How to grow a ficus at home

Today undeservedly forgotten ficuses are again at the peak of fashion at florists. But there was a time when this unpretentious plant was in every home. Caring for him is minimal, but the return in the form of lush foliage is beyond all praise!

The current selection offers such variegated forms that it is a sin not to have such beauty on the windowsill. How to care for ficus at home? In principle, not very difficult. We describe the most important aspects. With their observance, care for the ficus will not bring unnecessary trouble.

The composition of the earth and the choice of capacity

Material pot absolutely does not matter for the ficus, but its size - even very much. Do not plant the plant in too large a capacity, otherwise it will become a little brassy. And vymahaet very decent size, because in natural conditions, their height reaches 5 meters.Although, if your area allows, then boldly grow a ficus in a huge tub. He will thank you with huge leaves.

The composition of the soil is absolutely standard. 2 parts of a good fertile garden land is mixed with 1 part peat and 1 part clean, coarse sand. Anything more you do not need to add.

Naturally, a layer of drainage is poured at the bottom of the pot. Perhaps this rule applies absolutely to all indoor colors. Small expanded clay, small pebbles or gravel, granite chips are the most suitable materials. Ignore this item, because it helps to solve many problems. For example, the main function of removing excess moisture will prevent rotting of the roots and the appearance of various diseases.

Lighting and temperature

Ficus love light. But not so completely insane. Therefore, it is better to grow in light shading, without direct sunlight. You can put the pot on the stand next to the window, but not on the window sill. This light will be quite enough.

Ficus will grow well in the depths of the room, without access of sunlight.In this case, additional lighting is obligatory with special fitolamps.

The temperature content varies depending on the time of year. In summer, the ficus will be most comfortable at + 24-26 ° C. In winter, he prefers + 17-19 ° С.

In principle, the ficus quite easily tolerates a temporary decrease in temperature. The only thing that he is at this time slowing down in growth. Critical for a plant is a drop to + 12 ° С. Then it will just drop all the leaves and get ready to say goodbye to you.

Watering and humidity

Ficus like high humidity. Therefore, they should be regularly sprayed with slightly warm water. Or put next to the pot additional containers with water, wet clay, moist moss.

After drying on the leaves may remain stains. This is from too hard water. If the liquid is settled, filtered or purified, then there will be no stain. Another reason is dust on the surface of the sheet. About once every 12-13 days wipe the leaves with a soft cloth or a rag. Then the dust will not accumulate, respectively, the spots can be forgotten.

Watering should be regular. In the summer it is recommended to keep the whole earthen room in a slightly damp state. To do this, it is regularly moistened on top. About once every 3-4 days.Critical drying occurs when the top layer of earth in a pot dries to a depth of 3-3.5 cm. In this case, expect a stormy fall of the leaves.

At overflow, the first sign is wilting and wrinkling of the leaves. The second is the beginning rot of the roots. Watch this. It is better to water frequently and little by little, than to splash a liter mug into the pot once a month.

In winter, the ficus is watered much less frequently. About once every 10-11 days. Again, you need to look at the soil moisture. If during a cold season you keep a plant in a hot dry room or near a heating device, then it is worth reviewing the irrigation mode, for example, to make it more frequent.

Good service will have special beacons. They are stuck in the soil and look behind the scale. When the earth dries at a certain level, it will change color. This will be a signal for watering.

Fertilizers and fertilizers

Starting from March and ending in October, the ficus is fertilized approximately once every 14-16 days. Certainly only after the next watering, so as not to burn thin young roots. It is possible to use any complex mineral fertilizer for top dressing. Or buy ready-made chopsticks at a specialty store. They are stuck in a pot and after each watering the ficus will take as much nutrition as it needs.Granules (tablets) have the same property. They are also added in the top layer of soil.

Just strictly follow the dosage! Do not exceed it, otherwise ugly deformed leaves will begin to grow at the ficus. And choose those on the package which is written "for ficuses."

Much more grateful, the plant responds to organic goodies. This can be a herbal infusion diluted in a ratio of 1 to 10. Or, once a year, replace the top 2-2.5 cm of soil with fresh, well-ripened humus. Just do not overdo it, otherwise the trunk simply will not sustain the entire mass of its leaves and may break.

Diseases and pests

Most pests of houseplants are indifferent to the ficus, except for spider mites and scythos. In this case, you will have to use insecticides. Choose any one that says “suitable for indoor plants” on its packaging. Processing is always done twice, because once is not enough to completely destroy the enemies.

If you are an opponent of chemicals, you can try to thoroughly wash the leaves and the stem with a strong solution of household or potassium soap.Only by all means then wash the plant with warm water from the remnants of foam. Be sure to cover the soil in a pot with dense polyethylene or cling film.

Among the sores ficuses chose a variety of rot. If leaves are affected, then at the initial stage it is sufficient to wash them with soapy water. With a large degree of damage, it is better to completely remove leaflets.

Root rot can kill even the most magnificent plant in a matter of days. There is no cure for it yet. In your power only have time to cut as much as possible healthy cuttings and try to root them.

Causes of rot - this is excessive watering, drafts and a sharp temperature drop. By eliminating these factors, you can avoid plant disease completely.

Some valuable tips

1. Ficuses do not like when they are disturbed. This refers to transplanting, changing places and even turning the pot. We chose the capacity, planted the plant and that's it. Do not touch him again. Do not move to another place, do not turn the pot other side to the light. No extra touch, except the standard rubbing leaves during hygienic care.
2. Sometimes the owners want to have a compact fluffy bush of ficus, and in the pot stick a lonely stick. And it does not grow in width, but in the ceiling. Stop. And who said that the ficuses can not pinch for better branching? Wipe the blade or knife with alcohol, carefully cut the barrel to the desired height. The cut is processed with a finely crushed tablet of activated carbon. And we are waiting for the side shoots to appear. In turn, they can also be cut. Then the third order shoots will start growing. And now you have the coveted lush bush with gorgeous leaves.
3. We do not throw away the cut off tip. Put in a glass of water. Two weeks we wait for roots, then we plant in a suitable pot on the right place.
4. Some owners generally work wonders. Three plants are grown in a pot at the same time to approximately 1 m. Then they pinch the tops, and the trunks themselves are braided into a loose pigtail. Thanks to flexibility, this is done very easily. But after the appearance of side shoots, an exclusive figure is obtained with a lush cap at the crown. It looks very impressive, and the care is absolutely identical to the care of a single plant.
5. In the fall and winter, the ficus can shed a few lower leaves.Do not rush to look for the cause in the wrong care or content. This is a completely natural process. The alarm should be struck when the leaf fall begins in spring or summer, and also assumes the threatening nature of the loss of the entire leaf cover.

How to care for ficus at home? Our grandmothers knew all the subtleties and secrets of the content. The time has come for us to revive ficuses in every home. Moreover, it is not difficult. A few correct recommendations and love for the plant - that's all that is needed for quality care.

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