Ficus is a popular houseplant with many varieties that have taken root on the windowsills of Russian apartments a long time ago. The reason for the demand for these evergreens was their bright and "juicy" appearance, as well as their relative simplicity in care. In this material, we will talk about what an apartment ficus should be, the home care it needs will also be considered in detail.
Ficus: home care
Brief botanical reference
Ficus belongs to the Mulberry family. The representative of the genus is the fig and fig tree. Under natural conditions, the plant grows in Southeast Asia, on the island of Ceylon, Borneo and Java, it is a mighty tree, up to 30 meters high with a huge spreading crown. The leaf plate is long and wide, in an adult plant it reaches 1 m. The shadow of the plant covers a hectare of land.
In its natural habitat, the ficus lives for 400 years or more.
How to prepare soil for ficus: instructions for experienced flower growers
Experienced flower growers know that the substrate for these indoor flowers has its own small characteristics, depending on the age of the plant and its variety. Preparing the soil with your own hands provides a good opportunity to take these important points into account and provide optimal conditions for development.
Soil composition by age
Young ficuses thrive in loose soil, while for older ficuses, soil with increased density will be optimal for growth.
If your plant is still very young, then preparing suitable soil for it follows from the following ingredients:
- sod land;
- sand;
- humus;
- peat.
All components are combined in equal proportions and thoroughly mixed. The use of expanded clay, coarse sand or charcoal can also give additional looseness to the soil. The use of these components will avoid stagnant water and root rot. As for adult plants, when planting them, the soil must be tamped well with your hands. The mixture in this case is prepared from two equal parts of earth and leaf humus, and one part of sand.
What land is needed for ficus, depending on the variety
Different varieties of this plant require slightly different soil:
- Ficus Benjamin. It should consist of equal parts of humus, leafy soil and peat. When planting a plant in a ready-made mixture purchased in a store, it is imperative to add a baking powder to it: river sand, small pebbles. For normal development, this species needs good drainage, therefore, a layer of expanded clay must be laid on the bottom of the pot, and sand on top.
- Ficus is rubbery. Neutral or slightly acidic soils are ideal. To prepare them, you will need equal parts of sod and deciduous land and half of the river sand. It needs good drainage of the soil, so you can and should add broken bricks, small stones to the bottom of the pot, and sprinkle everything on top with coarse river sand.
- Ficus microcarp. Has no special requirements for the substrate. The earth can be either neutral or slightly acidic. For its preparation, you will need equal parts of sod and leafy land, and half of the sand. The main thing is that the soil is provided with good drainage.
Types of indoor ficuses - names and photos
In nature, there are 1,500 varieties of ficus, but no more than 20 species are grown at home, which differ in color and shape of foliage, as well as in maintenance and care. The most common are the following.
Benjamin. A beautiful, unpretentious plant that will complement any interior. It gained its popularity because of the flexible branches from which you can create various shapes, as well as grow a bonsai tree. Benjamin needs a timely haircut, which makes the crown splendid and well-groomed. But there are also disadvantages:
- the plant sheds foliage in the autumn-winter period;
- afraid of drafts and a sharp drop in temperature;
- does not tolerate direct sunlight. If the plant is in the open sun, the leaves will fade and become thinner;
- if you do not prune, the branches stretch out, and the plant loses its decorative appearance.
Benjamin is one of the brightest representatives of the ficus
Rubbery... This species has a varied shape, color of foliage and shoots. The plant is not demanding to care for, so it fell in love with inexperienced growers and people who often travel. The advantages of this type:
- grows under any climatic conditions;
- does not require abundant watering;
- grows anywhere and in any light.
The leaves of the rubbery ficus are dark green or with a golden border.
The rubbery ficus is a common potting crop.
Ficus transplant
Flowers in the first years of life are transplanted only after filling the pot with roots. This usually happens in a year or two if the size of the pot has been chosen correctly. Old large flowers do not require such frequent transplantation and do it only once every 5-6 years. Between transplants, the top layer of the earth is replaced annually. This is done more often, in the event that a white coating of salt appears on top of the soil.
Transplant methods
For transplanting, take a pot 2-3 cm wider than the previous one.
When transplanting, follow these steps:
- water the plant abundantly;
- remove a layer of earth from the root of the pot;
- carefully remove the plant and shake off the old soil from the roots;
- place the plant in a new container with drainage, sprinkled with a layer of soil;
- evenly distribute fresh soil around the plant;
- the plant can only be buried until the previous level.
Ficus flowering
Ficuses can be grown both in an apartment and on a personal plot. But everyone who has purchased this beautiful plant asks the question: can a ficus bloom?
One of the relatives of the ficus is the fig, and, as you know, this plant blooms well and bears fruit exclusively in regions with hot climates. The same can be said for the ficus tree. To force it to release flower stalks, it is necessary for the plant to provide an abundance of sunlight, a very hot climate and create an atmosphere that is 100% close to natural conditions.
A plant grown in a harsh climate will never bloom, even if it is provided with additional lighting and heating.
What if the ficus does not bloom? It remains only to admire the beauty of the ficus flower from the photo.
The plant can only bloom in a greenhouse
Do ficuses bloom
If you go to the "homeland" of plants, to the countries where ficuses grow, and walk around the deserts, you can enjoy the bright colors and extraordinary beauty that the presented flowers give. Banyan trees, spreading palms, small bushes intertwining with each other - this is just a little of what will open to the eye. The main thing that a curious florist will probably turn his attention to is the flowering of ficus.
Some types of plants boast small flowers that have a variety of colors (mainly light shades): blue-white, light pink, beige, white, and the like.Ficus blooms regardless of the season, so you can admire the beauty at any time of the year. Sometimes there are so many flowers that they resemble a certain bouquet created by nature. It's really worth looking at.
As for home conditions, the plant can rarely please the gardener with the beauty of its flowers. The exception is some kind of huge greenhouses or botanical gardens, where special climatic conditions are created.
Despite the fact that the ficus is not a whimsical specimen, only a few manage to achieve inflorescences. This is due to temperature extremes, humidity levels and other issues. Even if experienced breeders cannot do this even in special greenhouses, what can we say about standard apartments with problematic heating in the winter season. However, you can try. After all, as they say: "an attempt is not torture", anything can happen.
Important! If you want to achieve flowering of a plant, you need to create ideal conditions, providing perfect care for the flower.
How to care for ficus at home
Although the ficus is unpretentious in its care, it, like any other houseplant, requires a lot of care and love.
Soil selection
Young plants need light air and moisture permeable soil, consisting of leafy earth, sand and peat in equal amounts. Adult ficuses need dense soil; for this, sod land, humus or compost are added to the soil. If you do not have the time and desire to prepare the substrate yourself, you can purchase it in the store. Do not forget that the purchased soil must be disinfected. For this, the earth is spilled with boiling water or a hot solution of potassium permanganate.
Good growth requires light and nutritious soil.
Lighting and humidity
Ficus is a light-loving plant, so it is better to grow it in a well-lit place, the light should be diffused and bright.
With a lack of lighting, the leaf plate becomes smaller, and the shoots begin to reach for the light, which greatly affects the decorative effect of the plant.
The best place for a flower is on the east or west side, protected from drafts. There are varieties that grow well in partial shade, such a plant is contraindicated in sunlight. For the growth of ficus, maintaining air humidity is also important. It should be at least 50% and not more than 70%. In hot summer, the flower must be sprayed and given a warm shower. The water should be settled, soft and at room temperature.
Overview of finished substrates
When buying ready-made substrates, you need to pay attention to their composition. The most popular earthen mixtures are Ficus and Palma from different manufacturers. But when buying such a substrate, you need to take into account that they must be pre-processed, and in order for the plant to feel comfortable, additional components must also be added.
It is necessary to take into account the fact that manufacturers use different systems for agrochemical soil assessment. If the volumetric method is used, then the water soil extract is analyzed taking into account the content of elements in it in 1 mg / l. In the gravimetric method, the extractant is not water, but hydrochloric acid or potassium chloride. Then the content of elements is indicated in mg / 100g. Comparisons from different manufacturers can only be compared if they are specified in the same agrochemical evaluation system.
In recent years, landless mixtures are common. They contain no humus. Most often, such a substrate is used to transport the plant, but some gardeners also practice growing ficuses in it. It contains equal proportions of peat, pine bark, coconut fiber, sand, charcoal, perlite and vermiculite.In such a substrate there are very few nutrients that would contribute to the full development of the plant, therefore, as a rule, it is impossible to do without fertilization. Otherwise, after transplantation, the ficus needs to be fed frequently.
Ficus substrates from a German manufacturer are popular. Clay granulate Seramis is also widely known among gardeners. This substrate is presented in the form of small clay granules. Since there are many pores in them, the granules quickly absorb water and, over time, feed the small roots of the ficus with it. Such a substrate is durable and quite aesthetic. It is increasingly used for landscaping hotels or offices.
Almost all manufacturers of substrates for ficuses add peat, sand, expanded clay and a complex of mineral fertilizers to the ready-made earthen mixture. It is imperative to pay attention to the composition, because if there are no certain components in the substrate, they must be added to the pot yourself. If the earthen mixture contains all the necessary fertilizers, then it is not worth adding them additionally, so as not to burn the root system of the ficus.
Peat substrates usually dry out and deplete quickly, so the plant needs to be replanted more often. If the earthen mixture contains a lot of humus, then it can quickly cake.
So that pathogenic microbes and pests do not get into the pot along with the finished substrate, it is advisable to treat the finished land mixture with chemicals. If this is not possible, then steam treatment is imperative. After steaming, it is recommended to enrich its microflora with special preparations. Often for this purpose, gardeners use Trichodermin.
The key to health for ficus is the soil on which it grows. What kind of soil do ficuses like, is it possible to prepare it yourself, and what is needed for this. Let's try to figure it out together.
Soil for ficus in nature
In nature, some ficuses (bottle) can even grow on stones. Red and yellow ferralitic soils of tropical forests are also not fertile. Heavy rains wash nutrients deep into the soil, and rapid rotting caused by bacteria interferes with the accumulation of humus.
Potted soil for ficus Benjamin
For a ficus in a pot, light soil is selected, through which water quickly passes and air easily penetrates. The soil should be slightly acidic or neutral, pH 5.5 to 7. Not suitable for growing heavy, clayey soil mixtures that retain water.
When selecting soil, you can go in two ways: buy a ready-made soil mixture in a store or prepare it yourself.
Soil for ficus where to buy and its price, packaging
Ficus soil can be bought in flower shops in your city, ordered on the manufacturer's website or in an online store.
Packaging can be very different from 2.5 liters to 10 liters. The cost depends on the manufacturer, and ranges from 5 to 30 rubles per 1 liter.
How often to change the soil in ficus
Young ficus can be replanted annually. An adult large plant is not transplanted, but the topsoil in the pot is changed annually. If plant growth needs to be slowed down, such frequent replanting is unnecessary. It is enough to change the soil once every three or four years.
Ficus soil for what other flowers is suitable
Indoor plants of the vervain family, hibiscus, clerodendrons can be planted in the soil for ficuses with a pH of 5.5. In the soil for ficuses with a pH of 7 - asparagus, aspidistra, clivia, lantana, ivy, fatsia, cissus, etc.
How to prepare soil for ficus with your own hands at home
To make soil for ficus with their own hands, mix turf soil, leaf humus and sand. You can add peat to the soil mixture. For young plants, the soil should be light - sand, humus and peat are mixed in equal parts.
For adult plants, a composition is prepared from one part of sand, two parts of deciduous humus and two parts of sod land. Or an easier option, when peat is added to the composition, and all parts are mixed in equal proportions.
Soil for ficuses Garden of Miracles and Vermiculite reviews, price and where to buy it
According to consumer reviews, the Ficus soil from the Garden of Miracles company has a dense structure. It is quite nutritious, as it consists of a mixture of peat, sand and vermicompost. To make the soil lighter, you can add Vermiculite from the same manufacturer to it.
The cost of a 2.5-liter package with Ficus soil mix is 30 hryvnia, or about 70 rubles. The cost of a 1 liter package of Vermiculite is about 15 hryvnia or 30 rubles.
How to properly care for ficuses, depending on the species
Kinky
Kinky is a miniature version of Benjamin.
Care:
- The plant loves diffused light, so it is better to expose the pot on the east or west side.
- The air where the ficus grows should not be dry.
- Watering is plentiful, but moderate.
Kinky - Benjamin's dwarf variety
Melanie
Melanie is a type of rubbery ficus, considered the most popular and unpretentious ficus.
Where is the best place to put the ficus
This is probably the most exciting question for everyone who plans to acquire a plant, or the one to whom the flower was presented. Superstitions and omens argue that the rubber-bearing ficus needs to be placed in a special way, but Feng Shui rules work to a greater extent here. According to eastern beliefs, the pot should be placed so that the leaves are turned to the west. It is believed that in this way you accumulate positive energy and turn it in the right direction. It is noted that the atmosphere in the house becomes softer, more calm and conducive to positive reflections.
As for the room, everything here will depend on what goals you are pursuing.
If you want to get rid of fatigue at work, place a pot of ficus near your desk. If you want to attract the attention of others so that guests are more likely to visit the house, the ficus should be in the corridor. If you need to establish an intimate relationship between a husband and wife, the bedroom is the best place. If the flower is not a tribute to superstitions and omens about the ficus of benjamin, you can put it where you want, for example, in the living room, where it will become an excellent interior decoration.
Features of home care for small-leaved varieties and ficus with large leaves
Small-leaved ficus varieties have received great love from many growers for their unpretentiousness and beautiful appearance. Small-leaved ficuses are those in which the length of the leaf plate does not exceed 4 cm. These include: Benjamina, Ivolistny, Varifolia, Boxwood.
The length of the sheet does not exceed 4 cm
Ficuses with large foxes include: Rubber-bearing variety, Lyrovidny, Bengal and Rust-leaved. Caring for small-leaved and large-leaved ficuses is significantly different. Ficuses with large leaves tolerate slight drought well, and for small-leaved varieties, a lack of moisture leads to death. This is due to the fact that in ficuses with small foliage, the root system is located much deeper than that of its counterparts. When overflowing, large-leaved ficuses begin to shed their foliage, and small-leaved ones, on the contrary, throw off their leaves during a drought. Air humidity for ficuses with large leaves does not play an important role, and for a plant with small leaves, high humidity is the key to good growth.
Ready soil for ficuses
Store-bought soil for ficuses must have a composition that meets the needs for the life of this plant.But when buying even the most common and high-quality mixtures, you need to take into account that they need preliminary processing and supplementation with certain components.
Currently, you can often find landless mixtures, the composition of which does not contain humus. In most cases, such soil is used during the transportation of the flower, however, some gardeners use it directly for growing.
This substrate contains vermiculite, peat, perlite, pine bark, sand and coconut fiber, but it contains very few nutrients. In this regard, it becomes necessary to add various fertilizers, otherwise the ficus will need frequent feeding when in such soil.
Basically, all manufacturers of soil mixtures for ficuses use expanded clay, earthen mixture, sand, peat and a complex of fertilizers necessary for growth for their preparation. When purchasing this product, you must carefully study its composition in order to supplement the mixture with the missing components. In the presence of all the required elements and fertilizers, their additional application can lead to damage to the root system.
Due to the ability of peat compositions to quickly deplete and dry out, the ficus needs frequent replanting. The presence of a large amount of humus in the ground leads to its caking in a short time.
To prevent the ingress of various microorganisms and insects that can harm the plant into the prepared soil, it is recommended to subject the composition to chemical treatment. In the absence of such an opportunity, it is allowed to do this by steaming, after which it is desirable to replenish the microflora with certain means, one of which is Trichodermin.
Thus, in which land to plant the ficus, each owner will decide based on his personal preferences.
How to form bonsai from ficus
If there is a desire to grow bonsai from ficus, then you must:
- Choose the variety you like. Ficuses are suitable for this: Bengal, Benjamin, Microcarpa, Karika, Dark-leaved, Rusty red. What ficus bonsai looks like, photo.
Bonsai from different varieties of ficus - Decide on the form. As a rule, when growing bonsai, one of the forms is used: erect, incorrectly erect, inclined, bifurcated, broom-shaped, grove.
Beautiful forms for bonsai - Root and crown formation. Roots and shoots are trimmed until the required trunk volume is reached. As soon as the tree reaches the desired size, you can begin to form the crown and trunk.
Root formation diagram.
Root pruning method
How to transplant ficus
If the plant grows well, does not get sick, there is still a need for a ficus transplant. Usually for ficus, you can define the following terms of "moving":
- 3 year olds - once a year
- five-year - no more than once in a three-year period
- Older adults - once every six years
The new "apartment" is chosen about a couple of centimeters in volume, more than the old one.
In order for the transplant to be successful, you need to adhere to the following simple rules:
- Select the desired pot size and prepare it. Lay drainage (crushed stone, brick chips, etc.) at the bottom, cover with fresh earth
- To make the flower easy to get from the previous container, it should be watered.
- Select the top layer a little. Carefully, without damaging the root system, remove the ficus
- Slightly remove old soil from the roots
- Landing. Gradually fill up the voids, compacting evenly, not crushing too much.
- Drizzle.
- Subsequent watering can be started in a month. And during this period, it will be enough to spray a couple of times a day.
Your flower will not experience much stress if everything is done carefully and correctly.
Reproduction of ficuses
Ficuses can be propagated in two ways: cuttings and air vents.
Cuttings - this method is easy and very simple:
- We choose a healthy stalk, the main thing is that it cannot be taken from the apical shoot, since the young seedling will not take root. The stem of the cutting should be well developed and firm in texture.
- Separate the stalk with a sharp tool. Its length should be no more than 15 cm.
- Place the seedling in water for two hours to remove the milky juice.
- Remove the lower leaves and place in a container with clean warm water.
After 14 days, the plant will release its first roots. As soon as the root system grows a little, the plant is planted in a pot with nutritious soil.
The easiest and easiest way to reproduce
For quick rooting, the plant is arranged with a warm shower or periodically wiping the leaf plate with a damp swab.
Taps... Another popular ficus propagation method. To do this, a 15 cm stalk is removed from the plant and all the lower leaves are removed. A circular incision is made on the seedling, a piece of wood is inserted into it, wet moss is applied to the cut site and wrapped in polyethylene. This procedure is necessary in order to create a favorable microclimate for the formation of the root system. When the roots germinate, the rooted cutting is separated and planted in the prepared soil.
Cuttings for propagation must be at least 15 cm
Growing ficus sacred by cuttings
The sacred ficus with apical cuttings reproduces with great difficulty. To do this, take cuttings 15-18 cm long. They must have at least three pairs of healthy leaves. The length of the cutting should be 2 times the length of the leaves. In spring, cuttings are planted in a greenhouse in a mixture of peat and perlite at a temperature of 25 ° C.
Sandy earth can be used instead of this mixture. At home, cuttings are covered with polyethylene. It is better to pre-treat the cut of the cutting with root or heteroauxin. Place for germination in diffused light conditions.
The film can be removed after 2 weeks. After the ficus takes root, it is transplanted into a small pot.
Diseases and pests of ficuses
In unfavorable conditions, a ficus can be exposed to some diseases, but insect pests are much more terrible for a plant.
Mealybug... This pest can be easily spotted as it looks like a patch of brown cotton wool. In this case, the plant is treated with folk remedies.
Aphid... This insect is dangerous not only for ficus, but also for nearby plants. Treatment consists in spraying foliage with soapy water. When a flower is infected with aphids, it is quarantined until it recovers completely.
Thrips... This insect lives on the inside of foliage. The parasite is dangerous because it sucks out all the juice from the plant and leads to its death. Treatment consists in repeated treatment with Pyrethrum solution.
Nematodes... These parasites infect the root system, laying their larvae on it. If no help is provided, the excretion of worms will penetrate the trunk of the ficus and destroy it.
Shield... When attacked by this insect, brown spots form on the outside of the leaf plate. The fight consists in spraying the plant with soapy water and processing the leaf with Aktelik. If the plant is not given proper care, then fungal diseases can join:
Fungus on the leaves... The fungus manifests itself as black spots on the foliage, which lead to the drying out and death of the leaf plate.
Gray rot... The disease appears in a room that is too hot and when overflowing ficus. In the process of the disease, mold appears on the stem and leaves, which, when shaken, easily flies off the plant. Treatment consists in removing the affected areas. Prevention: moderate watering and frequent ventilation of the room.
Sooty mushroom... A gray coating appears on the leaves.To get rid of a fungal disease, you need to regularly wipe the foliage with soapy water. In case of mass infection, it is better to remove the affected leaves from the plant in order to avoid the spread of the disease.
Root rot... When affected by a fungus, the ficus becomes gray and dies. No cure has yet been found for this disease.
Improper care leads to fungal diseases
For adult ficuses
The soil for Benjamin's ficuses can be prepared independently in several ways, this will allow you not to spend money on purchasing it in the store. In addition, professionals emphasize that the soil prepared on their own is more favorable for the life of plants.
To prepare high-quality soil, the following components should be thoroughly mixed in equal parts:
- sand;
- garden land;
- peat;
- humus from leaves.
The proportions of the constituents of this mixture can vary according to the age of the ficus. For example, for specimens growing for a sufficient number of years, the following composition is recommended:
- sand (one piece);
- humus foliage (two parts);
- turf-based substrate (two parts);
With good mixing of these elements, you can get an excellent soil with the required density.
Many professional flower growers recommend taking note of the variant of the substrate, consisting of sand, peat, humus from leaves and sod land, the share of each of the components, in this case, is equal to one part.
In addition to the considered classical methods of preparing a soil mixture, which is needed for ficus, used by most flower growers, there are a number of other equally interesting methods. The growth and development of perennials directly depends on the degree of saturation of the soil with useful substances.
A variant of the following components is considered universal, but at the same time it is included in the category of concentrated soils, this will require not only light, but also heavy turf soil, as well as deciduous humus. An excellent solution would be to add rotted manure, peat and compost flour to the composition.
Professionals point out that the use of vermicompost has a beneficial effect on the life processes of many varieties of ficus. This organic fertilizer helps to speed up adaptation after planting and improve plant growth.
Often, gardeners have a problem, expressed in an increase in the level of acidity in the soil. Under these circumstances, a hasty plant transplant is not required. It will be quite enough to add dolomite flour and lime to the soil mixture, which, among other things, can also provide the substrate with magnesium and calcium.
If it is necessary to add nutrients to the soil, you should use wood ash enriched with phosphorus and potassium. If the composition is not ideal, the condition of the plant will immediately indicate this, its foliage will begin to turn yellow, and the trunk will gradually dry out. In this case, it is necessary to prepare a new soil mixture and transplant the perennial.
In the course of its life, the flower extracts from the earth all the useful substances in it, and making it unsuitable for the growth of any type of plant. Various fertilizers are used to replenish nutritional resources. Ficus especially needs phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, therefore, it is recommended to purchase top dressing with the appropriate content.
Currently, specialized stores offer both liquid and dry fertilizers. As a rule, the former are introduced into the soil or used in the process of spraying the roots. The second option is placed under the rhizome and gradually softens during watering, due to which the useful elements in this fertilizer are absorbed into the soil.
Among gardeners, top dressing in the form of granules, powders or tablets is especially popular due to its ease of use.They should simply be added to the soil, since when watering they dissolve and saturate it with useful substances.
It is important to remember that in excess, any fertilizer can harm the plant.
Problems caused by improper care and how to fix them
When creating unfavorable conditions for a plant for good growth and development, problems with ficus may arise, which must be eliminated in a timely manner:
- Lack of light in winter - development slows down, the leaf plate turns yellow and falls off. Especially this phenomenon often occurs with a variety with light foliage.
- Non-compliance with the temperature regime - the tree throws off its leaves, and it begins to wither.
- Drafts - with drafts near the flower, the stem dries up, and the leaves fall off.
- Overflowing plants - the root system decays, the top of the plant dies off, and the leaf plate changes color and falls off.
- Lack of moisture - can be determined by the sheet plate and soil. The foliage curls up, dries up and falls off, and the soil easily detaches from the pot.
- Oversupply of fertilizers - the root system burns, and the plant may die.
It looks like a plant that lacks care and love.
To avoid problems when growing ficus, it is necessary to periodically check the roots and foliage for deformation, pests, damage and stains. If any changes appear, you need to immediately start treatment: clean the plant of damaged leaves, in case of root system disease, perform a thorough examination and removal of damaged and rotten roots, and also transplant into new soil in a smaller pot. If you treat your ficus with love and carry out timely inspection and care, then it will delight its owner for a long time with lush and beautiful foliage, and will also be an indispensable addition to landscape decor.
You can find out more information on growing and caring for ficus at home by watching the video:
Planting and caring for sacred ficus (in short)
| Temperature regime | In summer from 18 to 23 ° С, and in winter not lower than + 15 ° С. |
| Air humidity | Very high. The plant needs to be constantly sprayed with water. |
| Lighting | Daylight, but no direct sunlight on the plant. At home, sacred ficus is best placed in a room whose windows face east or west. |
| Watering | In summer, ficus requires regular watering - 1-2 times a week with settled water. In winter, watering can be reduced to 1 time in 7-10 days. |
| Soil for sacred ficus | Fertile loose chernozem with good drainage. |
| Top dressing and fertilization | From early spring to late autumn, the ficus should be fed with liquid fertilizers. It is better to alternate organic and mineral supplements. |
| Transplant of sacred ficus | In February-March, once every 2 years. |
| Reproduction | It propagates very easily by seeds and aerial roots. |
| Growing features | Ficus sacred easily lends itself to defeat various pests. Avoid growing a tree next to diseased plants. The young tree should be kept in a warm, comfortable room with sufficient moisture. Otherwise, there is a high risk that the plant will die quickly. |
Is it possible to keep ficus at home - signs and superstitions
Ficuses grow not only in tropical forests. Some species feel great in the Crimea, in the Caucasus. The most famous ficus tree, the fruits of which are eaten, is the fig or fig tree (Ficus carica). Its fruits are rich in natural sugars, soluble fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, vitamins B1, B2, and minerals. The beneficial properties of figs are preserved not only fresh, but also dried.
Fig tree fruit
Figs are especially useful for people:
- suffering from diseases of the nervous system;
- with cardiovascular diseases;
- diabetics;
- hypertensive patients (helps to reduce high blood pressure).
Fig has a positive effect on the work of the heart, removes bad cholesterol from the blood, reduces the risk of blood clots, strengthens the kidneys, liver, is a good prevention for respiratory diseases, heals the broncho-pulmonary system, has a beneficial effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves constipation excess fat.
Ficus myths
An unusual plant is shrouded in many myths and superstitions. The peoples of different countries treat him differently. Some believe in the positive characteristics of the plant, in its ability to heal from many diseases, while others are afraid of its bad effects on humans.
The Slavic peoples have always treated him with prejudice, considering him to be an accomplice in the upbringing of base feelings in a person, such as envy, the product of gossip, scandals, and outbursts of aggression. It was believed that the house in which the ficus grows is doomed to bad relationships within the family, love, mutual understanding, and harmony are leaving it. It has a negative effect on young girls for marriage, scares off potential suitors, interferes with serious relationships, the possibility of marriage.
According to the teachings of Ayurveda, ficus, on the contrary, is able to improve the energy in the house. The Chinese are unanimous in the opinion that the energy of the ficus clears the house of the negativity present in it, creates an atmosphere of love and mutual understanding among the inhabitants of the premises, and solves many pressing problems.
At present, the attitude of the Slavic peoples to the plant also began to change for the better, primarily because of its ability to cleanse the air from harmful impurities, bacteria. For this reason, it is recommended to grow it in the bedroom and other human recreation areas.
Does ficus bloom
In Asia, Australia, you can see how the ficus blooms. The variety of colors is simply mesmerizing - white, brown, yellow, beige, red, except blue, from small 5 mm flowers to giant 40 centimeters flowers.
Note! Ficus usually has unisexual flowers, pollinated by insects.
Flowering ficus benjamin
Where is the best place to put the ficus
This is probably the most exciting question for everyone who plans to acquire a plant, or the one to whom the flower was presented. Superstitions and omens argue that the rubber-bearing ficus must be placed in a special way, but the rules of Feng Shui work to a greater extent here. According to eastern beliefs, the pot should be placed so that the leaves are turned to the west. It is believed that in this way you accumulate positive energy and turn it in the right direction. It is noted that the atmosphere in the house becomes softer, more calm and conducive to positive reflections.
As for the room, everything here will depend on what goals you are pursuing.
If you want to get rid of fatigue at work, place a pot of ficus near your desk. If you want to attract the attention of others so that guests are more often in the house, the ficus should be in the corridor. If you need to establish an intimate relationship between a husband and wife, the bedroom is the best place. If the flower is not a tribute to superstitions and omens about Benjamin's ficus, you can put it wherever you want, for example, in the living room, where it will become an excellent interior decoration.
Ficus in the house is good or bad
This is the case when the plant not only decorates the interior, but also has a positive effect on the health of the people living in the house. Ficus releases oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide), and also absorbs various toxic elements from the indoor air. If you live in a big city, where, as you know, the ecological situation leaves much to be desired, then the acquisition of ficus becomes especially relevant.
Can ficus be kept at home? Quite a lot of reviews can be heard about the special positive energy of this plant, which favorably affects the mood of the inhabitants of the house. However, before you bring ficus into the house, you need to exclude the occurrence of an allergic reaction to it. You should also be aware that some varieties of ficus can aggravate the condition of people who have asthma.
Rubbery species produce a toxic milky sap, so be careful not to get it on your skin. Children and pets should also be kept away from such plants, and it is better to have safer varieties.
Many growers are interested in how ficus blooms? This interesting question is of concern not only for beginners, the answer to it will be yes. Yes, ficus blooms, but only in the wild.
Drupes on ficus in the wild
At the same time, the inflorescences of the plant do not differ in particular decorativeness, they are more like small "balls", empty from the inside. They are called syconia, each such ball has a small hole into which the proboscis of a pollinating insect penetrates. After the required process, the pollinated syconium becomes a drupe fruit. For example, here is the beloved by many figs, which, by the way, are also a relative of the ficus.
