Mulberry family. It is one of the most common houseplants.
In nature, ficuses are trees and shrubs, grow in dense forests in rains, winds and the sun, and are very hardy. But at home, ficuses are much more gentle - they do not tolerate drafts, waterlogging of the soil and direct bright sun. Ficuses of variegated varieties are more photophilous, they require shading only at the hottest time of the day, from about 11 to 15 hours.
In winter, ficuses tolerate room temperature well, but need good lighting, so if plant pots do not fit on the windowsill and are rearranged in the room, you need to arrange lighting using fluorescent or LED lamps. And variegated forms, such as Ficus Benjamin, can stand on the southern windowsill all winter. With a lack of lighting in winter, weak shoots form, internodes lengthen, there are few leaves, branches reach for the light and the crown looks lopsided.
Ficuses breed in cuttings. From the escape you can get as many cuttings as there are leaves on it. The propagation stalk should consist of one leaf with an intact eye and half of the lower internode without an eye. After cutting the handle, it is lowered into warm water to stop the release of milky juice. For better rooting, a cut or split is made at the bottom (the cut with hard wood is cruciform, the cut with soft wood has one incision). It is better to root cuttings with soil heating and cover the cuttings with a plastic bag.
For all ficuses, such a soil mixture is best suited - 2 parts of leaf, 1 part of peat land and 1 part of humus. Ficuses do not like to be planted in dishes significantly larger than their root system, so they are transplanted when the roots are supposed to fill the entire pot or tub. At the same time, ficuses grow quite quickly, therefore, the soil should be nutritious during transplantation, in addition, fertilizing fertilizers are carried out in spring and summer (they respond well to fertilizing with organic fertilizers, rotted cow dung or Ispolin fertilizer is well suited for this). Ficuses can also be fed with fertilizers such as "Rainbow" and "Palm." Old specimens of large ficuses are transplanted very rarely - after 5-6 years. But every year you need to replace the top layer of the earth with a new one. The top layer of the earth should also be replaced if a white crust appears on it - a salt deposit.
Types of ficus
The first place of honor among various types of ficus is occupied by Ficus rubberiferous or Ficus elastica. Also very popular are Ficus Benjamin, Ficus lyre, Ficus Bengal, Ficus dwarf, etc. The secret of such popularity is the unpretentiousness of ficuses in general and the individual beauty of each species:
- ficus elastica - a large monumental plant, very shade tolerant;
- ficus benjamin in shape - a miniature tree, easily formed by pruning, splicing trunks, its branches easily bend and take any forum;
- ficus lyre - a proud solitary plant with shiny leathery leaves;
- ficus Ali (binnendika) - with its appearance resembles a willow tree, never overgrown and also branch well;
- dwarf ficus is an excellent ground cover or ampel plant.
Ficus rubbery Ficus elastica
It has several varieties, differing in the shape and color of the leaves. Varieties with yellow spots and stripes on the leaves are especially spectacular. Some varieties branch well, have a rather compact shape, others are reluctant to form lateral shoots and tend to grow upward.
At home, ficus rubbery is undemanding to air humidity and tolerant of lack of light. We advise you to pay special attention to proper watering and care for growing shoots, which can reach several meters and curl bizarrely. It is necessary to form the crown in a timely manner, tying the stems or periodically pruning them and rooting them.
Ficus rubber care
Ficus elastica is not demanding in care, it is important to choose the right place, especially for large specimens - so that it is light and does not fry from batteries; do not water excessively and periodically wipe the leaves from dust.
Temperature
Preferably moderate, not lower than 18 C. They like to "keep their feet warm" - do not put a pot of ficus on a cold windowsill, marble or tile floor, etc. In a room with a temperature above moderate, the leaves begin to hang down.
Lighting
All varieties of ficus elastica prefer a bright place, with protection from direct sunlight during midday hours. Variegated forms need a lighter and warmer place than forms with dark leaves.
Watering
Ficus rubber watering loves moderate, does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. Water at room temperature, better standing. Fertilizer dressing from March to August in two weeks.
Ficus benjamina
Small-leaved compact tree with a dense crown. The branches of Ficus Benjamin in old plants, 8-10 years old, droop, and give the tree a special attractiveness. At home, it grows to 1.5-2 m in height.
Caring for ficus benjamin
Temperature
Moderate, optimal in the range of 20-25 ° C, in winter, the content is possible at lower temperatures of about 16-18 ° C, with irrigation limitation, the limit is 10 ° C at dry content.
Lighting
Ficus benjamin loves light, especially variegated varieties, but with protection from direct sunlight in the afternoon. In spring and summer, the east window is suitable, where the sun is in the morning or in the evening. But in central Russia for the period from September to January, the southern or southwestern window is ideal for him. With a lack of light in winter, ficus can fall.
Watering
Ficus benjamin has moisture-storing thickenings on the roots, so it does not tolerate waterlogging, it must be dried well before the next irrigation. If the roots of ficus after watering dry for a very long time, decay may begin: the plant simultaneously throws off a large number of leaves, some lose their color, turn yellow, others fly around still green.
Ficus Ali (binnendika) Ficus binnendijkii 'Alii'
Ali is the most popular variety of ficus binnendika, Ficus binnendijkii, which is also found under the name "ficus oriole." The leaves of this ficus do resemble willow leaves in shape, but this is a folk name, not a botanical one.
With good care, ficus Ali at home reaches 1.5 m in height and about 70-80 cm in diameter. Do not put this ficus on the floor: firstly, it is dark, the lower part of the trunk will begin to bare, and secondly, it is always colder on the floor, the ground in the pot dries longer and the roots can rot if watered too abundantly.
Caring for Ali's ficus
Temperature
Moderate, optimal in the range of 20-25 ° C, in winter, the content is possible at lower temperatures of about 16-18 ° C, with irrigation limitation, the limit is 13 ° C at dry content. With sharp changes in temperature, it can shed leaves.
Lighting
Bright diffused light, light partial shade. With an acute lack of light, the shoots are pulled out, the leaves thin out. From direct sunlight in the hot midday can get burns. Ficus Ali with green leaves is more shade-tolerant than many other ficus species. But variegated varieties like 'Amstel Gold' need more intense lighting, with some sunshine in the morning or evening.
Watering
In summer, ficus is watered moderately, the upper soil layer should dry well to a depth of about 1/2 of the height of the pot. In winter, with a decrease in light and temperature, watering is limited, allowing the ground to dry out almost completely.
Ficus lyreid Ficus lirata
Ficus lyre-shaped Ficus lirata - distinguished by its large leaves, similar in shape to an inverted violin. Its leaves reach a length of 50-60 cm. He loves loneliness, you should not put it close to other plants.
This ficus is not often found in flower shops, but it is wonderful - leathery leaves directed upwards have an interesting shape. Ficus itself grows slowly, with good care it does not bare from below. A real decoration of a spacious office or hall. Ficus lyre at home does not branch well, often grows in one trunk, at the age of 4-5 years it can give lateral shoots.
Care for ficus lyre
Temperature
In summer, the usual room, does not like strong heat, in winter it is optimal 18-20 ° C, the limit is 12 ° C. Does not like soil cooling after watering!
Lighting
Bright place, with protection from direct sunlight in spring and summer from 11 to 16 hours.
Watering
Moderate, the soil should have time to dry out by the next watering. Room temperature water, well maintained. Fertilizer dressing from April to August in two weeks.
Ficus pygmy Ficus pumila
Fast-growing, small-leaved ficus, completely unlike all other types of ficus. You can grow it as an ampel plant, you can tie it to a support to stretch up.
The main care for ficus is to tie the support, timely transplantation and watering, fertilizing fertilizers. Ficus responds well to hot showers as tick prophylaxis.
Ficus pumila care
Temperature
Moderate, optimal in the range of 20-25 ° C, in winter, the content is possible at lower temperatures of about 12-14 ° C, with irrigation limitation, the limit is 8 ° C at dry content. Although in natural conditions, the tiny ficus can withstand lower temperatures, and even small frosts, when growing at home, you should not take such risks - protect the plants from draft.
Lighting
Ficus pumila grows well in bright diffused light with some sunlight. The east and west window is suitable, shading is required only at noon. It also grows well under artificial light. Variegated ficus is more photophilous. If ficus lacks light, it can grow new shoots without leaves.
Watering
Quite plentiful in summer, this is a rare ficus that does not tolerate complete drying of the earth, it should always be slightly moist, but from above it should have time to dry to the next watering by about a quarter of the height of the pot. In winter, ficus is watered less often, with drying the earth at half the height of the pot.
