Benjamin's homemade ficus is one of the most popular indoor plants, having a large number of varieties, each of which is insanely beautiful and graceful. Reminiscent of a weeping ficus tree in shape, it is widely used in landscaping offices, it is an original decoration of any home.
Description of Ficus Benjamin
The birthplace of ficus Benjamin is the subtropical and tropical forests of China, India, Southeast Asia. Also, this evergreen plant is found in northern Australia and the Philippines. In nature, Benjamin's ficus is a tree that reaches a height of about 20 meters. At home, the dimensions are more modest - up to 2 meters with quality care. The lush crown of the indoor specimen is formed by flowing shoots, strewn with numerous oval leaves with wavy or even edges. The top of a smooth leathery sheet is drawn and pointed. Coloring is green, with a glossy shade.
To give the plant a decorative shape, it is often planted in a flowerpot for 2-3 pieces, and trunks, quite flexible at a young age, are intertwined with a pigtail.
How to care for Benjamin's ficus?
The plant in care is quite unpretentious, likes well-lit, regularly ventilated places, does not tolerate drafts and direct sunlight. Watering is recommended moderate, well-maintained, warm water. To increase humidity, periodically, an improvised warm shower should be arranged. After all, the birthplace of ficus Benjamin is the tropics, so the increased humidity is very comfortable for him. Optimum for a room flower is a temperature of +25 degrees. It is recommended to constantly loosen the soil, ensuring its uniform drying after irrigation and providing oxygen access to the root system of the plant. Top dressing is made with liquid mineral fertilizers for ornamental plants. Rearranging Benjamin's ficus, signs and superstitions about which often have the opposite meaning, is not recommended, otherwise it can lead to leaf decay.
During the dormant period falling in the cold season, all measures to stimulate flower growth (watering, top dressing, spraying) should be reduced or stopped to avoid the formation of elongated weak shoots.
Ficus transplantation is carried out by transshipment into a large container: a young plant - every spring, mature - every 2-3 years.
Beneficial features
The following facts speak for themselves in favor of acquiring Benjamin's ficus: saturating the room with oxygen, purifying the air, absorbing harmful substances such as phenol, benzene, formaldehyde, trichlorethylene. This plant is revered in Thailand; it is a symbol of the state, it is considered sacred, bringing good luck and driving away evil spirits. They love him in Cyprus too; there ficus is responsible for fertility.
Ficus Benjamin: signs and superstitions
Like any plant, ficus carries a certain energy, which everyone explains in his own way. Some specially plant this flower in the house, believing in the luck brought by it, others go around it on the tenth road, being afraid to attract troubles into their house.
Residents of China consider Benjamin's ficus a family plant. It is passed from generation to generation, given for birthdays, especially for older people: to maintain physical health and mental strength. This is a symbol of good luck, harmony, bright energy in the house.
Slavic peoples have a different perception of Benjamin's ficus. Signs and superstitions for the most part are negative, so not everyone risks planting such a plant in their home, fearing adverse effects.
So, Benjamin's ficus, like ivy, is considered a husbandman, because it prevents a single woman from finding her soul mate. He simply “kicks out” all potential suitors. Perhaps this opinion was formed in the post-war years, when men did not return to most families from the front. Also, ficus Benjamin is accused of causing family quarrels, scandals, gossip.
Ficus Benjamin to help childless couples
Not everyone believes these prejudices. Many believe that the ficus of Benjamin brings good luck, helps to establish relations between households and career advancement. And the plant helps childless couples become parents. For this, Benjamin's ficus, preferably its young sprout, should be placed in the conjugal bedroom. The messengers of this miracle will be the new shoots of a houseplant.
Therefore, it is up to you to decide whether to plant Benjamin's ficus in your home. Signs and superstitions, of course, play an important role in making the right choice, but you still have to rely on your own intuition and only believe in the good qualities of the plant. And then in your house there will be peace and rest.