Ficus Benjamin - variety of varieties and subtleties of care

Ficus benjamina

Ficus benjamina, or brilliant (Ficus benjamina syn. Ficus nitida) is the most popular representative of the numerous genus of ficus, along with rubber ficus. This is explained by its high decorative qualities, simple and inexpensive growing process.

In its native conditions, in the tropics of South Asia and Northern Australia, where it is warm and quite humid all year round, the Benjamin ficus grows into a huge tree more than 30 meters high. Numerous aerial roots extend from its trunk and branches, which become additional support and often form a multi-stemmed banyan tree. Sometimes trees grow so large that they form intricate sculptures. The roots penetrate the ground to a depth almost equal to the height of the trunk, so in tropical climates it is necessary to protect sidewalks, communications and building foundations from their powerful destructive effects.

In drier countries, Ficus Benjamina is not able to form a banyan tree and grows as a single-stemmed tree. The branches droop beautifully; because of this feature, it is also nicknamed “weeping ficus” or “weeping fig tree.” The leaf blades are smooth, glossy, 3-10 cm (sizes vary greatly among varieties), elongated, with a sharp nose at the end, located in the same plane. Like all ficuses, Ficus Benjamin contains milky sap, sometimes it clearly appears on the leaves in the form of small white spots, often hardens as a drop on the leaf petiole (if it comes into contact with the skin, it can cause allergies). The flowers are inconspicuous, enclosed, like all ficuses, in a special capsule, and are pollinated only by a certain type of insect. The fruit in the form of a syconium, in places of natural growth, serves as the main food for some species of birds. In areas with a tropical climate, Ficus Benjamin is actively used for landscaping, creating topiary forms and trimmed hedges.

Ficus benjamina is widespread in potted culture, but is not always easy to maintain. It is necessary to take into account some of its features, and then the ficus in the pot will grow beautifully and please the eye.

Description

Ficus Benjamina grows both in the wild and at home. In the first case, it reaches a height of 8-10 m, when grown indoors 1.5-2 m. The plant has a dark-colored trunk with streaks. Its branches go down. The leaves are round, with elongated edges, 4-8 cm long, 1.5-4 cm wide, compacted, glossy. Their tone ranges from white and light green to dark. Ficus benjamina has inflorescences in the shape of a ball or a pear, with a diameter of 2 cm. They are pollinated by Bastophages, without which the former simply do not ripen. Planting material is obtained from inflorescences.

Origin and botanical description of the plant

The tree shrub is native to South Asia, northern Australia and the Philippine Islands. Under natural conditions it reaches a height of 30-40 m, has a powerful crown and an invasive root system that grows both underground and on its surface. The roots of the tree are so powerful that they can entwine nearby walls, trees, sculptures, and break through asphalt.

Domestic specimens are not so massive; on average, the height of the tree is 100-400 centimeters. In a greenhouse and in public buildings, ficus can reach 5 meters in height.

Experts do not recommend growing a tree higher than three meters, since in this case the lower part of the trunk is exposed and support is required.

Ficus description:

1. The root system is aerial, spreads along the surface of the earth; individual roots can take root and create the basis for new trees. When grown at home, invasive roots practically do not form.
2. The crown in natural conditions is spreading and wide. Without timely pruning, the branches become drooping, spreading, and require support. Therefore, removal of excess shoots must be carried out annually.
3. Differs in slow growth. Over 10 years the increase will be about one and a half meters.
4. The bark is dark gray in color and has transverse brown scars.
5. The leaves are large, smooth, with dark green skin. Pointed at the end, elliptical or lanceolate in shape. The length of one is up to 10-12 cm.
6. Fruits appear after flowering only under natural conditions, since pollination requires a special type of insect. They are small, up to one and a half centimeters in diameter, in the form of burgundy-colored berries, inedible.
7. Like other ficuses, this variety secretes milky sap where roots, leaves, and petioles are cut.

Depending on the type of formative pruning, this ficus at home can look like a tall bush or bonsai tree. Along with chlorophytum and sansevieria, the plant is considered the best filter, absorbs almost all toxic substances from the air and releases oxygen.

Varieties for home cultivation

Ficus benjamina has a variety of varieties. The differences between them are in the color of the leaves and care rules.

Ficus samantha

This variety was one of the very first to appear. Ficus Exotica has slightly wavy edges of leaves 6–8 cm long and up to 3.5 cm wide. They themselves are soft, juicy green in color. Internodes are about 4 cm. As for other things, the variety is similar to Ficus Benjamin in its original form. Developing quickly. The plant is quite compact, making it excellent for keeping in normal home conditions. Ficus Benjamin Exotica is quite unpretentious and easily tolerates some lack of light. A bit like Ficus Nitida.

The variety is partly similar to Exotic due to its compactness. Ficus of this variety is characterized by dense dark green foliage with smooth edges, up to 6 cm long, glossy and shiny, due to which the variety looks especially expressive and aesthetically pleasing. It grows fast and can gain up to half a meter in a season.

Ficus Anastasia belongs to the so-called variegated species (the so-called “Ficus Birch”): the color is heterogeneous, most of it is dark green, but the central vein and edging are light green. The leaf blade has a glossy sheen, slightly wavy. The leaves are about 7 cm long and 3 cm wide. Ficus Benjamina Anastasia grows very quickly. As with other variegated varieties (for example, the Denilite variety or a ficus such as Regidan), ficus Anastasia needs warmth and bright lighting so that the difference in color appears as contrasting and expressive as possible. If there is lack of care, it may begin to crumble (as happens with deciduous species).

One of the most unusual varieties: due to the leaves (small, up to 4 cm) bent into rings, it has a very non-trivial appearance. Internodes are shorter than other varieties. Their color is uniform, rich green. The species is characterized by rather slow growth and generally short stature. In addition, it has quite thin stems, so if you want your ficus pot to look lush, it makes sense to plant these plants as a bush, creating a kind of ficus grove.

Another variegated variety. Ficus Curley is distinguished by unevenly distributed spots of green and light, almost white shades. Some sheets can combine both colors, others are almost monochromatic with only small inclusions. They can also differ in shape: from straight to spiral. Overall, this gives Curly an elegant and original look. Doesn't grow very fast. Like other variegated ficuses (for example, Ficus Benjamin Mix or Ficus Lovely), this Birch needs to be provided with good lighting to maintain its decorative properties.

Home care

Ficus Benjamin is whimsical, but if you follow the rules of care it will grow very well.

Lighting, temperature, watering, fertilizing

Soil, transplantation, container

The soil should be slightly acidic, intermediate, drained. You can do it yourself, for this you will need:

• deciduous turf;
• sand;
• peat.

Transplantation is carried out once in early spring (for young seedlings). Each time you need to take the pot a few centimeters larger than the previous one. It is better to choose plastic or ceramic.

An adult Ficus Benjamin needs to be replanted once every 3 years, when the roots occupy an entire container.

Reproduction

Ficus benjamina is propagated by seeds, cuttings, and air layering.

1. Sowing of seeds occurs in the spring, when the inflorescences have completely changed shape, size, and color. The soil with seeds is covered with cellophane and put away in a lighted, insulated place for 1 month. Afterwards the sprouts are planted in different pots.
2. Not all types of ficus reproduce by air layering, but Benjamina is one of them. To do this, select a woody branch or trunk and make a ring-shaped cut of the bark without affecting the wood. The exposed part is wrapped in damp sphagnum (peat moss). This structure is wrapped with film, the edges are secured with wire or tape. When the roots become visible through the film, it is removed and the resulting seedling is cut off (necessarily below the roots). Such a plant is planted as usual, and the cut site on the mother tree is treated with garden pitch or ground coal.
3. Cuttings are cut from an adult plant, and the base of the future seedling should be semi-woody (not green, but flexible). There should be 4 to 6 leaves on the stem. Cut cuttings 15-20 cm long, immerse in warm water for 2 hours (so that white juice comes out), then rinse and immerse in purified boiled water. Add charcoal (to prevent rotting). As soon as the roots appear, the cuttings are transplanted under cellophane. In order for the flower to get used to room temperature, the latter is gradually removed.

Formation of Ficus Benjamin

The tree grows quickly and needs shaping. If the ficus grows on a windowsill, then it needs to be rotated 90 degrees every 2 weeks.

Side shoots are pruned while the bud is inactive. The cut is moistened and covered with charcoal. A small bush is pinched (that is, the apical buds and those located at the ends of the shoots are removed).

Pruning and shaping Ficus Benjamin

Ficus easily recovers after pruning; this manipulation causes almost no stress to it. Therefore, if you see that your plant is growing one-sided, don’t be afraid to cut off the branches that are out of the general “picture”. Pruning is also necessary to adjust the height of an oversized ficus.

The pruning technology is very simple: take a sharp, clean knife (secateurs, scissors) and cut off excess shoots; Make the cut above the internode with the growth point - after a while new shoots will emerge from the axils.

It is best to prune Ficus Benjamin in early spring, when the plant begins to awaken from winter hibernation. In this case, it will quickly develop the required shape. The so-called sanitary pruning (removal of dry, diseased branches) can be carried out at any time of the year.

An example of anti-aging ficus pruning is shown in the video:

But pruning is only one of the stages in the formation of Ficus Benjamin. Flexibility, the ability to grow shoots together, quick recovery after pruning - all these characteristics make this plant an excellent object for the gardener’s creative experiments.

Using methods of formative pruning and merging of trunks, you can grow Ficus Benjamin:

• In the form of a bush - then you plant the cuttings in one pot and they grow in their natural form, pruning is limited to “straightening out” the shaggy branches.

Ficus benjamina is the easiest to form in the form of a bush.

• On a trunk - the cuttings are braided (with a braid, a rope, an openwork hollow structure) or tied into one trunk, or a trunk is grown from one plant, removing all the growth on the trunk being formed.

Various options for Ficus Benjamin on a trunk

• In the bonsai technique , a complex method of obtaining a tree “in miniature” is achieved by step-by-step pruning of the roots and crown of the plant, as well as other manipulations that inhibit growth.

Ficus benjamina bonsai

Errors in care and their correction

Possible problems with Ficus Benjamin

Leaves are falling. Benjamin's ficus immediately reacts to almost any errors in care by dropping its leaves. This could be a sudden cold snap, a draft, a change in location, flooding or dryness, lack of lighting, or a transplant. Leaf fall can also begin for completely natural reasons - during the autumn period of transition to a state of dormancy. Like shrubs in nature, Benjamin's ficus can shed some of its foliage, which is difficult to “feed” when daylight hours decrease and temperatures drop.

The leaves are turning yellow. The reasons are the same. As a rule, the foliage on the Benjamin ficus first turns yellow and then falls off. That is, all the reasons leading to leaf falling and listed in point 1 also apply to sudden yellowing. In addition, yellowing may be due to a lack of nutrients in the soil and pest invasion (in particular, spider mites).

The leaves are drying. If only the tips of the leaves dry, this indicates low air humidity. This is usually observed in winter, when the batteries are turned on. To fix the problem, spray the ficus with warm water every day or use air humidifiers (electric or in the form of containers hung on the radiator). If the leaves dry not only from the edges, then the reasons may be more serious: waterlogging, frostbite, fungal disease, overdose of fertilizers.

Ficus doesn't grow. Most often the problem is associated with a pot that is too small, which inhibits the growth of the root system. The roots do not develop, and the upper part stops growing along with them. There are other possible reasons for this phenomenon. For example, root growth is inhibited due to too heavy soil or infrequent watering, which turns the soil into “stone.” The roots are not able to pass through the rocky barrier and stop growing.

Pest attack. Ficus plants are often attacked by mites, aphids and scale insects, so if the plant suddenly begins to look sickly, inspect it for the presence of these parasites.

Signs about Ficus Benjamin, its benefits

The Slavs believed that ficus had a bad effect on humans. In the families where he grew up, chaos constantly reigned, people quarreled, sorted things out for no reason. Girls could not get married. But there is also an opposite opinion, for example, in Thailand, this is a sacred tree that brings goodness, strengthens family relationships, brings good luck and happiness.

In fact, Ficus Benjamin can only harm those who are allergic to this tree. It secretes a milky sap called latex, which can cause asthma if it comes into contact with sensitive skin. But the benefits of the plant cannot be ignored; it perfectly purifies the air, kills viruses and bacteria.

A significant part of people know how difficult it is to care for this plant on their own. Ficus Benjamina is considered a capricious plant. But no one is afraid of the presence of difficulties, since Ficus Benjamina can be seen in the homes of a large number of people. With proper care throughout the year, all family members admire the ficus.

Ficuses in the house signs

The signs associated with this plant are very diverse. Different countries perceive it differently. In the East, it is considered sacred, as well as a symbol of a strong family and marriage. In Slavic countries they believe that the plant can drive a man out of the family and bring disaster.

Although today, more often than not, people hope that it brings happiness and money to the house, increases positive energy and productivity. If flowers appear on the ficus, expect an addition to the family.

Don't pay attention to bad omens. This wonderful perennial, regardless of the variety, will bring beauty and comfort to your home.

Varieties and their photos

1. Ficus Benjamina var. nuda grows in the Philippines and is distinguished by narrow, elongated leaves with an elongated teardrop-shaped point. The leaves of a naked ficus are no wider than three centimeters. The above type of ficus was nicknamed “naked” because it lacks peeling young bark.
2. Ficus Benjamina f. Exotica is found in Bali and Java, this species has dark glossy leaves, and the edges themselves have a wavy edge. Exotic landscaping is used in warm cities where the temperature remains quite high even in winter. This species is not afraid of drought.
3. The variety called Danielle has dark green leaves that are six centimeters long. Daniel does not stand out for being whimsical and can exist in more severe conditions.
4. And the Curly will require care and careful care; the health of the plant greatly depends on the correct lighting.
5. The Fantasy variety combines the advantages of varieties such as Danielle and Curly. Even the leaves are very similar to the leaves of the two varieties described.
6. The ficus Monique species is unpretentious , the edges of its six-centimeter leaves have a corrugated structure and a green color.
7. Golden Monique differs from Monique in that the leaves are light golden at the edges and dark green in the middle. If we consider the variegated varieties of Ficus Benjamin, then this species is considered the most stable.
8. Naomi variety is somewhat similar to Monique , it is also very stable, it grows instantly, the leaves are six centimeters long, the structure of the dark green leaves is corrugated at the edges.
9. But Naomi Gold, with its green leaves with a golden border, resembles Golden Moique. A very beautiful plant breed.
10. Midnight Lady has leaves six centimeters long, their edges are corrugated, and the shade is very dark.
11. Esther has five-centimeter leaves of a light green color.
12. Starlight stands out for its white foliage, which impresses advanced botanists, since casual hobbyists have little chance of coping with the whimsicality. But beauty requires sacrifice; knowledgeable people understand this very well and do not skimp on the best fertilizers and time spent in order to properly care for the plant.
13. Golden King's six-centimeter leaves are famous for their yellow stripes on the edges;
14. Anastasia variety produces green foliage with light edges. The leaves are six centimeters long.
15. Samantha will appeal to those who want grey-green foliage with white edges. Their dimensions are standard (six centimeters).
16. Bushy King , having Samantha's appearance, grows more slowly and reaches a more compact size.
17. Kinky is known for its four-centimeter green leaves with cream-colored edges.
18. Buklee is growing at an average rate. It is distinguished by curled six-centimeter foliage, a resistant variety.
19. Iren is very similar to Buklee, but its crown is attractive with its variegated variation;
20. Natasja grows at a medium speed, is a small-leaved species with a standard color.
21. Wiandi is a small-leaved variety, five-centimeter long leaves, light green color.
22. Nina with small five-centimeter green leaves.
23. Nicole is another small-leaved breed.
24. Safari is a variety with small leaves.
25. Barok also has small leaves.

They are all similar to each other, differing only in the degree of unpretentiousness.

Necessary conditions for cultivation

Growing this ficus variety is not difficult. It loves humidity and plenty of light. It reacts sharply to movement around the room, so it is better to immediately place the pot in a permanent place, not move it, only periodically turn it in relation to sunlight so that the shoots develop at the same speed.

Location and lighting

Ficus grows quickly and has a rich color if the pot is in a lighted but not too sunny place. In summer, it needs shading in the middle of the day, since the bright rays of the sun can cause burns on the delicate leaf blade. The more variegated a plant's leaves, the more light it needs.

If the pot is located at the back of the room and does not receive the required amount of light, arrange additional lighting.

It is optimal to place a lamp or position the plant so that the light comes directly to the top of the bush, so the crown will be symmetrical. Drafts are detrimental to ficus; it reacts to this by dropping leaves.

In the summer, you can take the pot out into the garden or onto the balcony, but protect it from strong winds and sunlight.

Air humidity

Ficus shows intensive growth only at high air humidity. To increase it, you can install a humidifier next to the pot and carry out regular spraying, using only warm filtered or boiled water.

In winter, spraying is carried out only if the apartment is dry and the heating appliances are working. They are bought under the shower 1-2 times a month, mainly for hygienic purposes - to wash away dirt and dust from the leaves.

Soil requirements

The right soil for ficus is neutral or slightly acidic, fertile, with good breathability. In general, the plant is not too demanding on the composition of the soil; any ready-made substrate for succulents or palm trees will do. You can also make it yourself using humus, sand, turf soil, and peat.

For young shoots, it is better to take loose soil, which will allow maximum moisture and air to pass through. For mature plants, dense clay soil is more suitable. Be sure to use a drainage layer that is placed at the bottom of the pot. This can be brick chips, small pebbles, pebbles, or a mixture of these components. The height of the soil at the bottom of the container is at least 2 cm.

Correct care for ficus trees at home

About lighting

For the correct formation of the crown of Ficus Benjamin, you should be careful about the lighting, the light should fall on each side of the plant, it is recommended to rotate the ficus with a certain cyclicity. If you fail to follow this recommendation, you will have to settle for an irregularly shaped crown; the shoots will grow unevenly.

Ficus benjamina is a light-loving plant, but it must be protected from direct sunlight, which will cause the entire crown to burn out. Some varieties are best shaded a little. It is strictly forbidden to place the plant in the dark, in cold or draft. In winter, in order to avoid leaf fall, it is necessary to install artificial lighting. If a variegated variety is planted, this ficus loves light and warmth even more.

Temperature and humidity

When the ficus was brought home, you need to allocate personal space for the crown of this plant. The temperature in the room should not be allowed to drop, the minimum temperature should be at least fifteen degrees Celsius, the place for the ficus Benjamin should be ventilated, but avoiding drafts.

Humidity 70% is considered normal, humidity less than 50% is considered critically unacceptable. In summer and winter, the crown of ficus Benjamina should be sprayed; this plant will like a monthly warm shower (water temperature from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius).

When carrying out spraying procedures, it is recommended to cover the ground with polyethylene, after which you should refrain from ventilating the room during drying.

How to water ficus benjamina

You should not follow a strictly defined schedule when watering; different seasons and different conditions constantly shift the watering cycles. Ficus is watered based on the condition of the soil; the soil should not dry out or become saturated with water. Over time, it will become easier to understand when it is time to water.

The soil should be dry one fifth from the top. For the sake of uniform impregnation of the soil, the soil is saturated with water in several stages, while it is desirable that there is no water in the pan; if excess moisture appears, the water is drained from the pan.

What soil to plant in and what fertilizers to buy

The choice of soil for ficus Benjamina should be a fertile, breathable and moisture-absorbing option. It is welcome to add turf soil, leaf humus and sand to the base of purchased peat soil.

Turf soil (one part), leaf humus (one part), sand (one second part), peat soil (one part) are mixed with charcoal (one tenth). It is necessary to use drainage; knowledgeable people place expanded clay on the bottom of the pot, and lay sand as a second layer.

Fertilizer concentrates are added to the water and the plant is watered. During the winter season, you should not replenish the soil, because in winter the ficus is at rest.

It is better to follow the above recommendations for care, since in the absence of comfortable conditions, ficus Benjamina will lose its crown, and in some circumstances everything will end up much worse and the beautiful plant will die.

Top dressing

In spring, summer and autumn, the plant is fed with universal flower fertilizers. The ficus is fed based on its growth rate, and the rate itself depends on the quality of the light received. With rapid growth, ficus more often needs feeding.

When keeping a variegated variety, it is recommended to feed it with fertilizers with a low nitrogen content; this is done to preserve the exclusive shade of the crown. You can alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. In winter and during leaf shedding, fertilizing is prohibited.

The plant does not need feeding if growth slows down and if the rules of caring for it are violated.

Diseases and pests

When the soil is oversaturated with moisture, ficus Benjamina can be susceptible to fungus, bacteria and infections. If this problem does not bypass the ficus, you will need to remove each infected part and treat it with a solution containing a copper-containing fungicide. It is necessary to carry out regular hygiene procedures to prevent possible diseases. To do this, the foliage is wiped every week.

As soon as plant care becomes incorrect, spider mites, mealy worms, aphids, etc. appear in it. Treatment with water and laundry soap, insecticidal oil or a special varnish will save you from pests. All varieties of ficus can resist diseases and pests.

Why do the leaves turn yellow and fall off?

1. the foliage turned yellow and began to turn pale (the quality of lighting needs to be improved);
2. brown spots have appeared (the ficus should be protected from direct sunlight);
3. the foliage has curled and withered (it’s time to put it in a warmer place, otherwise the leaves will drop);
4. the branches began to reach towards the ground (excess moisture has accumulated inside the plant, postpone spraying the foliage);
5. the ends of the leaves dry out, then acquire a brown tint (the ficus needs water, it urgently needs to be watered);
6. the shedding of leaves has begun (ficus Benjamina is in a stressful state, if there was a change in the situation before, then you need to wait a little, otherwise the draft is to blame).

Pruning rules

Ficus Benjamina is not afraid of pruning, which can be used to give the crown a suitable shape. Most often, ficus is grown as a standard tree. The trunk is flexible, easily intertwined, can grow together with the trunks at points of contact, and forms a beautiful braid, trunk or lattice.

Pruning of young shoots begins in February and ends in July; the crown is formed in stages. Pruning is done using sharp scissors, a knife, pliers or pruning shears treated with an alcohol-containing liquid.

The limit for pruning the main bushes is twenty centimeters; more than six leaves must be left on it. You can cut off a side branch to the extent that is more acceptable to you. After trimming, you will need sharpened charcoal, which will be used to process each cut. In case of increased growth of the inner part of the foliage, excess leaves should be removed, thinning so that light reaches each leaf. Ficus Benjamina heals well after cutting.

You can grow a column of ficus Benjamin; to do this, you need to plant several plants in one container, then gradually intertwine them using an artificial method. Such bushes serve as support for each other and look good.

Ficus pruning

Plant pruning is used to remove damaged shoots and form a neat crown. In the first case, diseased branches should be cut off immediately so as not to infect other shoots. Most often, the presence of dry and damaged areas is visible closer to autumn, when the plant sheds its leaves. This procedure also provokes the appearance of new shoots. In the second case, a crown is formed using sharp pruning shears, creating an attractive decorative appearance for the perennial. Before pruning, you should not water it so that as little milky juice is released as possible. After the procedure, you can sprinkle the sections with activated carbon to speed up drying.

Features of replanting ficus

When spring or summer comes, it becomes possible to replant the ficus. Before this procedure, the bush is thoroughly watered. Drainage and new soil are poured into the new pot in advance. Carefully remove the bush from the old pot with a small amount of soil, shake off the soil a little from the roots, remove the top layer of soil in the new pot and place the plant there. Then cover with a fresh layer of earth.

When the plant reaches a large size, the difficulty of replanting increases; in this case, you will simply have to change the top layers of the soil

A young plant is replanted every year, and plants older than four years - once every 1-3 years, as the root system develops. If the walls of the pot are completely entwined around the edges with roots, then it’s time to replant.

Clarifications on some questions

For those who want to know what function this plant has, other than decorating the room. According to the misconception of many, Ficus Benjamin is of decorative value, but in fact, this plant improves the quality of life of its owners. Ficus Benjamina varieties have been scientifically proven to effectively purify the air. This ficus saturates the room with oxygen, can destroy microorganisms and neutralize toxins thanks to the benzoin resin it contains.

When forming a trunk, you should remove every side shoot except the five branches on top. To create a floor standard, leave a meter in height, and for a tabletop - forty centimeters above the table. Using an identical method, multi-level trunks are formed, leaving five thirty-centimeter shoots. At the very beginning, a support mount in the form of a trellis will be useful; when the ficus becomes stronger, the trellis can be removed.

To give the trunks a braided shape, ficuses are secured with clamps, which are then relaxed.

When pruning bushes, you should only cut off the shoots; the leaves themselves should not be damaged.

Ficus Benjamina is an extraordinary plant that requires compliance with a large number of rules when maintaining it, but do not worry about this, because this article has revealed all the nuances of caring for a ficus. You just have to make up your mind and after some time each family member will be rewarded for all their efforts by increasing the oxygen content in the room and the absence of toxins in the air. Just remember that you need the best possible lighting without direct sunlight.

To grow a healthy plant in an apartment, you need to know how to care for ficus.

The ficus is native to the tropical forests of East Asia, where there are more than 750 varieties of this flower. It is impossible to grow all of them at home, however, there are dozens of varieties of indoor ficuses. They can differ dramatically from each other in appearance - the type of trunk, the shape and structure of the leaves.

Features of caring for various representatives of ficus

The main factors for properly growing indoor plants of the Ficus genus are optimal temperature, lighting and watering.

It is necessary to create conditions for perennials that are close to the climate of tropical forests.

Most varieties require moderate watering while maintaining moisture through constant spraying. In lighting, it is important to avoid direct sunlight on the shoots, choosing diffused light. The air temperature in winter should not fall below 15, and in summer - below 23 degrees. The optimal temperature is 23-25 ​​degrees.

How to care for ficus at home

Ficus is not only a houseplant, it is beneficial because it purifies the indoor air from benzenes and phenols, and also gives off its positive energy. The peculiarity of this flower is that it prefers a permanent place and does not react well to frequent movements. Therefore, before purchasing a ficus, you need to choose a place for it, taking into account its preferences in lighting and temperature.

Ficus (lat. Ficus)

This plant prefers light and fresh air; if possible, in the warm season it is preferable to place it on the veranda or balcony.

Attention!
When placing a ficus, it is necessary to take into account that it does not tolerate drafts. The plant reacts very violently to inconvenience - it drops its leaves.

Lighting

Ficus is a light-loving plant, but it must be placed in a place protected from direct sunlight. Those flower varieties that have dense, dark-colored leaves can be placed in less lit places. Species with light foliage need more intense lighting; in winter they are recommended to include additional daylight lamps.

Ficus: care at home

If there is not enough light, the ficus may shed its leaves and plant growth slows down. Reacts poorly to changing lighting conditions. During the period of active growth and flowering, ficus needs more light than during the dormant period. Species with variegated foliage may lose their decorative color due to lack of light.

ficus benjamina sheds leaves in winter photo

Temperature

Ficus is thermophilic, the ideal temperature regime for it is in the range of +22+28 °C in summer and +15+21°C in winter. Ficus varieties with variegated leaves do not tolerate cold temperatures and drafts.

Important!
Too high a temperature will cause the leaves to wilt; if the flower is cold, it will begin to actively shed its leaves.

If the plant is in a place that does not correspond to its temperature regime (a ventilated window sill or floor), it should be moved to a warm place for the winter or placed on a stand.

On hot summer days, in order to provide the flower with an acceptable temperature, it is recommended to spray it with a spray bottle.

Air humidity

If the ficus variety has large, dense leaves, air humidity does not matter much; this plant will feel good in normal indoor conditions. To create ideal conditions, flowers with small leaves are recommended to be sprayed in the summer. For these purposes, water must be left standing for 2-3 days or rain water must be used.

Ficus benjamina prefers high air humidity; it must be sprayed frequently, and in the summer placed in a tray with wet pebbles. Due to lack of air humidity, the plant will begin to shed its leaves.

Watering ficus

Ficus prefers regular moderate watering with light drying of the earthen ball in the pot. For proper watering, you must follow some rules:

1. water the ficus at the same time in the morning or evening;
2. Do not use tap water; the water must stand for three days;
3. you can water it with boiled water passed through a filter;
4. the water should be warm;
5. The frequency of watering is selected in accordance with the time of year; in winter it is enough to water the ficus once a week, and in summer - at least twice. On hot days, you should monitor the condition of the soil in the pot and water the plant as the top layer dries;
6. For additional moisture, spraying is used for small-leaved species and wiping the leaves for rubber-bearing ficus. The procedures are carried out at least once a week with settled water.

Watering ficus

You can water a houseplant from the top (at the root) and into a tray. Water is poured into the pan for 30-40 minutes, then the remainder is drained.

If watering is carried out from the top, you should pour water under the root until it begins to flow from the drainage hole. Place the pot in a tray and drain off any excess water after 20 minutes.

In winter, watering is reduced; waterlogging of the soil in the pot can threaten the death of the flower. If the ficus is in close proximity to a heating radiator, it needs to be watered more often. On hot days, you can use showering to water the plant. Periodically, the soil must be loosened for air circulation and better moisture.

Top dressing

Knowing how to care for ficus at home, you can grow some species up to two to three meters. But for active plant growth, periodic feeding is required.

They begin to feed the ficus after a period of dormancy in early spring, and do this throughout the summer, including September. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers can be purchased in specialized stores; they are necessary for the plant to grow its crown. They are used in spring and early summer; do not do this in autumn, otherwise the shoots will be thin and pale.

At home, you can prepare soil fertilizer yourself. To do this, wood ash is mixed with nettle tincture. Mullein can be used several times. It is not recommended to use various food fertilizers; they will cause acidification of the soil.

Land for ficus photo

To properly feed ficus, mineral and organic fertilizers are used. Compared to other plants, ficus does not require frequent feeding, but it should be plentiful. To understand that a houseplant needs feeding, you need to focus on the following factors:

• the flower has stopped growing or slowed down significantly;
• the shoots became thin and elongated;
• the leaves began to lose turgor and became pale;
• the ficus is dropping its leaves or they have begun to turn yellow;
• spots began to appear on the leaves;
• the plant begins to hurt;
• pests attack a weakened flower.

Advice!
Fertilizing should be done after treating the plant or treating it with a pest control composition, otherwise the flower will not absorb the nutrients. And after transplanting, the soil is not fertilized for at least three weeks.

What to feed

The plant should be fertilized from spring to autumn. In this case, the frequency of fertilizing should be different. For example, in March and April you can fertilize a tree only once a month. But in June, the ficus will actively grow, so it will need to be fed much more often - at least once every 2 weeks. In this mode, it is worth caring for the plant until September. In the fall, switch the tree back to a meager diet - once a month. And remember: nutritious soil provides the plant with successful growth, the beauty of the trunk and the rich shade of the leaves. So feeding is another condition for the good development of Ficus Benjamin.

Home care should involve the use of mineral and organic fertilizers, as well as herbal compost compositions. In the store you can choose what is ideal for your ficus. Use the purchased product according to the instructions and do not give the plant too much fertilizer.

Give preference to mixtures with a high nitrogen content, which ensures abundant growth of green mass. To stimulate the growth of new stems, you can use the drug “Epin”. If your plant lacks iron and its leaves quickly turn yellow, try feeding it with Ferrovit.

Types of home ficus

The most common indoor varieties of ficus are:

All these ficuses are very different from each other, there are fundamental differences between domestic species and those that grow in nature.

Ficus benjamina has thin flexible stems with small leaves of a dense structure. Their color ranges from rich green to light, almost white. Moreover, they are not monochromatic, but variegated. This species needs intense lighting, frequent watering and feeding. With insufficient care, Ficus Benjamin can lose its variegated color and become pale and monochromatic. The most popular varieties are Natasha, Daniel and Midnight Lady.

Ficus Benjamin The rubber-bearing ficus is considered the largest among indoor varieties. The rubber-bearing ficus at home can grow more than 2 m. The plant is quite unpretentious and looks like a tree with an erect trunk. The leaves are large, oval with a pointed end, have a dense structure and a glossy surface. The flower tolerates partial shade well, is not picky about temperature and air humidity, and can survive for a long time without feeding. The most common types are Robusta, Melanie, Belize, Black Prince, Tineke.

rubber-bearing ficus photo The dwarf ficus is a creeping shrub that can creep along the ground or curl along a nearby support. The stems are very thin and can grow up to 3-5 m. The leaves are heart-shaped and monochromatic or variegated in color. Dwarf ficus grows slowly, mainly in the warm season.

Dwarf ficus photo Lyre-shaped ficus has leaves similar in shape to a musical instrument. They are usually dark green in color, dense in structure, and leathery. Lyre-shaped ficus

The trunk of this type of ficus is rough and gray-brown in color. It is quite demanding on humidity, does not tolerate too bright sunlight and sudden changes in temperature. The Bengal ficus is an evergreen tree and takes root through aerial roots. The leaves are oval-shaped, bright green with lighter veins. At home it grows quickly and reaches 3 m. It loves light, is heat-loving and needs regular watering, especially during the period of active growth.

Bengal ficus photo

Tropical ficus Samantha

Ficus Samantha is part of the Benjamin family of tropical mulberry trees, common in China, India, Southeast Asia and Australia (north of the continent). These evergreen plants grow up to 24-30 m. The Be Samantha variety is used for cultivation in urban environments, for example, for indoor landscaping. With good care, the tree grows up to 2.5 m.

Ficus transplant

Ficus care includes timely replanting for normal plant development. This must be done if the following factors are present:

• the roots of the flower extend into the drainage holes, the plant is clearly cramped in this pot;
• ficus just bought from the store;
• the soil in the pot is depleted and the plant has stopped growing;
• drainage replacement is required;
• if you need to propagate a flower.

Important!
Timely replanting promotes flower growth; if this is not done in time, the ficus will begin to shed leaves and stop growth.

Plants that are no more than 4 years old must be replanted every year. Older ficus trees are replanted less frequently, once every 3-5 years. The right time for replanting is early spring.

Ficus transplant

Considering that the ficus does not tolerate drastic changes, immediately after transplantation it can shed its leaves, but usually during the summer season the plant comes to its senses and feels good by winter.

• The pot should be selected according to the growth of the plant. If the ficus is 125 cm tall, the pot should have a diameter of no more than 23 cm; the plant prefers tight spaces. The ficus root system takes a long time to form until it intertwines throughout the earthen coma. And only then the flower begins to grow in height.
• The bottom of the pot should have drainage holes to avoid stagnation of water. It is better to choose a soil that is neutral or slightly acidic. It must be loose so that air can circulate. You can mix the soil yourself: take sand, peat, soil and humus in equal parts, or buy ready-made soil for ficus. Be sure to add drainage to the bottom of the pot.
• The plant is carefully removed from the old pot, the roots are inspected, if there are any damaged ones, they are removed with a sharp knife. The ficus is placed in a new pot with drainage and covered with soil without deepening the root collar.
• The flower is watered with settled warm water and placed in its permanent place, where there is no direct sunlight or drafts. The next time it should be watered after the top layer of soil has dried at least 2-3 cm.

How to choose a pot and soil

Try to choose a ceramic or clay flowerpot for the flower. Ficus benjamina will take root much easier if the new pot is not too large. The tub should be larger than the previous one by only a couple of centimeters - this way the root system will get used to it much faster.

The natural habitat of ficus benjamina is the tropics with moist soil. So, when growing it at home, you will need to prepare the appropriate soil.

You can stock up on purchased soil intended for decorative foliage plants. For example, soil for palm trees and mulberry flowers is ideal. Ficus Benjamin, which is very good, is not at all picky about the composition of the soil. Only one thing is important - it must be breathable, nutritious and have neutral acidity.

If you decide to prepare the soil yourself, mix garden soil, sand and peat in equal proportions. If you wish, you can add a little wood ash to the mixture to give the soil neutral acidity. Adult ficuses need a denser substrate, so it is worth adding humus and turf soil to it.

Don't forget to add a layer of drainage with pieces of charcoal to the bottom of the pot.

Reproduction

Ficus reproduces in four ways:

Cuttings, which in turn are of two types - stem and leaf-bud. Cuttings are placed in water until roots appear, usually after two weeks. Then each shoot can be planted in the ground in a separate pot.

Ficus propagation photo

• Air layering. This method of reproduction requires more attention. You need to select a shoot and remove excess leaves. Then make a cut around the trunk in a circle, into which insert a match or a piece of wood. Wrap the cut area with damp moss and polyethylene on top. Within a month, the roots should germinate, then the shoot can be separated from the main trunk and planted in a separate pot.
• At home, ficus plants practically do not reproduce by seeds; this is a very labor-intensive and time-consuming process. To create ideal conditions, a mini greenhouse is used, in which the seeds are sown. It must have high humidity and appropriate temperature.

Ficus propagation methods

There are a sufficient number of different methods for propagating perennials. Let's look at the main ones.

Apical cuttings

One of the most commonly used and simplest methods. First, choose a healthy shoot. Using a disinfected pruning shears, cut it at an angle of 45 degrees and at least 10-12 cm long. Next, choose one of the rooting options: in water or in soil.

First option.

Place the cuttings in clean water, you can add root. We put it in a bright place without direct sunlight. We periodically update the water.

Second option.

We plant the material in a sand-peat mixture and install a greenhouse. It will be replaced by a transparent bag or plastic cup. Don't forget to moisten the substrate. Ficus roots take quite a long time to form - up to several weeks. After they appear, we plant them in a permanent place.

Sheet plates

This method is similar to the previous one. The leaf must be separated along with the cutting (shown in the picture). After this, we choose the method of rooting in water or in soil. Regardless of the choice of method, it is advisable to treat it with a root growth activator before rooting.

Air layering

Often the trunk of an adult tree becomes bare, which gives it an unattractive appearance. To correct the situation, you can cut off the top part and end up with two copies of ficus. When cutting off the top, you need to treat the cut with charcoal. Over time, new shoots will begin to grow from the dormant buds on the lower part. In order to give life to the upper part, before cutting it is necessary that new roots form on it. They are obtained by making notches and placing wet moss on them, wrapping everything with film. Periodically you need to remove the film and moisten the sections. After the formation of aerial roots, the top can be cut off and planted in a separate pot.

Seeds

In order for the seeds to germinate, they need high humidity and sufficiently warm air. After purchasing the seeds, they are planted in peat soil with humus to a depth of 5 mm. Carefully sprinkle with soil and moisten slightly. Cover the top with film. By thinning out and regularly spraying the first shoots, you can grow plants that will subsequently take root successfully in separate pots.

Root

The root of the plant is removed, divided into the required number of parts and planted in the ground. Next, as in other methods, we create greenhouse conditions: high temperature and humidity. You can use special lamps. We carefully plant the grown sprouts in separate containers.

Ficus diseases

If caring for ficus

correct, it rarely gets sick, but the plant can become infected with fungal or bacterial diseases, and the ficus is not immune from parasites.

Ficus diseases

Important!
To avoid diseases and pest damage, it is necessary to periodically wash the leaves and treat the plant with special compounds.

Main diseases and pests of ficus

How to save ficus from yellowing photo

Spider mites on leaves photo

The leaves turn yellow and fall off due to depleted soil in the pot and lack of fertilizing. In this case, it is better to replant the ficus. Another reason is waterlogging of the soil, an indicator is yellow leaves. If the leaves become covered with brown spots, this may indicate that the temperature in the room is too high. It is necessary to observe the watering regime and spray the crown in dry air.

Yellowed ficus leaf photo

To avoid the spread of diseases, you need to periodically inspect the plant, remove damaged leaves and provide the necessary care. You need to know how to properly care for ficus to avoid disease and death of the plant.

Diseases and pests

The ficus itself rarely gets sick.

The main problems with the plant arise from improper care.

This can be either excessive or insufficient watering, insufficient light, exposure to direct sunlight, and so on.

Overmoistening of the soil leads to the appearance of bumps and yellow spots on the leaves. If the leaves begin to dry out and curl, the air humidity for the plant is insufficient. If the edges of the leaves turn yellow, the ficus does not have enough nitrogen and needs feeding.

Leaf fall due to lack of nutrition

Ficus has few pests as such. These include:

• felters
• spider mite
• scale insect.

All of them are fought with the use of insecticides. The choice of products is quite large and it will be necessary to choose the optimal one for a given plant and given circumstances - it is difficult to give any recommendations on this matter.

However, it should be noted that ficuses (again, with proper care) are little susceptible to attacks by pests. Plants with normal immunity have sufficient means to resist both diseases and pests.

Why do leaves turn yellow and fall off?

There are many reasons for this:

• excess moisture in the soil;
• low temperature, drafts;
• transfer;
• deficiency of nutrients.

To these reasons you can add the diseases and pests described above.

How to prevent leaf shedding

First you need to change the watering mode . It can be stopped for a while. If this does not help, the plant is replanted and the rotten roots are cut off.

You can add fertilizers to the soil. But it is important not to overdo it, but to act strictly in accordance with the instructions. Excess fertilizer also causes yellowing of the leaves.

If the reason lies in disease or pest infestation, Benjamin's ficus is treated with chemical solutions .

Ficus Benjamin Natasha is deservedly popular among gardeners. It is attractive in appearance, unpretentious in care and maintenance. It is possible to turn it into an unusual tree, the main thing is to learn the rules of weaving .

Sources

• https://ufermer.com/komnatnye-rasteniya/fikus/bendzhamina.html
• https://vashcvetok.ru/rasteniya/dekorativno-listvennye/fikus-bendzhamina
• https://Potted-Plants.ru/fikus-bendzhamina/
• https://FloweryVale.ru/houseplants/ficus-benjamina-species-varieties-care-at-home.html
• https://stroy-podskazka.ru/fikusy/vidy-i-sorta/bendzhamina/harakteristiki-sorta/
• https://fikusexpert.com/komnatnye/derevya/fikus-bendzhamina.html
• https://Trizio.ru/fikus-bendzhamina-90-foto-866
• https://lafoy.ru/fikus-bendzhamina-60-foto-688
• https://podelki.expert/fikus-bendzhamina/
• https://greendom.biz/komnatnye-rasteniya/dekorativnolistnye/fikus/bendzhamina.html
• https://sadovnikam.ru/474763a-fikus-bendjamina-uhod-poliv-i-razmnojenie-v-domashnih-usloviyah
• https://agronom.guru/fikus-bendzhamina-uhod-v-domashnih-usloviyah-foto
• https://krrot.net/fikus-v-domashnix-ysloviya/
• https://RoomFlower.ru/komnatnye-tsvety/dekorativnolistnye/fikus-natasha.html

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