Its homeland is Southeast Asia. The growth of this plant in nature 20-25 meters. Its peculiarity is a thin, smooth trunk and a lush, dark green crown. Scientific name: Ficus microcarpa.
It got its name because of the miniature fruits that appear on it in wildlife. At home, it will not be possible to obtain either flowering or fruits, since there are no conditions for its pollination.
In indoor floriculture it is most often grown in the Bonsai style. This is a miniature tree -in fact, a copy of its Asian relative.
The plant has lanceolate, wide leaves, smooth in texture, on short petioles. The surface of the leaves seems to be rubbed with wax.
When flowering, like all members of the family, it forms spherical, purple, small inflorescences (syconia). They look more like berries.
Benefits and harms
Its leaves purify the air by absorbing harmful substances.
At the same time, it also has harmful properties.
The juice released when cutting shoots can cause allergies and skin irritation. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out all manipulations with gloves.
Home care
When growing this species in Bonsai style, it is given special shape, consisting of a bizarre interweaving of roots. They are located above the pot and look like a sculptural statue, decorated with a thick crown.
But in order to grow such beauty, the gardener will have to follow some rules.
Immediately allocate a place for him where he will be kept permanently. It should be light, but without direct sunlight, protected from drafts.
The first two weeks in the house are a period of adaptation to new conditions. Ficus may shed leaves, but this is not a big deal. It needs to be transplanted from the shipping container, but only after 3 weeks.
Start spraying immediately after purchase, and postpone watering for two days.
Photo
In the photo there is a ficus "Microcarpa":
He needs regular transplants. They do this once every two or three years.
There is no need to replant annually, but partial replacement of the soil is recommended. Transfer to a new container is carried out together with the old substrate.
The exception is transplantation after purchase. The substrate in which the plants are sold is not suitable for long-term cultivation and must be completely replaced.
Before the procedure, the plant is not watered to make the roots easier to clean. A layer of drainage is poured into a new container, then soil for the ficus. The mixture can be purchased ready-made, special.
If this is not possible, make it yourself from leaf turf, sand and peat in equal quantities.
To maintain low acidity, charcoal is added to the composition.
Place the tree in the center of the pot or slightly offset it and fill the empty space with soil. Compact it by lightly tapping the container.
The size of the pot should be 3-4 centimeters larger than the previous one. If you do not want the ficus to increase in size, you can not change the dishes, but only replace the soil mixture.
Features of soil composition
The composition is selected depending on age.
- For young people, the soil should be as loose as possible:
- Leaf turf - 1 hour.
- Sand-1 hour.
- Peat – 1 hour.
- Wood ash – 0.5 tsp.
- Adults need a denser composition:
- Leaf soil - 2 hours.
- Sod – 2 hours.
- Sand – 1 hour.
- Humus – 1 hour.
- Wood ash – 0.5 tsp.
How long should it take to water the ficus "Microcarpa"?
Do not allow the soil to dry out; water the ficus regularly. Use soft water at room temperature.
Check the condition of the soil with your finger by sticking it into the pot. Sticky soil means there is no need to water yet.
When watering, the earthen ball should be completely saturated. Water should seep into the pan, then it is drained.
IMPORTANT: Do not over-moisten the soil; this will cause the roots to rot.
Temperature
The optimal air temperature is 25-30 degrees. Main condition - The temperature cannot be lowered below 16. Moreover, both the air and the soil must be warm. In winter, a ficus can become hypothermic on a windowsill or cold floor and die. To prevent this from happening, do not keep it near cold glass or place it on the floor.
Air humidity
It does not require abundant humidity; maintaining a level of 50-60% is sufficient. However, in hot summer days and in winter, during heating operation, humidity drops to 30-40%.
Frequent spraying, the use of an air humidifier, and decorative fountains help solve the problem.
Fertilizers
Fertilizing is a necessary condition for growing.
Fertilize Microcarp from spring to autumn.
You can use a general purpose fertilizer for foliage plants or a special fertilizer for bonsai.
The frequency of the procedure is once every two weeks.
During the dormant period - November-February - it is enough to fertilize once every 30-40 days.
Foliar feeding is useful.
The procedure is combined with spraying once every 2-3 weeks.
The concentration of minerals with this method should be several times less (carefully read the recommendations on the packaging).
ATTENTION: Fertilize only in moist soil so that the roots are not injured and the nutrients are fully absorbed.
Reproduction
Reproduction is carried out in the following ways:
Cuttings
The apical ones are cut off. Semi-lignified shoots. To remove the milky juice, keep it in water for a day. Then they take root in a glass of warm water.
To prevent rotting, a little wood ash is added to the water.
After the roots appear, the cutting is planted in a pot under a transparent cap until the leaves appear.
Growing cuttings
Layers can be grown on a specimen obtained by cuttings.
This method is not acceptable for propagating Microcarp with a characteristic appearance.
To obtain cuttings, retreat 50-60 cm from the crown, cut off the bark from the trunk (10-12 cm) and wrap the cut with moistened moss and film.
In this place, roots will form in a month. Then the crown is cut off and planted in a separate container.
Sowing seeds
Only by seed can a specimen with a sculpted root characteristic of the species be grown.
Propagation by seeds is carried out in the spring. First of all, you should purchase high-quality planting material from point of sale where conditions have been created for storing goods.
If the seeds were stored incorrectly, they will not sprout.
Sowing of moistened and stratified seeds is carried out in a flat container. A layer of drainage is placed at the bottom, then a layer of soil.
The surface is compacted, moistened, and seeds are laid out on it.
Then the crops are sprinkled with a small layer of sand and covered with glass or transparent film.
To germinate, crops require sufficient light and warmth. (22-250C).
Depending on the quality and conditions of the material sprouts will appear in 2-4 weeks. In the phase of two true leaves, the shoots dive.
During growing, regular spraying is carried out.
New specimens are planted in separate containers no earlier than 60 days after picking.
Ficus "Microcarpa": how to form a crown?
Regular pruning is a necessary condition for obtaining a beautiful ficus. It is carried out in spring or autumn, at the beginning or end of the growing season, respectively.
In order for the tree trunk to be strong, young plants need to be pruned often and heavily. When pruning, many leaves are removed.
Branches can be formed by directing them in the desired direction using wire.
Shoots are shortened when their length is more than 20 centimeters. To obtain a branched crown, shoots longer than five centimeters are pinched.
This will promote the growth of the lower buds and the crown will become lush.
In order for Microcarp to develop decorative thickened roots, a specimen grown from seeds must be pruned.
In this case, the trunk is cut off to the root collar, leave a stump 2-3 centimeters long.
The roots are washed and divided, then each is planted so that the main part is above the soil level.
Stimulants are used to produce foliage.
On large roots it is possible to graft cuttings to obtain a spectacular crown with a complex shape.
Diseases and pests
If not properly cared for, ficus can suffer from the following problems:
Dark spots on leaves - a consequence of waterlogging.
Fusarium - rotting of roots. At the same time, they darken, become hollow inside, and soft. The reason is wet and cold soil.
Dropping leaves - dryness and high air temperature, insufficient watering.
The appearance of a white coating. White cobwebs on the leaves - infection with spider mites. In this case, it is necessary to wipe the leaves with a cotton swab dipped in a solution of alcohol or laundry soap and treat with an insecticide.
Dots and spots on the leaves are the appearance of aphids. Its reproduction is helped by over-dried and too warm air. You can destroy aphids by bathing the plant in a soap or tobacco solution.
ADVICE. To prevent pests, keep the leaves clean by wiping them regularly.
Why do the leaves of the ficus "Microcarpa" fall off? What to do?
Yellowing of leaves can occur for various reasons.
Natural death. In this case, the phenomenon is isolated and there is no need to fight it.
Change of conditions of detention. If the green leaves of the ficus “Microcarpa” fall off, it means that the plant experienced stress during rearrangement or replanting.
Move the plant to its original place and do not move it unless absolutely necessary.
Incorrect soil or utensils. The soil could have been contaminated, and during transplantation the virus got into the roots of the plant.
Treat it with fungicides. The cause could also be a pot that is too spacious.
Lack or excess of lighting. A window that is too dark or direct sunlight on the ficus can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Freezing of roots. In winter, when keeping a ficus on a window or a cold floor, the soil temperature drops sharply, and the ficus freezes. Do not keep it near cold glass.
If you grow ficus on the floor. For the winter, place felt, polystyrene foam or several layers of newspapers under the pot.
The appearance of pests. Insects that settle on leaves and stems suck the juices from the tissues and they die.
Carefully examine your pet with a magnifying glass, as the pests are very small and difficult to notice with the naked eye.
From the experience of flower growers
Do not water the ficus immediately after transplantation - let it adapt for a couple of days.
When spraying and watering, do not get on the trunk - this will cause it to rot.
In winter, make sure that the leaves do not touch the ice glass, otherwise local frostbite will occur.
When ventilating, the ficus should not be exposed to a stream of cold air.
Hot air from batteries is also harmful to it.
Ficus Microcarpa - ideal indoor plant. Caring for it is easy, and when correct pruning you can create a beautiful, original tree that will serve as an original detail of the apartment’s interior.
Video
Useful video about caring for the ficus “Microcarpa” at home:
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Growth:
The range of Ficus parsifula extends from Sri Lanka and India to Taiwan, the Malay Archipelago, the Ryukyu Islands, Australia and New Caledonia.
ON THE PICTURE: In its natural environment, this evergreen tree reaches 25 m, but when grown in room conditions shows more modest results, up to 1.5 m.
Description of the plant:
Plant size and type:
Ficus small-fruited is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or tree, in nature growing in height and width up to 25 m or more.
Root system:
The root system tends to swell, accumulating water and nutrients, which allows the plant to survive for a long time in unfavorable conditions, without water and food.
ON THE PICTURE: The roots of Ficus parvifruit continue to swell as the plant gets older, allowing this tree to grow into an original bonsai.
Stem:
The trunk is smooth, light gray in color, branching, and is a powerful support for the massive crown, since in nature its diameter can reach one meter. New growth produced throughout the year is light pink to yellow-green, giving the tree a striking two-tone appearance.
Leaves:
The leaves are dark green, elliptical in shape, shiny, smooth, leathery, 8 cm long.
ON THE PICTURE:The leaves of Ficus minifruit sit tightly on large, slightly drooping branches.
Fruit:
The fruits are small, round, and do not form under indoor conditions.
Ficus microcarpa got its name because appearance fetus The fact is that it is very small and reaches only one centimeter. The small fruit in Greek sounds like mikros karpos, which is where its name comes from. The plant is native to southeast Asia, northern Australia and southern China.
It is noteworthy that wild ficus can be huge and reach a height of 25 meters. Its crown is very fluffy and dense, and small-fruited domestic ficuses are simply dwarfs in comparison. They usually grow no more than one and a half meters, and some species are quite tiny and are grown in bonsai style.
General characteristics and varieties
The main external feature of the ficus microcarp is that it root system is bare and rises above the surface of the ground and takes on the most unusual shapes.
The foliage of the plant is slightly elongated and oval in shape, 5-10 centimeters long, the leaves can be 3-5 centimeters wide. Their apex is pointed. The upper part of the leaf is smooth and shiny, with a thin skin. They are alternately attached to the branches using a short petiole. There are several varieties of small-fruited ficus:
Home care rules
In order for the plant to grow well, it requires special care. It is very important to choose a suitable location. Microcarpa does not like to be exposed to direct sunlight, so it is preferable to place it where there is shade or partial shade. It should not be placed on the windowsill near the radiator in winter.
As for the temperature, he likes it warm. He is comfortable in a temperature that is slightly higher than room temperature: approximately 25-30 degrees. Heat is necessary not only for the part that is above the surface of the earth, but also for the root system, so in winter it is not recommended to leave it on the windowsill or place it on the floor.
Ficus requires watering all year round. In the summer they do this more often. It is important to ensure that the earthen coma does not dry out.
If the indoor flower does not have enough moisture, then this can be understood by its external signs:
- the plant becomes lethargic;
- leaves begin to fall.
In winter, watering is needed moderate and not too abundant. Excessive moisture can cause the roots to rot and spots to appear on the leaves.
Ficus microcarpa reacts very sensitively to the composition of water, so watering should be done only with water that has already stood for at least 12 hours and its temperature is equal to room temperature.
Air humidity is also very important. This plant requires high humidity - it simply needs it. If the humidity is low, then indoor flower becomes lethargic and more susceptible to various diseases and pest damage. In view of this, it should be sprayed with water daily and the leaves wiped with a damp soft cloth.
Ficus responds positively to fertilizing, so fertilizers can be added to the soil periodically. From time to time it can be sprayed with a weak solution of mineral fertilizers. Special compositions intended for indoor deciduous plants are suitable for the soil.
If the flower is grown in bonsai style, then it is better to use special fertilizers for feeding. It should be remembered that all fertilizing is applied only to moist soil.
Transplantation and propagation
The plant does not require frequent replanting. Ficus microcarpa should be replanted approximately every two years to renew the substrate. There is no need to replant it often, because the trunk grows very slowly and practically does not increase in size. It is better to replant the plant in spring period. In this case, you must remember to place a drainage layer in the pot.
To give the flower a beautiful and neat appearance, it is trimmed. This is how the necessary crown is formed, but this should be done in spring or autumn.
There are three main methods of propagating ficus:
- cuttings;
- propagation by layering;
- seed propagation.
For cuttings, shoots that are not completely woody and cut from the top of the tree are suitable. Then they are placed in water, which should be drained after a day. It will contain a large number of milky juice.
Then the water is changed and the cutting is put back into it. A small amount of ash should be added - this helps avoid rotting. After the roots appear, it is planted in a container and covered with a transparent cap - this is how it must be kept until the first leaves appear.
It should be noted that microcarp juice is a strong allergen, so during such manipulations you should avoid getting it on the skin.
You can try to propagate the plant using layering. In this case, for an adult tree, it is necessary to retreat 55-60 centimeters from the crown. Then you need to cut off the bark from the trunk - a section equal to about 10 centimeters. Wrap the resulting bare area with damp sphagnum moss and film. In about a month, roots should appear in this place. The branch is cut off along with the crown and roots and planted in a separate container.
Ficus microcarpa bonsai can also be grown from seeds, but this method is more complex and time-consuming. Usually the seeds are planted in the spring. The quality of planting material and the conditions in which it was stored are very important. If the storage conditions were not met properly, then they simply lose their viability. Before planting seeds, they need to be stratified, and a drainage layer should be placed at the bottom of the container and only then soil should be added.
Possible diseases and pests
Plant diseases are most often caused by improper care. Often insect pests can move from neighboring flowers, especially if they are located close to each other. The most commonly found insects on the plant include aphids and spider mites. In order not to miss their appearance, you should regularly inspect the flower. Pests may be hiding on the undersides of leaves or there may be cobwebs on the stems.
With such an ailment, you can treat the above-ground part of the plant with a soap solution. After this, it is better to transplant the ficus into new soil. If pests reappear, treat with insecticides.
If the plant is watered too much I, then fungal diseases may begin to spread. At the same time, dark or light spots begin to appear on the aboveground part of the root. If this happens, the damaged areas must be removed and the ficus treated with fungicidal agents. Watering should be reduced.
Sometimes the ficus microcarpa sheds its leaves. What to do worries many gardeners. This is observed when an indoor flower is kept in a room that is too cold for it or in a draft. It is necessary to place the ficus in conditions in which it will be comfortable.
Ficus microcarpa belongs to the genus Ficus, of the Mulberry family. This evergreen tree is native to Southeast Asia, where it can be found in the tropical and subtropical forests of India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Southern China and Northern Australia.
In nature, Ficus microcarpa reaches a height of about 25 meters, forming a wide, dense crown. The trunk of the plant is smooth and thin. When damaged, thick white juice is released. The bark is gray-brown. The leaves are dark green, glossy, leathery, petiolate, oval-elliptic with a pointed apex, arranged alternately on the shoots. Leaf length is 12 - 15 cm, width - 2 - 7 cm. The flowers are small, formed inside the inflorescence - a spherical syconia, the diameter of which is 0.5 - 1 cm. Initially, syconia is green-yellow, as it matures it becomes purple. Pollinated only by Parapristina verticillata wasps.
Ficus microcarpa belongs to the group of ficus stranglers. In nature, starting its life as an epiphyte, as it grows, it takes root at the trunk of the host tree and, entangling it with its roots, crushes it. However, numerous aerial roots This ficus is very weak, so it practically does not transform into the banyan form, in which the roots become additional trunks and support for the dense crown.
In indoor conditions, it is bred either because of the unusual shape of the roots, which protrude strongly above the soil surface (the trade name for this form is Ficus ginseng), or because of the thick, beautiful crown. In the second case, the roots are usually hidden.
Caring for Ficus microcarpa is not particularly difficult. It's pretty unpretentious plant. But we can give some general recommendations on content.
Lighting. Ficus microcarpa loves bright, diffused sunlight, but also grows well under artificial light. When placing it in a room, it should be placed as close to the window as possible, but away from the radiators.
Temperature. Prefers moderate summer temperatures of about 20 – 23 °C. At higher temperatures, regular ventilation and fresh air are necessary. However, it is advisable to avoid drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Winter temperatures should not fall below 16 °C.
Watering. During the period of active growth, the plant needs abundant watering, which is carried out as the earthen clod dries out. In winter, they focus on room temperature, air humidity and illumination. When using additional lighting and hot, dry air, the ficus very quickly absorbs moisture from the soil and watering during this period can be even more frequent than in summer. In a cool, dark room, the need for water is significantly reduced.
Air humidity. Ficus microcarpa prefers high air humidity, for which it needs to be sprayed 1-2 times a day and washed under a warm shower every 2-3 weeks.
To increase humidity, you can use a tray with wet expanded clay.
The soil. The plant needs soft, fertile, well-drained slightly acidic or neutral soil with a pH of 5.5 - 7.5. You can use a ready-made soil mixture for ficus, or you can prepare the substrate yourself by taking turf, leaf, peat soil, sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:1 and adding a little charcoal.
Fertilizer. During the growing season, once every two weeks, ficus needs fertilizing with complex fertilizers. Universal fertilizers for decorative foliage plants or bonsai are suitable for it. In winter, feeding can be reduced to one per month.
The plant responds well to foliar feeding. In this case, a weak fertilizer solution is used, the concentration of which is taken in accordance with the attached instructions.
Trimming. To form a beautiful crown, regular pruning is recommended, which is preferably carried out in spring or autumn (before the start of the growing season or after it).
Pests and diseases
At low humidity and high temperature there is a high probability of being affected by spider mites. If the plant is small, it can be washed thoroughly under a hot shower with a water temperature of 40 - 45 °C. It is recommended to spray large plants with an insecticidal preparation of appropriate action.
In addition, ficus is affected by whitefly, mealybug, thrips and scale insects.
The most common diseases due to improper care are:
– leaf shedding is possible due to drafts, temperature changes, watering cold water, lack of light, dryness or waterlogging of the earthen coma;
– root rot and dark spots on the leaves appear from stagnation of water in the pot.
Ficus microcarpa does not adapt well to changes in living conditions. For quick adaptation and habituation, it is recommended to spray it once a week with an “epin” solution during the entire adaptation period.
Forms of Ficus microcarpa
In addition to plants with ordinary dark green foliage, there is also a variegated form of Ficus microcarpa - Variegata. This form needs brighter light than the mother plant, since with a lack of light the variegation disappears.
Ficus ginseng(Ficus ginseng), or Ficus ginseng, is a plant with bizarrely swollen roots, reminiscent in appearance of ginseng roots, which are formed in a special way with the help of special hormones and fertilizers during seed propagation. When cutting ficus, it is impossible to achieve such a root shape. Caring for a Ficus ginseng is exactly the same as for a regular one, but it is recommended to do more frequent and deeper pruning so that all attention is focused on the roots. You should also pay special attention to the nutrition of the plant. With a lack of nutrition, the shoots begin to take nutrients from the roots, as a result of which they become thinner and wrinkled.
Ginseng, also known as microcarpa or small-fruited ficus, belongs to the Mulberry family.
In Latin it scientific name sounds like Ficus microcarpa ginseng.
IN natural conditions- is an evergreen tree 15-25 meters high with a thick spreading crown, a powerful trunk and huge aerial roots hanging down.
In indoor culture, it is most often grown in the form of a bonsai with a small trunk, but a huge rhizome, shaped like a ginseng root. Not by chance "ginseng" translates as "ginseng".
The tropics and subtropics of Southeast Asia are the tree’s usual habitat.
This representative of the flora is also called “Indian laurel”, “green island” and “Chinese banyan”.
Its dark green leathery leaves are quite large - up to 15 cm in length.
They are oval in shape and have a glossy surface.
Ginseng is a strangler ficus.
Starting life as an epiphyte, as it develops it takes root next to the host tree, entwines it and strangles it, preventing it from developing.
The bizarre rhizome for which the indoor ficus ginseng is famous does not occur in nature.
It is grown on farms using a special technology that is kept secret.
The tree is fed with special preparations and kept in special conditions.
Co. when the root reaches the desired thickness and shape, the plant is transplanted into another container, leaving most of the rhizome on the surface of the soil.
At the same time, the trunk is cut off and new greenery is grown.
Indoor forms with an ordinary trunk are also bred on farms.
In this case, the rhizome is hidden in the ground and the main beauty of the tree is given by the luxurious dense crown.
Home care
Ficus ginseng It is distinguished by its ease of care and endurance.
Following simple rules of care will help it develop well, not get sick and be protected from pest attacks.
Important - The tree trunk is covered with thin gray-brown bark, which, when damaged, releases white milky sap.
It is advisable to avoid such injuries when caring for your “green friend” - wounds on the trunk take a very long time to heal.
Temperature
The tree prefers diffused light or partial shade.
The ideal place is next to the window, but as far as possible from heating appliances.
Important - It is advisable to decide once and for all on a permanent location for the ficus, because it does not like moving and may shed its leaves in response.
The most comfortable temperature for a given representative of the flora - from 20 to 23 °C.
In the hot season, regular ventilation will be required. At the same time, drafts are very undesirable.
In winter, the temperature column in the room should not fall below 16°C.
Watering and humidity
Over-wetting the soil can lead to root rot.
The need for watering is easily determined: drying of the top layer of soil to a depth of about 3 cm is a signal that it is time to moisten the soil.
It is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out completely and that the water in the pan does not stagnate.
The tree needs high air humidity.
It will be very grateful for daily spraying in the mornings and evenings.
For this, it is better to take boiled water, otherwise a white coating will remain on the leaves.
Also, the plant will not refuse a warm shower once a month and regular wiping of the leaves with a damp cloth.
It is advisable that during water procedures, as little water as possible gets on the trunk.
To increase humidity, you can use a tray with wet pebbles.
Top dressing
In winter, feeding is reduced to once a month.
Fertilizers should be applied along with watering to moist soil.
Bloom
The tree blooms with small flowers, which bloom inside a spherical receptacle.
Later they transform into fruits, the so-called syconia, which are shaped like large berries.
At home, the tree rarely becomes covered with flowers, much less bears fruit, since it must be pollinated by small wasps that live only in its homeland.
Crown formation
Ficus microcarpa has very plastic shoots, so its crown can be given any shape.
If you are quite satisfied with the appearance of the purchased specimen, you can preserve it by regularly pinching the tips of the branches.
To form a branched crown, the top of the tree is cut off, leaving no more than 5 cm in length of branches.
An interesting crown shape is obtained if you choose one strong branch growing in any direction and do not interfere with its development.
The direction of the branches is sometimes formed using wire.
To obtain a powerful trunk, it is severely pruned several times.
It is worth saying that along with this procedure, a large number of leaves are also removed, which reduces the plant’s need for moisture.
Transfer
"Indian laurel" needs loose and fertile soil with acidity pH from 5.5 to 7.5.
You can buy a special substrate for ficuses or prepare it yourself from equal parts of coarse sand, peat, turf and leaf soil with the addition of fine charcoal.
Another option for a suitable substrate- sand, humus and clay granules taken in equal parts.
Young specimens are replanted every year or every other year in early spring with a complete replacement of the earth, and adults - once every 2-3 years by transshipment method.
Advice: To maintain a compact shape when replanting, it is recommended to trim one third of the roots.
Care after purchase
In the first two weeks after purchase, the tree often sheds its leaves - in this way it reacts to a change in place of residence.
This is not scary - with regular watering and spraying, the “new growth” will soon adapt and sprout fresh leaves.
To help him get used to new conditions faster, it is useful to spray him with a solution once a week. "Epina."
Advice: If the pet was purchased in transport soil, it is necessary to change it to a new substrate.
But this is done only a couple of weeks after he gets used to it.
Photos
In the photo there is a ficus "Ginseng":
Reproduction
Cuttings
In spring, semi-lignified ones are cut from the tops of shoots. cuttings 15 cm long and place them in water for a couple of hours to wash off the milky juice.
Before planting, the substrate is disinfected by calcining it in the oven or freezing it in the refrigerator.
Rooting occurs within 2 months, after which the plants are transplanted into separate pots.
Root cuttings
A piece of root is cut off from an adult specimen and planted in the substrate, leaving 2.5 cm its upper part rises above the ground surface.
With watering once a week and regular ventilation in 3-4 months new shoots can be expected.
After the appearance 4-5 leaves remove the film and place the young bush in a bright, shaded place and provide it with proper care.
Air layering
A ring of bark the width of from 2 to 3 cm.
The incision site is covered with damp sphagnum moss and covered with polyethylene.
After the roots appear in this place, the upper part of the bonsai is cut off along with the new root system and planted in another pot.
This method is used to rejuvenate specimens that have lost their decorative properties.
Seeds
A rare method, since it is difficult to purchase seeds.
Sowing of seeds is carried out in a substrate consisting of peat and sphagnum moss.
They take quite a long time to germinate "mini-greenhouse" and a constantly moistened substrate.
Important - It should be borne in mind that with any method of propagation the result will be a ficus with a regular trunk and a closed root system.
It is extremely difficult to obtain a powerful external root at home.
As described above, this requires a special growing technology.
Diseases and pests
The tree most often gets sick from improper care.
The following problems may occur:
- Green leaves fall - poor lighting, drafts, temperature changes, waterlogging of the soil, change of location.
- The leaves first turn yellow and then fall off - insufficient watering, low humidity, poor lighting in winter.
- The lower leaves turn yellow - lack of nutrients.
- Dark spots appear on the foliage and root rot develops - stagnation of water in the soil.
With proper care, problems disappear: the green pet quickly recovers and grows new leaves.
If a tree is affected by root rot, treatment should be started immediately.
You need to take it out of the flowerpot, remove all the diseased parts of the root and cut off part of the crown so that the “patient” spends all his energy on recovery.
Dangerous enemies:
- Spider mite
- Shchitovka
- Mealybug.
If pests are detected, insecticide treatment is carried out.
For prevention purposes, regular inspection of foliage and proper care are necessary.
Benefits and harms
Ficus microcarpa is not only an interior decoration, but also a very useful plant.
Indoor tree is effective improves the microclimate in the house, purifying the air from harmful substances such as phenol, benzene and trichlorethylene.
In addition, it has numerous healing properties.
Tinctures and preparations made from milky juice and leaves are used to treat mastopathy and various neoplasms.
With the help of ficus you can get rid of wen, warts and bruises.
Also, products from it help with arthritis, osteochondrosis and radiculitis. The tree is not poisonous and completely safe.
Ficus ginseng deserves to live in your home for a long time.
With proper care of the ficus "Ginseng" at home, the tree can not only become an elegant decoration, but also purify the air in the room.
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