Ficus Benjamin, plant care at home

Ficus is a traditional decoration of the interior of many apartments and offices in our country. It is believed that he brings happiness to the house where he lives. Not particularly picky about the conditions of detention, the ficus has a noble exotic look. In captivity, it grows for a long time, but at the same time it does not require much attention to itself. Juicy bright foliage of ficus looks attractive and pleasing to the eye for many years. An additional advantage of ficus is that it can be placed in the bedroom.

How often to water the ficus

Ficus is undemanding to care for. Feels good both in a lit place and in light shade. In conditions of strong temperature fluctuations, it demonstrates amazing endurance. Most diseases common to other indoor plants bypass it. In general, subject to simple rules, ficuses will delight you with their magnificent appearance for a long time.

How to care for ficus at home

Winter ficus care at home

Lighting

Particular attention should be paid to the light.

Use any light source: both artificial (for example, fluorescent, sodium or other lamps) and natural. The main thing is quantity.

For ficus of standard sizes, a distance of a couple of tens of centimeters from the lamp, which should be used, will be sufficient about 8-14 hours a day.

It is advisable to turn the plant with the other side to the rays of light a couple of times a week: this way you can ensure an even distribution of light over the entire surface of the plant's foliage.

Important: if you notice that your ficus leaves fall out and turn yellow, then this indicates a lack of light, and you need to fix this as soon as possible: put a lamp next to it, transfer it to the windowsill.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for ficus is over sixteen degrees,

it is necessary, firstly, to use only warm water for irrigation, and secondly, to insulate the pots with ficus: for this, you can simply put a layer of paper (magazine, newspaper, etc.) or special wooden stands under it.

Also, if you have the opportunity, it is advisable to insulate the windows in the room in which the ficus is located.

Of course, it is necessary to protect the plants from the wind and move them to another location if you plan to open the windows.

Foliage inspection

The foliage of the plant should be inspected regularly, because winter creates ideal conditions in apartments for the existence of pests and viruses that can destroy your ficus.

Look carefully at the leaves to see if their color has changed or if small insects are on them.

Air humidity

Care must be taken to maintain the optimum moisture content in the air.

Advice: in winter, due to the operation of heating systems, the air is often dry, so it must be additionally humidified.

You can use for this both special air humidifiers and any other means: even an ordinary mug of water, installed directly on the batteries, can improve the situation.

How to water ficus in winter?

As noted above, first of all, you should remember that due to the lowered temperature, the ficus needs more heat, therefore, only warm water should be used for irrigation.

The optimum temperature will be 30-40 degrees: regular watering with this water will be enough to keep the soil of your ficus warm enough.

Interesting: how often do you need to water ficus in winter? Answer: it is enough to do it once or twice a week.

Useful video on the topic:

Important: all life processes in a plant in winter are much slower than in other seasons, so do not overdo it and water only when you really need it - i.e. when the soil is dry at a shallow depth.

Transplant and reproduction

Winter creates stressful conditions for plants, so it is better to postpone reproduction closer to spring: then the planted ficus can grow strong enough to spend the next winter without problems.

The same applies to planting - winter significantly affects the plant, therefore, when transplanting it in winter, there is a considerable chance that it will die.

Advice: the formation of ficus is also not recommended in the winter season.

Thus, caring for a ficus at home in winter should be carried out with extreme caution and care: thoughtless watering, insufficient heat, or carrying out plant transplantation can significantly worsen its condition.

How often to water during the warm season?

If you have a loggia or a balcony, it will be very useful if you take a cozy place for ficus there for the warm season. Despite the fact that the ficus is photophilous enough, direct rays of the sun are contraindicated for it. Therefore, the plant's summer habitat should be light, but inaccessible to sunlight.

Important! Ficus in the summer needs moderate watering as the surface layer of the soil dries up to about half the height of the pots.

Spraying ficus

Since the air is quite dry in the summer heat, the plant must be sprayed with a frequency of up to twice a week. And you also need to wipe the leaves more often with a damp cotton cloth.

Ficus leaves are wiped with a damp cloth

Ficus grows intensively in summer, so it needs to be fed every 14 days with formulations that include both organic and mineral fertilizers.

Ficus Benjamin

Ficus prices

ficus

Related Videos

Useful video on how to properly care for ficus:

Ficus in winter:

Most ficuses grow in the tropics and subtropics, where the growing season of all plants continues throughout the year. Our climate implies frequent seasonal fluctuations, because the ficus in winter requires more thorough, comprehensive care, which includes a number of features. In particular, this applies to factors such as temperature, water regime and nutrition, as well as humidity. If one of the factors changes, others must also change. But first things first.

In order for the plant to survive the winter without disease and without any other harm to itself, you will need to provide it with proper care.

Feeding ficus

The plant needs feeding. Not very often, but generously enough, because the roots of the tree are forced to intensively nourish the rich crown. It should be fed only after watering, using special formulations of minerals for this. On the packaging of these preparations, it is usually indicated in what size and how often it is necessary to feed.

Fertilizer Bona Forte for ficuses and palms

Fertilizer prices Bona Forte for ficuses

Bona Forte for ficuses

Insects and diseases annoy the ficus no more often than other indoor plants. He does not have a pronounced resting stage, so in winter he also pleases the eye. The tree is especially demanding for the conditions of keeping. It is easy to propagate the plant by cuttings cut from the tops.In a place comfortable for him and with proper temperature conditions and irrigation, the ficus will be a decoration and pride of your home for many years.

Compensating for lack of sun

It is known that ficus is a thermophilic plant that prefers to grow in a well-lit place. In autumn and winter, caring for ficus is complicated precisely because of the lack of heat and light. In winter, use mercury and fluorescent lamps as well as sodium and metal halide lamps as additional lighting, paying attention to their spectrum.

For example, if the ficus is small, then there will be a fairly compact small fluorescent lamp, the base of which is E27 and the power is about 25W. Such lighting should be fixed at a height of twenty centimeters from the foliage of the tree, for about six to eight hours in the morning or in the evening. As a rule, ficuses of variegated forms need an additional light source.

Ficus Benjamin transplant

A plant brought from a store is usually transplanted from a shipping container into a permanent pot only after two to three weeks, giving the plant time to adapt to a new home. But sometimes the ficus still begins to lose leaves. Professionals say that this is how the tree reacts to changing conditions. If you do not know how to transplant Benjamin's ficus, follow these rules:

• you can transplant a flower from a shipping pot in 2-3 weeks after purchase;
• for transplanting, use universal soil or a special soil mixture for ficuses;
• after transplantation, the plant is not fed for two weeks, although in general Benjdamine's ficus needs frequent feeding;
• an adult plant is recommended to be transplanted every two to three years, and this is best done in the spring, using a loose substrate for ficuses and not forgetting to place a drainage layer in the pot;
• old ficus can be rejuvenated by removing dried branches.

Despite the observance of these rules, the ficus during transplantation may still lose its leaves for several weeks - but there's nothing you can do about it, you have to wait for the plant to take root.

Required humidity

In order to properly care for ficus in winter, you need to observe the optimal moisture levels. For ficus, a humidity of 60-70% is required, however, in winter, in rooms where there is central heating, the humidity is extremely low - an average of 35%. This is unacceptable for such a plant.

To increase moisture, do not forget to include sprays using warm water in your daily tree care. You can use special humidifiers, as well as pallets filled with expanded clay. For this purpose, beautiful decorative fountains are being sold today, which can create ideal humidity for ficus, and at the same time decorate the decor of the room. But containers with liquid are recommended to be placed on heating radiators. If the plant is small, then it is better to place it in a mini-greenhouse.

If the room is poorly lit in winter, it is hot in it and the humidity readings do not reach the norm, the ficus may shed its leaves or turn yellow. In particular, this applies to the ficus Benjamin - the most popular domestic plant variety of this genus. To prevent the death of the tree, provide it with proper initial care.

What does improper watering of the ficus lead to?

When a tree grows in favorable conditions, the foliage grows more intensively than dies off. The initial stage of malaise is manifested in the suspension of the formation of young shoots and foliage. After that, the leaves turn pale, and then the tree begins to get rid of them intensively.

Ficus drops leaves

The most likely reasons for the rapid loss of foliage by a tree is improper watering. It is undesirable to allow excess moisture during irrigation, as well as increased dryness of the earth.

Ficus dropped leaves due to improper watering

From excess moisture, the foliage of the plant turns yellow and flies around in large quantities, there are 2-3 dozen leaves a day.To avoid this problem, you need to take care of good drainage when transplanting the plant into a new pot. Expanded clay, birch charcoal and vermiculite have proven themselves well as drainage for ficus (the latter also protects the plant from fungus).

Ficus leaves turned yellow at the edges

A sign that watering is insufficient and the soil dries up regularly is the rapid loss of foliage. But first, foliage with visible yellowness begins to appear on the tree. In this case, the dropping of leaves occurs more than normal. With a constant lack of moisture, the loss of leaves occurs in an enhanced mode.

Another reason for the dropping of leaves can be hypothermia of the roots of the ficus. That is why it is undesirable to put pots with a plant on a windowsill in winter and on a stone floor at any time of the year. If you use cold water to water the ficus, this will be a signal for him about the onset of negative natural conditions.

How to water aloe at home

If experienced flower growers know well what conditions this culture needs, then a beginner may find it quite difficult to grow technology and ensure proper care for it. So, it will be useful to learn how to water aloe at home.

We fight the cold

It is important to ensure that the ficus does not freeze during the winter season. The main source of hypothermia in a tree, of course, is a low temperature, less than fifteen degrees. For tropical varieties of ficus, this is unacceptable. It is recommended not to buy ficuses in winter and not to carry them down the street during such a period of time, otherwise the tree will be overcooled and quickly die.

Ficus is also afraid of airing and drafts. To provide good care for the plant, place the tree pot as far away from open vents and doors as possible, that is, in a quiet place where no one will disturb the ficus. It is recommended to insulate the windows so that if the ficus is on the windowsill, it does not go through.

In winter, you need to put a special insulating material under the ficus pot. It can be felt or wooden blocks. Alternatively, newspapers and styrofoam will do. Please note that ceramic pots freeze much more than plastic ones, and this is of great importance for the soil - it should not be cooled either.

In a warm room, ficus leaves evaporate water faster than in a cold one. At the same time, the strong hypothermia of the soil prevents the earthen coma and the root system from absorbing all the nutrients from the outside. In addition, moisture also becomes inaccessible to the plant. All this can lead to the early death of the ficus, therefore it is very important to properly care for the soil and roots, especially when it is cold indoors and outside the window.

Make sure that the crown of the ficus tree does not touch the window panes. Even a slight local frostbite can lead to loss of leaves or their deformation, and subsequently to their complete death and decay. Just put the tree pot away from the window - the further the better.

Considering the question of how to properly care for ficuses in the cold season, one cannot but say about the water used to water the plant. Many people make the same mistake: they take tap water and water the plant with it. Remember - this is by no means worth doing! Water for irrigation must be above thirty degrees, and must be separated. Watering ficus is necessary only if necessary, both in summer and winter.

Winter care involves combating pests that periodically infect ficuses. As a rule, these are scale insects, aphids and ticks. In addition, due to improper keeping conditions, the ficus quickly becomes infected with diseases.For example, an excessively dry place can lead to the reproduction of a tick, but the wrong humidity and coolness are an ideal environment for fungal diseases. It is extremely important to periodically inspect the greenery using a magnifying glass - this will help to identify possible disease and pest in time.

The requirements listed above are very important to comply with if you are growing an exotic tree such as ficus. It is worth noting that ficus is not the most picky plant - caring for it is not too difficult and does not entail significant financial costs, therefore you can safely add ficus to your home flower garden.

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Most of the ficuses grow in tropical or subtropical conditions. But in our area, winter affects this plant. In winter, ficus needs complex care with different characteristics.

It is important to consider what temperature, humidity has a beneficial effect on the plant, you should pay attention to

watering ficus

and food for him. You need to know how to care for a ficus in winter so that it develops well and does not suffer from diseases.

Ficus content and lighting

For ficus, it is advisable to find a place on the spacious window sill facing east or west. The preferred air temperature at which the plant will feel good is + 25-30 degrees. Comfortable winter temperature for ficus ranges from + 16-20 degrees. With an increase in this indicator, it is required to spray the plant more often.

Ficus on the windowsill

To increase the lifespan of the ficus, it is still desirable to protect it from temperature surges, drafts and hypothermia of the soil in which its root system is located. Try to place the pots on an insulated surface. In summer, the plant is allowed to be taken out into fresh air, taking into account its susceptibility to permutations. If the ficus feels good in its usual place, then it is better not to move it.

This plant loves good light. There are types of ficuses that take root very well, staying at a distance from the light source not exceeding 1.5 meters, and in the event that the room as a whole is sufficiently lit. Variegated ficuses are especially susceptible to light. In any case, the light hitting the crown must be diffused. Otherwise, the occurrence of burn spots on the foliage cannot be avoided.

Ficus likes good lighting

In conditions of a lack of light, the branches of the ficus can stretch out and the size of the leaves will noticeably decrease. This is eliminated by installing auxiliary artificial lighting. Such lighting in the cold season will not interfere with all types of ficus.

Required humidity

In winter, ficus needs optimal moisture. This plant has high requirements in relation to this indicator.

Often in rooms in winter due to heating, humidity decreases. This has a bad effect on the ficus. For this reason, the humidity should be increased.

Ficus should be sprayed with warm water every day. There are humidifiers on the market that you can also use. It is also recommended to fill pallets.

To increase the humidity, you can put a decorative fountain near the plant, which will also decorate the interior.

If it is not possible to purchase such a decorated device, you can place a container filled with water next to it. They also make a small greenhouse where the ficus is placed.

In a poorly lit room, where there is not enough moisture, the ficus will shed its leaves, and also

leaves turn yellow

fast. This leads to the destruction of the plant, so you need to worry about this initially.

How to water ficus

Table. Step-by-step instructions for watering ficus.

Video - Ficus at home: care, watering, spray for leaves

Watering any kind of ficus is carried out in compliance with some rules:

• the soil must have time to dry out between waterings;
• the regularity of watering depends on many factors (humidity, air temperature, light, etc.), so you need to monitor the soil to determine when watering is required;
• in the warm season, watering the ficus is done more often than in the cool season;
• external inspection is not enough to indicate the need for watering - it is necessary to check the ground at a depth of 7 cm;
• the water used to water the ficus should not be cold.

Fighting the cold

Negatively affects ficus and freezing. This is due to the low temperature in the room.

Cold air, which is below 15 degrees, has an especially disastrous effect on the plant. But the ficus comes from a tropical area, so it cannot tolerate such a temperature.

It is better not to purchase this plant in the winter, as it will have to be moved in the frost, which will have a bad effect on it.

Ficus can begin to die due to drafts. Therefore, it is not recommended to put it near vents, windows, doors.

It is important to choose the right place where it will be warm, while drafts do not disturb the plant. If, nevertheless, the plant is on the windowsill, you need to make sure that the windows are insulated, and the plant should be removed during airing.

You can provide warmth to the tree with an insulating material. It is placed under the pot. To do this, use:

• felt
• newspapers
• Styrofoam

If the planter is made of ceramic material, then this increases the cold for the plant. Therefore, it is better to use plastic in this case. After all, you need to ensure that the soil does not cool down either.

If the room is warm, the water will evaporate faster. But the soil, which is supercooled, will interfere with the full absorption of nutrients.

Increased moisture in a cold room can have the opposite effect, thereby adversely affecting the plant. Therefore, providing the ficus with heat is an important point of care for it in the winter.

You should also pay attention that the ficus leaves do not come into contact with the glass on the windows. Otherwise, the plant will receive frostbite, followed by loss or

rolling leaves

, and then perish. It is better to place the ficus farther from the window.

Ficus Benjamin - description

First, we should not forget that this plant is not in our latitudes. It is native to the subtropical and tropical forests of India, China, Southeast Asia. Ficus Benjamin grows both in the Philippines and in northern Australia.

Ficus Benjamina (lat.Ficus benjamina) belongs to the evergreen plants of the Mulberry family of the genus Ficus.

• Ficus bonsai transplant

Even Benjamin's indoor ficus looks like a small tree. It has a short trunk with a smooth gray-beige bark. The crown is branched. Since the plant is tropical, it has numerous characteristic aerial roots.In the wild, this evergreen tree or shrub can reach a height of 20-30 m.Its graceful, beautiful oblong-oval leaves with a pointed top reach a length of 6 to 13 cm and a width of 2 to 6 cm.

Watering the plant

Important for the care of ficus in winter is water, which is used for irrigation. Often people use tap water for this. But this is a fatal mistake.

Water should be insisted, while it should exceed 30 degrees. As for the frequency of watering, it will depend on the needs of the plant. This rule should be adhered to in the summer. But in the summer, watering is more frequent.

Experts do not advise transplanting a plant in winter. This also applies to feeding. Spring is best suited for these procedures.

To freshen up the nutrition for the plant in winter, you can loosen the soil. But the top layer must remain in place, as it protects against viruses and bacteria.

What to water the ficus with?

The water taken from the tap must be defended or filtered before irrigation. Otherwise, lime, which is found in large quantities in tap water, can harm the plant. During settling, the water will be heated to the required temperature, and the chlorine contained in it will have time to evaporate.

Tap water needs to be defended

To free the water from excessive hardness, it is useful to boil it. After that, it should cool down to ambient temperature. As the liquid cools, excess lime will gradually settle to the bottom. Therefore, care must be taken when further pouring water into the irrigation container. It is undesirable to shake the vessel. Liquid residues with a high concentration of lime must be disposed of.

Rainwater or melted snow can be used to moisten the soil. To obtain melt water, it can also be frozen in the freezer and then melted at room temperature. It is permissible to use aquarium water for watering ficus. When using untreated tap water for irrigation, an ugly white coating may appear on the leaves and soil surface. And if the surface layer of soil can be easily removed and filled with clean earth, then this plaque is difficult to remove from the foliage, while the appearance of the ficus may suffer.

How can you make melt water at home

The amount of liquid for irrigation is selected individually for each specific plant and depends on the stage of ficus development, season, soil quality, external circumstances, such as air humidity, temperature, room illumination.

Watering in summer

From early spring to early autumn, the ficus needs regular, moderate watering. At this point, the plant grows and consumes more liquid. Higher air temperatures and more intense lighting require a change in the irrigation regime.

In the summer months, it is recommended to water the ficus at least 2 times a week, remembering to monitor the state of the earthen coma. Some varieties of ampelous ficuses can be watered every other day, especially if they are located in well-lit areas.

For the plant to feel comfortable, it is very important to follow the watering regime and properly moisten the soil in the pot. This will relieve the ficus of diseases and allow you to grow a lush plant.

Watering technique during flowering

It's no secret that the flowering period of this culture is extremely rare. That is why it is so important to learn how to water Benjamin's ficus at home, so that the buds that have tied up simply do not burst from an excess of moisture or a lack of it. Therefore, if you notice that your tree will soon enter the decorative phase, then be sure to check out the two nuances that are given below.

First, as mentioned earlier, it is worth diluting a complex mineral fertilizer and applying it at the root.This procedure is carried out even if the flower was fertilized several months ago. During the formation of buds, the soil should contain as many trace elements as possible, which are necessary for their growth. Therefore, it will be quite difficult to overdo it with fertilizers during flowering. However, the instructions are worth following anyway.

In addition, it is recommended to reduce the intensity of watering, making them more abundant, and also to increase the number of sprays and wipes of foliage. However, try not to touch the buds so that they do not suffer. Excess moisture on the petals can also lead to diseases such as powdery mildew. Therefore, refrain from airing the room during spraying and increase the water temperature by a few degrees.

Indicators that indicate a lack of moisture

Now you know that the correct watering of the ficus is of great importance not only for the plant itself, but also for the person. However, even knowing the basic theoretical information, novice florists can begin to make various mistakes, which sooner or later will lead to sad consequences.

Therefore, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the main indicators that indicate an insufficient amount of moisture in the air or soil:

• the leaves began to turn yellow and fall off - a sign of a lack of hydrogen in the atmosphere;
• the stems and leaves of the flower sank down - an indicator of a lack of water in the soil;
• a white bloom has formed on the top layer of the soil - it's time to water the flower.

If such symptoms are found, you should immediately restore the normal microclimate, and also resort to the resuscitation procedure if necessary. In addition, all yellowed leaves and dried branches should also be removed so that the plant does not waste too much energy on unsuccessful attempts to restore them. However, do not forget to treat the cut points with a solution of garden varnish after this so that they tighten faster.

Organic fertilizers

And this is where creativity comes in, since many of the substances containing these elements can be obtained from organic food waste.

Humus animal

Humus is a natural nitrogen supplier

An organic classic that is the best and first natural supplier of nitrogen. Ficus needs nitrogen to grow its leaves. But the plant prefers to receive it from humus obtained on the basis of bird droppings. The effect of fertilizing with bird droppings is three times higher than when feeding ficus with mullein solution.

Advice! Bird droppings are a very powerful fertilizer. Before use, it must be diluted with water, only three grams of substance per liter. Before applying the manure solution, the soil must be moistened with regular watering.

You can feed ficus and other humus made from cow, horse, pig, sheep, goat manure. For a solution per liter, 10 grams are taken.

Video - 6 natural fertilizers

Humus vegetable

With this top dressing it is easier - if there are no birds and cattle, it is easy to get leaf humus or compost, which is also an effective food for ficus. Vegetable humus contains not only nitrogen compounds, but a number of other elements. You can prepare a solution from the compost in a ratio of 100 g per liter.

Varieties of domestic ficuses and features of caring for them

Ficuses are a genus of tropical plants. They grow in the countries of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Mediterranean Sea and in southern Africa. Most of them are evergreens, but there are deciduous species as well.

In room culture, the following types are most often grown:

• Benjamin (varieties Lovely, Starlight, etc.);
• Rubbery (popular variety Melanie);
• Dwarf, dwarf creeping;
• Bengal.

Different species and varieties differ in appearance, trunk shape, color and leaf shape. But the rules for caring for different ficuses differ little from each other.

Ficus cannot be called a whimsical plant. It takes root well at home. It is important to provide a green pet with moderate watering, good lighting, and protection from drafts. Experienced growers know how to properly water ficuses. This is not difficult. Anyone can easily figure out the irrigation regime.

Number of waterings in winter

In winter, the frequency of watering ficus depends on the conditions of its growth and the level of humidity in the room. At this time, heating devices usually work in apartments, which dry the air and take oxygen from it. Accordingly, plants need rare or moderate watering, and it is also important to ensure normal moisture levels.

To do this, you can use the following methods:

• place a container with water next to the tub;
• purchase a room fountain - the circulation of the liquid will ensure normal air humidity;
• install a special device in the room - a humidifier or ionizer.

In the cold season, it is better not to spray the leaves, but to wipe with a damp cloth. The procedure not only moisturizes the leaf plates, but also removes dust accumulating on their surface. It provides a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms and pests, so it should be cleaned regularly.

What you need to know about ficus

It is worth preparing for the appearance of a ficus in the house. Before settling a ficus in your home, making it a full-fledged member of the family, you need to think about and foresee everything.

1. First, think about the floor space. If this is not a dwarf ficus, with good care, indoor specimens can reach three meters in height (in nature, some representatives of the genus grow up to 30 meters).
2. Secondly, you need to take care of the climate. It is important for the ficus that the temperature and humidity of the room in which it lives is "liked". Incorrect thermal and water conditions are the main cause of problems with indoor figs. If the humidity is not suitable, the temperature is too low or high, the watering is wrong, the plant not only loses its decorative effect, but may also die.

Ficuses can grow up to 30 meters

Climate for ficuses

Ficuses are tropical plants. They need an appropriate climate - hot and humid. The soil in the pot should be moist, the air in the room should be humid, no drops or even temperature fluctuations.

For summer, ficus is provided with a temperature of + 28 ... 30 ° C. In winter, the plant needs + 20 ° C. The climate should be uniform, no drops, drafts.

Important! The minimum temperature mark for the trouble-free existence of ficus is + 14 ° C. With a decrease, the plant can not only get sick, but also die.

Ficus is a lover of fresh air, but drafts are destructive for him. One long airing, and your pet will say goodbye to the foliage for a long time, and not all leaves may fall, but only from the side of the draft.

Ficuses need a hot and humid climate.

Air humidity and watering

With the humidity in the air, it's understandable. Its high rate can be ensured in two ways - by constant spraying (at least twice a day, especially when heating is operating in winter) or by installing a special device that humidifies the air.

As for watering, not everything is so simple here. The plant needs increased humidity only in the air. The soil in tropical rainforests often dries up in the absence of rain. But when it rains, it is moistened abundantly and remains with a high level of moisture for a long time.

The soil in a ficus pot should not be waterlogged constantly. If you water the plant frequently and haphazardly, it will develop mold and possibly root rot. It will be difficult to save the ficus from this scourge - to cut off the damaged roots, disinfect, transplant into a dry disinfected substrate. The plant will take root for a long time and painfully. In general, pouring ficus is bad.

The soil in a ficus pot should not be constantly waterlogged.

It is also impossible not to water it for a long time - if the soil in the pot dries up, the tropical tree will immediately shed its foliage and remain naked. In addition, with increased dryness of the soil, a spider mite can easily start on the plant, which is also not easy to cope with.

Ficus watering rules.

Features of watering indoor ficus, depending on the variety

The main criterion for determining the irrigation regime and the amount of water is the type of ficus:

• Ampel varieties need intensive watering, their root system is located close to the soil surface and absorbs water almost immediately. These species should be watered at least 2 times a week. These include dwarf, mountain and ivy ficus.
• Treelike ficuses - rubber, Palmera, petiole can be watered once a week. Even if the topsoil dries up, this is not critical for the root system, which grows deeper into the pot. Moisture is absorbed more slowly, water uptake by the roots of the plant occurs gradually.

Air humidity

All ficuses prefer high air humidity, but they grow well at a lower, 30% relative air humidity. In this case, any humidification of the air in the room has a very positive effect on the condition of the ficus.

All types of ficuses grown in indoor conditions, especially dwarf, are "prescribed" regular spraying. It is good to spray ficus twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and the ficus also loves a warm shower, which it is advisable to arrange for him once a week.

And what about the cold season?

Thinking about how to water Benjamin's ficus in winter? It should be noted right away that the humidity in the room where the flower is located is incredibly important for answering this question. The fact is that in winter, most apartments begin to be heated intensively, as a result of which the microclimate becomes very dry. Such conditions can be detrimental to the ficus (the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off).

That is why it is recommended to pay attention not to watering the plant (it is carried out as needed, as soon as the top layer of the substrate dries up), but to the level of air humidity. The easiest way is to buy a special device in the form of a steam generator, which will not only monitor all the necessary indicators, but will also do all the work itself. Such a device will humidify the air as it dries.

However, if you do not have extra funds to buy a steam generator, then use a proven folk remedy - a three-liter jar of expanded clay. Just put some stones on the bottom, then add running water to the container. Expanded clay will accelerate the evaporation of the liquid several times, however, you still place such a device closer to the flowerpot with ficus. Or just use a spray bottle to spray moisture particles around the room.

Varieties

Ficus belongs to the mulberry family and has about 2 thousand plant species. Among them there are very unusual in structure and appearance. About 20 varieties of flowers are grown at home. They are not always alike, but share similar care and growing requirements. Here are the most popular indoor ficuses.

Ficus Benjamin

Ficus Benjamin is a small tree with dark green leaves wavy at the edges, unpretentious to the conditions of detention.

Rubbery

Rubbery is a beautiful outwardly plant that reaches two meters in height. It is distinguished by its characteristic large fleshy leaf plates, sometimes framed by a yellow edging.

Bengal

Bengali is a tree, unique in its shape, has a large number of aerial roots, vertically descending from the branches. It grows both in height and width, requiring ample space.

Dwarf

Dwarf - a shrub with thin flexible shoots, in a young plant the leaves reach 2-3 cm, have an oval shape, a bubbly surface, are evenly green and spotted in color.

Safari

Safari is a tree with dense marble resilient foliage twisted towards the center. It grows slowly, requires sufficient light.

All types of indoor flower are not capricious. They take root well if they are protected from drafts, get enough light, and they are provided with regular, moderate watering.

Plant care includes the following basic activities:

• the correct location of the plant in the room;
• timely irrigation;
• high-quality feeding;
• transplant as needed;
• treatment in case of illness.

Content and coverage

For a tree, a place is selected near the window, on the windowsill on the east or west side of the house. The plant feels normal both at + 25.30 ° C in summer and at + 16.20 ° C in winter. Sharp temperature jumps have a negative effect on the vital activity of flowers. In the summer, it is permissible to take out the pots to fresh air, however, if the conditions are comfortable in the usual place, it is not recommended to move the ficuses once again.

Make sure that diffused light falls on the green mass. Direct sunlight can create burn spots on the leaf plates. Variegated varieties are also susceptible to light. With its lack, the marble color of the leaves disappears. The plant loses its decorative properties.

Ficus loves fresh air, but must be ventilated with care. Make sure that the flower is not affected by air currents. Avoid excessive cooling of the room. Draft can lead to foliage dumping. In this case, the plant may lose its crown on one side.

If the ficus is sick

If the rules of care are violated, the flower can get sick. The problem can be recognized by the condition of the leaves. The plant is equally damaged by excessive and insufficient watering.

If the leaves began to fall off regularly one by one, there is too much moisture. Fill the tree with water less often and less abundantly. Excessive soil moisture is also indicated by yellowing of the edge of the leaves. Putrefactive processes develop on the roots. If the young leaves grow small, and the old ones begin to turn yellow, it is necessary to increase the frequency of watering and feeding.

Water quality for ficus

Ficuses, like any other indoor plants, are watered. Sometimes the quality of tap water is poor. It is better not to use it for watering flowers.

Rain, melt and spring water is great for trees. It has unique natural properties. You can use tap water. The main condition is the low hardness of the liquid. To prevent heavy salts and harmful impurities from getting into the ground, the water must be defended. Another easy way to purify water is to freeze and thaw. If you pass the liquid through a reverse osmosis filter, it will lose absolutely all salts. Such water is not used for plants.

During the period of growth activation (spring - early autumn), every 10-15 days, it is imperative to water the ficus with water with the addition of liquid fertilizers. They will enrich the soil with the necessary trace elements.

How to properly care for a ficus tree?

The plant belongs to the Mulberry family and has more than 800 species, but several varieties are grown in home floriculture.These include ficus Benjamin, Elastic, Lyre, Dwarf, Bengal.

The flower came to us from tropical countries, therefore, it needs a special climate - warm and humid. A pot with a plant is placed on the windowsill from the west or east side - so that a lot of diffused light falls on it. On hot days, it should be shaded between 11 and 15 noon.

The optimum indoor temperature is 28-30 ºC in summer and at least 20 degrees in the cold season. When the indicators change to –14 degrees and above +32, the ficus will hurt and may die. The room should be well ventilated, but the plant is afraid of drafts. The required humidity is at least 60-80%.

Watering

Ficuses are tropical plants that love humid climates. Thoughtful watering is the key to flower health. It is necessary to provide moisture by regular spraying. The procedure is carried out a couple of times a day, especially during the dry summer period, when the central heating is operating. You can use special devices that humidify the air.

How to properly care for ficus, water, every florist knows. Given some of the features of the flower, it is not difficult to preserve its beauty.

Irrigation intensity is determined by the following factors:

• plant variety - individual varieties have individual water requirements;
• in the season - in the dry season, the soil dries out faster;
• the size and age of the ficus;
• features of the soil - there are soils that quickly pass moisture or, conversely, absorb and retain.

Plants with a developed crown, succulent foliage structure, large in size, require more abundant watering. If the shrub or tree is small, the procedure is carried out when the earth dries out to a depth of two phalanges of the finger. Large species located on the floor irrigate when the soil is 6-7 cm dry. Usually, one or two irrigations per week are sufficient, maximum three in the hot season. Correct watering is carried out in the following sequence:

• checking the readiness of the soil for irrigation;
• loosening before each irrigation - ensures the saturation of the roots with oxygen;
• preparation of water in prepared containers;
• uniform and slow soil moistening, for its better saturation;
• after a few minutes it is necessary to check the pan of the pot, if the liquid does not appear there, the plant is watered again;
• after half an hour, the water that has leaked into the coasters is poured.

Types of indoor ficuses

In room culture, the following are known and popular:

• ficus Benjamin;
• rubber ficus;
• ficus bengal;
• dwarf ficus.

Plants are good for everyone - they look solid, not capricious, highly decorative, creating a positive attitude, easy to care for. But one day, any ficus owner is faced with a problem that appears suddenly, from nowhere - a green pet begins to behave strangely. This is expressed in changes in the leaves.

Ficus leaves can:

• turn yellow or turn brown;
• dry out and curl;
• fall off, partially on one side, selectively over the entire tree or completely.

Something is wrong, the owner understands, but it is not so easy to determine the cause. Meanwhile, you should know the following about ficus - 90% of problems with this plant are due to inaccuracies in watering.

How often to water ficus - watering frequency, methods, step-by-step instructions

Ficus is a traditional decoration of the interior of many apartments and offices in our country. It is believed that he brings happiness to the house where he lives. Not particularly picky about the conditions of detention, the ficus has a noble exotic look. In captivity, it grows for a long time, but at the same time it does not require much attention to itself. Juicy bright foliage of ficus looks attractive and pleasing to the eye for many years. An additional advantage of ficus is that it can be placed in the bedroom.

How often to water the ficus

Ficus is undemanding to care for.Feels good both in a lit place and in light shade. In conditions of strong temperature fluctuations, it demonstrates amazing endurance. Most diseases common to other indoor plants bypass it. In general, subject to simple rules, ficuses will delight you with their magnificent appearance for a long time.

How to care for ficus at home

Ficus content and lighting

For ficus, it is advisable to find a place on the spacious window sill facing east or west. The preferred air temperature at which the plant will feel good is + 25-30 degrees. Comfortable winter temperature for ficus ranges from + 16-20 degrees. With an increase in this indicator, it is required to spray the plant more often.

Ficus on the windowsill

To increase the lifespan of the ficus, it is still desirable to protect it from temperature surges, drafts and hypothermia of the soil in which its root system is located. Try to place the pots on an insulated surface. In summer, the plant is allowed to be taken out into fresh air, taking into account its susceptibility to permutations. If the ficus feels good in its usual place, then it is better not to move it.

This plant loves good light. There are types of ficuses that take root very well, staying at a distance from the light source not exceeding 1.5 meters, and in the event that the room as a whole is sufficiently lit. Variegated ficuses are especially susceptible to light. In any case, the light hitting the crown must be diffused. Otherwise, the occurrence of burn spots on the foliage cannot be avoided.

Ficus likes good lighting

In conditions of a lack of light, the branches of the ficus can stretch out and the size of the leaves will noticeably decrease. This is eliminated by installing auxiliary artificial lighting. Such lighting in the cold season will not interfere with all types of ficus.

How often to water during the warm season?

If you have a loggia or a balcony, it will be very useful if you take a cozy place for ficus there for the warm season. Despite the fact that the ficus is photophilous enough, direct rays of the sun are contraindicated for it. Therefore, the plant's summer habitat should be light, but inaccessible to sunlight.

Important! Ficus in the summer needs moderate watering as the surface layer of the soil dries up to about half the height of the pots.

Spraying ficus

Since the air is quite dry in the summer heat, the plant must be sprayed with a frequency of up to twice a week. And you also need to wipe the leaves more often with a damp cotton cloth.

Ficus leaves are wiped with a damp cloth

Ficus grows intensively in summer, so it needs to be fed every 14 days with formulations that include both organic and mineral fertilizers.

Ficus Benjamin

How often to water during the cold season?

Particular attention during this period should be paid to the air humidity in the room where the ficus lives. This factor is the most important for the normal life of the plant. In winter, our apartments are heated intensively and the air becomes too dry. For ficus, this is harmful, so you should take the necessary measures to humidify the air in the room with the plant.

In winter, ficus should be sprayed with water at room temperature.

Ficus needs to be sprayed with water at room temperature. It is allowed to use special humidifiers that can be found on sale to humidify the air. If in winter the air in the room is very dry due to powerful heating devices, then it is recommended to fill the pallets. To humidify the air near the plant, a mini-fountain is well suited, which will also serve as an excellent interior decoration. If it is not possible to purchase a humidifier or a fountain, it is recommended to place a reservoir with water next to the ficus.

You also need a humidifier.

A specially constructed small greenhouse will also help protect the plant from excessive dryness in the winter. In a poorly lit room where there is not enough moisture, the plant will lose leaves. In such unfavorable conditions, the leaves can also turn yellow. If, after the discovery of this formidable sign of plant malaise, no action is taken, then it will inevitably die. That is why it is necessary to ensure sufficient lighting from the very beginning.

Place the plant in a bowl of water. Place the bag on the plant and tightly wrap the edge of the bag with thread, excluding the passage of air

It is important for proper care of the tree in cold weather and the quality of the water used for irrigation. It is not recommended to use tap water for this purpose. It is advisable to water the plant only with water that has been previously settled and heated to +30 degrees.

Important! Watering the plant in winter should be as often as it needs it, but less often than in summer.

In winter, experts do not recommend transplanting ficus. And also it is not advised to feed the plant. It is preferable to perform such actions in the spring. Loosening the soil will help to slightly improve its composition in winter due to oxygenation. The surface layer of soil that protects the plant from pathogens should be tried to keep intact.

Ficus needs to be replanted in spring or summer.

What to water the ficus with?

The water taken from the tap must be defended or filtered before irrigation. Otherwise, lime, which is found in large quantities in tap water, can harm the plant. During settling, the water will be heated to the required temperature, and the chlorine contained in it will have time to evaporate.

Tap water needs to be defended

To free the water from excessive hardness, it is useful to boil it. After that, it should cool down to ambient temperature. As the liquid cools, excess lime will gradually settle to the bottom. Therefore, care must be taken when further pouring water into the irrigation container. It is undesirable to shake the vessel. Liquid residues with a high concentration of lime must be disposed of.

Rainwater or melted snow can be used to moisten the soil. To obtain melt water, it can also be frozen in the freezer and then melted at room temperature. It is permissible to use aquarium water for watering ficus. When using untreated tap water for irrigation, an ugly white coating may appear on the leaves and soil surface. And if the surface layer of soil can be easily removed and filled with clean earth, then this plaque is difficult to remove from the foliage, while the appearance of the ficus may suffer.

How can you make melt water at home

The amount of liquid for irrigation is selected individually for each specific plant and depends on the stage of ficus development, season, soil quality, external circumstances, such as air humidity, temperature, room illumination.

How to water ficus

Table. Step-by-step instructions for watering ficus.

Steps, photos Description of actions

Video - Ficus at home: care, watering, spray for leaves

Watering any kind of ficus is carried out in compliance with some rules:

• the soil must have time to dry out between waterings;
• the regularity of watering depends on many factors (humidity, air temperature, light, etc.), so you need to monitor the soil to determine when watering is required;
• in the warm season, watering the ficus is done more often than in the cool season;
• external inspection is not enough to indicate the need for watering - it is necessary to check the ground at a depth of 7 cm;
• the water used to water the ficus should not be cold.

What does improper watering of the ficus lead to?

When a tree grows in favorable conditions, the foliage grows more intensively than dies off. The initial stage of malaise is manifested in the suspension of the formation of young shoots and foliage. After which the leaves turn pale, and then the tree begins to get rid of them intensively.

Ficus drops leaves

The most likely reasons for the rapid loss of foliage by a tree is improper watering. It is undesirable to allow excess moisture during irrigation, as well as increased dryness of the earth.

Ficus dropped leaves due to improper watering

From excess moisture, the foliage of the plant turns yellow and flies around in large quantities, there are 2-3 dozen leaves a day. To avoid this problem, you need to take care of good drainage when transplanting the plant into a new pot. Expanded clay, birch charcoal and vermiculite have proven themselves well as drainage for ficus (the latter also protects the plant from fungus).

Ficus leaves turned yellow at the edges

Rapid loss of foliage is a sign that watering is insufficient and the soil dries up regularly. But first, foliage with visible yellowness begins to appear on the tree. In this case, the dropping of leaves occurs more than normal. With a constant lack of moisture, the loss of leaves occurs in an enhanced mode.

Another reason for the dropping of leaves can be hypothermia of the roots of the ficus. That is why it is undesirable to put pots with a plant on a windowsill in winter and on a stone floor at any time of the year. If you use cold water to water the ficus, this will be a signal for him about the onset of negative natural conditions.

How to water aloe at home

If experienced flower growers know well what conditions this culture needs, then a beginner may find it quite difficult to grow technology and ensure proper care for it. So, it will be useful to learn how to water aloe at home.

Feeding ficus

The plant needs feeding. Not very often, but generously enough, because the roots of the tree are forced to intensively nourish the rich crown. It should be fed only after watering, using special formulations of minerals for this. On the packaging of these preparations, it is usually indicated in what size and how often it is necessary to feed.

Fertilizer Bona Forte for ficuses and palms

Insects and diseases annoy the ficus no more often than other indoor plants. He does not have a pronounced resting stage, so in winter he also pleases the eye. The tree is especially demanding for the conditions of keeping. It is easy to propagate the plant by cuttings cut from the tops. In a place comfortable for him and with proper temperature conditions and irrigation, the ficus will be a decoration and pride of your home for many years.

Video - How to care for a ficus

teplica-

What will happen if there is a lack and excess of water?

With insufficient or excessive watering, the ficus can get sick, which will lead to a deterioration in decorative characteristics, and sometimes to the death of the plant. Signs that indicate inaccuracies in care include:

• yellowing and falling leaves;
• the appearance on the surface of the leaf plates of white bloom and spots;
• thinning of shoots;
• twisting and deformation of plant parts.

In such cases, it is necessary to eliminate errors in the care and improve the conditions for keeping the plant. In addition, it is recommended to take a magnifying glass and carefully examine the leaf plates - perhaps the weakened flower is affected by harmful insects. They are fought with the help of special preparations that are sold in shops for gardeners.

The most serious danger to a flower is root decay, which is manifested by the appearance of mold on the surface of the soil. To save the plant, it should be removed from the tub, cut off the affected roots, treated with a disinfectant and transplanted into another soil. A similar procedure can revive the ficus, but the culture does not tolerate transplants well, so it can still die.

Proper watering is the key to the normal development and growth of the ficus. If you water the plant correctly, taking into account all the rules, then the pet will delight with bright green foliage and elegant appearance for many more years.

How to water a ficus is a question that arises for a responsible grower, who, purchasing it, wants to learn how to properly care for it. And indeed, even if we are talking about unpretentious plant varieties, you need to know how often you need to water it and what other water procedures can be useful to it.

Watering methods

It is necessary to water the ficus correctly. The most commonly used method is "when needed". If, when the finger is deepened into the turf by 2 centimeters, the earth sticks, then it is not time yet. So that when watering it is well saturated, flower growers advise to loosen the soil from time to time.

How to properly water ficus? Everything is very simple: the ficus tree is watered until moisture comes out through the drainage holes. Indoor flowers negatively perceive the remainder of moisture, so that it is drained. Water the flower slowly.

Another method of moisturizing ficuses in the house is by spraying (usually on the crown of the flower). This way allows you to get the missing moisture. Spraying is performed as a strengthening measure in summer or during the heating season.

How many times a week should you water during the warmer months?

In the summer, the flower needs to be watered more often - at least twice a week, and in too hot weather it is possible more often. When determining the frequency of the procedure, do not forget that each type of culture has its own characteristics and care requirements:

1. Rubbery (Elastic). A non-capricious, undemanding type of plant, which, nevertheless, does not tolerate waterlogging.
2. Benjamin. It is better to dry the soil well before watering, since the flower has thickenings on the roots that are capable of accumulating liquid.
3. Lyre-shaped. Watering should be done in moderation - so that the soil has time to dry out slightly between procedures.
4. Dwarf. One of the few plant species that does not like drought, so the land should be slightly damp, but not swampy.
5. Ali (Binnendijka). Watering is moderate - the soil layer should dry out by half of the tub, and completely in winter.

In addition, the plant needs to arrange refreshing baths - spray it with a spray bottle or wipe the leaf plates with a damp cloth. Such a procedure opens pores, prevents diseases, removes eggs and larvae of harmful insects that may have got on the leaves.

Water requirements

Ficuses are very fond of moisture. But for proper watering, it must meet some requirements. It is imperative that the water must be defended, since lime and chlorine can adversely affect the pet.

Boiling is also a good idea - all the lime will precipitate. It is poured over with the already cooled liquid, and carefully so as not to pour in the sediment.

How to water the ficus yet? You can use melt water or rainwater. At times, aquarium water is also used.Most importantly, do not fill with tap water, as this leads to the formation of a white coating on the soil. And if the top layer of the earth can be removed and replaced with a new one, then you will have to tinker with the leaves.

If you want to achieve an amazing effect of foliage growth, then moisturize with clean spring water. But in this case, a special temperature regime is needed - it must be warm or at room temperature.

Ficus and its watering require not only regularity, but also the use of additional nutrients. You can include fertilizer that all houseplants require, it will work well on the roots. You can also choose a special pet support. In any case, about once every 2 months, the ficus tree is watered.

Features of pruning ficus

Ficus is one of those indoor plants, the shape of which can be formed independently. In particular, several plants can be planted in one pot at once, the trunks of which can be intertwined and fixed along the course of the plant, while it will be useful to use additional support. When the tree grows to a more mature age, the retainers can be removed, and it will continue to grow in the direction you specified.

You can also shape the crown of a small ficus tree. To do this, it is periodically recommended to trim its shoots a little, but this can be done exclusively in spring. Also, keep in mind that the stem of the cut branch must still be long enough, otherwise it may dry out and make the plant very ugly. Thus, you get a bushy ficus, but if you want to form a stamp-like tree, just choose one strong center shoot and let it grow, while cutting off all the lateral ones.

Important! Various pests can also appear on ficuses, a common solution of laundry soap will help you get rid of them. This solution must be periodically sprayed onto the plant, and soon all pests will disappear.