How to root ficus - rules and useful recommendations. Propagation of ficus by cuttings - how to cultivate a flower of family well-being? How to make aerial roots in a ficus

03.01.2022

Among the vast number indoor plants one of the most spectacular is. Purifying the air from harmful impurities, it has served as an interior decoration for more than a century.

We will tell you more about how rubber-bearing occurs, as well as about the rules for caring for and protecting a plant from diseases and pests in the article.

Ficus belongs to the Mulberry family. India is considered his homeland. Here it becomes a huge tree, reaching forty meters in height.

In its natural habitat, it forms powerful aerial roots, which, intertwining, sometimes create very bizarre “designs”.

It is not uncommon for the roots to come out when grown in a pot. Aerial ficus root is one of its features.

The leaves are located one above the other, have an oval shape with a clear division in the middle.

The ends are pointed. The color of the plates is rich green, glossy. Decorative varieties have a different color. The most common representatives:

Belize. Beautiful, white-pink border of foliage and reddish stems.
Decor. The young crown has a bronze tint.
Variegata. Variegated yellow-green leaves.

Each view is beautiful in its own way. However, the rubber-bearing ficus Robusta is the most popular. Its dark, fleshy greenery has been decorating a huge number of apartments since the times of the USSR.

Previously, ficus was grown in whole plantations. They did this for industrial purposes: rubber was extracted from the stems and roots, which was used to create rubber products.

The culture is quite unpretentious. Loves good lighting, especially colorful views, but can grow even on northern windows. True, in the dark, the plant will stretch more upwards, and the foliage will become noticeably smaller.

The most comfortable temperature in summer is 18-25°. In winter, 15 ° will be enough.

The tree is distinguished by its endurance and relative resistance to drought, as it tends to retain "excess" moisture in the stems, roots and leaves. However, this does not mean that the ficus can not be watered at all. On the contrary, in the heat, moisturizing should be carried out twice a week, and only with the onset of cold weather, watering can be minimized, remembering the “favorite” once every two months.

In addition, the plant will be grateful if it is “bathed” with a shower or simply sprayed from a spray bottle.

For lush growth, top dressing will also be useful, which should be applied every 10 days.

Breeding options

Fucus rubbery - an amazing plant! Getting new trees is not difficult and even an inexperienced grower can handle it. The following methods apply:

Cuttings. For blanks, apical segments are used, on which there are 5-6 leaves.
After separating the branch, it is thoroughly washed, eliminating the juice. Then with liquid for a few days. Water is changed periodically.

To speed up the process of root formation, you can add honey, aloe juice or industrial growth stimulants to the container.

Air outlets. On a straight, even shoot with 4-5 leaves, two cuts are made with a distance of 1.5 centimeters. Then the bark is cleaned between them.

The site is treated with a root former and wrapped in a moisture-retaining material (perlite, moss, sponge). The operation site is hermetically sealed with a film.

After the formation of sufficiently strong aerial roots, the branch is separated from the mother liquor and placed in a nutrient substrate.

Escape with a leaf. To form a full-fledged tree, one leaf will not be enough. Such a blank, of course, forms roots, but the stem will not appear. Therefore, choosing this method of reproduction, you need to use a sheet plate along with a piece of wood.

Ficus (fíkus) ready for cuttings

The lower edge of the handle is made obliquely, and sometimes it is additionally split by inserting a piece of a match into the gap. The greens are rolled into a tube and secured with a rope or elastic band. Then the shoot is placed in water or immediately in the ground.

For reproduction to be successful, work must be carried out in winter. It is at this time that the ficus secretes the smallest amount of juice, which can become an obstacle to the formation of roots.

A good period for harvesting will be the spring-summer season, when the flower is most actively growing and developing.

Proper care and formation of ficus

After the cuttings acquire their own root system, they must be planted. What soil to choose?

The substrate should be loose, have good throughput and be as saturated as possible with nutrients. To prepare it, you need to take sand, leafy and soddy soil, humus and peat. All components are taken in equal quantities.

1.5-2 cm of drainage is poured into the "leaky" pot, then a little soil mixture, and only then - a young seedling. The roots are carefully straightened and completely covered with soil. It is necessary to compact the earthen layers quite a bit so as not to disturb the air permeability of the soil.

In the future, care for young growth is the same as for adult ficus: maintaining heat, moderate watering, sufficient lighting and timely fertilization. Feeding is recommended from the second year of life.

Do not forget about the transplant. "Beginners" change containers from smaller to larger annually. Strong ficuses “relocate” only in case of urgent need, when the roots will already crawl out of the container. "Old men" enough to update the topsoil.

Some flower growers are engaged. If the culture is grown by a tree in one trunk, then the work is limited to the periodic removal of dried leaves.

To obtain bushiness, pruning is necessary. First, the apical point of growth is pinched off, and after the appearance of side shoots, the process is repeated with them.

By the way, the remaining "unnecessary" pieces can be used as material for cuttings.
It is worth remembering that the juice secreted by ficus is relatively poisonous. It can cause skin irritation, so it is advisable to wear gloves when shaping the plant.

Diseases and pests

Ficus (fíkus) grown at home

The most common insects are:

Thrips. The foliage is covered with a brilliant bloom, red spots appear from below.
Spider mite. Drying blots on all parts of the plant, white or grayish dust, cobwebs.
Shchitovka. The flower becomes sticky to the touch.
Mealybug. Light rough areas appear on the inside of the leaves.

Pest control measures are very similar.

First, the tree must be washed under running water, then treated with an insecticide or some folk remedy.

Spider mites are quite dangerous pests that are not easy to get rid of. The reason is that tick larvae are resistant to many drugs. Therefore, when choosing a remedy, it is worth paying attention to the features of its action and to individuals at what stage it affects.

Sometimes, when affected by mites, the foliage begins to turn yellow and wither, later dry and fall off. It is imperative to start treatment on time, otherwise the flower will weaken so much under the influence of the pest that it may not be able to tolerate the treatment with strong chemicals.

The first step is to isolate the infected plant. This recommendation is best observed when attacked by any pests. Then increase the humidity level. After all, dry air is preferable for ticks.

And yet, both in bathing and spraying, you need to observe the measure. Otherwise, rotting of the rhizome or stem will begin. It is better to keep the pot at an angle during such events or to cover the soil with something so that moisture does not get into it.

The flower can be sprayed with Aktellik or Neoron. The procedure is carried out at least 2 times. Neoron at the first processing only damages larvae. Therefore, repeated spraying is required.

In addition to drugs aimed at the destruction of ticks, there are those that sterilize females. These measures are also effective.

In addition to processing the plant itself, we also recommend disinfecting the place where the flower was located. To do this, the window sill and glass are washed with baking soda. Curtains are also better ironed. Even after a complete cure, it is better to keep the flower in quarantine for some time.

When attacked by scale insects, we recommend both local exposure and treatment with drugs. The first method is that with a brush or a cotton swab, tubercles with pests are lubricated with alcohol or soapy water. And after that, remove with a brush or cloth.

In addition to insects, fíkus rubbery can "suffer" due to care errors.

Bad smell. Most often, this sign signals root rot, which occurs due to poor drainage.

To eliminate the “sore”, the plant must be removed from the soil, the roots examined, the dead and sick removed, the healthy parts powdered with activated charcoal and planted in a container with new soil.

Dropping or yellowing of leaves. Most often, such a nuisance happens when the water regime is violated. Ficus is either waterlogged, or, conversely, lacks "drinking". To correct the situation, the soil should either be dried or watered.

The flower does not grow. In the case of stunting, the reason is simple: the pot is too small. It is enough just to transplant the culture and everything will be back to normal.

While watching the video, you will learn about.

Let the rubber-bearing ficus bring good luck to the house and please with its splendor all year round!

Ficuses of many species have long been one of the most beloved indoor plants. Their wide distribution is also associated with the ease of reproduction.

These trees grow fast enough mature plant can give rise to many new instances.

When is the best time to propagate ficuses?

They do not bloom indoors, so they are propagated vegetatively. best time for this is spring from the beginning of April to the end of May.

During this period, ficus cuttings take root the fastest. Young plants rooted in spring will be able to get stronger and grow noticeably until autumn.

Reproduction methods

There are the following methods of reproduction of ficuses: apical and stem cuttings, cuttings with one leaf and air layering. Small-leaved cuttings with one leaf are not propagated, as this is very difficult due to the small size of such cuttings.

Apical cuttings

During the spring pruning of the tree, cut upper parts of the shoots are formed, which can be rooted and young ficuses can be obtained.

Cuttings should be more than 15 cm long and have 2-4 large leaves. The branches from which they were cut should be semi-lignified.

To prepare the ficus stalk for rooting, you need to cut its lower part at an angle of 45º as close as possible to the node. The lowest leaf growing from this node is cut with a knife, the remaining leaves are cut in half.

Prepared cuttings are placed in water for several hours so that the white juice does not freeze on the cut and does not interfere with root formation. After that, the cuttings need to be dried for 2-3 hours in the air. Then they are rooted in one of 2 ways.

Methods for rooting cuttings

Ficus cuttings can be rooted in water or in the ground. The first way is the easiest. The cuttings are placed in a container with boiled water at room temperature so that their lower node is in the water. It is better to choose a container that is opaque or made of dark glass so that blue-green algae do not multiply in the water, preventing root formation.

When rooting cuttings, it is necessary to maintain a temperature above 25ºС. High humidity promotes rapid rooting. Roots usually appear within 3-4 weeks. When they lengthen to 4-5 cm, the cuttings can be planted in the ground.

Cuttings are often rooted directly in the ground. To do this, you can take a standard earth mixture for ficuses, which contains turf and leaf soil, peat and sand in a combination of 4: 4: 2: 1.

Cuttings are also well rooted in a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 1. For rooting, you need a container with moist soil.

Ficus cuttings are buried in the ground by 1 knot and covered with plastic wrap on top or glass jars. The substrate must be moist, and the air temperature during rooting should not be below 25ºС.

The container with the cuttings must be opened and ventilated daily so that rotting does not occur.

In such conditions, in about a month, young leaves will appear on the cuttings. After that, you can gradually remove the film from them so that they get used to the humidity of the air in a city apartment. When the cuttings are actively growing, they are transplanted into separate pots.

stem cuttings

A long cut ficus shoot can be cut into segments with 3-4 leaves. These stem cuttings can also be rooted. They are prepared in the same way as the apical cuttings, cutting off the lower part at an angle and drying the cut in the air.

Roots on stem cuttings are formed much more slowly than on apical ones., and many fragments of the stem do not give roots and disappear.

To increase the number of rooted stem cuttings, you can use drugs to improve root formation. If rooting occurs in water, the cuttings are soaked in a solution of the drug. If they are rooted in the ground, you need to powder the cut with a stimulating powder.

Propagation by cuttings with one leaf

Thick shoots of rubbery ficuses can be cut into short fragments with one node and one leaf. The lower cut of such cuttings is made at an angle in the middle of the lower internode, the upper one - in the middle of the upper internode.

A ficus leaf is folded into a tube and fixed with an elastic band or adhesive tape.

Prepared cuttings with one leaf are rooted only in the ground. They are dug into moist soil up to the petiole of the leaf. The temperature for rooting them is the same as for rooting other cuttings. To create constant air humidity, the container with the cuttings is covered with a film.

Formation of air layers

An air layer is a part of a ficus shoot with formed aerial roots that can be cut and planted in the ground.

To form aerial roots, 2 circular cuts are made on a ficus branch at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other. Between them, the bark is carefully removed, and the bare area is sprinkled with powder for root formation.

After that, the cut is wrapped with wet moss and covered with plastic wrap, which must be tied on both sides.

If you keep the moss moist, the branch will take root in this place, which will break through the film over time. After that, the layers can be separated from the adult tree and planted in the ground.

Cuttings are the most common, but not the most effective method of propagating ficuses.. Necessarily some part of the cut cuttings does not take root and disappears. But this is offset by a large number of them as a result of the formative spring pruning of the tree.

The ficus propagation method by air layering is the most effective, but time-consuming.

Young ficuses of all kinds need an annual transplant, plants over five years old - once every two to three to four years.

The diameter of the pot for small ficuses should be 2 centimeters, and for large ones - 6 centimeters more than the previous one.

You can not transplant a small ficus immediately into a large pot, especially for dwarf ficus. This will inevitably lead to acidification of the soil, the root system will rot, and the ficus will die. If you made a mistake with the size of the pot, then transplant ficus into another smaller pot, it's never too late.

The deepening of the root neck can adversely affect the leaves: green leaves suddenly begin to fall, sometimes dark brown spots appear on them.

During a ficus transplant, the earth in a pot should be lightly tamped with your thumbs. Do not leave voids near the roots. However, it is also not worth ramming the earth in a pot too much, because the earth will become too dense, air will not flow to the roots, in this case the tips of the leaves will begin to turn black, green leaves may fall off in this case too.

Lightly compacted earth in a pot after a ficus transplant will settle after a while, and it will need to be topped up to the required level so that the root collar is flush with the ground.

And even during the year, if the land from irrigation begins to wash out with upper roots ficus, it is necessary to periodically pour the earth into the pot.

After transplanting, thoroughly moisten the earth in a pot and remove the ficus in partial shade. The next watering of the ficus should be done only after the top layer of the earth in the pot dries out.

Ficus is a rather unique flower, because unlike other indoor plants, it only grows upwards. Not every grower will be happy with this fact. Indeed, in this case, you will have to regularly trim to give the ficus the necessary shape. However, not everyone can do this task, because only a few know how to cut a ficus.

Plant features

One of the well-known representatives of the mulberry family is the rubber-bearing ficus, which is usually attributed to the ficus genus. The habitual habitats of this plant are India, as well as southern part of Indonesia and western part of Africa. In countries with a more severe climate, this flower is widely used as an ornamental plant. However, it is valued not only because of its attractiveness, because large varieties of this ficus serve as a raw material for the manufacture of rubber.

Instances that grow in natural conditions have impressive dimensions, which can be 40 m in height. Moreover, they often form supporting roots. The latter are distinguished by the fact that they penetrate deep into the ground, where they take root. More compact is the home-grown rubber ficus, since most often it reaches a height of up to 10 m. After planned pruning, this variety begins to look even more miniature.

Beneficial features

Ficus rubbery is interesting for many not only because of its decorative properties, because when it is grown indoors, you can maintain a healthy environment. The cleansing effect is provided by the leaves, which filter the air, like a pipe. As a result of such filtration, oxygen-enriched air is obtained at the outlet.

Many growers are attracted to rubber ficus and the fact that it does not create problems in care. Instances grown at home do not form flowers, and at the same time they are demanding on growing conditions. The main thing is to make sure that the plant is protected from direct sunlight, and also to carry out regular watering and periodically arrange a warm shower for him.

Ficus Growth Physiology

Ficus rubber can be given any shape. To do this, you just need to properly trim it. As a result of this operation, from a nondescript plant, you can get unique home decoration. Moreover, even a novice florist can master this task, but first you will have to familiarize yourself with the rules of pruning and adhere to them.

The change in the shape of ficus Benjamin occurs due to new shoots that usually appear from the kidneys. Ficus has only two of them:

apical (located at the very top of the bush);
lateral, or axillary (located in the axils of the leaves, where the leaf petioles are closely adjacent to the trunk).

The apical bud shows the fastest growth, ahead of the lateral buds, which develop very slowly or show no signs of development at all. It is enough to remove the upper kidney so that the lateral kidneys can begin to develop well. Usually shoots begin to grow in different directions. As a result of such manipulations, the plant begins to change its crown.

Before proceeding with the formation of the crown, it does not hurt to find out what time of the year is best to do this.

Many people think that The best time to do this is in the spring and they will be right. The crown formation planned for this time of the year allows you to give the plant more splendor, since it is in the spring that ficus are created best conditions for growth. Using a similar approach, the grower can grow a Benjamin ficus that is well developed, with fully formed shoots in all directions.

It is undesirable to transfer pruning of Benjamin's ficus to a later time, for example, autumn or winter, since in this case the shoots will develop within a specific area. This will cause the ficus to look skewed. It should be borne in mind that at this time of the year the ficus begins use nutrients , which he accumulated in the shoots. As a result of pruning shoots in the fall, you will leave Benjamin's ficus without these supplies, endangering its survival.

During the formation of the crown, it is necessary not only to change the length of the shoots, but also to adjust the direction of their further growth. For this purpose, special tensioning devices are usually used.

Crown formation without pruning

Do not rush to pruning rubber ficus. First, it is worth considering whether there is an urgent need for this. There is also an easier way to form a crown, which involves changing direction and securing the necessary shoots. This approach to the formation of the crown allows you to minimize injuries to the plant, which can continue to grow, delighting the owner with a beautiful view. After waiting some time for the branches to take a new position, the fixing devices are removed.

During cutting, take into account the age of the plant. This operation brings the least harm to young bushes. You need to be more careful with older plants: since their shoots are not very flexible, shortening them and other similar actions can seriously injure the plant.

Ficus rubbery: how to form a crown correctly?

The rules below designed for single ficus bushes, forming in one trunk.

In general, pruning rubber ficus is a simple undertaking. The main thing is that you must strictly follow all the rules for its implementation. Yes, it must be very careful with milky juice, which is dangerous to humans due to its toxicity. To avoid undesirable consequences, this work must be carried out with protective gloves.

Formation of an unusual crown

If necessary, even a novice grower can give a rubbery ficus quite original form.

In the process of pruning ficus Benjamin or rubber, be sure to take care of so that the braid does not subsequently open. To do this, it is recommended to tie the trunks using soft threads. It is best if it is woolen. Usually dressing is carried out every two months.

In some cases, for the normal development of ficus, the installation of a support is required. In this case, you can easily see how effective and original the appearance of rubber ficus plants will be.

Conclusion

Ficus rubber, however, like other representatives of this family, are best known for their decorative effect. However, this does not mean that the grower will not have to take measures for this. If you know how to form a crown of ficus Benjamin, then you can easily handle the rubber-bearing look.

You should know that only those specimens in respect of which it is carried out look most striking. regular pruning. After all, the beauty of the ficus can be ensured by the formation of the crown. Novice flower growers can beautifully trim Benjamin's ficus at home, because ficuses are very compact plants, so there are no particular difficulties with this operation.

How to properly form a ficus crown

Ficus is an evergreen plant with a developed root system, it quickly increases in size, has neat one-dimensional leaves and a trunk of a specific shape. Thanks to these qualities, bonsai can be formed very quickly from ficus, the care of which is simple. At home, the most common is the creation of do-it-yourself bonsai from ficus Benjamin, microcarp, karika, panda, rubber and others.

Ficus Benjamin bonsai at home with your own hands

Bonsai is the ancient art of "miniaturization" of trees, growing up to several tens of meters in natural conditions, and shaping the appearance. Now it is associated with Japan, but in fact its homeland is China. The Japanese became popularizers and "importers" of this original and sophisticated "hobby" of Chinese aristocrats, who cultivated mini-trees more than 2000 years ago. In the homeland of classic bonsai, ficuses are not used as “raw materials”, but for a beginner this is a good option.

Pot and soil

Translated from Chinese, "bonsai" means "grown in a tray." A pot for bonsai bears little resemblance to an ordinary container for flowers, rather resembling an almost flat bath on legs. The legs, by the way, are quite high - 10–15 cm. A prerequisite is the presence of several drainage holes (at least one with a diameter of about 1 cm for every 10 cm² of bottom area) and a pallet. The optimal depth is no more than 4–5 cm with a tree height of 25–30 cm.

The most nutritious fertile soil for bonsai - not the best choice. They need a light substrate that allows moisture and air to pass through well. At home, for growing miniature trees, they use a special "granular" red akadama clay. In specialized stores you can find a special mixture for palms or mulberries. An alternative is homemade soil:

Peat crumb or fertile loam, coarse river sand, powdered clay (1:1:1).
Leaf earth, small pebbles or expanded clay (no more than 3 mm in diameter), perlite or vermiculite, leaf humus (6:4:2:1).
Powdered clay, sand, leaf humus (6:3:1). You can add a little powdered pine bark (10-15% of the total volume of the finished mixture).
Soil for palm trees or ficuses and any "baking powder" - perlite, vermiculite, sand (3: 1).

Important nuances

To make bonsai look organic, you need to know about some of the inherent features of ficus:

In nature, ficuses often grow in stony soil and even on rocks, running roots into the smallest gaps between them. You can try to recreate an authentic habitat - the aerial roots released by the plant look very original.
If stones are used in the composition, they must be coated with a thin layer of a mixture of soil and powdered clay before being placed under the roots. The correct mass has a creamy consistency. This will help to secure the roots without the use of rope or wire. It is desirable that the stone is not smooth, rolled in water. It is easier for a plant to cling to small cracks and irregularities. The size of the stone is selected depending on the size of the plant and the length of its roots (they must be placed in the ground).
Only real virtuosos succeed in giving the desired shape to Benjamin's ficus by wrapping it with wire, since the shoots of the plant are quite easy to break. But pruning gives good results.
The upper part of the ficus roots should not be covered with moss, pebbles, soil, and so on.

Suitable style

The canonical art of bonsai involves the formation of a tree in strict accordance with one of the chosen styles. For ficus Benjamin are best suited:

The easiest option, timeless classic. It is recommended to start with it for those who do not have even minimal knowledge and experience in this area. The tree has an upright trunk, a crown gradually tapering upwards in the form of a pyramid. Bottom part bare trunk. Be sure to have visible thick roots.
The trunk smoothly bends in 2-3 places. In order to form a bend, thin ropes are enough. The leaves and the trunk should be located strictly within the projection of the pot, in an air cylinder or parallelepiped.
It seems that the tree is turned out of the ground by a storm. The barrel is strongly inclined to one side, hangs over the edge of the container or even hangs over it. On the other side, roots uprooted from the ground are visible.
The trunk bifurcates into unequal parts, starting from ground level. For beginners, achieving such a configuration is quite difficult. The main problem is to strike a balance between the height and thickness of the "parent" and "child" trunks. But since ficuses grow well together, you can go for a trick by planting two plants in one container.
The plant resembles a broom. Ideally, the branches should be almost symmetrical, radiating from the trunk to the sides. Sounds pretty simple, but it's not at all.
Up to five ficuses are planted in one container different ages, forming a small "grove". It is desirable that they differ in the thickness of the trunks. You can use plants of the same species or different ones.

Photo Gallery: Bonsai Styles Suitable for Ficus Benjamin

The tekkan style is a classic, with a short it is recommended to start with those who have no experience in growing bonsai Moyogi style has smooth curves Shakan style bonsai appears to have suffered from a natural disaster Bonsai sokan - as if "parent" and "child" Simplicity of symmetry inherent in the style of hokidachi - apparent, it is difficult to achieve Grove in yoseue style from different types ficus looks very impressive

Video: what ficus bonsai looks like

planting a tree

With a transplant of ficus Benjamin, purchased in a store, you need to wait 12-15 days, allowing the plant to adapt to new conditions. A self-rooted cutting is planted 2–2.5 months after the planting material gives the first roots.

Planting and further care procedure - step by step master class

Cut off several apical cuttings 8-12 cm long from a healthy ficus, process the cut points by sprinkling them with crushed chalk or activated carbon. Dry 2-3 hours. Usually on the handle there are 3-4 leaves and 1-2 growth points, from which the plant will later release aerial roots.
Put the cuttings in water or a solution of a root formation stimulator (Epin, Kornevin, Topaz, Heteroauxin, potassium humate). If necessary, cut off the lower leaves.
Provide constant temperature 25-27ºС, bright light. If possible - bottom heating.
Cover the bottom of the selected bonsai container with a special cloth similar to a mesh with small cells (2–3 mm). Pour coarse river sand on it (layer thickness is about 0.5 cm) and substrate (no more than 2.5-3 cm).
Set the plant in the right place by placing a small stone under the roots, gently straighten them and sprinkle with soil, forming a low hill. The soil layer does not reach the top edge of the pot by 1–1.5 cm. Lightly compact the soil. The root neck should be at ground level. Take a stone as reminiscent of a natural rock as possible. A piece of brick or a piece of decorative cladding panel is categorically not suitable.
Water the ficus well, after 25–30 minutes, drain excess moisture from the pan.
If you plant several cuttings in a pot, they can be intertwined until the trunks are woody. It will not cause any harm to plants. To consolidate the result, tie the ficuses in the right place by placing a thick rope or twine under the rope. soft tissue. To speed up the process of growing together of cuttings, remove a layer of bark about 0.5 mm thick and use a special spray.
When the ficuses are well rooted (after about 4 months), begin to gradually rake the earth from the roots, gradually exposing them. It will not harm the plant. The older the ficus, the more inconspicuous the procedure is for him.
When the tree grows to the desired height (after about six months), pinch the top and start shaping the crown.
If desired, you can decorate the pot with moss, colored pebbles, decorative stone figurines, oriental symbols, without covering the inverted roots. But you shouldn't get carried away. The abundance of decorations inevitably diverts attention from the tree itself and is not welcomed by the Japanese tradition.

Proper pruning and other nuances of tree care

How to cut and form a crown?

Pruning is a procedure without which it will not work to make bonsai from Benjamin's ficus. They usually start with aerial roots, giving them desired shape by regularly trimming the main stem of the plant. Because of this, it begins to increase in diameter, the crown grows in breadth, the roots thicken and partially protrude from the ground.

The formation of the crown can only be started when the trunk reaches the required thickness. Since Benjamin's ficus intensively forms a green mass, it is necessary to cut it at least once every six months. Each branch on which 8–10 new leaves have appeared is shortened so that 2–4 leaves remain. Pruning is carried out from the bottom up. The juice that stands out at the cut point does not need to be washed off.

To minimize stress on the plant, use only sharp, sanitized scissors with blades that are not too long, cutting branches perpendicularly without leaving stumps. When the secreted juice thickens, lubricate the "wounds" with garden pitch.

Under no circumstances should the leaves be cut off. A “bald” bonsai with bare branches sticking out in different directions looks, without exaggeration, terrible. In addition, the remaining leaves may turn brown.

Do not overdo it when pruning leaves - "bald" bonsai does not look very attractive

The best time to remove a significant amount of green mass is early spring, before the start of the active growing season. Further, until the fall, you can carry out a small "current repair", removing individual unsuccessfully located branches or adjusting the direction of their growth. From mid-October until the end of winter, Benjamin's ficus is not pruned - this is too much stress for a plant that needs a dormant period.

The shape of the trunk must be given as carefully as possible. The best option is to use a thin rope or twine that ties the desired branches to the base of the tree or to another support.

If you do decide to use wire, choose the thinnest one available, with insulation, and be sure to put a soft cloth under it. Do not wrap ficus Benjamin with wire immediately after transplantation, wait 3-4 weeks. Move strictly from the bottom up from the base of the trunk. When the plant is able to maintain a given shape (after 1.5–2 months), carefully cut the wire and remove it. No need to even try to unwind - you will almost certainly break off the branches.

Those who are confident in their abilities can try to "correct" nature by transplanting one or more shoots of other species onto Benjamin's ficus. Some craftsmen manage to transplant even aerial roots.

Video: trunk shaping and pruning ficus Benjamin bonsai

Important nuances of care

Ficus bonsai are cared for in the same way as a normal-sized plant. It also needs watering, increasing air humidity, and regular fertilization. Creating optimal conditions for the plant is no less important than caring for it.

For harmonious development, it is desirable to provide daylight hours lasting at least 12 hours. During the active growing season, if there is not enough natural sun, use special fitolamps. For autumn and winter, give up the backlight.

Choose a place for bonsai immediately and forever. Ficus does not respond well to movement, abruptly shedding leaves. Check that the pot is not standing in a draft. Ensure a constant temperature of 18-25ºС, try to avoid sudden temperature changes. 15ºС - the survival threshold of ficus Benjamin.

Any bonsai is watered fairly moderately so as not to provoke root rot. Ficus Benjamin is no exception. Use rain, melt or well-settled water. It is desirable to pass the latter through a filter or soften with a few crystals of citric acid. In order for the soil to be saturated with moisture evenly, water is sprayed onto the bonsai from a rather high height using a spray gun. Thus, at the same time you moisten the crown of the tree. Miniature ficus is watered daily or every 2 days (depending on the temperature and humidity of the air outside and indoors), as soon as the topsoil is completely dry.

The dense fleshy leaves of the ficus help it to endure the dry air of modern apartments, but for rapid growth and harmonious development it is recommended to increase the humidity in the room in accessible ways. This necessary condition the appearance of aerial roots, giving bonsai originality.

If there is no winter garden or greenhouse in the house a good place for mini-ficus - kitchen. There humidity is higher than in other rooms.

Bonsai fertilizers are fed only during the active growing season, from early spring to mid-autumn. Ideally, you need to find special mixtures for this type of indoor plants, but complex fertilizers for palm trees or mulberries are also suitable. Top dressing is dissolved in water, strictly following the manufacturer's recommendations. The preferred option for its introduction is foliar. Once every 15-20 days is enough.

Transfer

Bonsai under the age of 5 years need to be transplanted every 2 years, mature trees - once every 5 years. Focus on the roots of the plant - if they stick out of the drainage holes in the pot, Benjamin's ficus clearly needs to be transplanted. In the process, shorten the roots by a third - this stimulates the growth and branching of the ficus.

In general, the plant reacts negatively to transplantation, inevitably “balding”, therefore it is not recommended to disturb Benjamin's ficus without extreme necessity. The procedure can be completely replaced by removing the top layer of earth in a pot (about 1 cm) and adding a portion of freshly prepared substrate.

How to care for ficus microcarpa (ginseng) bonsai?

Ficus Benjamin as a material for growing bonsai is the most popular, but by no means the only option. Small-fruited ficus (microcarp) looks no less aesthetically pleasing, it is also ginseng (more familiar pronunciation is “ginseng”) or dull. Also, the plant is found under the nicknames "Chinese banyan", "Taiwanese" or "Indian laurel ficus", "green island".

He is also popularly known as the "strangler". This name indicates salient feature- the aerial roots of ficus ginseng, in search of support, braid the trunks of nearby trees and inhibit their growth, in other words, suffocate.

The last nickname describes what makes the ficus ginseng so popular with bonsai fans. Its main value for lovers of this arts and crafts lies in a thick trunk covered with reddish-gray folded bark, as if woven from several thinner trunks. In fact, what appear to be separate stems are thickened aerial roots. The whole design resembles a ginseng root or a mythical mandrake. Narrow dark green leaves with pointed tips also look very attractive.

Growing bonsai from ficus ginseng is even easier than from ficus benjamin. To stimulate the growth of aerial roots, a freshly planted stalk with roots or a plant purchased from a store can be temporarily placed in a florarium or a home-made "greenhouse" by tying a ficus in a bag or placing it in a container of a suitable size, covered with glass or plastic wrap. Ficus ginseng bonsai are transplanted in July, shortening the roots by about a quarter.

Ficus ginseng is very fond of light, but not scorching direct sunlight. The desired daylight hours lasting 14–16 hours in most of the territory of Russia cannot be naturally provided for, therefore, for supplementary illumination, fluorescent lamps. In winter, they have to work an average of 4-6 hours more per day than in summer.

In addition to bright light, ficus ginseng really does not like hot, dry air flows. Place the plant away from radiators and other heating devices. Another argument against the window sill is strong drafts from uninsulated windows.

Water the bonsai from a watering can with a narrow spout around the perimeter of the pot, trying not to get water on the trunk and aerial roots. Water is poured until it begins to drain through the drainage holes. Wait 15-20 minutes and drain the resulting excess from the pan. It is advisable to spray the plant daily or wipe the leaves with a damp soft cloth.

When choosing a place for bonsai, remember that ficus ginseng leaves are moderately poisonous. Pets that eat them may well be poisoned. Take care to remove the potty from the reach of pets.

The optimal height of ficus ginseng bonsai is about 0.5 m. Accordingly, crown formation can be started in 3–4 years, when the tree grows to the specified parameters and the aerial roots become thick enough. But during this time, regular pruning is needed so that the tree does not stretch excessively.

Massive leaf fall for ficus ginseng is a phenomenon that is quite within the norm. The life of the leaves is a maximum of 3 years. Pretty soon the tree will get a new crown. But the yellowing leaves, starting from the lowest ones, are an occasion to urgently feed. The plant signals that the soil is too poor.

Video: important nuances of caring for ficus ginseng bonsai

Ficus panda, rubbery, bengal and other species suitable for bonsai formation

In addition to ficus Benjamin and ficus ginseng, you can grow bonsai from other species:

Bengal ficus (benghalensis). It is mainly valued for the specificity of the life form (the so-called banyan tree) - one tree looks like a whole forest of smaller trees. Under natural conditions, it can grow to several hectares. Banyan can be formed by other ficuses, but in Bengal it turns out to be the most powerful. Decorative bonsai is added by variegated leaves with a pattern of light veins.
Ficus fig or carica (carica), it is also a fig, fig tree and wine berry. Not the most successful (because it gets rid of leaves for the winter), but it is quite a suitable option for bonsai. The branches are very thick, the leaves are large, so pruning is problematic. The trunk remains smooth regardless of the age of the plant. The more intensively the tree branches, the smaller the leaf plate becomes, therefore, at a height of 0.5–0.7 m, the bonsai looks harmonious. In the summer it is useful to take the pot out into the open air.
Ficus dark-leaved (neriifolia). Due to the color of the leaf plate, the plant is more shade-tolerant than its relatives, it survives even with completely artificial light.
Ficus rusty-red or rusty (rubiginosa). Young specimens of this unusual plant exist as epiphytes, then form a banyan tree, although not as pronounced as in Bengal ficus. The smooth bark on young shoots casts a reddish tint, adult leaves are covered with a reddish-brown “pile” from below. It grows quite slowly, which makes it possible to prune bonsai not so often. Very hardy, including suffering errors in care.
Ficus panda (panda). This species has very dense leaves. The plant tolerates the dry air of modern apartments well.
Ficus rubber (elastica). Most often, breeding hybrids are used for bonsai with a pattern on the leaves of spots and stripes of whitish, olive or lime color. Even compared to other ficuses, it grows rapidly (on a leaf per week). Glossy leaves are arranged in a spiral. Responds poorly to sudden changes in lighting type or changes in sunlight. The milky-white juice that stands out at the cut site is poisonous.

Bonsai from different types of ficus in the photo

Ficus rusty red is more "indulgent" to the mistakes of a novice bonsai lover

Small leaves of panda ficus bonsai literally stick around the shoots - this illusion is created thanks to short petioles

Trimming bonsai from rubbery ficus is started only with gloves

Possible Problems When Growing Bonsai

Any mistakes made by a bonsai grower will negatively affect appearance tree, which sharply loses its decorative effect. "Miniature", as opposed to trees normal size can die almost instantly. Therefore, measures must be taken promptly, immediately and correctly responding to the signals sent by the plant.

Table: common difficulties in growing ficus bonsai

Description of the problem	What is the reason and what to do?
The leaves darken, become covered with irregularly shaped gray spots, which quickly increase in size, then “crawl” onto the trunk. The soil is covered with mold, overgrown with moss.	Bonsai are watered too often and/or too much. Let the soil in the pot dry out, adjust the intervals between waterings depending on the temperature and humidity level outdoors and indoors. In especially severe cases, only a transplant will help. Remove the bonsai from the pot, shake off the soil from the roots, wash off the remains. All affected roots are cut off. Ficus is transplanted into a new soil and a clean pot, sprinkling the roots with any agent that stimulates their growth. Bonsai are sprayed with a 1–1.5% solution of any fungicide, tied in a bag for 10–15 days, having made several holes in the lower part to “discharge” moisture. Then the same amount of mini-ficus must be kept in an open bag.
Leaves droop, lose their tone, fade and fall off. The bark gathers into folds.	Bonsai suffers from lack of moisture, dries up. To quickly and evenly wet the soil, place the pot for 10-15 minutes (until bubbles appear on the surface) in a large container of water, then place in a plastic bag and tie, thus raising the humidity of the air. Leave for 2-3 days.
Sharp and massive leaf fall.	Possible reasons are the use of water for irrigation at the wrong temperature (most often too cold), a lack of light, the wrong location (in a draft).
The leaves curl and dry, starting at the tips.	Bonsai gets too much bright light. Choose a place where the ficus will be protected from direct sunlight. If there is no alternative, shade the plant at a time when the sun is at its strongest.
After watering, water leaves the soil surface for a long time.	Thus, the bonsai signals the need for a transplant. Or an unsuitable, too “heavy” soil was used. About 4/5 of the substrate is taken out of the pot, without touching the ground directly at the roots, replace it with a more suitable one. Until the next convenient moment for transplanting, the tree is placed in a larger pot, pouring sand on the bottom. The soil is regularly loosened.

Growing bonsai is an activity that requires patience, constant monitoring of the state of the tree, the presence of artistic taste and imagination. Ficus - good material for those who want to practice before moving on to growing traditional miniature pines and maples. The plant is not capricious, gratefully responds to care, lends itself well to formation and has the necessary decorative effect. Bonsai is a “long-playing” hobby, growing a tree according to all the canons takes more than 10 years, the result will not be seen immediately, but it is very exciting to observe the changes in shape and direct them in the right direction.