In which pot to plant ficus. How to choose a pot for ficus Benjamin: the right size, material and shape for planting

Indoor plants are elements of wildlife that are easily "embedded" into the interior of any room and style. Flowers, mini-trees, bushes fill the house with warmth, draw attention to themselves, create a special, comfortable atmosphere. Ficuses are one of the most popular houseplants. Almost all of them are unpretentious in care and at the same time are exquisitely decorative. Plays a significant role in maintaining their health and beauty. right choice container in which they grow. Knowing how to choose the right ficus pot will help provide your green pet with the best conditions for him.

What pot is needed for ficus

It is believed that unglazed clay pots for home flowers - the best option because clay is porous and allows air to circulate. This positively affects both the regulation of soil moisture and the supply of oxygen to the roots. However, ficuses are not picky about the material from which the container is made - it can be ceramics, clay or plastic. The only thing that is fundamentally necessary for all types of culture is drainage holes and a “spout” on the drain pan excess fluid. You can even plant a young ficus, transplant an adult plant into a cheap plastic pot - and if you follow the simple rules of care, the owner of the flower will receive a healthy and well-developed flower, bush or tree.

pot shape

For most "natural" looking ficuses (that is, excluding bonsai-style trees), standard-shaped pot models with approximately equal height and diameter, as well as holes at the bottom (to allow plantings to drain), are suitable.

When choosing a vessel for a ficus, it should be remembered that this culture is rarely transplanted due to its slow growth, and in addition, the flower itself perceives this procedure as stress, reacting by dropping foliage. Therefore, the issues of the shape and design of the pot are decided in advance and a flower is planted in it, given that in the next year or three it will not be injured by changing the “house”.

In particular, experts do not advise using round-shaped pots, in the form of a ball. It is difficult to get plants out of them during transplantation, and ficuses get sick when their roots are severely injured.

Deciding on the size

The disproportion in the size of the plant (together with the root system) and the capacity for it sometimes leads to problems: in a pot that is too large, the soil dries slowly, increasing the susceptibility of the flower to root rot. If the pot is too small, the bush or tree may tip over under the weight of the branches.

The size of the ficus pot is determined by the size of the root system: when placed in a pot, two centimeters should remain to its walls (it is difficult to use a ruler in such cases. Practicing flower growers simply put two fingers on the root coma). A more “free” capacity, instead of being useful, can destroy the plant - too much moisture harmful to it will be retained in excess soil.

In cramped containers, the ground part of a bush or tree develops more strongly, and in free ones, the root system increases, and the growth of the ground mass is inhibited. Therefore, when transplanting, they either change the soil, leaving the old pot, or pick up a container 2-4 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.

Features of choosing a container for bonsai

Correctly determine the size of the pot for ficus bonsai will help following rules, taking into account the aesthetics of the appearance of the plant:

• the depth of the tank should be equal to the diameter of the trunk just above the ground level;
• for trees with a particularly wide crown, a wider pot is selected;
• the length of trees with a very thick trunk (compared to their height) - they choose deeper vessels.

In addition, bonsai experts believe that the shape of the vessel should be in harmony with the tree. In appearance, bonsai plants are conditionally divided into male and female (it depends only on the opinion of the owner):

• male trees have a strong trunk, strong, mature bark, often sharp angular branching. They look good in containers with pronounced corners - square, rectangular;
• ficus bonsai are considered to be female, more refined, with smooth bark, as well as smoothed lines of bends of branches. Oval or round containers are suitable for them.

A properly selected flat bonsai enhances the aesthetic pleasure of contemplating a tree as a work of art. If only gardening considerations are taken into account, almost any flat bonsai pot with a wall height of no more than 10 cm will do.

The “charm” of ficuses, in addition to their many other advantages, also lies in the fact that they are not picky in terms of the shape and material of the pots. Therefore, taking into account the size of the root system and the way the plant is grown, you can select a variety of vessels for them, harmoniously fitting them into the style of the interior in the room.

Ficus Benjamin - one of the most common and popular indoor plants, which has high decorative qualities and capable within all year round delight their owners with green foliage.

However, its cultivation is a rather laborious process, especially in the first months after planting, but if you know all the nuances and subtleties of plant care, this process will become simple and easy.

A little about ficus

Ficus Benjamin (the photo is in the review) is an evergreen plant of the Mulberry family. Under natural conditions, it can be found in the tropics and subtropics of China, India, Australia, Asia, and the Philippines.

In nature, it is a large bush or tree up to 10-20 m high, in room conditions able to grow up to 1.5-3 m. The crown of ficus Benjamin is wide and very beautiful. The trunk of the plant is gray with small strokes. Branches are inclined down. Ficus Benjamin leaves are dense, glossy, oval with an elongated tip. Color from light green to very dark. The central vein is not clearly expressed.

Indoor varieties

Ficus Benjamin has a huge variety of varieties that differ in size, shape and color of leaves, stem shape. Let's consider some of them.

• Exotic. The leaves are flat and soft, the color is rich green, length - up to 8 cm, width - up to 3.5 cm. Internodes up to 4 cm. The bush grows quickly.
• Daniel. The leaves are dark green, plain, glossy, dense and flat, the edges are straight. It grows very quickly - it grows by almost 30 cm per season.
• Monique. It differs in more delicate, thin, hanging branches and light, elongated, slightly wavy leaves along the edge.
• Nicole. The leaves are more elongated, with a light edge.
• Safari. The variety is distinguished by a tricolor color and obvious spotting.
• Baroque. It is considered the most unusual, original and difficult to grow variety. Each leaf of this very miniature plant is twisted in the form of a spiral.

Location in the house

Before you bring this plant into the house, you need to decide on its location - Benjamin's ficus, the photo of which is provided in the article, is very difficult to change places, and after moving it most often sheds foliage. If this trouble happens shortly after the purchase, then you should not be scared and upset, because this is normal. Security complete care help the plant adapt. The place in the room must be chosen well-lit, but without direct sunlight. The plant does not like drafts and cold. The air temperature should not be lower than 15°C, relative humidity - 50-70%.

Features of care

In order for Benjamin's ficus to be able to constantly delight with its green chic crown and attract all the eyes of guests, it needs to provide timely and proper care. It is not super complicated, but it is still necessary for the plant to provide certain conditions.

Lighting and temperature

Depending on the color of the foliage, the optimal area for the location of the plant is selected, taking into account the lighting. For dark green ficuses, light penumbra and diffused light are suitable, and bushes with variegated light leaves, on the contrary, are very demanding on the intensity of lighting, but areas with direct sunlight should be avoided.

Ficus Benjamin is a heat-loving plant, in summer the optimum temperature should be 25-30 ° C, in winter not lower than 18 ° C. When the temperature is insufficient, the leaves are shed.

Watering

In summer, watering ficus Benjamin should be moderate, as the surface of the top layer of the earth dries up. Recommended abundant spraying in the morning and evening, washing the leaves.

Water the plant for uniform moistening in several stages, draining excess water from the pan that has passed through the drainage.

In winter, watering is reduced. Water is used settled or filtered, the soil is loosened before watering.

Ficus should be watered carefully, because with an excess of soil moisture, its root system is prone to decay. The soil should dry out between waterings.

Plant nutrition

For the normal growth of the plant, the formation of a lush and dense crown rich color it is important to take care of the full feeding. For this, universal flower fertilizers are used. They are introduced from spring to late autumn. At the same time, mineral and organic varieties alternate.

The introduction of concentrated dressings is carried out when watering the plant. The dosage is calculated depending on the growth rate: the faster the ficus grows, the more often it needs to be fed.

crown formation

By pinching, pruning, weaving branches and trunks, a plant can easily be given a varied look.

There are some of the most common ways to form a ficus crown, including:

• single and multi-tier stem;
• bonsai;
• domed and spherical crown;
• various sculptures.

The formation of a tree is best done in the spring. It is easiest to form a young plant, because it is actively and rapidly growing. Pruning helps awaken dormant buds, from which new shoots then grow and the plant becomes more magnificent. In addition, with the help of pruning, you can ennoble a strongly overgrown and unattractive ficus. Secateurs before this procedure must be disinfected with alcohol or a weak solution.

In the plant to be pruned, it is necessary to determine the main bush, it is impossible to cut it by more than 20 cm, but the side branches are cut according to creative need and desire. Slices after trimming must be treated with crushed coal.

A standard plant can be formed from a ficus by removing the lower branches and forming a dense crown with pruning.

The intertwined trunks of several plants can look very interesting and impressive. To obtain such a decorative effect, several young ficuses are planted in one pot and, as they grow, their trunks are intertwined, braided into a pigtail or other shape.

Ficus Benjamin: transplant

Looking at how the plant grows and becomes prettier, one should not forget that not only the number of branches and leaves is added. Month after month, the volume of the ficus root system increases, and the soil, even with constant top dressing, begins to gradually become impoverished.

Ficus Benjamin transplantation will help to correct this situation.

It is usually done when the roots of the plant are thickly braided with an earthen ball, and they emerge from the drainage hole. But it is better not to allow this and perform a planned transplant.

Before transplanting ficus Benjamin into another pot, you must select a suitable container. How younger plant, the more actively it increases the root mass, so it is transplanted annually into pots, 2-3 cm larger in diameter than before. Adult ficuses are transplanted 2-3 times less often. At home, this is carried out in spring or autumn.

The best soil for ficus is ready-made universal, bought in a specialized store. But you can make your own mixture at home, consisting of equal parts of leafy and soddy soil, sand and grassroots peat. Drainage must be laid at the bottom of the tank.

Ficus Benjamin transplantation is carried out as follows: after watering, the plant is removed from the old pot, the old earth is removed, the flower is carefully transferred to a new container and sprinkled with fresh soil.

After transplantation, the plant adapts and it may begin to shed its leaves. There is no need to worry about this, the ficus will soon develop rapidly again.

Reproduction of ficus Benjamin at home

The most favorable time for the reproduction of ficus is spring and early summer. This is due to the fact that it is during this period that active growth leaves and roots.

Reproduction of ficus Benjamin at home is best done using cuttings, since the cuttings give good roots both in soil and in water. The second method is seed, but it is used extremely rarely.

How to root ficus Benjamin?

The upper cuttings, on which there are leaves, are cut off and placed in a container with water. The leaves should not get wet, otherwise rotting may occur. As the water evaporates, it should be topped up periodically. After 2-3 weeks, callus tissue will appear on the stems in the form of growths. After some time, roots form at this place, after which the cutting is planted in the soil substrate.

If the cutting is planted in the ground, it can be covered with a jar to create the effect of greenhouse conditions. Before you root Benjamin's ficus, you need to prepare the ground. It is advisable to disinfect it by heating in a steam bath for 30 minutes.

Problems in growing ficus

Ficus Benjamin has some growing difficulties that you need to pay attention to:

• Dry leaf tips winter time indicate a lack of humidity in the room. Most often this is due to turning off the heating. In this case, it is necessary to increase the frequency of spraying and organize artificial lighting. This will help the flower wait for spring.
• If a plant suddenly begins shedding leaves, this should alert its owner. So the flower can respond to sudden changes in the conditions of detention, for example, to a decrease in temperature, the appearance of a draft, a change of place, abundant watering in winter, when, on the contrary, it was necessary to reduce the amount of moisture.
• The change of season in any plant causes yellowing and shedding of leaves. Ficus is also no exception. But if Benjamin's ficus turns yellow at another time - what to do? There are two main reasons why this happens: the first is an excess of water that can kill the plant, the second is too low temperature. These causes must be eliminated.
• If the flower does not grow and develop for a long time, you need to evaluate whether the size of the pot is chosen correctly. If the pot is too large for the size of the plant, the roots will begin to wither, stop growing and die. On the contrary, tight capacity prevents the formation and development of the crown.

If, after correcting errors in the care and maintenance of the flower, there is no improvement, you need to pay attention to the presence of diseases and pests.

Diseases and pests of ficus

Among the most common diseases that affect Benjamin's ficus, the following can be noted:

• Anthracnose. Dark brown spots develop into ulcers. If left untreated, the ficus will die. Control methods: removal of affected leaves, fungicide treatment, reduction of spraying and watering, frequent airing.
• Cerskoporosis. Small black dots appear on the back of the leaf. Treatment - as with anthracnose.
• Dropsy. With this disease, cork growths form on the back of the leaf. Treatment: remove affected leaves and provide proper care.

The main pests of ficus benjamin - spider mite, thrips and aphids.

The most dangerous among them is the spider mite. The pest damages the flower very quickly and adapts to many chemicals. That is why the fight against it should be started at the first signs of the disease. To destroy this pest, you can use folk methods, for example, garlic tincture, leaf processing laundry soap or apply an insecticide.

In which pot to plant ficus? Of particular importance, from what material the pot for the plant will be, is not.

It is important to pay more attention to size. Do not forget about the correct placement of the ficus pot. Care for him and timely transplantation will help keep the plant in proper form.

Home ficuses are represented by a wide variety of types and sizes. Therefore, the question often arises, which ficus pot to choose. To do this correctly, you need:

• Calculate Size
• Choose form
• Pick up material

The size of the pot directly depends on the state of development of the roots of the plant. The optimal size will be the size in which they, by about two centimeters, will not reach the walls of the selected container. You need to purchase a not too large vessel, with a good drainage system.

There is no ideal form of dishes for growing ficuses. In most cases, ordinary classic-shaped products sold in stores will do.

However, for those who like to grow a plant using the "bonsai" technology, flat models are needed, with sides from 10 cm.

What the dishes are made of, in which the “tree” will grow, does not matter much.

It can be plastic, clay or ceramics, and for especially large specimens, wooden tubs are suitable. The main thing when choosing a material is the absence of a chemical effect on the flower.

From the foregoing, we can conclude that when choosing a pot, you need to remember the condition of the roots, the size of the ficus and the way it is grown. The vessel must not be processed chemical compounds and fit into the interior.

It is easy to determine in which pot to plant a young ficus. For such a plant, you will need a standard small pot with good drainage. If you need to transplant a grown plant or a copy recently bought in a store, you need to know how to choose a container.

To wonder in which pot to plant a ficus, which is purchased in a store, you need 3-4 weeks after a new pet has appeared in the house. The plant is already experiencing stress from a change in microclimate, if you add a transplant to this, the flower may weaken or get sick.

It is important to keep the new specimen away from other houseplants. In flower shops, greenhouses and greenhouses, sometimes pests appear or plants are attacked by an infection.

It is important to leave the new pet in the quarantine area for about a month to make sure it is healthy and will not infect other flowers. After all, there are insects that affect almost all crops and are difficult to remove. An example is spider mites.

Thinking about which pot is needed for ficus, we recommend choosing a container that has such proportions - the height is equal to its diameter. This recommendation applies to container selection for Ficus Benjamin and Rubber Crops.

Do not try to delay the next transplant by choosing too large a "home" for the described plant. This can have several negative consequences. So, the flower will begin to spend a lot of energy on building up the root system, which can adversely affect its decorative effect.

Also, when watering in too large a container, water may begin to accumulate, which the roots cannot reach. This will provoke moisture stagnation, and, as a result, rotting of the roots and flower disease.

For the purpose of decoration, you can use a planter for ficus. They are made by hand or purchased in specialized stores. In the first case, you can use a vine for weaving, decoupage and other techniques.

How to transplant ficus

If the plant grows well, does not get sick, there is still a need for a ficus transplant. Usually for a ficus, the following terms of "moving" can be determined:

• 3 year olds - once a year
• five years - no more than once in a three-year period
• More adults - once every six years

The new "apartment" is selected by about a couple of centimeters in volume, more than the previous one.

In order for the transplant to be successful, you must adhere to the following simple rules:

Your flower will not experience much stress if everything is done carefully and competently.

Care

Although it is not a very picky plant, ficus care requires certain knowledge:

• It should be located in a well-lit room without direct light.
• The temperature should not exceed 30º in summer and not fall below 16º in winter.
• The room must be well ventilated.

Ficus does not require frequent watering. In summer, it will be enough to water as the earth dries. However, this must be done in abundance. In winter, do not allow an excess of moisture, as this has a bad effect on the root system.

Land for adult plants should be of a fairly dense consistency. For bait, organic fertilizers and mineral mixtures are used.

Settling dust is washed off with a warm shower a couple of times a month, and you can wipe the leaves with a wet sponge every day.

Timely care of the plant will give it the opportunity to develop harmoniously.

Ficus propagation

Ficus, like all plants in nature, seeds. But at home, this process is easier and more efficient to produce vegetatively. There are three main possibilities for how to implement:

With the help of cuttings. The shoot is cut off (14-17 cm), the leaves are removed. The cut site should be washed and dried.

The prepared cutting is placed in the ground or water solution. At the initial stage, the process must be kept in the dark and under the film, creating the effect of a greenhouse.

Using a cutting with a leaf. The shoot is cut off with a leaf. The main thing is that the cut was made at an angle along the trunk node.

After the shoot is installed in a pot, the leaf is twisted and fixed. Then it is also covered with a film.

Creating air layers. An incision is made around the circle of the shoot, and the crust is removed. Moss is attached to the damaged area and wrapped in a film.

The top and bottom are tied. Moss must be kept constantly moist. Soon roots will appear in this place. Next comes the transplantation of the shoot with a layer into the ground.

Young shoots need to be transplanted into pots without glaze, as it passes air and moisture worse.

You need to breed plants at home in the spring, having good soil for planting.

conditions for the plant

Ficus is rightfully one of the most beautiful and spectacular types of home flora.

Properly chosen pot and care, timely transplantation, well-executed reproduction is the key to a prosperous and long life for your pet.

Attention, super FLY!

Can be planted with seeds. As a rule, seeds are purchased at a specialized store. Before planting, it is necessary to prepare the soil, which in equal parts consists of soddy soil, humus and coarse sand. You can add some bone meal. Seed treatment, soaking or immersion in a phyto solution is not required for this plant. Seeds are planted in the ground to a depth of approximately 5 mm. A container with planted seeds should be in a bright place at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. To maintain a constant level of humidity, the container is placed with plastic bag and avoid direct sunlight. After planting, you need to be patient, as Benjamin's ficus seeds germinate after three months. After the appearance of several leaves on young shoots, the plants are picked into separate pots.

Location and lighting

Ficus Benjamin belongs to light-loving plants, which must be considered when choosing its location. If the plant is located on the windowsills of the south side, then in this case the window must be slightly shaded from the sun, which can cause burns to the foliage. It is even better to place the plant in the back of the room. Windows on the east and west sides are optimal for ficus. On the north side, especially in winter, when daylight hours are short, Benjamin's ficus needs additional lighting. For this, the usual light bulbs not suitable, as they get very hot and dry the air. You have to use fluorescent lamps. When choosing the place of "registration" of ficus Benjamin, it must be remembered that he painfully perceives the change of place of "residence". In the summer, if there is a place protected from drafts and precipitation, the plant can be put on a balcony or terrace.

pot size

The pot for ficus Benjamin must be changed at the annual transplant, when the plant is actively growing and its root system is developing. This period lasts about four years, after which the pot remains the same size. The change in the size of the pot during transplantation in quantitative terms increases by 2 - 3 cm per without fail. Pots should have drainage holes. There are no special requirements for the material of the pot, it can be either ceramic or plastic, the main thing is that it fits the plant in size and harmoniously fits into the interior.

The soil

Soil for ficus Benjamin is sold in specialized stores. You can prepare the soil for planting the plant yourself. The acidity of the soil for ficuses is neutral or slightly acidic. Depending on the age of the plant, the mixture will be slightly different from each other. For young plants, the soil is made up of equal parts of peat, leafy soil and sand. For adult plants, the soil is denser and consists of leaf and sod land, with the addition of sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5.

Transfer

Ficus Benjamin transplantation is carried out in several cases:

• with an annual transplant of young plants, when a replacement of the pot is required;
• in case of reproduction;
• when soil is depleted and drainage is replaced.

Usually transplantation is carried out in the spring. In order for the ficus to transfer the transplant painlessly, without damaging the root system, the plant transshipment method is used. In this case, the old earthen ball does not collapse, the roots remain intact, and we fill the gaps formed in the pot with fresh soil. After transplantation, the first watering of the plants is carried out only on the third day. If the room is very hot, dry and there is no way to ventilate without harming the plant, spraying the plant can be applied. If the ficus was purchased in a store, then best time there will be a period for transplantation after three to four weeks after purchase.

Fertilizers and top dressing

When growing ficus Benjamin, you can not do without top dressing and fertilizers. Fertilizer is produced from April to September, usually twice a week, alternating complex mineral and organic fertilizers. During the period when the foliage is actively growing on the plant, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are recommended. The fertilizer dissolves in water and is applied along with irrigation. As an organic top dressing, a mullein solution is used in a ratio of 1:10. In winter, Benjamin's ficus begins a dormant period, during which the plant does not need fertilizer.

Watering

There are no special rules for watering ficus Benjamin. It is produced as the soil dries out, which can be determined simply by feeling it with your hand. Overflowing ficus tolerates quite hard, so it is better to underfill the plant, since the plant tolerates drying out more easily than overflowing. But it is still better not to bring the plant to extreme conditions. To prevent the plant from overflowing, it is usually watered in several approaches, especially if the root ball is too dense and does not absorb moisture well. Excess water, if any, must be poured out of the pan. In winter, the plant is watered less often. Water for irrigation should stand for several days, or it must be boiled, cooled, and only then water the plant.

Temperature

Ficus Benjamin in terms of temperature content is a rather unpretentious plant. In the spring and summer months, the temperature for normal growth and development of the plant should be in the range from 20 to 25 degrees. The only thing to consider is that the plant does not tolerate drafts and the temperature fluctuations associated with it. In winter, when the plant has a dormant period, it has enough temperatures in the range of 16-18 degrees. If the plant is cold, you will notice it by yellowing leaves, which will begin to fall off over time. You should not be afraid when, with the onset of a dormant period, the plant begins to shed its leaves. It is in the order of things when in winter the ficus loses 10-15% of foliage.

Humidity

Ficus Benjamin is a moisture-loving plant. A comfortable level of air humidity for him is at the level of 70%. In the summer months, ficus requires regular spraying of the leaves, and the plant should be sprayed with boiled water at room temperature. Once every two weeks, the plant can be given a warm shower, also from boiled water, by installing a ficus in the bathroom. In winter, when heating devices are on, the humidity level is maintained with the help of air humidifiers or with the help of a container of water in the immediate vicinity of the ficus.

pruning

Ficus Benjamin pruning is done in late spring or early summer, when the plant has the highest growth rate. The attractiveness of this flower is that with the help of pruning it can be given a different shape. The most popular are the crowns of the plant in the form of a ball, a neat bush, in the Japanese bonsai style and in the form of various sculptures. There are a number of rules that should be followed when pruning Benjamin's ficus: the cut is made only with a sterilized tool at an angle to the upper edge, while you can not damage the bark, twist and cut off the leaves, and you must also try to preserve the natural appearance plants and take the time to cut branches that can be saved. Ficus Benjamin with woven trunks looks very attractive. This can be achieved by planting two or more young plants of the same height in one pot. Young ficuses are easy to braid, after removing branches and foliage in places of plexus. The coils of the plexus are fixed with electrical tape.

Pests and diseases

Common diseases of Benjamin's ficus are: botrytis - white bloom on the foliage due to overflow of the plant, cercosporosis - black dots on the underside of the leaf and anthracnose - drying of the edges of the sheet and the appearance of brown spots on them. To treat the plant, severely affected parts are removed, the plant itself is transferred to another place and provided with proper care, namely - proper watering and lighting, compliance with the regime of humidity and temperature.

Of the pests, ficus Benjamin is most often affected by spider mites, aphids, scale insects and mealybugs.

A plant infected with a spider mite, if urgent treatment measures are not taken, dies. The fact is that this insect, sucking juice from foliage and other soft tissues, lays eggs within one to two weeks and multiplies exponentially. preventive measure against the appearance of a spider mite is the steaming of drainage and soil, as well as regular spraying of the plant. If the spider mite has already appeared, then they fight it both with folk methods and with the help of chemicals.

To folk methods include washing the entire plant and pot with soapy water, which leads to a decrease in the mite population, and then watering the plant abundantly, spraying the leaves and covering it with a plastic bag. The fact is that this creates high humidity, from which the spider mite dies.

An alternative treatment is to spray the plant with chemicals such as Aktara. If the leaves of the plant are severely deformed, begin to curl and dry out, then this indicates that the plant has been damaged by such a pest as aphids, which reproduces no less rapidly than the spider mite. It is necessary to fight aphids by spraying the plants with tobacco, onion or garlic tincture, as well as tinctures from pepper, celandine and others. Also, the plant can be treated with insecticides and other chemicals.

If brown plaques are found on the stems of the plant, which are nothing more than a scab, the plant must be urgently isolated from other indoor plants. You can fight the scale insect quite effectively by wiping the affected areas of the plant with a soap-alcohol solution after you remove all insects from the plant with a damp cloth or toothbrush. Alcohol can be replaced with engine oil. This procedure is recommended to be carried out weekly until the complete destruction of pests. Another method of dealing with scabies is rubbing the affected areas with tinctures based on garlic, celandine or hot pepper. Of the chemicals, drugs such as Fitoverm or Akarin are the most effective.

To combat the mealybug, a soap-alcohol solution should be prepared, which is sprayed on the plant. The next day, the ficus is washed with warm water, and after another 3 days, the procedure is repeated again. Garlic tincture wipe the affected leaves. Chemical preparations such as phosphamide, actellik and others treat the leaves of the plant, sucking in the juice of which, the insects are poisoned and die. At chemical methods When processing plants, in no case should one forget about personal safety when using protective equipment.

Bloom

At home, unlike in the wild, Benjamin's ficus practically does not bloom. Yes, and as such, there are no flowers, but there are inflorescences in the form of peas or berries with small holes for pollination by insects that live in a tropical climate.

reproduction

Reproduction of ficus Benjamin can be carried out in two ways: cuttings and leaf propagation. The most common method is the cutting method. For a cutting, a strong and healthy shoot is cut. Cut with a sharp sterilized scalpel or blade. The lower leaves are removed from the cutting. You can root the cuttings both in water and in the ground. To root the cutting in water, the cutting is placed in water by about 1 cm and regularly, adding water to replace the evaporated water, we wait for the roots to germinate. When the cutting takes root, it is clearly visible through the glass, it is planted in a separate pot in the ground for young ficuses. When rooting cuttings in the ground, the cut of the cutting is washed in warm water and planted from the ground. A container with a planted cutting is placed in a plastic bag or covered with glass. This is how the greenhouse conditions necessary for the rooting of the cuttings in the ground are organized. After new leaves appear, indicating successful rooting, the plants dive into separate pots.

For leaf propagation, cut off the bottom leaf of the plant and place it in a container of water. The leaf should be cut with a small part of the stem. After new roots appear, the leaf is planted in the ground. You can immediately plant the cut leaf in the ground, but for its rooting you will have to create greenhouse conditions by placing the container in a bag or under a glass flask.

Plant toxicity / beneficial properties

As you know, ficus is one of the most spectacular plants for home and office. But he is rather capricious and an incorrectly chosen place or irrigation regime will almost certainly affect the condition of the flower,. The ficus pot also matters and directly affects the growth rate.

How to choose a pot for ficus?

For young plants, standard pots are quite suitable, but adults need large tubs with a volume of several tens of liters. It is worth choosing a container taking into account the shape, size and type of plant.

1. What shape is needed for a ficus pot? For most representatives of this species, the standard model, in which the height is approximately equal to the diameter, is quite suitable. For example, such a pot is suitable for. The only exceptions are those plants that are grown using the bonsai technique. Then you need to pick up flat pots or bowls, in which the height of the sides is not more than 10 cm. In this case, for ficus Benjamin, you need a pot in the form of a bowl or container, preferably made of clay and without a glossy finish.
2. The size of the ficus pot is selected depending on the development and size of the root system. Ideally, the container should have a good drainage hole, from the roots to the walls of the pot should be at least 2 cm. The new pot should be only 2-3 cm wider than the old one. If you pick up too much capacity, this can lead to root rot or even death of the plant. And for some species, space is generally contraindicated.
3. What pot is needed for ficus in terms of material? Everything is simple here. A container made of plastic, clay or ceramics is quite suitable for this plant. There is only one condition: the plant should not be exposed to chemical attack from the material. An ideal pot for a ficus no older than one year is made of uncoated clay; for an older plant, a tub of wood or plastic is quite suitable.