Ficus benjamin - popularity due to beauty

Today, ficus benjamin is very popular. It is a very beautiful plant of the mulberry family , which came from the tropical forests of Asia and Africa.

The plant develops well at home. The truth for this is that he needs to provide the appropriate content. Due to the fact that ficus refers to heat-loving plants, in the spring-summer period, when growth occurs, the temperature regime should be kept within 22-30 degrees. In winter and autumn, during the rest period, the temperature can be reduced, but not lower than 15 degrees.

Ficus benjamin does not like to be moved or even turned around. He is not afraid of partial shade, but all the same variegated plants should be placed closer to the light, otherwise the ornamentality of the foliage may be lost. In the summer, you should take the flower out onto the balcony, the terrace or into the garden. In this case, the ficus should always be shaded from the direct rays of the sun. The plant also does not like drafts.

Caring for the ficus of Benjamin, you need to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, spray and wash it with warm water. During the growth period, regular copious watering is required, but the land between the water intake should dry up. Overflowing the plant is unacceptable. Do not use cold water, the optimal room temperature. Excess liquid from the pallet must necessarily be drained. In autumn and winter, you need to perform moderate watering.

For optimum development, the ficus vein and summer are fed twice a month with complex fertilizers. A good effect is provided by organic fertilizing. In winter, the plant should not be fertilized, but small concentrations of fertilizer without nitrogen are possible.

When the flower grows, the pruning is formed.

The soil for ficus can be purchased ready or made independently. For this, equal parts of turf and leaf soil, sand and peat are taken. Mixture for transplantation is recommended to shed a weak solution of potassium permanganate or boiling water, and then let it dry. Only after this it is possible to make a transplant.

This process is performed with young plants annually in the spring. Adult ficus of Benjamin should be transplanted every four years. If the plant develops well and does not get sick, then it is more accurate to make transshipment. For this, the plant is carefully removed from the pot, so as not to destroy the earthen lump. Prepare a larger container at the bottom of which a good drain is laid. You can take broken ceramics, pieces of coal or stone crumbs. Above these materials, the soil is buried, on which the plant is put and fall asleep. It is necessary to ensure that the growth point remains at the same level. After a transplant, the ficus of 2 months can not be fertilized.

How does the ficus of Benjamin multiply? This process is performed in the spring or in the first weeks of summer using cuttings. To accelerate, cut the cuttings on two buds. The lower leaves must be removed, and the drop itself should be lowered into warm water to stop the isolation of the milky juice. Then the seedlings are placed under a slope in a mini greenhouse, which is covered with a polyethylene film. The new dwelling of the ficus is placed in a warm place. Every day, the greenhouse is opened for ventilation and the film is wiped with water drops. The earth should have a constant moistening.

Rooting of the plant can be done in water. To do this, the stalk should be placed in an opaque container, and several tablets of activated carbon should be put into the water.

When bred, the ficus of Benjamin can get sick. Other problems are possible: sharp dropping of leaves (draft, dry air, insufficient or cold watering), growth in winter (excessive feeding). A radical way to get rid of trouble is urgent cuttings and rooting of the plant.