Ficus robusta, elastica, or as it is called, can be considered the most unpretentious plant of all the figs. And so amateur flower growers recommend that you start to grow your collection of indoor plants from that instance. It fits perfectly into any interior does not require time-consuming maintenance and care. A burdensome reproduction will be for you an additional bonus.
In addition, Ficus elastica, thanks to its large thick leaves, effectively cleans the air of harmful concentrations of phenol and benzene. And the followers of the teachings of feng shui recommend to buy this tree people prone to various excesses. For example, a spender or people with a big appetite. The plant has a positive effect on the general emotional atmosphere in the house; the main purpose of this ficus on feng shui - the aura of the house to clean and protect the house from evil spirits.
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Terms of Ficus robusta content
The maintenance and care of Ficus robusta should adhere to the generally accepted rules recommended for houseplants. Below, we discuss the basic requirements that need to be addressed.
Lighting
I must say that, unlike most species of ficus, Robusta is not as picky about the light and feels good next to the shaded window or on a windowsill on the north side. But it's no light, of course, can not leave the plant. Lack of sun is easy to compensate for the additional artificial lighting. Most likely, this is not required, Ficus easily adapted to existing conditions. The only thing that can spoil a beautiful succulent leaves, - direct sunlight: they leave burns, leading to further yellowing and leaf fall.
Temperature
Normal room temperature is optimal for the content of rubber fig. Perfect maintenance provides the content at a temperature in the range 18 - 25 ° C. But never put a pot plant next to the hot batteries. Hot, dry air - the worst "punishment" for ficus. Moisture evaporates from the leaves and the plant is dehydrated. Too low a temperature can lead to the collapse of the leaves. In general, getting used to the gradual change of temperature tolerated by the plant is quite bearable. For example, this happens in spring and fall when you carry the tree on the balcony or in the garden and in the opposite direction.
Humidity
One of the necessary conditions which ensure the proper care and continued favorable growth wood - the humidity is above 50%. As a rule, especially in the winter, in the apartments of the humidity of the ambient air barely reaches 35 - 40%. Fortunately, it's easy to fix. Especially low humidity is also undesirable for people and water content in the body of which is 65 - 75%. Purchase a special humidifier; in extreme cases, often spray the plants, arrange his shower, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Providing the optimum moisture content, as a reward for your efforts you will receive a ficus leaves juicy healthy than he is valuable.
Watering
Watering the tree should be all year round, in winter by reducing the activity of irrigation in the summer, on the contrary, increasing its frequency. Water is best to use to defend, at room temperature. Before you pour the tree again, always give ground a little dry. Do not overfill the ficus, is fraught with root rot and leaf disease. If you still had a long and numerous Bay, try to transplant the tree to another soil. In advanced cases, further care Ficus may not be necessary. Stick to the golden mean when watering - the best part and moderately than the rare and abundant.
Fertilizer
Fertilize Ficus robusta is necessary during the vegetation period, ie during the active growth of the leaves. As a rule, this is the first spring sun, and to the middle of autumn. It is best to influence the activity of leaf growth and promotes branching tree nitric top dressing. It will be enough to water the plant with diluted fertilizer solution in ten to fifteen days.
Transplant
Transplanting young ficus done spring or early summer once every one to two years. All depends on the growth rate of the tree and its root system. Long-livers transplanted seldom and if the instance is large, only replace the top layer of soil. Pot transplants should not be much larger than the previous, it shall be permitted only increase by two to three centimeters in diameter. The substrate for transplantation needs nourishing; requirements it does not differ from the requirements for substrates for other varieties of ficus. Necessarily the presence of high-quality drainage. In general, the Ficus elastica without difficulty taking root in new soil, and immediately begins to actively grow. Young shoots do not need special care, they grow rather quickly.
Reproduction
Propagation by cuttings - the easiest way to get a new ficus. Shoot tips are used, which are placed in the ground or in water with the addition of a growth stimulant roots. For successful rooting need to raise the temperature of the contents, which is necessary to cover the young shoot a can or package. Naturally, it is necessary to provide ventilation in the mini-teplichke.
Reproduction is permitted air layering, allowing you to receive already large ficus.
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Diseases and pests of Ficus
Fortunately, this is not representative of the mulberry family of "wimps" and therefore resistant to diseases and pests. What should pay attention, because this is the yellowing of leaves, or reset. If this happens, review the conditions of his detention. Maybe the tree is in a draft or it lacks moisture. Maybe ficus need to get away from a sunny window or, conversely, to add lighting.
But brown wet spots on the leaves are talking about over-watering. Putrid smell from the pot indicates disease of the root system. There was a sharp relief leaves - the plant is under stress.
Dry warm air can attract pests such as spider mites and Jose scale. Basically they settle on the inner side of the sheet, forming colonies. They feed on the juice of the leaves, plunging the sharp proboscis in plant tissue, and leave behind a sticky liquid that is a provocateur fungal diseases. For example, you may see black sooty fungus.
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Disease Prevention
However, save your pet from all possible pests and diseases is not difficult to pass, and the main way to prevent them is an elementary prevention. What do I need to do?
To arrange for all the newly acquired plant quarantine;
Periodic visual inspection of ficus;
Observe all basic rules of care;
Weekly handle leaves with a damp cloth with soap solution and turn ordinary water;
If possible (at least once a month) to arrange plants shower with warm water.
As we have said, Ficus elastica - undemanding plant. Giving him a minimum of time and a maximum of love, you will gain peace of mind, poise and a lot of positive emotions, presented you with powerful majestic handsome leaves, whose name - Ficus robusta.
Among fellow family room mulberry Ficus benjamina - one of the most popular representatives of the trees and shrubs Ficus genus.
In the natural environment (India, China), it reaches twenty-five meters, domesticated varieties in favorable conditions can grow to two or three meters. The main advantage of this evergreen tree - crown with its wide variety of glossy green or variegated leaves. And so the main feature of most ills that have plagued the ficus will be a condition of its foliage. And if the conditions do not suit your plant, it is primarily Ficus respond dropping its lush crown.
Immediately I want to warn beginners florist - almost all diseases are related to improper maintenance and care of the ficus. Details of the rules favorable content we have said in other articles, which you can find on our website, so today will focus only on the specific points that affect the health of Ficus benjamina.
Factors affecting the health of Ficus benjamina
The first reason why the Ficus benjamina can dump the leaves is natural aging. Each leaf of this plant lives about three years, and then turn yellow and fall off. But the process of renovation of the crown is usually not sharp and massive: from time to time one or two or three of the lower leaf old replaced by new. However, if a large amount of yellow or green suddenly comes "baldness" barrel, it is a call to action!
What to do? Conduct a thorough visual inspection of the plant. Identify the nature of the yellowing of leaves: green color lost the entire sheet or just the tip, and perhaps there were brown spots, the leaves curl, or just dry? And which side more than yellow? Look under the leaves - may cause disease are pests. Pay attention to the ground conditions: Do not smell or decay may be dried up roots? The more scrupulous you check Ficus benjamina, the better will be your diagnosis, and hence the treatment will be to choose the right.
Here's how various factors affect the health of your pet green:
Lighting
Or pale yellow and then fall off the leaves from the shady side? So, your plant is not enough sun. Put the pot closer to the window or add artificial lighting.
The appearance of brown spots, followed by leaf yellowing by light source, probably indicates that the received ficus sunburn. Shaded or sunny window, move the pot to a tree some distance from him.
Temperature
It also happens that the ficus leaves wither and curl - it happens at low temperatures content. Or maybe your pot is too tight for the winter cold window or standing by the open window. In this case, the treatment will be obvious - increase the air temperature and do not put the plant in the way of the draft.
Due to sudden changes in temperature or sudden changes in illumination (eg, in the spring you will immediately put the ficus balcony) on the leaves are formed small watery yellow spots, which lead to the death of all of the sheet, and in severe cases - and just ficus. Ficus benjamina accustom to changing conditions should be gradually introducing fresh air for two to three hours a week. Likewise, the fall should be gradually adapted to the indoor content.
Humidity
With the lack of moisture leaves can fall in Ficus benjamina unexpectedly quickly. And the reaction of the plants may be delayed, that is, the fact of low humidity has already been fixed, and the leaves may still fall in. In such cases, not be amiss to have a home moisture indicator.
The presence of brown leaf tips also indicates excessive dryness of the air. To increase the humidity is recommended to use a humidifier or put the pot in the pan with a wet expanded clay, and do not forget to spray from the sprinkler ficus.
Watering
Excessive watering is extremely negative impact on the general state of ficus. This is evidenced by the appearance of dark spots on the leaves and putrid smell coming from the soil. At constant stagnant water rots the root system, and save the ficus, is not likely to succeed.
To prevent negative consequences, reduce watering and stop spray the leaves. Remember that the ground before each watering should be a little dry. And is used for irrigation defended warm water, cold water will provoke a decrease in temperature, and leaves can fall in.
Fertilizer
The general condition is satisfactory ficus and new shoots are thin, small leaves grow. Why is that? Unfortunately, your plant or not enough light, or lack power. In this case, the treatment is to increase the lighting or additional fertilizer ficus mineral supplements.
Transplant
If you start to become bare trunk and yellow leaves, look at the size of the pot and replace the old soil. Perhaps the roots of ficus is not placed in the "home" and even stick out of the drainage holes. Pick up a little more capacity and replace old soil.
Pests
Pests affecting ficus - spider mites, aphids, Jose scale, mealybug. Basically affect your plant pests at a high temperature and low humidity. Characteristic features of this scourge is the appearance of spots on the leaf plates, sticky plaque, cobwebs, why leaves turn yellow, wither and fall off.
From spider mites and aphids can be removed easily by wiping and spraying the plant with soapy water or a diluted solution of Bordeaux mixture. To destroy other pests will not be enough, additional insecticide treatments.
Infection
Unfortunately, the Ficus benjamina is exposed and some infectious diseases and fungal diseases. For example, you may see black sooty fungus. Favorable conditions for infection are sticky discharge plant pests. Or mildew - it looks like a white coating on the leaves, which when moving easily separated from the plate and transferred to another part of the plant. Methods of controlling fungal disease involves removing the affected leaves and treated with a solution of fungicide crown.
Root rot - a bacterial disease, is the result of excessive watering. It is necessary to replace the soil and remove the rotten roots. With advanced cases thrown ficus with pot.
According to the majority of amateur gardeners, Ficus benjamina easily drops leaves. For him it is enough dissatisfaction with the usual change of scenery - for example, when you carry it home from the store, or even if you just suddenly turned pot with other plants to the light side. Any stress - and ficus immediately resets even green leaves. Try to take it into account!
You love your plant, take care of them and do not disturb the waste, and then no disease will not be afraid of your home tree. And for many years, you will enjoy the beautiful and noble symbol of the capital of Thailand - a magnificent Ficus benjamina.
