwarf. In each subspecies, there are up to thirty varieties of plants that differ in color and shape of leaves. The topic of the publication - how to water ficus at home, is somewhat narrow, and we will consider it as an aspect in the general complex of caring activities.
Features of care
Ficus tissues contain an aggressive milky sap that can irritate the skin upon contact.
It is impossible to achieve flowering at home, but flower growers do not set such goals, since the plant is quite decorative and is valued precisely by its luxurious crown, which tolerates pruning and shaping in accordance with the wishes of the owner. Widespread in home interior Ficus Benjamin is very capricious, so it is important to know the features of caring for him, in particular, how to water the ficus.
Light-loving, but not tolerant of direct sunlight, the ficus does not like drafts, sudden cooling and frequent rearrangements, it can shed its leaves. Therefore, the plant should initially choose a permanent place. A native of tropical rainforests, he transferred his addictions to home floriculture. It is moisture-loving, but also sensitive to excessive moisture, which is detrimental if it is permanent.
Watering rules
Florists especially focus on how to water Benjamin's ficus, since moderate watering is one of the main conditions, the correct implementation of which is the key to the successful development of the plant.
What is important here is not regularity, but the emergence of conditions for its implementation. Therefore, the ficus is moistened as necessary, usually focusing on the state of the top layer of soil in the container. Its drying to a depth of 1-2 cm, and for bulk containers with large plants - 4-5 cm, signals a beginning lack of moisture and requires watering. Serious problems can cause the plant to dry out the soil, as well as excessive moisture. An indicator of violations is the condition of the leaves of the plant. With excessive watering, the soil layer practically does not dry out, the apical shoots die off, the leaves fade and fall, appears bad smell from the ground. With insufficient moisture, the leaves curl up, dry out and fall off, the shoots become brittle and brittle, and the soil moves away from the walls of the container.
Water quality requirements
Ideal for irrigation is thawed or rain water, impeccable in softness and other key indicators. For these purposes, well-settled tap water is also suitable. The water temperature should vary between 23-25 ˚С, since cold water can cause various putrefactive processes in the root system.
How to water ficus benjamin at home
Let's talk about irrigation technology. Wet the clod of earth evenly, without washing away the soil in one place, after which the soil is carefully loosened, trying not to damage the roots.
In summer, in hot weather, the plant is watered 2-3 times a week. With the advent of autumn, the intensity of moisture is gradually reduced. How to water Benjamin's ficus at home in winter? When the dormant period begins, this procedure is usually included in the weekly watering schedule no more than 1 time. However, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil, and if necessary, adjustments are made to the proposed schedule.
Dry air is another factor that should not be allowed, since it can provoke not only leaf fall, but also an attack by a spider mite. Both of these are a very unpleasant phenomenon, nullifying the decorative effect of culture. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a sufficiently high level of humidity in the room, spraying the tree daily, and with the onset of the hot season - several times a day.
Transplants and subsequent watering
Young plants grow quickly and are transplanted annually in the spring. From the age of four, transplants are carried out every 2 years, adding fresh, nutritious and loose soil to the container with the plant, if necessary. The condition of the soil signals the need for a transplant: if the soil in the container dries up quickly, it means that the roots lack space and nutrition, therefore, it is time to replant the plant. Before this, the culture is intensively watered to make it easier to remove from the pot. Then the ficus is transplanted into a new container with fresh earth. How to water Benjamin's ficus after a transplant? After the plant has been “relocated”, it is watered again and left alone until the top layer dries.
Rubber plant: how to water a ficus
The second name of this home culture is ficus elastica. In polarity, it is hardly inferior to Benjamin's ficus, decorating modern houses and successfully competing with the most popular ornamental plants.
An unusually decorative ficus is also completely unpretentious in its care. Dense leathery leaves are usually dark green, but there are also variegated specimens, the leaves of which are decorated with a yellow border. The noticeably greater unpretentiousness of elastic ficus in comparison with Benjamin's ficus does not affect the features of care. It is transplanted with the same regularity, they monitor the condition of the soil, periodically feed it, that is, they carry out the necessary operations required by all species. How to water ficus? At home, in winter, a dormant period begins, when all processes in the tissues of the plant slow down. At this time, it is especially important not to flood the crop, so close attention to the condition of the soil is necessary. As already mentioned, the drying of the top layer of soil is a signal for watering. By the beginning of summer, the frequency of moistening is adjusted to 2-3 times a week.
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