Benjamin's ficus – popular houseplant which appreciate bright greens, fancy patterns on leaves, magnificent krone and the ""cleaning"" properties. At competent leaving this unpretentious representative of evergreen flora will please with the decorative qualities and practicality for many years.
Benjamin's ficus – the favourite of flower growers and phytodesigners. He perfectly fits into house interior, is appreciated decorative effect and ability to absorb harmful toxins from air that allows to improve microclimate indoors.
Benjamin's ficus by right wins first place in gardening of the closed spaces.
The dense sprawling krone, lustrous leaves which gain saturated green color eventually give to plant eternal youth and beauty.
At the correct contents its room grades – Anastasia, Natasha, Daniel, Monique, Nichole, etc. – can reach in height of 3 meters.
Benjamin's ficus – rules of care in house conditions
Competent leaving and creation of favorable southern conditions – guarantee of health, active growth and longevity of the pet.
In spite of the fact that the ficus does not belong to exacting plants, it needs to provide:
- the constant habitat as he badly adapts to changes, reacting to them dumping of leaves and frequent death.
Exception – the summer period when the plant is recommended to be taken out on balcony for saturation by fresh air. In gratitude it will be fluffed up and will accelerate growth;
- optimum temperature– in limits + 18... + 30 degrees (on average +20... + 25 degrees), depending on grade.
The general rule to which it is necessary to adhere at cultivation of ficuses, – to provide stable temperature condition (without sharp differences), to exclude cold air flows.
- scattered lighting which excludes influence of direct sunshine and abundant shadow. The best option – at southeast or western window on windowsill, or near the southern window on separate bedside table support.
On North side it is possible to have only those grades of ficus which have monophonic green leaves, but additional illumination, for example by the fluorescent lamp, for all year, except summer will be required here.
- regular moistening – watering in process of drying of top layer of soil (approximate frequency in warm time – 1 time in 4-5 days, in the winter – 1 time in 10 days), plus spraying of leaves from spray (during the warm period – daily, in cold – 2-3 times a week). Water has to be the room temperature (filtered or otstoyanny).
Also the ficus needs suit periodically tropical shower (approximately each 2-3 weeks): for this purpose the pot with plant is put in bathtub, the soil and the basis of trunk is covered with plastic bag / foil, then the krone pours down several minutes warm water from shower.
Besides, it is as required important to wipe ficus leaves from dust with damp rag.
Additional care for plant
Fertilizing – introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers with nitrogen content from March to September inclusive (1 time in 7-14 days). It is not necessary to fertilize plant in the winter.
For stimulation of growth of ficus use the medicine Epin, and for elimination of yellowness on leaves – ""Ferrovit"".
Change – in the second half of March, or at the beginning of April. The young plant changes annually, adult – 1 time in 3-4 years. In intervals the replacement of top layer of substrate on fresh is required.
The new pot (ceramic or clay) should not exceed volumes of former strikingly. Enough slightly bigger size. So the plant will quicker take root.
What does not love Benjamin's ficus
- Close arrangement of sources of heating.
- Soil overwetting that becomes the reason of rotting of roots.
How to choose soil for landing
The suitable soil for Benjamin's ficus – subacidic or neutral.
It is desirable that were its part: cespitose and sheet earth, sand, wood charcoal. The bottom of pot becomes covered with haydite.
For independent preparation of substrate it is necessary to mix 2 parts of the deciduous earth with 1 part of mix from humus, clay and the sand taken in identical proportions.
Be the focus of attention – krone
Benjamin's ficus – plant which krone can give practically any form: from standard kustovidny to florid in style bonsai. Standard and level forms are not less widespread.
Too dense krone is thinned out – deleting excess branches from sides, or those which are directed inside.
The plant not only young, but strong and healthy is better to decide on the choice of model of krone so far. The adult and furthermore old, the ficus can painfully react to changes of the appearance.
Anyway, cutting of krone in house conditions, at competent approach to this procedure, most often well affects exterior and health of ficus of Benjamin.