Rules for planting and caring for ficus at home, the nuances of watering

Proper care of the ficus at home allows you to achieve good results. To get a strong plant, you need to choose the optimal temperature and humidity parameters. Timely feeding, watering and crop pruning are of great importance. To avoid trouble, you need to get rid of diseases and pests in time. For this, fungicidal preparations and insecticides are used.

Description of the plant

This indoor culture belongs to the Mulberry family. It is found quite often and has up to 900 species. These include trees, vines and shrubs. Ficus can be evergreen or deciduous. Under natural conditions, plants are found in tropical and subtropical regions. In these climatic zones, the bushes reach 30 meters.

Ficus leaves are different - lobed, entire. The plants have smooth, pubescent leaves. Bushes are characterized by unusual inflorescences. They represent a pear-shaped or capitate axis, which is hollow inside, and has a hole on top. The flowers are inside the walls. Insects are responsible for their pollination. After that, small fruits appear, which form the seed. Plants rarely bloom at home.

Beneficial Features

This plant is used not only for decorative purposes. Useful properties of ficus are as follows:

1. Purifies the air in the room by saturating it with oxygen. Ficus converts harmful elements into amino acids.
2. It is used to treat malignant diseases, joint pathologies, hematomas, gynecological problems. The most useful is the rubbery ficus.
3. Used to treat hemorrhoids. To combat the disease, frozen juice is used.
4. It is used for the preparation of alcoholic drugs that help to treat pathologies of the oral cavity.
5. Protects the house from negative energies.

Kinds

Today, many varieties of ficus are known, each of which has certain characteristics.

Benjamin

There are more than 1000 varieties of Benjamin ficus. They are characterized by leathery leaves of different sizes.

large-leaved

This category includes ficus varieties like Anastasia and Exotic.

With medium sized leaves

These ficuses include Fantasy, Starlight, Kinki.

with small leaves

This group includes Barok, Natasha, Safari.

Rubbery

This plant is also called Ficus Elastica. It is very popular because it has excellent decorative properties and ease of maintenance.

dark green leaves

Ficus with rich green leaves include Robusta, Melanie, Abidjan varieties.

Leaves with yellow border

Sometimes a yellow border is found on the leaves of a rubbery ficus. These varieties include Belize, Tricolor.

in the shape of a lyre

This plant has large leaves that look like an upside-down violin. They grow up to 50-60 centimeters. It is not recommended to place this culture next to other plants.

Dwarf

This variety is fast growing and has small leaves. It differs significantly from other types of ficus. The plant can be grown in a bulb or tied to a support to stimulate upward growth.

Ali

This is the most common variety of ficus, also called willow. This is due to the fact that its leaves resemble willow.

Rubiginosis

It is a small tree with a lush crown and red shoots. Aerial roots form below, and pubescent buds of a rich pink hue appear on top.

Karika

It is a small bush that has a spreading crown. It is also called indoor fig. The plant is characterized by a gray-brown trunk and serrated leaves. Each of them has white or yellow streaks. With proper care, it will be possible to get flowering figs and even harvest the fruits.

Popular varieties

Today, many varieties of ficus are known. There are the most common varieties that are often grown at home.

black Prince

This culture is characterized by unusual black leaves.

Doechery

A characteristic feature of the variety is considered pink spots on the leaves. Red streaks are visible in the center.

Variegated

This variety is characterized by beautiful green leaves. They have an unusual creamy rim.

Robust

Plants of this variety have large leaves. They have a glossy surface and a rich green tint.

Beautiful

This is a dwarf bush that does not exceed 50 centimeters. It is characterized by elongated variegated leaves and a lush crown.

Stars light

This variety has glossy leaves dotted with pale pink spots. This variety has a slow development, but easily tolerates pruning.

Melanie

The plant is compact and well suited to small rooms. The ficus of this variety is characterized by a beautiful crown. The length of the leaves does not exceed 15 centimeters. They are dense enough, which makes the plant more attractive.

How to plant correctly

In order to achieve tangible results in the cultivation of ficus, it is worth carrying out planting work competently.

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Seat selection

First of all, you need to choose the right place for the flowerpot. It is recommended to take into account the parameters of humidity, temperature, lighting.

Lighting

Ficus is considered a light-loving culture, so it should be placed on a well-lit window. At the same time, direct sunlight should not fall on the plant. It is desirable that the light be slightly diffused.

If there is too much sun, it is recommended to cover the window with a thin curtain. Lack of lighting will lead to a significant slowdown in the development of culture.

Humidity

The bush needs enough moisture. Frequent spraying is recommended. The leaves should be periodically wiped with a damp sponge. This is especially true at low air humidity. About 1 time per month the ficus needs a hot shower. Before carrying out the procedure, the floor must be covered.

Temperature

The ficus needs warmth. In summer, the temperature regime should be + 18-24 degrees. In winter, it can be slightly lower - + 16-18 degrees.

Soil preparation and composition

For the full development of ficus, neutral soil is required. It can also have a slightly acidic reaction.The composition should contain turf or leafy earth, humus, sand. All components are taken in equal proportions. You can also add a small amount of compost flour to the composition. For ficus, ready-made soil is quite suitable, which can be purchased at a flower shop.

How to choose a jar

The plant needs the right pot. It can be plastic, ceramic or clay. Adult crops are recommended to be grown in bulky wooden pots. The capacity is modified as the plant grows.

It is important that there are drainage holes. This will help avoid standing water.

How to plant with scions

In order to plant ficus with shoots, it is worth choosing the right planting material and strictly observing the rules of the procedure.

How to take a scion

For planting work, the upper part of the ficus is suitable. Its length should be 10 centimeters. It is recommended to cut the stem at an acute angle.

Rooting

To cause the release of juice, it is recommended to immerse the sprout in warm water for 1 hour, then dry it well.To get roots, the stem must be immersed in water and charcoal added. During evaporation, the water must be supplemented so that it reaches the lower leaves. For 30-40 days the plant is placed in a warm place. As the roots form, the cuttings can be planted. A light and breathable floor is suitable for this. It must contain coarse sand.

no roots

To ensure the gradual development of roots, take a small container. The ficus sprout should be placed in the central part and fill it with soil around the edges. Then the plant should be well watered and wait for the development of the root system.

How to plant from a leaf

To ensure the active development of the flower, you need to cut off the leaf with a small part of the stem. If you plant only one leaf, you will not be able to get a full-fledged flower. It is important that the lower cut is in the center of the internode. It is recommended to cut the leaves from the main trunk or side branches. Handling is carried out with gloves, since ficus juice is considered poisonous.

Planting material should be dried for 2 hours. Then it is recommended to roll the sheet into a tube and knit it with a thin yarn. Put a small stick inside and push it into the ground. It is important that it be several centimeters longer than the sheet. This support will prevent the horizontal development of the bush. For planting a plant, it is worth using purchased soil, which is recommended to be mixed in equal parts with humus and peat. Drainage should be placed at the bottom, since the ficus does not tolerate high soil moisture. The leaf should be placed in the center and sprinkled with prepared soil around the edges.

Air layering

To plant the ficus with air layers, the trunk of the tree is cut by a third, after which a pinch of coarse sand is placed in the cut. Thanks to this, the trunk will not grow together. From above, this area is wrapped in wet moss and film. When the roots appear, the stem should be cut off and transferred to a pot.

How to plant with a handle

To obtain a strong stem, it is recommended to cut the top of the plant and place it in water. When the roots appear, the plant is planted in a pot. Then it must be covered with a film to obtain a greenhouse effect. Peat tablets are also used for rooting cuttings.

Care and cultivation

To ensure the full development of the ficus, it needs comprehensive care. To do this, it is worth watering and feeding the culture in time.

watering

Ficus need water all year round. They like regular soil moisture. It is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out. There must be a drainage layer in the pot.

Ampelny

These ficuses need to be watered quite often. You can suspect a lack of moisture by turning yellow and throwing the leaves. In this case, an excess of liquid leads to rotting of the collar, which causes the death of the roots or even the death of the crop.

In the shape of a tree

These plants require less moisture than ampelous plants. They allow a slight drying of the soil surface.

In winter

At this stage, ficuses require careful watering. Excess moisture is dangerous for them. This is especially true when kept in a cool room.

Summer

In the summer, the ficus needs to be watered quite often. The plant may suffer from a lack of moisture.

Fertilizer and feed

To grow a beautiful flower, you need to feed it in time. It is recommended to apply fertilizers once every 2 weeks.First of all, the bush should be watered abundantly. It is better to choose products that contain a lot of nitrogen. Fertilizers are applied from March to October - during the period of active vegetation and flowering.

Nutrient formulations are sometimes also recommended in winter. However, this is done at most once a month. To fertilize the ficus, it is worth using such agents as Palma, Ideal, Humisol. The proportions of use of plasters are indicated in the instructions.

Transfer

When growing ficus at home, it needs to be transplanted periodically. It is recommended that plants under 4 years old be moved to a new pot every year. Thereafter, the procedure is carried out every 2 years. In this case, it is worth periodically changing the topsoil. A planned transplant is carried out with the rapid drying of the earth and the appearance of roots on the surface.

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In this case, you should take a new pot. Its diameter should be 2-3 centimeters higher than the previous one. If you use a container that is too big, the roots and stems will grow too slowly. For ampelous ficus, pots are used.

Before planting, prepare the soil. To do this, you can buy ready-made land or make the mixture yourself. It is recommended to place a drainage layer on the bottom. A healthy plant is transferred to a new container by the transfer method. In this case, the piece of land can be saved. If pests appear in the ground, it is worth getting rid of the old earth.

If the bush is too large, it is divided into several trunks. Initially, it is recommended to water the plant abundantly. After transplanting, soil moistening is not required.At this stage, the flower is fed and transferred to a lighted place.

Size

This procedure is used to properly form the crown of the plant. Thanks to pruning, the bush begins to grow in width. In addition, manipulation helps to cope with diseases and has a rejuvenating effect on the flower.

The size can be standard, sanitary, anti-aging. A pinch or pinch is also performed. The standard procedure is carried out in spring or late autumn. In this case, it is only allowed to cut off the top. This contributes to the formation of the crown, stopping the growth of the bush upwards, activating the emergence of new branches.

When carrying out sanitary manipulations, it is worth getting rid of dry and affected branches and leaves. Rejuvenation pruning is needed when the plant freezes or the leaves are lost. In this case, the bush should be cut completely, leaving only 3-4 centimeters of the trunk. As a result, you will be able to get a new tree.

Pinching is considered a gentle procedure that aims to renew the upper kidneys. Before carrying out the manipulation, the bush should be carefully examined and identified the places that need to be removed. Pinching a flower is allowed at any time of the year.

To form the crown, various means are used that help direct the branches in the right direction. It is allowed to tie shoots with ordinary laces. They can be braided or curly cut.

Water requirements

Hard or cold water should not be used for watering the ficus. To soften the liquid, it can be boiled, filtered and defended. It is also allowed to freeze and melt water, add softening compounds to it. Soft spring water works well for irrigation.

It is recommended to decant the water before watering for at least 6 hours.This will help remove impurities, which will make the liquid smoother. Melt water is also a good option. It changes its structure, which helps get rid of bad substances.

the reproduction

Ficus can propagate in different ways. This allows each grower to choose the best option.

Cuttings

This method is considered the most common. Trimming is allowed when trimming. Even a small branch with a leaf is suitable for this. Its length can be only 4-5 centimeters. It is recommended to cut the shoots at an angle, stepping back 1 centimeter. It is also allowed to use leafy cuttings with a small shoot, only 1 centimeter in length for the propagation of a culture.

To root the cutting, it must be dipped in a growth stimulator - Epin or Kornevin. After that, the sprout should be placed in water or a container with a germination substrate. The plant is placed in a warm, well-lit place. Rooting occurs quite quickly - it will take about 2 weeks. When the first roots appear, the branch should be kept in water for 1 week. After 7-10 days, the plant is transferred to a permanent place.

Layers

To propagate ficus by layering, you need to follow these steps:

• remove all the leaves from the strongest shoot;
• make a circular incision at the root;
• apply foam and tie it with foil;
• after 2 weeks the sprout will take root - it can be cut and transplanted into the ground.

You can also use another technique. In this case, an incision is made, the branch is fixed on the surface of the ground and sprinkled with earth on top. When rooting a shoot, it must be cut off and moved to a flowerpot. Roots usually appear in 10-14 days.Before planting, the plant is shortened from above.

Diseases and pests

Ficus can face dangerous diseases or attacks of harmful insects. To deal with it, you need to identify the problem in a timely manner.

Black fungus on the leaves

This problem is caused by excess moisture. Also, a factor provoking the development of a fungal infection is the infection of the ficus with a scabbard. To eliminate the violation, you need to get rid of pests and reduce the amount of watering. Then the bush is treated with a fungicide.

gray rot

This disease results in mold damage to the leaves and stems of the plant. Damaged fragments are covered with brown spots. Then they darken and die. Gray rot develops well against a background of high humidity and heat. Therefore, the room must be systematically ventilated.

For the treatment of gray rot, the affected parts of the plant should be removed immediately. If this is not done, it will not be possible to save the plant. It is recommended to treat healthy fragments with fungicides. In this case, the number of waterings should be reduced.

sooty mushroom

This disease develops against the background of damage to the plant by pests - aphids, scale insects or other pests. After that, a black bloom appears on the leaves.

Root rot

This disease becomes a consequence of excessive soil moisture. The affected roots do not provide the plant with adequate nutrition and liquid, which leads to its death. In such a situation, the flower should be thrown away with the pot.

To avoid root rot, ficus needs moderate watering. It is carried out when the soil dries out. In this case, it is worth using clean water.To prevent disease, the ficus is watered monthly with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and a small amount of charcoal is added to the soil.

cochineal

These pests feed on the sap of the leaves of the plant. As a result, they deform and stop growing. The worm settles in the axils of the leaves, therefore, when processing, it is recommended to pay special attention to these areas.

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To get rid of pests, they carry out mechanical cleaning of the leaves. They can also be treated with an infusion of tobacco or soapy water once a week. In difficult cases, it is worth using Confidor. It is used 2 times with an interval of 10 days.

Spider

This pest thrives in high temperature and drought conditions. Ticks leave brown and gray marks on leaves. Insects multiply rapidly and cause foliage to wilt.

To cope with pests, it is recommended to increase the air humidity, spray the foliage and treat it with a soapy solution.

If the insects have spread too much, the bush is sprayed with an insecticidal preparation or garlic infusion. After which it must be covered with a film.

Nematodes

These pests cause damage to the root system, which leads to the appearance of small growths. The nematodes release toxic substances which penetrate the foliage and stems. As a result, the ficus turns pale and may die. At the first manifestations of the infection, it is recommended to remove the plant from the pot and carefully examine the root system. Then immerse it in an insecticide solution for several hours. Then move it to new soil.

Aphid

These pests lead to yellowing and deformation of the leaves. As a result, they die. When the ficus is affected by aphids, sticky secretions appear on the plant, which contributes to the development of fungal diseases.If measures are not taken in time, the probability of plant death is high. To combat aphids, the bush is treated with soapy water and sprayed with insecticidal preparations.

Thrips

These are small black insects that infect the soiled side of the leaves. They absorb plant sap and leave brown spots. High humidity and warm weather contribute to the development of pests. In this case, the leaves are covered with white and yellow spots. Over time, they dry out and crumble. If the ficus is infected with thrips, it is recommended to treat it several times with a solution of pyrethrum. Chemicals are also used - Aktar, Aktellik.

Shield

Brown spots on the backs of leaves are considered the first sign of scale damage to the ficus. Sometimes they also affect the stem. The insects feed on the sap of the plant and leave a sticky layer, which creates the prerequisites for the development of a sooty fungus.

To cope with pests, the flower is first treated with soapy water, and then with Aktellik. The procedure is carried out 3 times, with an interval of 1 week.

falling leaves

Ficus leaves often fall off. It can be a natural process. However, this symptom signals poor maintenance of the plant.

Natural

If the leaves fall in autumn and winter, this may be a natural stage in the development of the plant. If this happens at other times of the year, you can suspect violations in the care of the flower.This may be due to improper watering or insufficient lighting.

Change familiar conditions

Ficus does not tolerate changes in the conditions of detention, sudden fluctuations in temperature, a decrease in lighting. It is recommended to immediately take a place for the plant and not touch it. If you move a flower from a warm to a cold room, it will immediately lose its leaves.

Overwatering

Excessive watering often causes various disorders in the development of the plant. As a result, there is a risk of wilting and yellowing of the foliage. Over time, it completely falls off.

Lack of nutrients

If old leaves fall off and undersized leaves grow in their place, this indicates a lack of useful elements in the soil. Transplanting a flower or applying fertilizer will help solve the problem.

Diseases and Parasites

When infected with infections or attacked by pests, damaged areas, spots, uneven color elements appear on the leaves. As a result, they die completely. In such a situation, the bush must be treated with chemicals.

Causes of the appearance and development of diseases

Quite often, diseases develop due to improper plant care. In such a situation, it is necessary to identify the problem in time.

Insufficient lighting

At the same time, a slowdown in the development of the plant is observed, the leaves turn yellow and crumble. Dark green ficuses are less sensitive to lack of light than light plants.

Inappropriate temperature

With the wrong temperature regime or sharp fluctuations in indicators, the appearance of the culture deteriorates significantly. At the same time, the leaves wither and crumble.

Drafts

The plant is very sensitive to drafts. At the same time, we observe a drying of the stems and a fall of the leaves.

Overwatering

With excessive moisture in the soil, the upper parts of the shoots die, an unpleasant putrid odor appears, the leaves turn pale and crumble.

Insufficient watering

In the event of a water deficit, the leaves dry up and curl up. They often fall off completely. In this case, the branches become more brittle, and the ground is separated from the pot.

excess fertilizer

In case of violation of the dosage of fertilizers or excessive use of nutrient formulations, there is a risk of burning the root system.

Tips & Tricks

In order for the ficus to develop normally, it must be properly cared for. In this case, it is worth following the recommendations of experienced florists:

1. The plant does not like to be disturbed. You should not change the location or unfold the pot. If it is necessary to transplant a culture, it must be done very carefully.
2. For better branching, it is recommended to pinch the plant from above. This will ensure the appearance of side shoots and the formation of a beautiful crown.
3. The cut top can be placed in a glass of water. The roots will appear in a few weeks. Such a plant can be planted in a pot.
4. In autumn or spring, the ficus can lose the lower leaves. This is not always associated with poor plant care. It is a natural process. At the same time, leaf fall in summer or spring should cause alarm, as this indicates violations in the development of culture.

Ficus is considered a popular flower that many people grow. To achieve excellent results, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the basic recommendations - watering, cutting, feeding the plant in time.It must be protected from diseases and pests.