There are more than 800 species of ficus in nature. Moreover, many of them are grown as indoor plants. Their popularity is explained very simply. Plants are completely unpretentious. They do not need to create any special conditions for development, and they do not require frequent watering. It differs in such qualities and one of the most interesting and original varieties - ficus Mikrokarp Moklam.
general description
The birthplace of this ficus is East Asia. From other varieties, it is distinguished by the presence of powerful aerial roots forming bizarre weaves. Thanks to such an unusual form of the “trunk” of ficus Moklamé it is very easy to grow spectacular bonsai. Actually the very name "microcarp" in translation from Latin means "small fruit". In addition to aerial roots, the rounded dark green glossy leaves are also a decorative value for this plant.
In the wild, the ficus Moklama, whose photo can be seen on this page, grows very tall and spreading. In an apartment it is usually not too big. Above a meter and a half, this ficus in indoor conditions never grows.
How to choose a place
In relation to the microclimate, the ficus of Microcarp, as already mentioned, the plant is relatively unpretentious. You can put it almost anywhere in the room. In this case, it is important to observe only two conditions. Firstly, direct sunlight should not fall on the plant. But at the same time, it is not worth putting it in the darkest corner. Pretty bright, diffused light is what best suits the ficus of Microcarp.
The second condition for the good development of this plant is the absence of draft. Putting it in a blown place is not worth it. Otherwise, it will constantly hurt. The ficus bought in the store must immediately be placed in a permanent place. This variety is extremely disliked by the change of scenery (it can discard leaflets).
Transplant Preparation
Immediately transplant the acquired plant into a new pot, of course, is not necessary. This procedure is usually performed only after 3-4 months. Ficus Moklame loves the soil nutritious and light. In the pot, good drainage is mandatory. This plant does not tolerate stagnation of water. Expanded clay is best used as drainage. If this material cannot be found, it can be replaced with broken red bricks. Clay, like expanded clay, absorbs excess moisture well.
Which soil is right
On top of the drainage in the pot under this plant, it is best to pour the soil purchased in the store, designed specifically for ficuses. You can also buy a universal soil mixture for indoor ornamental plants. Sometimes the soil for the ficus Microcarp is made independently. To do this, take in equal parts:
turf land;
peat;
sand;
sheet earth.
For young ficuses usually use more loose soil. In this case, the mixture is also made up of peat, sand and sheet land. Dense soddy soil is not added to it.
How to transplant
Young ficus should be transferred to new pots annually. They usually grow and develop quite quickly. A new container for ficus each time should be 4-5 cm larger in diameter than the old one. Adult plants are transplanted about once every two to three years. Actually, the procedure itself is carried out in the usual way: they put a third of the earth in a pot, set up a plant and cover the roots with the remaining soil. The only thing in the case of a ficus transplant is that Microcarp must be sure that most of its aerial roots remain on the surface.
How to moisten potted soil and spray
When caring for a plant such as ficus Mikrokarp Moklame, care at home, it is important to adhere to the correct watering technique. Too often, the soil underneath should not be moistened. When overflowing at the ficus, the roots begin to rot, and black spots appear on the bark and leaves.
As a result, the leaves crumble and the plant dies. On the first day after buying in a store, Ficus Microcarpus is not watered at all. On the second day with a finger check the condition of the earth. If it has dried deeper than 1.5-2 cm, the ficus should be watered. In the future, you need to do the same. That is, just make sure that the soil in the pot does not dry deeper than 2 cm. For an adult ficus, this figure is 3-4 cm.
Of course, you should not water this plant with tap water. Otherwise, bleach can simply destroy the ficus Moklama. Care at home for this plant involves the use of exclusively irrigation water at room temperature for irrigation. Humidify the soil under the ficus usually just by the root method. But once every 2-3 weeks, you can arrange a warm shower for the plant. Water draining into the pan after watering must be drained.
This ficus does not like too dry air. Therefore, it is advisable to spray it from time to time. In any case, in the winter season, the battery next to this plant should be covered with a damp cloth.
How to feed
Fertilizing under the ficus Moklam in the warm season should be quite often. Usually this plant is fed once every 10 days. In summer, nitrogen fertilizers are recommended. In spring and autumn, self-prepared top dressing is usually used, which is a mixture of nettle broth and ash. Some lovers of indoor plants believe that it is useful to fertilize ficus with broth or milk. However, this opinion is, of course, erroneous. In fact, such top dressing will simply lead to soil decay.
Temperature mode
Ficus Mikrokarp Moklama, the care of which must be carried out correctly, is a southern and heat-loving plant. Since its homeland is hot Asia, it does not tolerate cold at all. In the room where the pot with this plant is located, it should be warm enough. The optimum temperature for ficus Moklama is 26 ° C in summer and 18 ° C in winter. At the same time, the room should not be too hot in the warm season (no more than +28 ... +30 ° C), and from October to April - colder +16 about .
How to make bonsai
Ficus Moklame is appreciated, as already mentioned, including for the unusual shape of the "trunk". This plant is one of the few of which it is very easy to make bonsai. For this, ficus is first grown to the required “trunk” size, periodically replanting it in new containers. Then his crown is cut off completely. The remaining aerial roots are transferred to a small bowl. After a while, the plant will release new branches. Subsequently, the ficus must be periodically trimmed. The necessary form of the "trunk" is easiest to give the method of garter.
The resulting bonsai, unlike ordinary ficus, cannot be transplanted into a larger container. In this case, they act a little differently. The ficus is pulled out of the bowl in which it grows, along with a lump of earth and the latter is cut off around the entire perimeter by 1 cm. Next, the plant is placed in the same container. The resulting empty space is filled with new soil.
Ficus Moklame: growing from a cuttings
Propagate this plant if desired will be completely uncomplicated. Most often, a simple method of grafting is used for breeding ficus Moklamé. In order to get several new ones from the mother plant, you need:
cut the shoots with a sharp knife and place them in a glass with settled water;
after 2-3 weeks (when the roots appear), transfer the petioles into pots with soil.
For breeding, it is best to take strong shoots with fully developed fibers.
How to treat diseases
Ficus Moklamé is relatively resistant to various infections. However, sometimes this plant, of course, still gets sick. Most often, the ficus of Microcarp is infected with powdery mildew. At the same time, a characteristic white coating appears on its leaves. When trying to clean it, he easily leaves and crumbles. In order to cure the plant from powdery mildew, it must be treated with some kind of fungicide. Also, all infected leaves should be removed from it.
From time to time, ficuses of Moklamé also get root rot. This bacterial infection is most often the result of excessive watering. In order to help the plant, you need to cut off all the affected roots and replace the earth in the pot.
Very often, indoor flower lovers who grow ficus Moklama face such a problem as dropping leaves. This kind of nuisance is usually due to stress. As a rule, if the plant was moved to another place. If the leaves turn yellow before falling, it means that the ficus does not have enough water. The falling of green plates, on the contrary, indicates its overabundance.
Pests
Of course, like any other indoor plant, the ficus of Microcarp may also suffer from attacks of various kinds of insects and arthropods. Most often, its owners have to deal with spider mites or aphids. Also sometimes this plant is affected by a scale. In the latter case, you need to use a purchased insecticide for indoor flowers, acting according to the instructions. Aphids and ticks can be expelled with the use of folk remedies. For example, a normal soap solution helps well from these two pests. You can also just spray the ficus with diluted dichlorvos in water (in a small concentration). Bordeaux liquid also helps very well against these pests.
Conclusion
As you can see, the ficus Moklame, the care of which is simple, is really quite unpretentious plant. No wonder it is called a flower for the lazy. But, of course, you should not forget to water and fertilize this ficus in any case. In order to get a beautiful bonsai from Moklama, you just need to transfer the plant to a small bowl and cut it from time to time.