Contents:
- How to care for Bengali ficus
- Lighting
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Watering
- Fertilizer
- Transplant
- Pruning
- Reproduction
- Diseases and pests
Like most species of mulberry, Ficus Bengali can be safely attributed to the unpretentious potted trees. And so it is very popular among novice gardeners. His name ficus received the name of one of the habitat in India - it is considered the birthplace of the Bay of Bengal. In some places it is known as Indian fig tree, but the alias "banyan" was assigned because of his special life form.
In their natural environment ficus grows to epic proportions and has a characteristic numerous aerial roots, eventually thickens and is converted into trunks. The largest of the famous Bengali ficus has a circumference of crown three hundred fifty meters and employs three thousand two hundred eighty aerial roots! But its more like a grove of spreading than one tree.
It should be noted that, in good conditions and domesticated Bengali ficus in a few years can grow up to the ceiling. Therefore, most of it can be found in large offices and halls. Unfortunately, this high-ornamental plants in pots does not blossom, and valued it for its large (up to twenty centimeters in length) and velvety to the touch leaves.
How to care for Bengali ficus
Although quite tolerable character ficus, it is still necessary to know the basic rules of detention at home. Unsatisfactory care affect the health of ficus. The tree may lose leaves and, eventually, to die.
Lighting
Bengali ficus likes very, very light, indoor pot with a little tree is vital to put at the very sunny window. But direct burning rays of the sun can leave burns on the leaves, so on hot summer days the window you need a little shade. The signs of sunburn is the appearance of brown spots on the leaves.
But the scarcity of light manifested their fading, twisting and pallor. If you notice these signs, set additional artificial light source. In summer, the tree can be moved to the open air, gradually accustomed to the change of light level and temperature of the contents.
Temperature
Although ficus - thermophilic plant, it can overwinter and at 12-16 ° C. For optimum content of the air temperature should be between + 15 ... + 25 ° C. A big mistake beginners all - put a pot next to a radiator to provide the required temperature. The hot air dries only tender leaves, and the plant may get sick and die. The edges of the leaves dry out and fall leaf yellowing. Also negatively ficus refers to drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Humidity
In the summer of Bengali ficus it feels good at normal room humidity. However, the hotter outside, the more you need to spray the plant with an atomizer. In the winter care ficus complicated by low humidity in the apartment, which is sharply reduced because of the working radiators, and many plants are under stress.
Enough to put pot with a rubber plant on a tray of wet expanded clay or moss, spray or wipe the leaves with water. Located next to the battery cover with a thick veil it is recommended to either move the pot ficus away from it.
Watering
Watering should be gentle. Before each watering the soil should dry out, but do not dry out. Liberally pour too should not be, and the remaining water must always be drained from the sump. Stagnation of water in the soil will trigger the development of root rot and fungal diseases. A lack - dehydration tree. Water is desirable to use to defend and soft. The frequency of watering is recommended in the summer average every three to four days in the winter - once a week.
Fertilizer
Since the beginning of spring until autumn ficus need to be fed with chemical fertilizers can be used, and organic compounds. In any case, the fertilizer must be pre-diluted with water and water composition of low concentration. In the summer, when the plant is actively growing, it must be one or two times a month to feed fertilizer rich in nitrogen and winter ficus "resting", so you need to feed the plant no more than twice a month means for netsvetuschie plants.
Transplant
Young trees should be transplanted annually in the spring, in March-April, each time more than the previous capacity of two to three centimeters. Over time, the rubber plant will be large, and the soil in the pot can be changed only on the surface, no deeper than four to five centimeters.
The substrate for the Ficus Bengali should be nutritious and consist of peat, leaf soil and humus. Do not be amiss to add some organic composition. After transplantation and a half to two months extra dressing fertilizer is required.
To prevent rotting of the root system one must have good drainage layer. As the drainage can use expanded clay, pottery shards or tree bark.
Pruning
Trimming the tree is well tolerated. She even is essential to give the crown a beautiful shape. Often grown in Bengali ficus bonsai that is formed by a small copy of the tree.
Reproduction
It propagated by cuttings Ficus Bengali. You can use semilignified apical cuttings with leaves. Pre removing sap from the cut stem is placed in water with the addition of drugs or root growth in the wet sand and put a bag in a warm light place. For rooting take a few weeks, after which otros
Current and roots are transplanted into a separate pot, allowing for the usual care ficus and conditions.
Diseases and pests
The most common Bengali ficus affected spider mites, which is a favorable condition for a dry warm air. Often the attack tree Jose scale, aphids and mealy bug. Improper care can lead to more serious fungal diseases, rotting of the roots, stems and leaves. In advanced cases, treatment is not subject to a ficus and destroyed along with the pot.
Most of adversity will help you prevent preventive measures, which are as follows:
- Provide a mandatory week quarantine each new plant, brought into the house. Including the newly acquired Ficus.
- It requires a daily visual inspection of the ficus for the first signs of disease and attack by pests. Especially carefully inspect the inside of the leaves.
- Each month you need to wipe the leaves with soapy water and arrange the plant a shower. This primer is necessary to close the film to prevent excessive waterlogging.
- Recommended monthly foliar and soil ficus weak solution of manganese for disinfection and prevention of diseases.
In general, Ficus Bengali feels fine spacious rooms and easily adapts to environmental conditions. It is enough to give him a bit of attention, following the recommended care and prevention. A reward ficus will give you positive energy, tranquility and an atmosphere of tranquility in the house.