Ornamental ficus Benjamin
Ficus Benjamin is a tree from the Mulberry family. Its Latin name is Ficus Benjamina. The plant is native to the southern and eastern regions of Asia, found in the north of Australia and the Philippines. For many decades, the species has been grown at home, it has become a popular indoor flower. To date, numerous varieties of this ficus have been bred. In this article, we will tell you what Benjamin's ficus looks like and what kind of home care should be carried out for it.
Ficus Benjamin
Description of the plant
Ficus Benjamin in the wild in its homeland often grows to a height of 20-30 m, takes numerous aerial roots from the branches. Its trunk is erect, rounded, bark of a gray shade with small brown strokes. The leaves of Ficus Benjamin are of small thickness, with a pronounced glossy sheen. The shape of the leaves is oblong-oval with pointed tips. Width - 2-6 cm, length - 6-13 cm.
The flowering of the ficus is inconspicuous, yellow-green. The berries are small, up to 2 cm, round or oblong, inedible. At home, the plant does not bear fruit and rarely blooms. Depending on the variety, indoor ficuses can be dwarf or grow to a height of 2-3 m. In warm countries, this bush is street, used in landscape design. If you regularly prune the branches, the tree will form a beautiful crown.
Ficus varieties
The Benjamin variety is the most popular among all ficuses, because the varieties of this species are very numerous. Among them are popular with flower growers:
- Anastasia;
- Spotted Mix;
- Esther;
- Monique;
- Twilight or Twilight;
- El Dorado;
- Safari;
- Starlight;
- Lady;
- Midnight;
- Regidan;
- Nitida;
- Button variety;
- Curly, Curly or Curly;
- Curly;
- Dunetti;
- King;
- De Dumbbell;
- Exotic;
- Viandy;
- Reginald;
- Gevlocht;
- Samantha;
- Boucle;
- Natalie;
- Neon;
- Lovely.
The variety of varieties is so great that it is not immediately clear that they are of the same origin. Each has its own characteristic and description. Trees are tall and low, with dark and multi-colored leaves, most of them are standard, some are ampelous. Ficus Benjamin of any variety lends itself well to crown formation. The stems can be braided, cut, the spliced trunks look beautiful.
In the east, this species is considered a princess tree. Even according to Feng Shui, it is recommended to plant it in the house. To choose a variety, it is better to consider it in photos and videos.
Care features
Ficus Benjamin is a rather unpretentious plant, it is easy to grow it. Even a beginner can do normal home care. There are some rules to follow. It is very important to come up with a permanent place for the bush before buying. Ficus Benjamin, like other similar species, does not like changing the position of the pot.
Lighting
A tropical flower loves good lighting, but not direct sunlight. The plant should be slightly shaded so that it does not get burned.Where to put Benjamin's ficus? A window sill or stand near the southeast or southwest window is best. In winter, the flower will need artificial light. Natural and artificial lighting should last at least 12 hours.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for Benjamin Ficus is a very important factor in plant care. It grows poorly in the cold, because its country of origin is warm. The temperature in summer should be maintained at 25-30 ° С, and in winter it should not fall below 16 ° С. Too low an apartment temperature can cause the shrub to lose its foliage. He does not like the plant and drafts, therefore it is necessary to ventilate the rooms very carefully. In the summer, the Benjamin ficus pot can be taken outside, but only during the day.
Humidity
Dry air for Benjamin's ficus is another enemy. Often in winter, when the heating system is turned on, it drops to 35-40%, and the bush grows at 60-70%. In order for the bush to grow well, always remain green and not wilted, it is necessary to periodically spray it with water. The leaves are wiped from dust with a damp cloth. Once a month, the flower is given a shower. In this case, you need to ensure that the water does not flood the roots.
Watering
Ficus Benjamin loves watering regularly, but not too abundant. In summer, water it 2-3 times a week, in winter - once every 7-10 days. Between two waterings, the soil should dry 2-3 cm deep. Overflow is harmful to the plant, leads to decay of the roots. How much water to pour under the bush? It depends on the size of the pot and the age of the plant, but the soil should not be wet after watering. The soil should be pushed regularly so that no lumps form and there is air in it.
Top dressing
Fertilizing the soil is a prerequisite for growing indoor flowers. They don't get all the nutrients they need from a small clod of earth. Fertilizer is applied during the period of active growth and flowering. Most indoor plants, including ficuses, grow from March to February.
How to feed this type of indoor plant? To keep the bush always green and the foliage lush, a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content is selected. Succinic acid is very useful for this type. Feeding the ficus Benjamin is carried out twice a week, if necessary, in winter, fertilization is applied once a month. Before feeding the plant, the soil is well moistened so as not to burn the roots.
As you can see, caring for Benjamin's ficus is simple. It is important to remember that different varieties may have different requirements. For example, variegated ones are more sensitive to cold and dryness. Temperature and humidity for them should be elevated. Green varieties do not need a lot of light, they can easily grow and develop in the shade. But for the variegated, the lack of light is critical. We must try to find out everything about Benjamin's ficus, before starting it in the house.
Ficus transplant
Growing home flowers always involves transplanting them. Over time, the pot becomes too tight and the bush does not grow normally. A young Benjamin ficus should be transplanted in room conditions annually, an adult - once every 3-5 years, always in the spring. A new pot is taken 2-3 cm more than the old one. It is not recommended to plant the bushes in containers with a large diameter, as they will slow down their growth.
Before planting a flower, you need to prepare the ground. The soil is easy to buy in the store, special soil for ficuses is sold almost everywhere. You can make the mixture yourself. For this you need to take:
- turf soil - 2 parts;
- sheet soil - 1 part;
- sand - 1 part;
- bottom peat - 1 part.
Drainage is poured at the bottom of the pot, then sprinkle it with a layer of earth. The bush is not freed from the old soil coma if it is healthy. If rotten roots or pests are detected, the soil should be carefully removed and the roots should be treated.After transferring to a new flowerpot, the tree is carefully sprinkled with earth, rammed, watered and fertilized. This completes the transplant.
An adult large bush grows slowly, it is not often transplanted, only the top layer of the earth is changed for it. The composition of the soil can be the same as for the transplant. For old bushes, a tall and open pot is chosen, since they have a lush crown. Before transplanting the plant, water it. Then it will be easier to pull the trunk out of the pot, and the root system will not be damaged.
Plant pruning
The crown and trunk of any Benjamin ficus variety grow well and lend themselves to shaping. To do this, they need to be trimmed regularly. The procedure is carried out in early spring or late autumn. There are different types of pruning, here are the main ways:
- formative;
- sanitary;
- anti-aging;
- topping.
With formative pruning, excess branches and shoots are removed according to a clear plan. In order for the bush to grow in width, it is necessary to trim the tops. The stems can be braided, twisted together in a spiral, weave different shapes. The braiding causes the trunks to be fused. Such trees look very beautiful, and their cost immediately rises. If there is a lattice in the pot, where the stem is allowed, the design looks even more interesting.
A sanitary haircut is carried out in cases where Benjamin's ficus is sick, frozen or withered. Damaged leaves and branches are removed from the trunks. If the bush is badly damaged, it can be rejuvenated and reanimated. The tree is pruned at the very base, leaving only a thick trunk 3-4 cm high. The flower is able to regrow all the branches, and in a couple of months it is completely reanimated.
To make the bush grow wide, you can pinch it. To do this, carefully cut off the top with a sharp knife. Pinching or gentle pruning is carried out at any time of the year, even a flowering bush can be formed in this way. On the cut of the trunk, with any type of trimming, milky juice is released. We must not forget that it is poisonous. Therefore, during the work, you must follow the safety rules. Cats, dogs, birds, other pets, as well as small children should not be allowed to Benjamin's ficuses.
Reproduction
We told you how to care for Benjamin's ficus. Now let's talk about how its reproduction is carried out. The plant does not produce fruits and seeds under indoor conditions. You can buy seeds at the store, but they are rarely sold. Crops germinate very slowly, their germination is low, therefore it is easier to propagate it by a vegetative method. There are two main ways:
- cuttings;
- layering.
Propagation by cuttings
It is better to cut any varieties of Benjamin's indoor ficus in the spring, during pruning. A stalk is taken about 10 cm long, with 3-4 nodes, then it is allowed to divide it into several pieces. Rooting occurs even when there is only one eye on the handle, but in this case it is advisable to leave it with a green leaf. Leaves are removed from long cuttings.
You can root the stalk of any Benjamin ficus in water or substrate. Prepare the substrate from a mixture of peat and sand, take equal parts of both components. Before planting, wash off the milky juice in warm water, dip the branch into a growth stimulator, Epin or Kornevin, to speed up the process of root development. They put a branch in soil or water, cover it with a film on top. The stalk should stand in a warm place, the optimum rooting temperature is 28-30 ° C. The lighting should also be good; there is no need to fertilize the sprouts.
The first roots appear rather quickly, after about 2 weeks. Almost the same period is needed for them to solidify well. But don't keep it in the water for too long. After that, Benjamin's ficus can be transferred to a permanent pot. The soil for ficus and its planting is the same as for transplanting.
Reproduction by layering
Reproduction by layering allows you to update the plant, to rejuvenate it.They choose a healthy and strong stem, make a circular incision on the bark, then wrap the trunk with cotton wool dipped in water or green moss. Apply a plastic wrap on top. After 2 weeks, Benjamin's ficus takes aerial roots. The shoot is cut off, transplanted into the substrate for 10-12 days, after which it is transplanted into normal soil.
Problems and illnesses
Growing ficus Benjamin at home does not present any particular difficulties, but no one is immune from problems. Most often, diseases are associated with the fact that the care and maintenance of the plant is incorrect:
- Intense lighting. The bush gets burned, yellow or brown spots appear on the leaves.
- Low lighting. The foliage falls off, the trunk becomes completely bald.
- Low temperature. Ficus Benjamin withers and sheds leaves, the growth rate decreases.
- Low humidity, poor watering, hot air. The foliage turns yellow, dries up, the plant dies
- Little or too much fertilizer. Ficus turns yellow, develops poorly.
In addition, ficus is attacked by fungi and various parasites. They can lead to the fact that the bush dies and it is almost impossible to save it. Here are the main pests of the indoor flower:
- Root rot. It is caused by a fungus, too intensive watering and high humidity become its cause. Old bushes are often affected.
- Leaf spot. Fungal disease manifests itself as brown spots and dots on the foliage, which turn white over time.
- Anthracnose. Dark brown spots appear on the foliage, quickly turning into ulcers.
- Cercosporosis. This disease is characterized by black dots and grains on the leaves, caused by a fungus that settles on the plant with high humidity and too much watering.
- Shield. An insect that lives on leaves can be spotted by brown spots and growths.
- Mealybug. A white fluffy bloom appears on the flower, white spots resembling cotton wool, the leaves become sticky
- Spider mite. These pests are recognized by the white, cobweb-like bloom that is collected on the bottom of the leaves.
- Aphid. The leaves become dry, they can be twisted, small green midges without wings are visible on the lower surface.
When infected with fungi, they can be cured with fungicides. When parasites appear, the plant must be sprayed with insecticides or soap dissolved in water. In any case, you should establish normal watering, regulate humidity, constantly check what is the temperature in the room, whether there are drafts and where they come from. Only after that does it make sense to fight fungi and parasites.
The benefits of ficus and signs
Ficus Benjamin and varieties of this plant have medicinal properties. The healing flower has been used in the East since time immemorial, now it is used for myoma and fibroma of the uterus, mastopathy. We must not forget that juice is poisonous and can be dangerous. It has its own contraindications for use, some people are allergic to it. Self-treatment only brings harm.
The energy of the plant is very strong, magical features are attributed to it. It is not for nothing that it is used in feng shui home improvement, it is recommended to start it for those who have certain problems. More than one legend has arisen around the plant. Popular beliefs speak of the following properties of Benjamin's ficus:
- gives peace of mind and joy of life;
- helps to relate to problems more easily and live without worrying about trifles;
- energizes a person, helps to enjoy the fruits of one's own labor;
- teaches you to speak correctly, eloquently and do any work quickly;
- helps to establish mutual understanding in the family;
- relieves infertility if you put it in the bedroom;
- able to awaken fading feelings in a couple;
- if you plant a tree in the kitchen, wealth will come to the house.
Several spliced stems greatly increase the magical energy of the plant. If it dries up, all the beneficial properties disappear.To regain strength, the bush must be well watered, in the summer it can be taken outside.
You can't even grow Benjamin's little ficus for young girls in the house: he acts like a husband. It will be very difficult for the bride to find herself a worthy husband, the facts are inexorable, but the newlyweds simply need this bush to speed up the moment of conception and the birth of offspring.
Believe it or not in omens, superstitions and their meaning. everyone's personal business, but getting a flower in the house is worth it: it will be useful in any case. It perfectly cleans the air from harmful substances, saturates it with oxygen. In addition, the plant looks very beautiful and fits harmoniously into any interior, especially if you cut a curly crown or spirally spliced trunks. You can plant a tree both in a pot and in a flowerpot, its size allows it. Ficus Benjamin is not difficult to grow at home, it is suitable even for novice growers.