Growing and caring for ficus Moklame at home

Plant ficus microcarpa is a miniature tree, which is also called bonsai. Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees in an apartment environment that looks very similar to their larger relatives.

This ficus grows fruits, which makes it different from other miniature trees. However, in indoor conditions, this plant practically does not bloom, and therefore you are unlikely to see its fruits.

In nature, ficus microcarp is found in the tropical forests of China, Asia and Australia, but only in well-lit areas. It is not so difficult to grow this plant in indoor conditions, but if a number of important points are not taken into account, then the plant will simply die.

The special beauty of such a ficus is the flight, towering above the soil, roots, which can form various bizarre shapes. And also he has a spectacular very lush crown.

This species was named microcarpa because of its miniature fruits. So, from Greek mikros karpos literally translates as a small fruit.

General facts

Ficus Moklame belongs to the mulberry family, grows in the tropics and subtropics. In the wild, its height reaches 25 m, at home it grows no higher than 1.5 m. Ficus Microcarpa Moklame is an epiphyte plant. Epiphytes are not parasites, they use photosynthesis for energy and vitamins, and moisture is obtained from precipitation. Microcarps put down many aerial roots, but they are very poorly developed.

The stem is gray. The foliage is in the shape of an ellipse, pointed at the tips. The color of the leaves is dark green, glossy. The name Microcarpa means "little fruit" in Greek. The tree was so nicknamed for its small fruits, the seed of which is no more than 1 cm.

Description of ficus microcarpa

In nature, it can grow up to 20-25 meters in height. When grown indoors, it rarely grows above 2-3 meters. As a rule, under natural conditions, this plant is an epiphyte (it grows on another tree).

Monochromatic smooth short-petiolate leaves have a wide oval-lanceolate shape with curved tips. Upon examination, it may appear that the leaves have been waxed. Green or dark green foliage and brown bark. In nature, it gives rather small fruits of a yellowish color, but as they ripen, they become burgundy. He does not like the scorching direct rays of the sun, and he is also negatively affected by low air humidity.

How to grow

Ficus Moklame is very popular on the territory of the Russian Federation. In the East, the tree is considered a symbol of love, devotion, wisdom and fertility. In appearance, it is similar to a sacred tree. Caring for him at home is pretty simple. The main thing is to determine the place where the new tenant will live. The tree does not like rearrangements, only in the summer you can move it to an open terrace or loggia. The place should be shaded, because this specimen, like many others in the mulberry family, does not tolerate direct sunlight.

If the flower is left without the light of the sun for a long time, it can shed its leaves, which can lead to an increase in the distance of internodes. The plant is sensitive to a sharp change in lighting mode.For example, when a tree is transferred from a light greenhouse to shops for sale or to a buyer's home. Given these features, growers try to adapt the plant by growing for a couple of months using bright illumination, and then rearranging it to a darker place. In winter, fluorescent lamps are used for additional glow.

The temperature regime in the summer period should be observed within the range of 25-30 ° С, in the winter - from 16 to 20 ° С. Hypothermia of the soil must not be allowed. Ficus responds to hypothermia by dropping foliage. Humidity should be 70%. On hot days, the plant is sprayed with settled soft water at room temperature. The watering schedule is directly dependent on external factors and the plant itself:

• the age of the tree;
• stage of development;
• plant condition;
• dimensions of the pot;
• temperature and humidity;
• season.

Mockmark needs moderate watering. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil, it should not turn into a lump. In winter, watering should be reduced a little. Ficus is transplanted to Moklame immediately after purchase, and later, as needed, when the roots crawl out into the drainage holes. For planting, use universal soil for indoor plants or independently combined fried earth mixture of peat, deciduous humus and sand.

Benefit and harm

• Ficus ginseng is not only a beautiful ornamental plant, it has many beneficial properties:
• relieves the air in the apartment of harmful substances - phenol, benzene, formaldehyde fumes;
• saturates the air with oxygen;
• favorably affects the energy of the room.

In addition, it is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of diseases such as mastopathy, fibromas and other neoplasms. Tinctures based on the milky juice of the plant are used in the complex treatment of arthrosis, radiculitis, osteochondrosis.

From the frozen milky juice of ficus, lotions are prepared for hematomas, bruises, warts and papillomas. On its basis, medicines are also made, for example, suppositories for hemorrhoids.

In most cases, ginseng is safe for people, but experts do not advise growing the plant for those who are prone to allergic reactions. The milky sap secreted by the tree can provoke the development of rhinitis, fever, and headaches.

Did you know? In the list of the most potent household allergens, ficus is in third place, behind pets and dust mites.

Reproduction

Reproduction takes place by cuttings or seeds. Pruning is carried out in the spring, when the sap has already begun to move in the trunk. Choose a suitable woody stalk about 16 cm with two to three eyes. Cutting is done with a sharp blade at an angle. The processing of plants must be carried out, observing all precautions, because the juice that the plant secretes provokes irritation, and if it enters the digestive system, it can cause intoxication.

The stalk at the cut site is treated with a swab dipped in warm water and laid out to dry for a couple of hours. Then it is placed in water with the addition of activated carbon. There should be a distance of 10 mm from the cut point to the first eyelet. Those that are closer should be removed. If a stalk with leaves is used, it is necessary to put the shoot in the water so that liquid does not get on the lower leaves, otherwise they will turn black. After 14-21 days, roots appear and the plant can be planted in the ground.

A method of planting cuttings in moist soil is possible. A mini greenhouse is suitable for such purposes. With this method, it is very important to provide increased humidity. In order for the plant to quickly get used to the room regime, it is necessary to often open the greenhouse. The seed propagation method is rarely used.The seed is pretreated with insecticides and growth stimulants. Sowing is done in loose moist soil. The soil should always remain moist, but not waterlogged.

How to create Ginseng ficus bonsai?

This ficus is considered one of the easiest to create bonsai and is suitable for a beginner.

If you bought a ficus plant in a nurserythen the bonsai shape is already done. It remains only to support it by pruning protruding roots and new branches.

How to create a ficus bonsai tree?

If you want to change the shape of your bonsai, then you should adhere to the following sequence:

Trunk formation

Pruning the main shoots leads to an increase in the side branches, the material for the crown increases.

Trunk garter

You can start with a straight stem, this is the simplest form. For the appearance of bends choose one of the ways:

• Tie the top of the crown to the trunk neatly with threads
• Caution tie wire ficus from base to branches. After 7-8 weeks, cut the wire, being careful not to damage the leaves.

From a tightly tightened wire at a plant scars appear

Crown formation

Ficus has new branches and leaves fast enough... True, there are cases when, after the first transplant, the plant stood without leaves for about 2 months. Use small scissors to cut the branches until the desired shape is obtained, the places of the cuts should be grease with garden varnish... Next, you need to cut the petioles of the new leaves, leaving about a third when they have grown to 10 leaves.

When pruning, the ficus produces milk, which may cause skin irritation

How to form a crown

In order to be able to correctly form a beautiful crown, it is necessary to study the features of the development of the plant. Apical buds develop faster than others and, having reached a certain growth phase, slow down the overall growth of the tree. At home, it is customary to cut off the upper kidney in order to activate the growth of the lateral ones.

Ficus Microcarpa Moklame itself is prone to branching. This feature allows bonsai to be formed by pruning. To make the flower look like a bush, pinch off about 10 cm of the top. When axillary shoots have reached the same height, they should also be pruned. Each slice is rubbed and sprinkled with charcoal.

To ensure uniform growth and development of branches in all directions, the tree should be regularly rotated around its axis by 90 ° C. To form a bonsai, a representative with a well-formed stem is selected and all the lower shoots and leaves are cut off, leaving only the top. The cut sites are also treated with warm water and charcoal.

At home, the plant practically does not bloom. After flowering, ovaries are formed, and then the fruits of the syconia are scarlet berries. If, after flowering, the tree becomes lethargic, it is necessary to remove the syconia.

General information

There are over 600 species of ficus, most of which are tropical and evergreen. The ficus produces a unique "fruit" that is actually an inverted flower. Ficus Ginseng, or Ficus Microcarpa, is one of the favorites for bonsai creation. It is a great tree for beginner growers as most Ficus species are fast growing, tolerant of different conditions and most types of soil, and do not require special watering methods.

Ginseng ficus is characterized by its strong roots and stem, on which small, alternating oval dark green leaves grow. They are similar to Benjamin's ficus leaves, but more oval.

Ficus Ginseng has 2 or more heavy, thick, open aerial roots that look more like tree trunks. Ficus Ginseng also has a thick, pot-bellied body that resembles the root of the ginseng plant. The color of the bark can range from gray to reddish.The trunk is dotted with small horizontal spots resembling tiger markings.

Soil for planting

The soil for planting Microcarp at home should have a low acidity. To make an earth mixture yourself, you will need to mix in equal proportions:

• turf;
• leaf humus;
• sand;
• charcoal.

After stirring until a homogeneous consistency, the soil is fried in the oven so that the plant does not become infected with parasites during planting. To ensure optimal growth and proper development, drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot. Expanded clay is placed at the bottom of the container, which is covered with a layer of sand on top.

Home microclimate

Ficus is an unpretentious plant to care for, but try to put it in such a way where there will be no direct sunlight and temperatures below 17 degrees. Do not put ficus next to batteries or very far from windows.
Try not to change the location of the ficus, otherwise it may start shedding leaves

Watering conditions

When watering microcarp, several rules must be observed:

• water when the soil in the pot is dry 2-3 cm deep (can be measured with a ruler, the same distance = phalanx of the thumb)
• the tree is very fond of spraying and wiping the leaves when you spray water, be careful and try not to touch the trunk and aerial roots of the plant.
• Watering itself can be once a week or even less often, but you need to spray the plant with water almost every day.

Watch the humidity more than the watering itself, since it depends on it whether the leaves will fall

Care: fertilizers

To properly care for your microcarpa, fertilize the plant every 2 weeks. You can alternate mineral and organic fertilizers.

Choose the right ficus soil!

Microcarp transplant

Transplant ficus at a young age every year, and then every 2-3 years.

It can help: the leaves of the ficus ginseng, due to adaptation to new conditions, will fall off within 2 months after you brought it to your home. Then repot it every year until the leaves begin to change for new ones, and then repot after the renewal of the leaves. This will make it easier to keep track of how many years are left, because the normal lifespan of ginseng leaves is 3 years.

Soil for ficus ginseng can be used specialized for ficus (must be slightly acidic or neutral) or compose it yourself. To do this, you need to take sand, leafy and sod land in a ratio of 1: 2: 2. you can also add charcoal or peat soil.

There is a misconception that bonsai does not need to be replanted, but only the growing roots should be cut, so this is not true. Since ficus ginseng, like other ficuses, contains poisonous juice, it also poisons the soil under it, so it must be transplanted.

Do not increase the size of the pot if you do not want to increase the growth of the ficus

What can hurt

Most often, ficus owners are faced with such a problem as falling foliage. This phenomenon is a consequence of improper care, excess or lack of moisture, temperature differences, insufficient lighting.

Decay of the root system occurs with excessive watering or stagnation of liquid in the pot itself. Of the pests, spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies and scale insects are often attacked. In order to get rid of pests, use insecticides, soapy warm water. Sometimes it is advisable to replace the earthen coma.

Diseases and pests

Ficus ginseng can hit:

• Mite
• Whitefly
• Shield
• Aphid
• Schervets
• Thrips

Handle in this case actellic.

All other problems, especially discoloration or shedding of leaves (except for the update every 3 years) appear due to bad conditions:

1. Excessive watering of the plant
2. Climate change, lighting
3. Draft
4. Lack of fertilizer
5. Air is too dry
6. Lack of light

Care after purchase

This type of ficus reacts poorly to a change in habitat. In order for the tree to adapt to new conditions, it is necessary to give it a little time to get used to. On the second day after purchase, the condition of the soil is checked. If the top layer is dry, watering is minimal with a small amount of warm liquid. Often in the first days after purchase, the tree reacts by shedding part of the foliage to new conditions. You don't need to do anything. As soon as the plant adapts, it will immediately grow. It can take a month to adapt.

Occasionally, the plant is washed under the shower. Showers are arranged no more than once a month. Excess liquid from the sump should be removed. Proper care involves the application of mineral fertilizers every 10 days. The plant is transplanted annually in the spring or immediately after purchase, as soon as the plant has adapted to a new place. Each time they take a pot 2 cm larger than the previous one. The transplant is carried out by the transshipment method. It is not necessary to fill the earth before the procedure. You can pre-water the plant on the eve of transplanting in the evening.

Home care

Caring for a ginseng in an apartment is not difficult and is based on the implementation of basic rules - this is watering, pruning, fertilizing, treatment from parasites.

You will also be interested to learn about the peculiarities of growing such ficuses as lyre, daniel, melanie, small-leaved, pumila.

Watering

Ficus of the considered variety prefers regular abundant watering with control of soil drying. In the summer, the plant should be moistened 2-3 times a week, focusing on the condition of the soil - the signal for watering is the drying of the top layer by 2-3 cm.

It is important to avoid two things:

• stagnation of moisture in the pan, which can provoke rotting of root processes;
• drying out of the soil, which can lead to yellowing of the foliage and its fall.

In the winter season, it is recommended to reduce the frequency of watering to once every 7-10 days.
To moisten the crop, it is best to practice bottom watering into trays. You can also moisten the flower by adding water directly under the root, but keeping the trunk out of moisture as much as possible. Irrigation water should not be cold, slightly warmer than the temperature in the room, separated, ideally filtered.

Important! Ginseng is sensitive to travel and transportation, therefore, immediately after the purchase, he needs to determine a permanent place of residence.

Top dressing

Along with watering the ficus, experts recommend feeding it. In the active growth phase, from March to November, fertilization is necessary every two weeks. As a feeding material, it is allowed to use mineral, organic products, as well as special complexes intended for bonsai.

Fertilizers are diluted in irrigation water and moisturize the plant.

In the cold period, the frequency of fertilizing is reduced to one per month.

Pruning

As the branches of the ginseng grow, they actively grow, which gives the flower an unkempt, sloppy look. Due to the fact that the ficus shoots have a high plasticity, it is easy to give it the desired shape through regular pruning.

To form a more branched crown, it is necessary to cut off only the top of the bush, leaving no more than 5 cm of the length of the shoots. The formation of the crown in the direction of growth of the largest shoot is allowed. Often, the desired shape is given to the plant with the help of wire, which makes it possible to independently determine the direction of crown growth.

To obtain a strong, sturdy and powerful trunk, it must be completely trimmed several times.

It is also recommended to prune branches in order to reduce the volume of the sheet layer. To do this, after each formation of 6-10 new leaves, remove 2-3 old ones.

It should be noted that the event for pruning branches and shoots can be performed at any time of the year, however, experts advise combining it with a transplant.

Important! Pruning is not a necessary procedure for the ginseng: it can grow and develop beautifully without it. Its main goal is to form an aesthetically pleasing
plantoriginal shape with a lush and dense crown.

Transfer

Caring for a ficus plant involves regular plant transplantation. Young, up to 5 years old, flowers need an annual transplant, adults over 5 years old, should be transplanted 1 time in 3-4 years. In this case, the transplanting of young ficuses should be carried out with a complete replacement of the soil, but more mature bushes are transplanted by the transshipment method.

The ficus transplant process is based on the following algorithm:

1. Pot selection... As a new container for ficus, it is better to choose ceramic or plastic pots, 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. It is not recommended to choose too large containers, as this will lead to inhibition of foliage growth.
2. The choice of potting mix... Ginseng prefers nutritious loose soil with an acidity of pH 5.5–7.5. Experts recommend purchasing soil in specialized stores, opting for substrates designed for ficuses or bonsai. The primer mixture can be prepared independently using turf, leafy soil, peat and river sand, mixed in a 1: 1: 1: 1 ratio. Be sure to add a little crushed charcoal to your homemade soil.
3. Plant transplant... At the bottom of the container, it is necessary to lay a drainage layer of expanded clay or pebbles, sprinkle on top with a small layer of prepared soil. Put the plant on the ground, distribute the root shoots well, cover with the rest of the earth and tamp a little.

After transplanting, the ficus is recommended to be placed in a warm place where diffused lighting prevails.
Did you know? The ficus microcarp that grows in nature is called the "strangler." In the process of active growth, the tree is looking for support

—
because of this, its aerial roots twine around plants growing near, thereby preventing them from developing and growing.

Photo

In the photo ficus "Moklame":

Photos of other varieties of ficuses, such as Benedict, Amstel King, Retusa, Karika, Ali, Pumila White Sunny, Ginseng, Eden, Lirata, as well as recommendations for their care, you will find in separate materials on our website.

Description and photo of a home flower

The tree is native to the East, but takes root in most countries in temperate, tropical and subtropical geographic zones. The main difference from other ficus congeners is the presence of aerial roots, rounder leaves. The bark of the tree is gray, poorly textured. Leaves are oval, green, solid and glossy.

It is a popular choice for home and office, like other ficuses. The reason for this is the laconic appearance, ease of maintenance. However, microcarp has another trump card up its sleeve - this tree is used as a bonsai tree, which makes it an interesting interior solution, a pet and an exclusive gift at the same time.

Pest control

Knowing how to properly trim the foliage and shape the crown will help you set the pace for your evergreen bonsai tree. However, there is another important step in caring for a houseplant - the elimination of parasites. In the process of growing ficus Microcarp, complete home care includes insect prevention.

In the process of crown formation, flower growers often encounter various diseases in the plant. For example, sometimes the rhizome begins to rot, and brown spots appear on the leaves. This is usually the result of over-wetting the substrate. As for pests, one of the most dangerous for your evergreen tree is the spider mite.

The invasion of these parasites occurs if the room humidity is too low. If several insects are found on a flower, you need to act immediately, since a spider mite can destroy a plant in a matter of days. You can get rid of it with the help of special insecticides: spray them with ficus, and the problem will be solved. Caring for the ficus Albomarginate, Retusa or MacLane is similar to the characteristics of growing the Microcarp variety. Knowing how to prune foliage, shape the crown, and also understanding the features of the reproduction of ficus, you can include it in your flower collection.

Shaping secrets

Ficus microcarp is grown according to a special technology aimed at the formation of bizarrely curved thick roots. By itself, ficus is easy to shape, but it takes several years to create a characteristic type of tree. The approximate shaping process is as follows.

• Ficus is grown by sowing seeds or cuttings. He looks normal at first. A root is formed under the ground - thick, powerful, branched. To enhance root growth and slow down the set of green mass, the plant is fertilized with hormonal preparations. Plant growth takes place at a certain level of temperature and humidity.
• When the desired size of the root is reached, it is dug out. The trunk of the ficus is completely cut off (only a small foam remains), the root is cleaned of soil and washed.
• The root is planted in a pot, burying only its very tips into the soil. The main part of the root remains outside - above the soil level. The peel gradually coarsens and transforms into bark.
• Using special chemicals, they first stimulate the growth of branches from the hemp, and then slow it down to maintain the miniature shape of the tree.

Only then does the ficus reach the store shelves. This method of shaping is an opportunity to quickly get a bonsai-style tree. The real art of bonsai is much more complicated and takes longer.

Lighting

The lighting should be intense, not direct. It is better to place the tree in a room with large windows, possibly screened, especially from May to September, with light curtains.

If you have a garden or terrace, you can move the ficus when the temperature is at least 12 ° C. Avoid direct sunlight on the leaves, it can cause burns.

Beneficial features

Photo of ficus in a pot
Ficus microcarpa cleans the air from harmful carbon compounds - benzene, phenol, formaldehyde. It is believed that the plant has a beneficial effect on the energetics of an enclosed space. People who grow a tree at home rarely get sick, and if they get sick, they easily recover.

Psychologists advise keeping a plant at home to maintain peace of mind and improve mood. Esotericists consider ficus to be a tree that attracts well-being (it is assumed that the higher the plant, the more benefit and joy it will bring).

Features of the soil composition

The composition is selected depending on the age.

For young people, the soil should be as loose as possible:

• Leafy turf - 1 hour
• Sand-1h.
• Peat - 1 hour
• Wood ash - 0.5 tsp

Adults need a denser composition:

After how long to water the ficus "Microcarpa"?

Drying of the soil should not be allowed, water the ficus regularly. The water is used soft, at room temperature.

Use your finger to check the soil condition by sticking it into the pot. Sticky soil means there is no need to water yet.

When watering, the earthen lump must be completely saturated. The water should seep into the sump, then it is drained.

Temperature

The optimum air temperature is 25-30 degrees. Main condition - the temperature must not be dropped below 16. Moreover, both the air and the soil should be warm. In winter, ficus can overcooled on a windowsill or cold floor and die.To prevent this from happening, do not hold it next to cold glass and do not place it on the floor.

Air humidity

He does not need abundant humidity, maintaining the level of 50-60% is enough. However, on hot summer days and in winter, during heating operation, humidity drops to 30-40%. Frequent spraying, the use of an air humidifier, and decorative fountains help to solve the problem.

Fertilizers

Top dressing is a prerequisite for growing. Fertilize Microcarp from spring to fall.

You can apply a universal fertilizer for leafy plants or a special fertilizer for bonsai.

The frequency of the procedure is once every two weeks.

During the dormant period - November-February - it is enough to fertilize once every 30-40 days.

Foliar dressing is useful.

The procedure is combined with spraying every 2-3 weeks.

The concentration of minerals, with this method, should be several times less (carefully read the recommendations on the package).

Conditions for the plant

To create the necessary conditions for ficus, you need to know the optimal temperature, humidity and light.

What should be the soil?

The soil for growing ficus Moklame must have good moisture and air permeability. It is recommended for flower growers to use special primers with neutral acidity. The substrate can be prepared independently from the following components:

• sod land (2 parts);
• deciduous land (1 part);
• peat (1 part);
• sand (1 part).

Important! Within 2 months after transplantation, the ficus can do without feeding.

Lighting

Ficus Moklame belongs to shade-tolerant crops. It can be grown in diffused lighting. Lack of light manifests itself in the form of faded leaves. In this case, it is necessary to organize the backlight. For this purpose, gardeners can use a phytolamp.

Humidity and temperature

The optimum air temperature in the room where the ficus grows should be about 17-24 degrees. In winter, the tree can suffer from hypothermia. During this period, it is recommended to maintain the temperature within 16-20 degrees. The pot is best placed on a wooden stand. Indoor humidity should be between 50-70%.

Advice! In hot weather, ficus must be sprayed 2 times a day.

Transplant rules

Let's touch on when and how best to transplant a microcarp plant.

This variety should be replanted every couple of years. The tree grows rather slowly, and the trunk almost stops developing in an adult state. For ficus, transplanting mainly serves the purpose of replacing the substrate and renewing the soil. This procedure will also allow the grower to look at the condition of the root system, which was previously underground.

The transplant is best done in the spring. The size of the pot for ficus microcarp does not play a special role. It is even best to use the same container as before, but it should be thoroughly cleaned and washed. If you decide to take a new pot, be sure to make sure that a small layer of "old" earth remains on the roots of the plant. Be sure to make sure the new container contains water drain holes.

Do not forget to lay the drainage made of polystyrene or expanded clay with a layer of 2-3 cm. Set the ficus with earth on the roots in place and add fresh soil. You should be extremely careful with the fragile root system of the plant.

Leaves turn yellow and fall: what to do?

The reason for this phenomenon may be insufficient watering. Also, this phenomenon can provoke dry air, insufficient illumination, especially in winter. It is necessary to eliminate these possible causes. If it is not possible to provide the tree with additional lighting, you need to wait for the spring - then new leaves should appear.If the leaves turn yellow little by little, it is possible that care is disturbed and the ficus of the microcarp is lacking in nutrients. It should be fed.

Possible growing difficulties

Despite the unpretentiousness of the moklama ficus, certain difficulties may arise when growing it.

Among the pests of this plant, the following can be found:

• aphid;
• shield;
• whitefly;
• mealybug;
• spider mite.

Learn also how to grow ficus Abidjan and.

It is also possible to develop some diseases:

1. Rotting root. This symptom manifests itself as a result of improper watering and stagnant water. The root must be cleaned of the affected areas and the soil must be treated with a fungicide such as carbendazim. In the future, you need to adjust the watering.
2. Spots on the leaves. As with root rot, over-watering is the culprit. As a result, a fungal disease develops. The affected areas must be removed, then the ficus must be treated with a fungicide. For these purposes, "Topaz" or any other product is suitable. You also need to reduce the humidity in the room and moderate watering.
3. Falling foliage. The reason is most likely a violation of the microclimate or improper watering. It is necessary to analyze the care of the plant and change the approach to its cultivation.

Pruning bonsai

Pruning should be done every 2 years to shape the crown of the tree. Longer and ugly branches are shortened, dry ones are cut off.

Pruning should be done with disinfected scissors to avoid infestation of delicate and flexible shoots. After pruning, wounds caused by cuts should be covered with paste or charcoal.