Ficus is a plant that by its nature grows exclusively up. However, for growing at home, this is not entirely convenient. For this, you need to trim the plant to form the shape of the flower you need.
Plant features
Rubber ficus (how to form a crown will be described in this article) is a plant that belongs to the genus Ficus of the Mulberry family. The homeland of this representative is considered to be India, namely its northeastern part, as well as southern Indonesia and western Africa. As an ornamental plant, it is grown outside of tropical territories. In addition to the decorative function, it can also perform an industrial one, since it is large trees that give rubber.
When grown in its natural environment, the ficus can reach a size of 40 m in height, while forming the so-called root-props. The main feature of the latter is that they descend to the ground and take root in it. If the rubber ficus is grown at home, the maximum growth, as a rule, does not exceed 10 m, if pruning is not performed.
Beneficial features
In addition to the fact that rubber is extracted from this plant, ficus is also considered the most useful flower, which can significantly improve the air. This is due to the fact that through the leaves the air passes through a pipe. During this passage, it is significantly enriched with oxygen.
Another important advantage is the unpretentiousness of ficus in care.
In home growing conditions, it practically does not bloom, is not capricious and can adapt to absolutely any conditions. The only thing is that the plant needs to be kept away from direct sunlight, water and bathe in time and in the right amount.
Ficus Growth Physiology
Rubber ficus (how to form a crown will be described later) using the trimming process can take all kinds of forms. This will allow the plant to become a truly unique decoration of any home. You can do this yourself, the main thing is to be patient and follow the basic rules.
How does rubber ficus grow? New shoots, as a rule, develop from the formed buds. There are two types of them:
- apical (located on top of the plant);
- lateral, or axillary (located in the axils of the leaves, in those places where the leaf petioles are attached directly to the trunk).
The apical kidney develops at an accelerated pace, while the lateral buds slow down their development or are completely blocked. If the upper kidney is removed, this activates the lateral buds, and the shoots begin to grow to the sides. Thus, the formation of rubber ficus occurs.
Pruning rules
Crown formation time is important. Before you trim rubber ficus at home, you should choose the right period for this: autumn or spring.
If the crown is formed in spring, this will make it possible to obtain a more lush plant, since it is during this period that the plant is able to recharge with energy. As a result of this, you will get a flower that will be sufficiently stimulated, and in different directions to the same extent.
But if you decide to conduct the procedure in the fall or winter, it threatens one-sided development. The big risk is that as a result you get a skewed plant. In addition, it is during this period that the rubber-bearing ficus (how to form a crown using some devices you will learn later) uses all the nutrients accumulated during the summer season . And if you cut off some of its shoots, you simply deprive the plant of these same stocks.
The process of formation of the crown itself consists not only of pruning the shoots and shortening them, but also indicating the direction of their further growth. As a rule, various tensioning devices are used for this.
Cropping without trimming
Before you trim rubber ficus, think about whether you need to do this. The crown can be formed exclusively by the direction and fixation of certain shoots. Using this method minimizes plant injuries. After a certain time, these locking devices can be safely removed.
It is also worth considering the age of the ficus. A younger plant tolerates this procedure more easily. But adult plants no longer have sufficient flexibility of shoots, and they are very easy to injure.
Ficus rubbery: how to form a crown correctly?
These rules apply to single plants that grow in a single trunk.
- You need to wait until the growth of the plant is about 70 cm. After this, you need to cut off the top stalk of the rubber ficus. This will allow the plant to develop its side shoots. The cut stalk can be rooted near the main plant, thereby forming an unusual shape of the bush.
- If you want to work on the shape of a small plant, just pinch its crown. However, it should be understood that there is a high probability that only one germ will grow from this point.
- You can stimulate the growth of lateral shoots by simply bending the crown, after which it is securely fixed. When the kidney, which turned out to be the top, begins to grow actively, the trunk can be returned to its original position.
- The following procedure will help stimulate the growth of additional branches: with a thick needle, pierce the main trunk by a third of the thickness. If there are several punctures, only the lower one will be active. That is why it is better to start this procedure from above.
- A thin branch of the plant needs to be cut in a straight line. If you need to trim a thick shoot, the cut should be at an angle.
- For the procedure, take exclusively sterile instruments, besides perfectly sharp. For sterilization, fire or medical alcohol is suitable.
- Selected juice after cutting must be removed. Use a wet cloth for these purposes. No additional processing is required.
- A month after the procedure, the plant needs to be fed. It is also recommended to transplant ficus in a larger pot.
How to trim rubber ficus at home? Easy enough. Just follow the basic rules. For example, when trimming rubber ficus, do not forget that it secretes milky juice, which is quite toxic. All actions should be carried out in protective gloves.
Unusual crown formation
How to form a rubber ficus of an unusual appearance? Everything is very simple. This procedure should not be done with a single plant, but by planting several ficuses in one pot at once. The flowers should be young, equally developed and the average height should not exceed 15 cm.
All lateral shoots must be removed without fail, and the trunk, as the plant grows, give the desired shape. The main rule: weaving should be carried out freely, since over time the trunks will thicken. For the formation of a spiral, two plants in one pot are enough for you, for a “pigtail” - at least three.
Weaving should begin when all the plants in the pot have reached a certain height (usually 13-15 cm). Each subsequent turn needs to be done as the plant develops. To prevent the braid from unraveling, trunks need to be tied up. The threads should be soft, ideally, if you take woolen. They need to be bandaged with a frequency of two months. If necessary, you can install the support.
Such trunks look really impressive and unusual.
Instead of a conclusion
If your bush of ficus has grown too much, then part of the shoots, mainly those that are directed inside the crown, are removed. This will allow each leaf of the plant to receive the right amount of sunlight.
Having gained some experience, you can quite easily form entire sculptures from ficus.