Ficus is considered one of the most common plants among flower lovers,
as it is distinguished by simplicity and excellent
suitable for decorative gardening not only apartments,
but also botanical gardens.
The origin of the plant
Ficus elastica (rubber, black ficus, elastic, black prince) belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae) and actively grows in natural conditions in the north-east of India, in the southern part of Indonesia, West Africa and Nepal.
Also, the plant stuck in the tropical forests of Burma and Sri Lanka, and in Europe it became popular in the early 19th century.
Wet and warm climate allows elastic ficus to grow in length up to 40 metersthat promotes the use of wood on an industrial scale in order to obtain natural rubber.
- fleshy large leaves (15-25 cm - length, 7-20 cm - width)located on the stem in a certain order;
- dark green color of the glossy surface of leaves and stalks with a reddish tint;
- the presence of a pronounced red streak in the center of the sheet;
- powerful and extensive root system;
- air root system;
- the selection of the milky juice on the slice.
The external characteristics of the plant include:The height of the ficus elastic depends on the conditions in which it is contained.
If the ceilings in the room are high, then it can not only stretch out as much as possible, but also start branching.
Care after purchase
Ficus "Black Prince": care at home
When buying a plant, it is necessary to accurately determine the variety, since most suppliers often include other varieties.
At home, the tree loses its natural ability to actively branch, but with proper care it can survive over 40 years.
Watering
Watering is carried out with distilled water as the half of the upper layer of the substrate dries.
Attention! Excessive moistening can lead to rotting of the roots and further destruction of the ficus elastic.
Bloom
In the room of any type of plant, as a rule, almost never blooms.
In exceptional cases, the ficus may please you with round fruits of yellow-green color, reaching in diameter of 1 cm.
Crown formation
- Formation of the crown of an already adult tree can occur in three ways:
- Pruning, which involves the removal of not only the upper shoots, but also nearby internodes (3-5 pieces).
- Fixation of the trunk in a bent position, which will contribute to the replacement of the side of the kidney to the dominant.
- Puncture sterilized thick needle of a tree trunk by 1/3 its thickness in order to stimulate the emergence of new shoots.
Planting and transplanting
Before planting or transplanting ficus elastic, it is necessary to prepare the soil with equal proportions of turf, peat and leafy soil, coarse sand, and compost.
You can also buy specialized soil in any flower shop.
Important! If you put the plant in a substrate with a high level of acidity, it will die.Alkaline balance should be from 5 to 7 pH.
Transplantation is carried out in the spring.
For this procedure, you should choose the size of the pot, which should be by 2-6 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.
A photo
In the photo ficus "Black Prince":
Breeding
- Ficus elastic reproduction involves the following actions:
- Cutting cuttings (9-15 cm) with the presence on the stem of 1-2 healthy leaves.
Do not forget to take precautions in the process and protect the skin of the hands as much as possible, since the poisonous plant juice produced can be dangerous.
- Rinse with clean water at the incision site and dust with a root stimulator.
- Rooting cuttings in vermiculite or water with the addition of activated carbon and temperature + 22-25 degrees.
You can also plant a young sprout in sphagnum, which is mixed with sand and impregnated with water.
- Careful control of temperature and proper lighting.
Sometimes the plant is propagated by air layering.
To do this, cut the trunk and insert a small wooden stick into the hole, then wrap it with wet moss and with polyethylene on top.
In a few weeks you will see new roots, that is, the formation of another escape, which must be cut and transplanted.
Benefit and harm
The main advantage of the ficus elastic is the unique function of leaves to clean the polluted air from harmful impurities and gases.
The tree is able to stabilize the microclimate of any room and remove vapors of benzene, trichlorethylene, and also phenol, which are harmful to humans.
At home, tincture of plant juice is used in the fight against colds and malignant tumors.
By the healing properties of ficus elastic is not inferior to Kalanchoe, as evidenced by numerous recipes of traditional medicine.
In the Ayurvedic tradition, it is recommended to keep the tree in the house to childless women and married couples, as it improves the energy shell of the space.
The only harm that can cause ficus elastic is the appearance of a burn from contact with the milky juice.
Diseases and pests
Among the main pests of the plant, the most common are the spider mite, the scab, and thrips.
Timely treatment with insecticides will get rid of insects and preserve the vegetative system for further growth.
- Diseases of ficus elastic can be identified by the following features:
- intense and regular dropping of the lower leaves, which leads to the full exposure of the trunk;
- lowered, sluggish and pale leaves with brown spots that appear;
- the appearance on the back of the leaves of round white woolly spots;
- unpleasant smell of rot from the roots.
Important! Regular prevention will prolong the life of the tree and protect against disease.
Fresh air, the original attribute of the interior, an attractive appearance - all this can give you a ficus elastic.
Proper care and an integrated approach will allow you to enjoy the plant for many years.
