Small-leaved varieties of ficus are popular due to unpretentiousness and beautiful appearance.
The fine-leaved ficus with the correct formation of the crown forms a lush green cap that adorns the interior of both the apartment and the office.
Plant description
In the world there are about a thousand species of ficus. Small-leaved called varieties with a leaf length of not more than four centimeters.
The birthplace of ficus is the country of Central and South Asia, in nature it grows into an impressive tree with a spreading crown.
In room conditions the ficus can reach a height of two meters.
Home care
In general, the ficus is unpretentious, not without reason it is jokingly called the "flower of an office worker" - it grows well on both the sunny and the shady side, besides, quite satisfied with watering 1-2 times a week.
As a rule, small rubber plants grown from cuttings are sold in small pots, and the flower will need to be transplanted in a month.
Do not immediately plant it in a large pot - the root system will begin to grow in thin roots in breadth instead of forming a strong deep rhizome.
IMPORTANT: Do not forget to water the flower abundantly after transplanting.
//youtu.be/z6d6-r5HqzE
A photo
In the photo ficus "Small-leaved":
Watering
As a plant native to countries with a tropical climate, the ficus loves moisture. Recommended watering frequency 2-3 times a week in winter, reduce the number of waterings to once a week.
It is possible to provide the plant with sufficient moisture by watering it once a week with warm water from the shower - rubber plants are very fond of such water procedures.
In order for the flower to retain its attractive appearance, you should regularly wipe the foliage with a damp cloth.
Bloom
In room conditions the ficus does not bloomhowever, in the greenhouses it forms white flowers resembling peas. They are called "syconia".
Crown formation
Pruning shoots need ficus spring.
To stimulate branching, pruned buds at the ends of the shoots,
otherwise, the ficus will grow upward to a greater extent and risk becoming a lanky thin bush.
Lateral buds on young branches awaken more readily than on old ones.
ATTENTION: When cutting adult woody shoots, it is necessary to make a beveled cut.The first pruning of a young ficus is usually done when it reaches its height. 10-15 centimeters.
Priming
The land should be moisture and friable.
Ideally, it is better to independently prepare the substrate by mixing leaf humus, peat, sand and compost in equal parts.
But in the usual universal land ficuses will feel great.
Planting and transplanting
When planting, pay attention to the size of the pot: it should not be too large, the roots of ficus like cramped.
At the bottom of the pot filled with expanded clay (about 1-2 centimeters)then land.
When transplanting plants do not forget to fill the ground above. The transplanted plant is abundantly water.
REFERENCE: Feed the plant can only be a month after transplantation.
- Signs of the need for a ficus transplant:
- From the holes in the bottom of the pot peep roots.
- Land in a pot dries out too quickly after watering.
Useful video on transplanting ficus "Benjamin fine-leaved":
Breeding
The most common way to propagate ficus - grafting
In the spring cut off the top shoot with a few leaves and put it in a jar of distilled water.
IMPORTANT: Water needs to be changed regularly.
When the cuttings give the roots, transplant them into the pot.
A young plant needs frequent watering, you can cover it with polyethylene to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture from the leaves.
You can try to grow a ficus from seed, but the chances of sprouting seeds at home are very small.
Seeds should be treated with a biostimulant (for example, "Epinom"), poured onto moist soil and cover the pot with polyethylene.
The temperature in the room should be 25-30 degrees.
When sprouts appear, move the pot to the sunny window.
Video on breeding ficus "Small-leaved":
Temperature conditions
The ideal temperature for ficus is from 25 to 30 degrees.
ATTENTION: Ficuses react badly to drafts, do not keep them under the air conditioner or on a blown window.
Benefit and harm
According to folk signs, the ficus helps women get pregnant.
He also clears the house of negative energies, and the owners relieve from unnecessary experiences.
However, people who are allergic to the milky sap of plants are not allowed to grow ficus plants.
Scientific name
There are several fine-leaved varieties of ficus - Ficus Natasja ("Natasha"), Ficus Nina ("Nina"), Ficus Wiandi ("Weandi"), Ficus Safari ("Safari"), Ficus Barok ("Baroque"), Ficus Nicole (" Nicole "), Ficus Twilight (" Twilight "), Ficus Kinky (" Kinki ").
Diseases and pests
Ficus can get sick due to improper care: leaves may turn black, yellow, dry and crumble.
Pest damage leads to similar consequences - they feed on plant sap, and damaged leaves dry out and fall off.
Why showered "small-leaf ficus"?
There are three reasons: the natural discharge of leaves, improper care, and the defeat of pests.
If the ficus "Small-leaved" drops the leaves in the autumn-winter period, there is no need to worry - this is caused by the entry of the plant into a dormant period.
Improper care can lead to leaf fall, if you poured ficus or overdo it with fertilizer.
In both cases, transplanting and cutting off damaged roots will save.
You can get rid of insects such as aphid, scab, and spider mites by wiping the leaves and stalks with a rag dipped in soapy water and watering the ficus with an insecticide (for example, Aktaroy).
Why do the leaves of the “Ficus small-leaved” turn yellow?
This problem occurs when there is a lack of nutrients, due to too dry air in the room or insufficient watering.
In the first case, it is recommended to water the ficus with fertilizer.
IMPORTANT: Ficus is fed in the spring and summer every two weeks.
In the second case, if possible, rearrange the flower away from the battery and spray it with a spray bottle every day.
Video about the causes of leaf fall in ficus "Small-leaved":
So, ficuses - simple to care, resistant and unpretentious plants.
They will surely delight you with their fresh look and lush foliage.