Rules for growing and caring for Robusta ficus at home

Ficus Robusta is an unpretentious indoor plant that is grown at home for decoration and air purification. Gardeners recommend starting the cultivation of indoor crops with this particular flower. However, despite the specified characteristics of the Robusta ficus, home care can be difficult. In particular, this is due to the fact that the plant makes certain requirements for the place of growth.

Description and peculiarities of the plant

Ficus Elastica Robusta is a rubbery plant found growing wild in Indonesia and China. In its natural environment, this culture is able to grow up to 60 meters in height. The diameter of the trunk is also several meters. The Ficus Robusta, selected for home cultivation, has the following characteristics:

• maximum height - 3 meters;
• leaf length - up to 20 centimeters;
• leaves with a dense skin and a brilliant sheen;
• flowers of a yellowish-green tint are almost invisible against the background of large foliage;
• the fruits (sycone) are not intended for human consumption.

Feng Shui followers grow Robusta at home, believing that the plant purifies the aura and protects the room from evil spirits (negativity)... Ficus is characterized by rapid growth. The plant can be grown in strong shade conditions. But for normal development, the flower needs access to sunlight. The plant has a powerful trunk. This feature is used by residents of Asian countries, where suspension bridges are formed by ficus trees in their natural habitat.

Conditions of detention

As already mentioned, the robusta ficus develops normally if a number of requirements for the place of growth are met. The plant originally appeared in warm regions with abundant rainfall.

Temperature

It is recommended to grow Ficus Robusta in warm rooms. The optimum temperature for the normal development of the plant is + 18-25 degrees. If the flower is grown in a stuffy room, the leaves gradually turn pale and begin to hang down. The culture also does not tolerate a drop in temperature. Ficus, placed in a place where there are constant drafts, does not develop.

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Despite the fact that the plant is thermophilic, Robusta cannot be grown near batteries. Due to the proximity of heat sources, the evaporation of water from the leaves is accelerated, which leads to the death of the plant. In autumn and spring, it is recommended to periodically take the flower to the balcony. In hot summer, the ficus can be left outside.

Lighting

Due to the fact that the plant appeared on the territory of South Asia, where tropical forests are common, robusta ficus grows well in shaded areas and on the windows on the north side of the house.The lack of sunshine is compensated by artificial lighting. Thanks to this feature, the plant can be grown anywhere in the room.

When choosing a place, it should be borne in mind that the ficus does not tolerate contact with direct sunlight. Because of this, burn marks quickly appear on Robusta leaves.

air humidity

The humidity of the air where Robusta grows should be maintained at 50% or higher. In the cold season, it is allowed to reduce this figure to 30-40%. In this case, it is necessary to periodically spray the plant from a spray bottle.

Priming

For ficus Robusta, universal soil is suitable, characterized by neutral acidity. Before planting, it is recommended to mix the soil material with a small amount of sand, which will provide the roots with a flow of oxygen. A drainage layer should be laid at the bottom of the container in which the ficus is grown. The latter will prevent rotting of the root system.

watering

The ficus likes abundant (but not excessive) watering. It is recommended to add water every three days in summer and every 5 days in winter. Before watering, you need to wait until the soil is dry, and then loosen the soil.

If, due to water flooding, traces of fungal diseases appear on the plant or the leaves begin to wither (indicates rotting of the root system), the Robusta must be transplanted into a new pot.

top dresser

In the period from March to November, when the plant is actively growing, it is recommended to apply universal fertilizers such as Humisol or Palma under the trunk every 2 weeks. This diet ensures the normal development of the crown.

Transplant rules

Like other ficuses, Robusta grows and develops rapidly.Also, the plant is most active in the first year after planting in a new room. In this regard, the ficus should be transplanted into larger containers. It is recommended to carry out the procedure annually in spring or early summer. To do this, you must:

1. Water the plant thoroughly one hour before transplanting.
2. Using a knife, squeeze the earth from the walls of the pot and, holding the flower by the trunk, loosen and remove the ficus.
3. Transfer the plant to a new pot with a drainage layer filled to the bottom. The thickness of the latter is from 3 to 5 centimeters.
4. Fill in the lack of soil and compact the soil. In this case, the collar must remain on the surface.

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At the end of the transplant, the soil should be watered. If after that the roots come out, you need to add more potting soil. Adult plants do not need to be transplanted. However, in this case, it is recommended to periodically replace the topsoil.

How to form a crown

It is quite difficult to predict how the ficus will develop. That is, after pruning the top of the Robusta trunk, the side shoots can both grow vigorously and retain their previous sizes.

But if you want to create a certain crown, experienced gardeners recommend pruning the crop using a sanitized blade.

And after the procedure, you need to remove the milk that appears, which, if it comes into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, can cause an acute allergic reaction. Pruning is recommended in February-March. During this period, the active development of the flower begins. To give the crown a certain shape, you need to cut the shoots 7 centimeters above the desired location.This procedure is also recommended for the prevention of disease or the removal of dead growths.

Breeding methods

Basically, Robusta is propagated by cuttings obtained after pruning the plant. Also, a new ficus can be obtained from shoots, seeds or cuttings.

Cuttings

For propagation by cuttings, you will need to cut off the upper healthy shoot by 10-15 centimeters with three or four nodes. After that, you need to remove the milk. Then a mixture of peat and sand is prepared, mixed in equal proportions. Also, the shoot can be lowered into the water. Then you need to cover the container with the handle with glass and place it in a warm, well-lit place. The new plant should take root within 2-3 weeks.

Layers

This method of propagation is used on old plants. This will require:

1. Remove the leaves from the lower stem.
2. Make a circular cut on the shoot.
3. Wrap the incision with moistened cotton and leave the plant for 14-21 days.
4. After the sprout has given roots, you need to cut the stem and insert it into the prepared substrate.

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After another 2-3 weeks, the new plant can be transplanted to a permanent place.

Seeds

This breeding option is rarely used. Before planting, it is recommended to soak the seeds for several hours in a biostimulator. After that, the material is sown on the surface of the soil, moistened with water from a spray bottle. The first shoots appear in a week.

Leaves

To propagate the Robusta ficus, you can cut a healthy leaf obliquely and saturate the material with a root growth stimulator.Then the sprout is placed in warm water (moistened cloth). In this case, the foil should not touch the liquid. After the roots appear, the sprout is transplanted into a small container with soil.

Also for this method, you can use the recommendations for propagation by cuttings. That is, after cutting, the sheet should be immediately placed in a prepared substrate, covered with glass and placed in a warm room for 2-3 weeks.

Prevention of diseases and pests

Most often spider mites appear on Robusta ficus. In the fight against this pest, spraying the leaves from a spray bottle helps.

Most flower diseases develop due to non-compliance with the rules of care. Falling or rolling leaves indicate improper watering. The former is also typical of plants growing indoors with dry air. Yellowing of the leaves indicates a lack of iron, and the appearance of black spots indicates sunburn. In the first case, a specialized tool helps, in the second - to cut off the affected parts of the plant and transfer the flower to another place.

The last common problem is also related to non-compliance with the rules of watering. Due to the frequent introduction of water, the roots and trunk begin to rot. In this case, transplanting and changing the irrigation regime helps to correct the situation. If traces of fungal infection appear (white flower or other), then the ficus must be treated with fungicides.

Additional tips and tricks

It is recommended to grow Ficus Robusta in residential premises. This plant releases a lot of oxygen and absorbs certain harmful substances (phenols and others). To prevent diseases and the appearance of pests, it is recommended to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every week.

In rare cases, the plant loses its crown. However, this most often occurs due to insufficient air humidity. Therefore, when the leaves fall, the ficus must be transferred to another room and periodically sprayed with water from a spray bottle.