What pot to plant ficus benjamina in. What kind of pot is needed for planting ficus

Ficus benjamina is one of the most common and popular indoor plants, which has high decorative qualities and is capable of all year round delight your owners with green foliage.

However, growing it is a rather labor-intensive process, especially in the first months after planting, but if you learn all the nuances and subtleties of caring for the plant, this process will become simple and easy.

A little about ficus

Ficus Benjamin (there is a photo of it in the review) - evergreen family Mulberry. Under natural conditions, it can be found in the tropics and subtropics of China, India, Australia, Asia, and the Philippines.

In nature, it is a large bush or tree up to 10-20 m high, in room conditions capable of growing up to 1.5-3 m. The crown of Ficus Benjamin is wide and very beautiful. The trunk of the plant is gray with small streaks. The branches are inclined downwards. The leaves of Ficus Benjamina are dense, glossy, oval with an elongated tip. Color ranges from light green to very dark. The central vein is not clearly expressed.

Indoor varieties

Ficus benjamina has a huge variety of varieties, differing in size, shape and color of leaves, and stem shape. Let's look at some of them.

Exotic. The leaves are flat and soft, the color is rich green, length - up to 8 cm, width - up to 3.5 cm. Internodes up to 4 cm. The bush grows quickly.
Daniel. The leaves are dark green, uniform, glossy, dense and flat, with straight edges. It grows very quickly - it grows almost 30 cm per season.
Monique. It is distinguished by more delicate, thin, hanging branches and light, elongated leaves, slightly wavy along the edge.
Nicole. The leaves are more elongated, with a light edge.
Safari. The variety is distinguished by its tricolor color and obvious spotting.
Baroque. It is considered the most unusual, original and difficult to grow variety. Each leaf of this very miniature plant is twisted in the form of a spiral.

Location in the house

Before bringing this plant into the house, you need to decide on its location - the ficus Benjamin, the photo of which is provided in the article, is very difficult to tolerate changing places, and after moving it most often sheds its leaves. If this trouble occurs shortly after purchase, then you should not be scared or upset, because this is normal. Providing proper care to the plant will help it adapt. It is necessary to choose a place in the room that is well lit, but without direct sunlight. The plant does not like drafts and cold. The air temperature should be no lower than 15°C, relative humidity - 50-70%.

Features of care

In order for Benjamin's ficus to constantly delight with its green, chic crown and attract all the eyes of guests, it needs to be provided with timely and proper care. It is not overly complicated, but the plant still needs to provide certain conditions.

Lighting and temperature

Depending on the color of the foliage, the optimal location zone for the plant is selected, taking into account the lighting. For dark green ficuses, light partial shade and diffused light are suitable, while bushes with variegated light leaves, on the contrary, are very demanding on the intensity of lighting, but areas with direct sunlight should be avoided.

Ficus benjamina is a heat-loving plant, in summer optimal temperature should be 25-30°C, in winter not lower than 18°C. When the temperature is insufficient, leaves are dropped.

Watering

In summer, watering Ficus Benjamin should be moderate, as the surface of the top layer of soil dries out. It is recommended to spray generously in the morning and evening and wash the leaves.

Water the plant for uniform moisture in several stages, draining excess water from the pan that has passed through the drainage.

IN winter period watering is reduced. Use settled or filtered water, and loosen the soil before watering.

You should water the ficus carefully, since if there is an excess of soil moisture, its root system is prone to rotting. The soil should have time to dry out between waterings.

Plant nutrition

For normal plant growth, formation of a lush and dense crown rich color It is important to take care of proper feeding. For this purpose, universal flower fertilizers are used. They are introduced from spring until late autumn. In this case, mineral and organic varieties alternate.

Concentrated fertilizers are applied when watering the plant. The dosage is calculated depending on the growth rate: the faster the ficus grows, the more often it needs to be fed.

Crown formation

By pinching, pruning, interweaving branches and trunks, the plant can easily be given a varied appearance.

There are several most common ways to form a ficus crown, including:

single- and multi-tiered standard;
bonsai;
dome-shaped and spherical crown;
various sculptures.

The formation of a tree is best done in the spring. Easiest to form young plant, because it is actively and rapidly growing. Pruning helps awaken dormant buds, from which new shoots then grow and the plant becomes more luxuriant. In addition, with the help of pruning, you can improve a very overgrown and unattractive ficus. Before this procedure, the pruning shears must be disinfected with alcohol or a weak solution.

In the plant to be pruned, it is necessary to determine the main bush; it cannot be cut by more than 20 cm, but the side branches are pruned according to creative need and desire. After trimming, the sections must be treated with crushed coal.

You can form a standard plant from a ficus by removing the lower branches and forming a dense crown using pruning.

The intertwined trunks of several plants can look very interesting and impressive. To get this decorative effect Several young ficus trees are planted in one pot and, as they grow, their trunks are intertwined, braided into a braid or other shape.

Ficus benjamina: transplant

Looking at how the plant grows and becomes more beautiful, one must not forget that not only the number of branches and leaves is added. Month after month, the volume of the ficus root system increases, and the soil, even with constant fertilizing, begins to gradually become impoverished.

Transplanting Ficus Benjamin will help correct this situation.

It is usually done when the roots of the plant are densely entwined in an earthen ball and they emerge from the drainage hole. But it is better to prevent this and perform a planned transplant.

Before transplanting ficus Benjamin into another pot, you need to select a suitable container. The younger the plant, the more actively it grows its root mass, so it is annually replanted in pots 2-3 cm larger in diameter than before. Adult ficus trees are replanted 2-3 times less often. At home, this is done in spring or autumn.

The best soil for ficus is ready-made universal soil, purchased at a specialty store. But you can make your own mixture at home, consisting of equal parts of leaf and turf soil, sand and low peat. It is necessary to lay drainage at the bottom of the container.

Replanting Ficus Benjamin is carried out as follows: after watering, the plant is removed from the old pot, the old soil is removed, the flower is carefully transferred to a new container and sprinkled with fresh soil.

After transplantation, the plant adapts and it may begin to shed leaves. There is no need to worry about this; the ficus will soon develop rapidly again.

Reproduction of ficus benjamina at home

The most favorable time for ficus propagation is spring and early summer. This is due to the fact that it is during this period that active growth of foliage and roots occurs.

Propagation of ficus benjamina at home is best done by cuttings, since cuttings produce roots well both in soil and in water. The second method is seed, but it is used extremely rarely.

How to root ficus benjamina?

The upper cuttings, which have leaves, are cut off and placed in a container with water. The leaves should not get wet, otherwise rotting may occur. As the water evaporates, it should be added periodically. After 2-3 weeks, callus tissue in the form of growths will appear on the stems. At this point, after some time, roots form, after which the cuttings are planted in the soil substrate.

If the cutting is planted in the ground, it can be covered with a jar to create the effect of greenhouse conditions. Before rooting Ficus Benjamin, you need to prepare the soil. It is advisable to disinfect it by heating it in a steam bath for 30 minutes.

Problems when growing ficus

Ficus benjamina has some growing difficulties that you need to pay attention to:

Dry tips of leaves winter time indicate a lack of air humidity in the room. Most often this is due to the heating being turned off. In this case, it is necessary to increase the frequency of spraying and organize artificial lighting. This will help the flower wait until spring.
If a plant suddenly begins to drop leaves, this should alert its owner. This is how a flower can react to sudden changes in conditions, for example, a decrease in temperature, the appearance of a draft, a change of location, abundant watering in winter, when it was necessary, on the contrary, to reduce the amount of moisture.
The change of season in any plant causes yellowing and dropping of leaves. Ficus is also no exception. But if at other times Benjamin’s ficus turns yellow, what should you do? There are two main reasons why this happens: the first is an excess of water, which can destroy the plant, the second is too much water. low temperature. These reasons need to be eliminated.
If the flower long time does not grow or develop, you need to evaluate whether the pot size is chosen correctly. If the pot is too large relative to the size of the plant, the roots will begin to wither, stop developing and die. On the contrary, a cramped container prevents the formation and development of the crown.

If, after correcting errors in the care and maintenance of the flower, there is no improvement, you need to pay attention to the presence of diseases and pests.

Ficus diseases and pests

Among the most common diseases affecting Ficus Benjamin are the following:

Anthracnose. Dark brown spots appear and develop into ulcers. If left untreated, the ficus will die. Control methods: removing affected leaves, treating with a fungicide, reducing spraying and watering, frequent ventilation.
Cerscoporosis. Black appears at the back of the leaf small dots. Treatment is the same as for anthracnose.
Dropsy. With this disease, corky growths form on the back of the leaf. Treatment: Remove affected leaves and provide proper care.

The main pests of Ficus Benjamin are - spider mite, thrips and aphids.

The most dangerous among them is the spider mite. The pest very quickly damages the flower and adapts to many chemicals. That is why the fight against it should begin when the first signs of the disease appear. To destroy this pest, you can use traditional methods, for example, garlic tincture, treating the foliage with laundry soap, or using an insecticide.

Content

Ficus is a decorative and green Tree, is very popular; it is grown not only at home, but also in offices for interior decoration. In order for the plant to fully develop, it needs to be provided with all the conditions, competent and proper care.

Pot

Any pot made from different material, the most important thing is that chemical composition containers did not affect the flower itself and its root system. In addition, the flower pot is selected based on its external appearance, so that it emphasizes the existing interior.

As a rule, a clay, wooden or plastic pot is used to transplant a flower; for a young flower, a clay container should be used so that there is no covering on it. The advantages of such a pot are that it allows air and moisture to pass through; it is not recommended to place such a container in a place where there is the most bright light, as it will heat up quickly. As a result, the ficus will wither due to increased air temperature and heating.

When choosing a pot for Kinka, you should also take into account the size of the plant and its root system. If a young plant is to be replanted, then a small pot is suitable; for an older flower, you need to take a larger vessel, 10 liters. The container should not be too tight, but also free for the plant; it is best if it has a drainage hole. Flower growers recommend using brick chips or expanded clay as drainage.

Advice ! If you plan to transplant Benjamin at home, you need to select a pot that is wider in diameter than the previous container.

Transplantation at home

Replanting a flower should be left until spring; if the flower is older than 3 years, then this procedure should be performed every year, if more, then once every 3 years. If the plant is even older, then it should not be replanted for at least 5 years. There are certain signs that indicate that it is time to replant the ficus.

The substrate dries quickly after watering.
The soil is completely covered with ficus roots.
Its root system is visible from the drainage holes of the container.
Not only the soil, but also the pot itself inside entwined with the roots of a flower.

As a result of ideal care for the Benjamin Kinki flower, the plant can grow quite quickly; a pot of 50 cm in diameter indicates that the plant can no longer be replanted. In this case, it will be enough to remove the layer of soil from above every year and fill it with a new substrate, approximately 3 cm, do not forget to add fertilizer, approximately 20%.

Considering the fact that the ficus Kinki loves cramped conditions, it is not recommended to transplant it into a pot that is too loose; in order to choose the right size, you can take 3 cm larger in diameter compared to the previous vessel.

Ficus transplantation is carried out in stages:

The flower is removed from the old pot; if the root system peeks out through the drainage holes, they must be carefully removed so as not to damage it.
Place drainage, expanded clay or brick shavings at the bottom of the container, pieces with a diameter of no more than 2 cm.
The top of the drainage is sprinkled with a small amount of substrate using humus, peat or leaf soil. All elements are used in equal proportions.
The flower is planted in a pot and all free space is filled with new substrate.

Sometimes, after the transplantation procedure, the Benjamin kinky flower may shed its leaves; this is a normal reaction, since a change in position has occurred, as a result, the plant has become stressed. The flower may not grow for the first few days; you should leave it alone and instead of watering, use irrigation, 2 times a day is enough. After the soil is completely dry, the ficus can be watered. While the flower is recovering, you can cover it with a plastic bag, creating greenhouse conditions, but at the same time remove the cover twice a day. After the plant recovers from stress, the bag can be removed completely.

Care after transplant

As already mentioned, after transplantation, the plant cannot be watered; this can be done on the third day after planting. If in the room heat air, but low humidity, then you can irrigate the above-ground part of the plant, twice a day is enough. As a rule, you can replant a Benjamin flower at home only after 3 weeks. But before this, the flower is placed in a quarantine zone, separated from other indoor plants, after 2 weeks it should be thoroughly examined, if there are no signs of disease or the presence of pests, then it can be safely transplanted into a new pot.

In addition, during quarantine, Kinky will get used to the surrounding living conditions, this applies to temperature and humidity, as well as indoor lighting. At first, after replanting, the flower may shed its leaves, but this is not scary, literally after a while new small leaves will appear. A plastic bag is used to facilitate the adaptation period; any other transparent cap can be used.

When the ficus has recovered and come to its senses, caring for it at home involves creating the most suitable conditions. Firstly, watering must be done systematically and moderately, air humidity must be at least 80%. Secondly, flowers of the ficus family love bright lighting, Benjamin Kinky is no exception, it needs bright and diffused light - this is the main condition that must be met in order for the leaves to retain their decorative appearance.

Substrate and feeding

Ficus Benjamin kinki is not a whimsical plant, but a little capricious, so when replanting you should use a special substrate intended for this species. If the plant is young, then it is necessary to add loose soil when replanting at home, which will allow the plant to take root better. After the plant gets stronger, its root system becomes strong, it can be transplanted into a denser substrate. If you do not have certain knowledge and skills, it is best to consult a specialist.

As for feeding, the determining factor here is the substrate in which the flower will develop; as a rule, organic matter is used in spring or summer, once every two weeks is enough. At the same time, in order to properly cultivate the soil, it is necessary to use organic and mineral fertilizers in turn. You can use special fertilizers or raw materials intended for deciduous plants.

In winter, the flower rests, it is not fertilized, but if it is created as much as possible ideal conditions, as for humidity and air temperature, as well as lighting, then fertilizing is possible. Florist specialists recommend fertilizing the soil for Benjamin kinky at home with a weak dose of organic matter, half the usual dose, for one or two months.

When choosing fertilizers for ficus, you should pay attention to the nitrogen content; you need a lot of it, especially when the flower grows and develops during the growing season. When there is such a large amount of nitrogen in cold weather, as in summer, the plant must rest during the dormant period, its active growth is undesirable.

Ficus rubber is a very common plant in the interiors of homes, offices and shopping centers. Home ficuses are more compact, while office forms can reach 2-3 meters in height. The plant requires minimal care, but looks very impressive in the interior for many years.

Ficus rubber - home care

The homeland of ficus rubber is India, where the plant is considered sacred. Its wild counterparts grow up to 20 m in height, sending out aerial roots. In the past, rubber was made from ficus sap on an industrial scale. Hence its name. Other names for the plant are ficus elastica or “snake tree.” It takes root well in apartments and offices, withstanding both diffused light and partial shade.

Designers have been using rubber ficus in interiors since the last century - large glossy leaves fit into any decor. To this day, this flower is the most popular in home gardening. It requires the most basic care: moderate light and watering, regular feeding. If desired, you can grow tall plants, whose leaves will touch the ceiling, or you can leave compact bushes that will look good on cabinets and special flower stands.

Today, many varieties of ficus have been artificially bred, which differ from each other in both size and leaf color:

Ficus rubber - care

An excellent green decoration for the interior will be the rubber ficus, which even novice gardeners know how to care for. The plant loves diffused sunlight. The best place for it will be the eastern and western sides of the house with tulle shading. Ficus tolerates shade, but develops and grows much more slowly. If there is too much shade, the leaves of the flower become smaller and the lower part of the trunk is exposed.

Since this guest came to us from warm countries, he likes the air temperature to be high - 22-27 degrees in summer and 10-15 degrees in winter. Variegated varieties are more thermophilic than their monochromatic counterparts. To ensure that your ficus pleases you for many years, it is important to pay attention to the following factors:

regime in summer and winter;
timely feeding;
correct and formation of the crown;
regular transplantation nutrient substrate and into a pot of suitable diameter.

Forming rubber ficus is not particularly difficult; it is only important not to make common mistakes. The first and most common of them is trimming the top. With this method, only one of the upper growth points will awaken, and the flower will begin to grow upward again. To create lush crown, it is better to resort to one of the effective methods:

Ficus rubber can be slightly bent and fixed in this position. In this case, the highest point will grow. When the flower reaches the right size, it is returned to its original position.
An effective way is to puncture the plant trunk to 1/3 of its thickness. Such punctures must be made with a clean, sharp object, starting from the top and gradually going down.

Ficus can reach impressive sizes, so in early spring it should be trimmed to the desired height. Carry out the procedure with a clean, sharp pruner or knife. The cuttings obtained after pruning are wiped with a damp cloth or washed under the tap (the secreted juice irritates the skin), placed in any root-forming solution for a week and planted in pots.

How to water rubber ficus?

Watering rubber ficus differs in winter and summer. When the air temperature is above 23-24 degrees, the flower is watered once every two days. In winter, they switch to one watering per week. You can check whether watering is needed by inspecting the soil; if it is at least two fingers dry, you can safely water the plant. Excessive moisture will have a detrimental effect - the flower will begin to shed its leaves and disappear. In addition to watering, rubber ficus must be sprayed regularly. In winter, you can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Large bushes can be bathed occasionally in the shower.

Fertilize only healthy and well-rooted ficus plants, preferably twice a year - in spring and autumn with a comprehensive mineral fertilizer. If signs of a slowdown in the growth and development of the flower are noticeable, then first check whether the watering and lighting conditions are observed, and only then resort to artificial fertilizing. The most popular of them is zircon for rubber ficus. This drug is indicated for plants under severe stress, for rooting cuttings and as a prevention of fungal infections. It must be used strictly according to the instructions and no more than once a year.

Ficus rubber - transplantation

Replanting rubber ficus at home is carried out annually for young plants and once every 2-3 years for mature ones. . A signal that a flower needs to be replanted is a sharp slowdown in growth rates and roots peeking out through the drainage holes of the pot. For transplantation, choose a pot 5 cm larger than the current one. Pour plenty of it into it drainage layer, purchased expanded clay and a little earth are best suited for this purpose. The flower is replanted by transshipment, shaking off the old soil a little. They're filling up required quantity soil into a new pot and water abundantly.

Regular soil will not work for rubber ficus. If you want to get a luxurious plant in your interior, then you need to create a well-draining, light soil. To do this, mix turf, leaf and peat soil and coarse sand. You can add a little birch charcoal. Nowadays, garden stores sell special soil for ficuses, which takes into account all the above proportions.

What kind of pot is needed for ficus rubber?

When choosing a pot for ficus rubber, pay attention Special attention the material from which it is made and the number of drainage holes. Best choice the container will be made of high-quality plastic without a harmful odor, which can become poison for the flower. In addition, the ficus itself grows large and heavy, so there is no need for extra massiveness in the pot. There should be enough drainage holes, but not in excess. Otherwise, the moisture will leave too quickly, and the ficus will not have time to absorb it. It is optimal to choose a new pot that is 5 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.

Rubber-bearing ficus can be propagated both by cuttings and by air layering:

Variegated varieties are often propagated by air layering. With this method of propagation, the desired branch is selected and a 1/3 cut is made on its trunk. A match is inserted into the resulting cut and wrapped in damp sphagnum moss and plastic film. Before the appearance aerial roots The moss is regularly moistened with water. After they appear, the branch is cut off and planted in a new pot.
Cuttings from rubber ficus is an even simpler propagation process. Cut the cutting with three internodes obliquely, wash it to remove any secreted juice and keep it in damp sand or root-forming solution. After the root buds appear, the new plant is planted in a permanent pot.

Diseases of ficus rubber

With proper care, ficus has strong immunity to various diseases and pests. The main diseases of rubber ficus are attacks by scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs. If you find one of these pests on your plant, you must immediately bathe it in the shower and treat it with appropriate preparations, which are available in any garden store or a veterinary pharmacy.

Very often, yellowing, curling and falling of ficus leaves are mistakenly attributed to fungal diseases. In fact, the reason lies in errors in care - too low or high temperature, excess or lack of moisture, lack of light and beneficial microelements in the soil, strong drafts. Only white coating on the leaves indicates a fungus - powdery mildew. Then the diseased leaves are removed and the flower is treated with a fungicide.

Ficus rubber fits perfectly into any home and office interior. Giant specimens decorate various shopping and business centers, galleries, train stations and airports. Due to its ease of care and decorative qualities, the flower is recommended to be grown even by novice gardeners. And by following the care instructions, you will get a chic green decoration for your home.

Can be planted with seeds. As a rule, seeds are purchased at a specialized store. Before planting, you need to prepare the soil, which consists of equal parts of turf soil, humus and coarse sand. You can add a little bone meal. Seed treatment, soaking or immersion in phytosolution is not required for this plant. Seeds are planted in the ground to a depth of approximately 5 mm. The container with the planted seeds should be in a bright place at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. To maintain a constant level of humidity, the container is placed with plastic bag, and exclude straight lines sun rays. After planting, you need to be patient, as the seeds of Ficus Benjamina germinate after three months. After several leaves appear on the young shoots, the plants are picked into separate pots.

Location and lighting

Ficus Benjamina is a light-loving plant, which must be taken into account when choosing its location. If the plant is located on a south-facing window sill, then in this case the window must be slightly shaded from the sun, which can cause burns to the foliage. It’s even better to place the plant in the back of the room. Windows on the east and west sides are optimal for ficus. On the north side, especially in winter, when daylight hours are short, Benjamin's ficus needs additional lighting. Conventional light bulbs are not suitable for this, as they get very hot and dry out the air. You must use fluorescent lamps. When choosing a place of “registration” for ficus Benjamin, you must remember that he is sensitive to a change in place of “residence”. In summer, if there is a place protected from drafts and precipitation, the plant can be placed on a balcony or terrace.

Pot size

The pot for Ficus Benjamin must be changed during annual replanting, when the plant is actively growing and its root system is developing. This period lasts about four years, after which the pot remains the same size. The change in the size of the pot during transplantation in quantitative terms increases by 2 - 3 cm without fail. Pots should have drainage holes. There are no special requirements for the material of the pot; it can be ceramic or plastic, the main thing is that it matches the size of the plant and fits harmoniously into the interior.

The soil

Soil for Ficus Benjamin is sold in specialized stores. You can prepare the soil for planting the plant yourself. The acidity of the soil for ficuses is neutral or slightly acidic. Depending on the age of the plant, the mixture will vary slightly. For young plants, the soil is made up of equal parts of peat, leaf soil and sand. For adult plants, the soil is more dense and consists of leaf and turf soil, with the addition of sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5.

Transfer

Ficus Benjamin is transplanted in several cases:

when replanting young plants annually, when the pot needs to be replaced;
in case of reproduction;
when soil is depleted and drainage is replaced.

Usually transplantation is carried out in spring time. In order for the ficus to undergo replanting painlessly, without damaging the root system, the plant transshipment method is used. In this case, the old earthen ball is not destroyed, the roots remain intact, and the gaps formed in the pot are filled with fresh soil. After transplantation, the first watering of the plants is carried out only on the third day. If the room is very hot, dry and there is no way to ventilate without harming the plant, you can spray the plant. If the ficus was purchased in a store, then best time There will be a period for replanting after three to four weeks after purchase.

Fertilizers and fertilizing

When growing ficus benjamina, you cannot do without feeding and fertilizers. Fertilizer is produced from April to September, usually twice a week, alternating complex mineral and organic fertilizers. During the period when the plant's foliage is actively growing, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are recommended. Fertilizer dissolves in water and is applied along with irrigation. As organic feeding use mullein solution in a ratio of 1:10. In winter, Ficus Benjamin enters a dormant period, during which the plant does not need fertilizer.

Watering

There are no special regulations for watering Ficus Benjamin. It is produced as the soil dries, which can be determined simply by feeling it with your hand. Ficus tolerates overwatering quite hard, so it is better to underwater the plant, since the plant tolerates drying out more easily than overwatering. But it’s still better not to bring the plant to extreme states. To prevent the plant from overwatering, it is usually watered in several approaches, especially if the root ball is too dense and does not absorb moisture well. Excess water, if any, must be poured out of the pan. In winter, the plant is watered less frequently. Water for irrigation should sit for several days, or it should be boiled, cooled and only then watered the plant.

Temperature

Ficus benjamina is a rather unpretentious plant in terms of temperature maintenance. In the spring and summer months, the temperature for normal growth and development of the plant should be between 20 and 25 degrees. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that the plant does not tolerate drafts and associated temperature changes. In winter, when the plant has a dormant period, temperatures within 16-18 degrees are enough for it. If the plant is cold, you will notice this by yellowing leaves, which will begin to fall off over time. You should not be alarmed when, with the onset of the dormant period, the plant begins to shed its leaves. It is normal for ficus to lose 10-15% of its foliage in winter.

Humidity

Ficus benjamina - moisture-loving plant. The comfortable level of air humidity for it is 70%. In the summer months, ficus requires regular spraying of the leaves, and the plant should be sprayed with boiled water. room temperature. Once every two weeks the plant can be given warm shower, also from boiled water, installing the ficus in the bathroom. In winter, when heating devices are operating, the humidity level is maintained using humidifiers or using a container of water in the immediate vicinity of the ficus.

Trimming

Ficus benjamina is pruned in late spring or early summer, when the plant has its fastest growth rate. The attractiveness of this flower is that with the help of pruning it can be given different shapes. The most popular are the crowns of the plant in the form of a ball, a neat bush, in the Japanese bonsai style and in the form of various sculptures. There are a number of rules that should be followed when pruning Ficus Benjamin: the cut is made only with a sterilized tool at an angle to the top edge, you must not damage the bark, twist or tear off the leaves, and you must also try to maintain the natural appearance of the plant and do not rush to cut branches that can be saved. Ficus benjamina with intertwined trunks looks very attractive. This can be achieved by planting two or more young plants of equal height in one pot. It is easy to braid young ficus trees, after first removing branches and foliage in places where they are intertwined. The coils of the plexuses are fixed with electrical tape.

Pests and diseases

Common diseases of Ficus Benjamin are: botrytis - plaque white on the foliage due to overwatering of the plant, cercospora - black spots on the underside of the leaf and anthracnose - drying of the edges of the leaf and appearance on them brown spots. To treat the plant, severely affected parts are removed, the plant itself is transferred to another place and proper care is provided, namely - proper watering and lighting, maintaining humidity and temperature conditions.

Of the pests, Ficus Benjamina is most often affected by spider mites, aphids, scale insects and mealybugs.

A plant infected with a spider mite will die if immediate treatment is not taken. The fact is that this insect, sucking juice from leaves and other soft tissues, lays eggs within one to two weeks and multiplies exponentially. Preventive measure against the appearance of spider mites is steaming the drainage and soil, as well as regular spraying of the plant. If the spider mite has already appeared, then they fight it both with traditional methods and with the help of chemicals.

TO traditional methods include washing the entire plant and pot with a soapy solution, which leads to a decrease in the mite population, and then water the plant generously, spray the leaves and cover it with a plastic bag. The point is that this is how it is created high humidity, from which the spider mite dies.

An alternative treatment method is to spray the plant with chemicals such as Aktara. If the leaves of a plant are severely deformed, begin to curl and dry out, then this indicates that the plant is affected by a pest such as aphids, which reproduce no less rapidly than spider mites. It is necessary to fight aphids by spraying plants with tobacco, onion or garlic tincture, as well as tinctures of pepper, celandine and others. The plant can also be treated with insecticides and other chemicals.

If brown plaques are found on the stems of a plant, which are nothing more than scale insects, the plant must be urgently isolated from other indoor plants. You can fight scale insects quite effectively by wiping the affected areas of the plant with a soap-alcohol solution after you have removed all the insects from the plant with a damp cloth or toothbrush. Alcohol can be replaced with machine oil. This procedure It is recommended to carry out weekly until the pests are completely destroyed. Another method of combating scale insects is to wipe the affected areas with tinctures based on garlic, celandine or hot pepper. Among chemical agents, the most effective are drugs such as Fitoverm or Akarin.

To combat mealybugs, you should prepare a soap-alcohol solution and spray the plant with it. The next day, the ficus is washed with warm water, and after another 3 days the procedure is repeated again. Rub the affected leaves with garlic tincture. Chemicals such as phosphamide, actellik and others, they treat the leaves of the plant, absorbing the juice of which, the insects are poisoned and die. At chemical methods When processing plants, you should never forget about personal safety when using protective equipment.

Bloom

At home, unlike wildlife, ficus benjamina practically does not bloom. And there are no flowers as such, but there are inflorescences in the form of peas or berries with small holes for pollination by insects that live in a tropical climate.

Reproduction

Ficus benjamina can be propagated in two ways: cuttings and leaf propagation. The most common method is the cutting method. For cuttings, cut off a strong and healthy shoot. Make the cut with a sharp sterilized scalpel or blade. The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings. You can root the cuttings both in water and in soil. To root a cutting in water, place the cutting in about 1 cm of water and regularly, adding water to replace the evaporated water, wait for the roots to sprout. When the cutting takes root, it is clearly visible through the glass; it is planted in a separate pot in the soil for young ficuses. When rooting cuttings in the ground, the cut of the cutting is washed in warm water and planted from the ground. The container with the planted cuttings is placed in a plastic bag or covered with glass. This is how the greenhouse conditions necessary for rooting the cuttings in the ground are organized. After new leaves appear, indicating successful rooting, the plants are planted in separate pots.

Leaves are cut for propagation bottom sheet plants and place it in a container of water. The leaf should be cut with a small part of the stem. After new roots appear, the leaf is planted in the ground. You can immediately plant the cut leaf in the ground, but to root it you will have to create greenhouse conditions by placing the container in a bag or under a glass flask.

Plant toxicity/beneficial properties

The beneficial properties of ficus benjamina include its ability to purify the air, but the milky juice of this ficus can cause allergies.

Ficus is not a very fastidious plant. But the growth rate of the flower and the density of the crown are directly related to the characteristics of the pot in which it lives. Therefore, when purchasing a container for growing a tree, it is necessary to take into account certain nuances.

Standard flowerpots are more suitable for young plants. And adults are better grown in large tubs with a volume of 10-15 liters or more.

When choosing a container, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:

container sizes;
shape;
coloring;
material;
the number of plants that will be planted there.

Attention! There must be drainage holes at the bottom of the pots, and a “spout” on the tray to drain excess moisture.

In fact, a flowerpot for a tree is not only its habitat. It is also a tool for shaping its trunk and crown. Therefore, you should approach the choice of container for growing a flower responsibly.

How to choose the right form?

The most ordinary flowerpot will suit the plant. The presence of special refinements in its design is not necessary. The ideal option is to plant it in a pot of the correct shape. Its width and height will be approximately the same. This form is suitable for any variety of ficus.

But if you want something special, you need to consider the following nuances:

Better to avoid round shape. In the process of transplanting a flower into such a pot, there is a risk of injuring its root system. Then the flower will be very sick.
In a pot that is too elongated, the volume of soil will be much higher than normal. This can lead to a slowdown in tree growth. It will begin to devote its energies to growing roots, and only then will it continue to grow in height.
A flat container is more suitable for growing bonsai. It will be shaped more like a bowl than a flowerpot.

Important! Fans of elongated shapes can use a little cheating to create a stylish element in the interior. It is enough to purchase an elongated pot with a false bottom, where it will be at a higher level.

Material

Not all containers are considered safe for plants and humans. To make flowerpots, toxic raw materials are often used to reduce their cost. Then plastic of dubious quality stands out harmful substances upon contact with soil, water or fertilizer.

In this case, the flower may become sick or wither. Then it can only be saved by transplanting it into another container. Therefore, it is better to choose natural materials.

These include:

tree;
ceramics;
glass;
clay.

Peculiarity! Wooden planters are usually used for larger trees, while clay planters are used for bonsai. Ceramic products look beautiful and are highly durable. But such pots are not cheap. That's why best option- glass container.

If you can purchase plastic flowerpots from a trusted manufacturer, you can plant them in them. But at the slightest negative changes that are not associated with the disease or improper care, the pot will have to be changed.

What size do you need: large or small?

After purchasing a flower, you need to evaluate whether the container in which it is located can be considered suitable. There must be some free space in the pot. To prevent the root system from being crowded, the ficus needs to be transplanted into a new pot 3-4 weeks after purchase.

When choosing the size of the flowerpot, you need to pay attention to the following points:

Keep in mind the “two centimeters” rule. That is, leave 2 cm of free space for the development of the root system. The new pot should be exactly that much larger than the previous one.
If a small plant is placed in a container that is too large, all efforts will be spent on strengthening the root system. First, the roots will grow to the size of the pot, and only then will the above-ground part of the tree begin to grow. This also increases the risk of root rotting as a result of waterlogging.
If there is not enough space for the roots, they will grow through the drainage holes. And if the tree’s crown further increases, the container may tip over under the weight of the tree. Therefore, a pot that is too small is also not suitable.

Attention! Different varieties of ficus will have different growth rates. For rubber-bearing varieties, pots are changed every year, and for other types - once every 2-3 years.

What color is best for the plant?

When selecting color range pot, you need to pay attention to the following features:

white or beige will fit into any stylistic direction interior;
pastel colors are more suitable for the bedroom;
bright colors look good in the kitchen or living room;
green color will have a calming effect and relieve stress.

The color of the flowerpot does not have any effect on the development of the flower itself. The exception is containers dark shades. If the plant is located on the south side, then a black or bright blue pot will attract even more light. Then the tree may suffer from its excess - get sunburn.

Which one should it grow in?

Some experts believe that the shape of the flowerpot should be harmoniously combined with the outlines of the tree itself. Then the flower will easily fit into any interior.

And according to their appearance, ficus trees are conventionally divided into several groups:

Male trees. They are distinguished by a powerful trunk, strong and mature bark. They often have corner branches. Such plants look better in a square or rectangular pot, where the corners are clearly defined.
Women's. They look more sophisticated. They have a bark that is smooth to the touch, and the shoots always have a smooth bending line. For such specimens, oval or rounded pots are more suitable.
Mixed type. It has characteristics of both male and female plants. It is considered universal - looks good in any container.

This classification is focused purely on the owner’s opinion and how he sees his ficus. In fact, the plant will do well in any pot except a round one.

Which potty do you like?

When growing ficus plants in the traditional way, you should pay more attention to the size of the container and its shape. And if you form a bonsai from a plant, then completely different requirements will be placed on the flowerpot:

It is necessary to take into account the appearance of the tree and the specifics of its growth.
A flat shape, close to a tray or plate, is preferable.
The height of the sides should be no more than 10 cm. This is quite enough for the normal development of the root system.
The width of the container will depend on the size of the crown. As the leaves grow, the width of the pot should increase.
The underground part of the roots occupies a smaller area than the aboveground part. Therefore, it is advisable to use flowerpots made of breathable materials. These include wood and unglazed clay.

Ficus feels most comfortable in a clay pot. And from an aesthetic point of view, this option is more attractive.

Is it possible to plant several flowers in one container?

Ficus trees are often used in the interior design process. If you plant 2-3 shoots in one flowerpot, you can form a beautiful composition from them. But to do this, you need to understand how to properly weave together several trunks.

Interesting! Young stems of the plant are characterized by increased flexibility. This allows you to carry out various manipulations with them. Adult specimens are not suitable for this.

When planting several trees in one pot, the following recommendations must be followed:

Choose indoor crops same height– within 15-17 cm.
If the trunk is woody by more than half, such a plant is no longer suitable for creating a composition. It may break during the weaving process.
If there are only two plants, they can be braided in a spiral shape.
In the case of using dwarf varieties, it is enough to twist the trunk once. For other trees, you can continue to twist their stems as they grow.
Volumetric or tall flowers require additional support during the weaving period. Then the tree will be protected from distortions and falls. After the process is completed, the frame can be removed.
It is advisable to secure the contact points of the shoots with wire or strong threads. Then they are guaranteed to grow together into the required shape.

The most common type of weaving is the braid. It is also one of the simplest and even a beginner can do it. And more experienced gardeners They may try weaving the plants into a trellis or hedge.