Each of us is used to seeing ficus almost everywhere. These plants are often found both in office premises and in apartments. Most often we meet with ficus Binnendiyka. It is quite common in home floriculture.
There are several varieties of this plant. Outwardly, it is slightly different from other ficuses, undemanding and unpretentious in care.
Fancy Ficus
This plant bears the name of the person who first discovered this species. Ficus Binnendijk belongs to the mulberry family. It has a tree shape.
The native land of the plant is Southeast Asia, Indonesia. There are tropical rainforests, which are ideal conditions for the growth of this species of ficus. This plant is also found in Vietnam, the Philippines, Sumatra, Borneo.
Due to the special shape of the leaves, this plant is often called loosestrife ficus. Another name for the plant is ficus ali.
Description of Ficus
Ficus Binnendeijka is an evergreen plant that can reach in natural conditions a height of 15-20 meters. But indoor growth dramatically affects the height of the plant. Homemade ficus reaches 1.5 m in height.
Ficus is characterized by a powerful root system. Under favorable conditions in nature, a plant can occupy large areas. Thus, the ficus becomes aggressive towards other plants.
Young shoots are characterized by a light green bark, but the process of lumbering is fast. Middle-aged plants are characterized by a dark brown bark with small white dashes. The surface is a little rough.
The branches are penetrating. The leaves are narrow, belt-like, pointed at the tips.
The color of the ficus Binnendeijka directly depends on the plant variety and its place of growth. Coloring can be both monophonic, and motley. The width of the leaves varies from 5 to 7 cm, and the length is up to 30 cm.
A vein is clearly visible along the leaf. She bends the leaf, as if dividing it in half. Side veins diverge from it in different directions, which are less visible.
Ficus binnendeijka, like all representatives of this genus, secrete a sticky whitish milky juice during a slice or break. This ornamental plant is characterized by a rather significant increase. For a year, ficus can grow from a few centimeters to tens. Growing requirements are minimal, so it is perfect for cultivation by gardeners with little experience.
Location and Lighting Features
The plant requires good lighting. You should choose a well-lit place with bright but diffused light. A pot with loosestrife ficus must be placed at a distance of 2-3 m from the window. A container with ficus is not recommended to be placed on the north side. Perfect location - south side.
Humidity and watering
Compliance with the rules of watering and humidity in the room is the basis for proper care. Ficus Binnendeijka needs to be watered, given the season. In the summer, the plant will feel comfortable with moderate soil moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to wait until the top of the soil dries out a little. After watering is carried out repeatedly. Most often, this procedure should be repeated every 4 days. In winter, watering is reduced by spending it once a week. In this case, the soil should practically dry.
The loosestrife ficus can tolerate the strong drying of an earthen coma. But increased soil moisture can quickly lead to plant death. Therefore, after each watering, after about 20 minutes, it is necessary to drain all excess water from the pan that escaped through the drainage holes. This will protect the plant from possible rotting of the root system.
Remember that for irrigation you must use clean, soft water at room temperature.
Humidity is also important when growing ficus Binnendiika (Ali). It should be medium. In the spring-summer period, flower growers recommend spraying the deciduous part of the plant once a week. In winter, this procedure can be carried out more often, because the heating devices in the rooms are turned on.
The leaves are additionally wiped with a soft, damp cloth. If the size of the plant is small, once a week the ficus can be washed by shower. Remember that at this moment the soil must be covered with a plastic bag.
Air temperature
Loosestrife ficus does not tolerate heat. In summer, the ambient temperature should be in the range 18–23 0 . In winter, this indicator is slightly lower - within 15 0 . If the room temperature is above normal, it is necessary to increase its humidity in various ways.
Transplant and soil for ficus
Many flower growers know that young ficus is growing rapidly. For this reason, it must be replanted annually in a new pot with the renewal of the soil mixture. This procedure is performed in the spring.
Every year, the volume of the pot must be increased in diameter by 4-5 cm. When replanting a plant, pay attention to its root system. If she did not manage to occupy the entire space of the tank, the plant must be placed back, replacing the sprinkled earth.
Adult plants need a rarer transplant. It is enough to transplant ficus once every 2-3 years until its root system is placed in a container with a diameter of 30 cm. In such a pot, only 3-4 cm of the topsoil is replaced.
At the bottom of each tank, it is imperative to lay a drainage layer 4 cm thick. It will not only ensure the stability of the pot, but also help remove excess moisture during irrigation. Expanded clay of medium fraction can be used as drainage, on top of which a layer of coarse sand is poured.
Transplant soil must be purchased at a specialized store. The finished substrate should be designed for ficuses or palm trees. It is characterized by good friability and nutrition. Soil acidity should be neutral or low (pH 5.5–6.5).
Some gardeners independently make the soil for the plant by combining greenhouse and leafy soil, river sand, turf in a ratio of 2: 1: 2. A small amount of brick chips and chopped charcoal are also added to this mixture. The soil for the young plant should consist of equal parts of peat, soddy soil and coarse sand.
Fertilizers for plants
The abundant green mass of the plant is the result of proper home care. Ficus Binnendeijka needs regular fertilization in the spring and summer. The procedure is repeated every 2-3 weeks. For ficus, it is recommended to choose organic preparations. It is desirable that they be in liquid form. In this state, they are easy to add to water for irrigation.
General Care Tips
Always on the photo is a ficus Binnendiika - luxurious, tall. It is characterized by high growth rate and large size. Many flower growers recommend forming a crown in spring, pruning the upper shoots to create a compact, beautiful bush. Often, flower growers pruning the ficus Binnendiika, forming it in the form of a stem. This method involves the selection of one main stem, while all side branches are constantly shortened.
Young trunks are quite flexible, so they are often woven into bundles or braids. All young cacti need additional support so that the shoots do not sag, but acquire the correct shape.
Crown formation
When caring for ficus, special attention should be paid to the formation of the crown of the plant. Many inexperienced gardeners are interested in when to trim Benjamin's ficus: autumn or spring? What about ficus ali? And what shape can be given to a plant?
Many gardeners recommend making a bonsai tree from ficus. You can experiment and combine several varieties of plants at once: Amstel King, Gold, Benjamin.
Due to the long foliage, the ficus of the variety Ali is well formed. Pruning contributes to the growth and development of the plant, so it will not adversely affect it. Often, flower growers grow several plants in one pot, from which you can later form an elegant magnificent crown.
So, how is pruning Benjamin's ficus trimmed at home step by step? Photos, videos of this process confirm that there is nothing complicated in this procedure.
Remember that forming a crown is strictly prohibited during the dormant period of the plant. From October to February it should rest.
Cut the branches of the plant with a sharp tool. Make sure that hemp does not form on the trunk. The places of cuts at first need to be moistened periodically.
Frequent design options for the ficus crown:
- Simple boom. First, in a young plant, all lateral shoots are carefully cut carefully, leaving only 5 central branches. After pinching the top of one, the most important shoot. Side trim, forming a ball. Consider that the trunk needs additional support, which is then removed.
- Two-tier stand. The young plant is divided into 3 levels. The upper and lower trunks are cut in the form of a ball. In the middle part, all side branches are removed.
- Ficus weaving. 2-3 seedlings are planted in one container. From 2, you can form a tourniquet, from three - a pigtail. Remember that the weave should be free, because the plant needs a place for further growth. Shoots and leaves that interfere with weaving are removed.
Conclusion
The well-known ficus Ali is an attractive, medium-sized, unpretentious ornamental plant. Visually, the leaves of the plant resemble a small willow. Good care contributes to the rapid and abundant growth of green mass, which will delight everyone with its beautiful view. The plant rarely gets sick, the main reason is improper care.