This plant is relatively young in indoor floriculture. In appearance, it resembles a miniature copy of the ficus of Benjamin. They have the same color of leaves with a slight difference in size. Indoor culture is called dwarf ficus (or Pumila ficus), which is an interesting undersized plant with a creeping stalk and with small, slightly rounded leaves.
Growth in nature
As the name implies, this species is the smallest among the ficuses.
Under natural conditions in his homeland (in Japan, China and Vietnam) dwarf ficus (photo below) can grow well on the bark of trees, as well as simply on the surface of the soil, densely covering it. Its vegetative development occurs in the same way as a periwinkle plant. A similarity with the latter lies in the fact that the ficus also grows at high speed and is capable of covering a fairly decent area of the earth’s surface in a short time.
Plant description
Dwarf ficus Pumila is a fairly compact plant, providing ample opportunities for its use. It can be grown as a patron (covering not very attractive sites) and as an independent culture.
Indoor variety of this plant is known since the beginning of the XVIII century. She fell in love with flower growers for their unpretentiousness in care and conditions of detention. This is a fast-growing, small-leaved ficus, although its green plates are not so tiny. In a developed adult plant, their length can reach 5-8 centimeters, which is comparable to the leaves of a taller Benjamin ficus.
The leaves are wrinkled, rough, with a mesh pattern in which the shape of the hearts is slightly distinguishable. They are located on branches in two rows. It should be noted that in nature, the cumila blooms beautifully, but at home this is almost impossible to achieve. This is due to the fact that dwarf ficus has two types of branches: fetal adults with leaflets up to 10 centimeters long; and barren with small leaf plates. On adult shoots, inflorescences-siconia ripen (shaped like a small pear), up to 5 cm in size. They change color from green to orange as they grow. At home cultivation, adult shoots of this ficus do not form, therefore, they do not have inflorescences.
This species in room culture is mainly grown as an ampelous plant. The following varieties are especially popular: Sunny, White Sunny and Dort.
Care
Dwarf ficus grows perfectly at home. This is a very unpretentious plant. It withstands considerable temperature differences, and thanks to a rather slow growth (in contrast to the natural variety), it can maintain its excellent shape without formation for a long time. It should be noted that in the cold season, the development of ficus is almost stopped.
The plant does not particularly need illumination. Watering should be after complete drying of the upper part of the substrate, which should be loose and breathable.
Due to the fact that dwarf ficus has a superficial root system, the pot should not be very deep. This plant perfectly develops in small, wide containers, and with all this, there is no need for a regular transplant. You can simply renew the top layer of the substrate annually, especially in fairly mature plants. Only young ficuses, in connection with their growth, should be transplanted annually into larger containers.
Lighting and temperature
Besides the fact that the dwarf form of the ficus is compact, it also grows well in conditions of lack of lighting. The flower can be grown in the north side of the room, but, nevertheless, the eastern and western windows will be the best for it. A feature of dwarf ficus is its preference for scattered light.
In the case of a lack of lighting, especially for variegated varieties, immediately elongation of shoots and shredding of leaves will be noticeable. Along with this, the pattern will become thinner, or even completely disappear.
The most comfortable temperature for ficus is: about 20-25 degrees in the summer, 10-12 degrees in the winter. Under natural conditions, the plant can easily tolerate temperatures below 8 degrees, and even light frosts.
Watering and spraying
Negative dwarf ficus refers to over-dried soil, and to its excess waterlogging. The frequency and frequency of irrigation depends to a greater extent on the time of year, the volume and composition of the earth, and air temperature. In the warm season (growing season) the soil in the tank should always be slightly moist. In winter, you need to let the top layer of the earth dry slightly. Do not pour cold water from a tap. It should be settled and warm. Excess water must be drained from the pan.
The same conditions for water must be observed when spraying the plant. And best of all, this should be done with warm boiled water. With increased dryness of the atmosphere in the house, the plant should be sprayed more often.
Fertilizer
The dwarf ficus is not capricious in terms of top dressing. Leaving consists in applying fertilizers only in the spring-summer period (twice a month). Since ficus is a decorative foliage plant, for the good development of its green mass, it is necessary to use fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.
Nevertheless, it is important to remember that this event should be treated with care. An overdose can cause the plant to drop leaves. It is enough to make ready-made liquid fertilizer intended for decorative crops during the growing season. In autumn and winter, you can also make top dressing in the form of solutions of low concentration, and no more than once a month.
Problems
One of the mistakes of beginner gardeners is the overexposure of dwarf ficus in the sun. This may be one of the causes of shedding of leaves, and possibly death of the plant. Growing ficus in the open air, without special shelters from direct sunlight, can cause burns.
Heavy roots and excessive watering can cause root decay. This problem can be dealt with with a light, nutritious substrate and good drainage.
If the leaves of the ficus begin to turn yellow, it means that either the acidification of the earth or its depletion occurs. Sometimes rotting of the plant is observed.
Sometimes a ficus can be attacked by a mealybug and spider mite. This is due to dry air. You can keep the plant strong and healthy while observing cleanliness, with regular spraying and removal of diseased and sluggish shoots.
Breeding
Reproduction of this flower is not something complicated, as is compliance with the rules of care. At home, dwarf ficus can be bred by layering or cuttings. The first option can be used in spring and summer. To do this, the strongest shoots in several places are pinned to the ground for their rooting. After that, the mother is cut off, and the young seedling is left so that he regains strength. If there are sufficiently long shoots, rooting can be done in a separate container. But the mother plant will look unattractive in this case until layering is accepted and removed. Reproduction in this way can be done during the spring-summer season.
When rooting in the second way, the cuttings are planted in perlite or placed in water to form roots.
Ficus bonsai style
The popular ficus Benjamin has a dwarf variety called "Natasha." In nature, it reaches a height of 10 meters, and in indoor conditions, these values reach only 40-50 cm. Its homeland is the islands of Ceylon and Java.
Due to the not thick and flexible trunk, the tree is convenient for forming. It can be tilted, bent and twisted. Leaves with pointed tips bent down (sizes up to 3 cm) have a glossy surface. Coloring is both light and dark green. The branching trunk of the plant has a lush crown.
Variety ficus Benjamin "Natasha" is widely used in the creation of different types of bonsai.