Even if indoor flowers for you are not of particular interest, rubber plants are certainly familiar to you.
Two of the same representatives of this kind can not be found, because each owner is trying to make something special from his tree or vine.
Even the popular ficuses of Benjamin (they are often mistakenly called Benzamin, Benjamin or Balsamine) have up to 20 species, including Natasha, Starling, Weargegate and Navali.
History of origin
The birthplace of the Benjamin Ficus (subgenus Urostigma) is considered to be India, the countries of Southeast Asia, and the Philippines.
In natural conditions, this evergreen (there are deciduous species) plant reaches a height of 20 meters, very hardy, not afraid of temperature changes, winds, torrential rains.
But as a decorative tree, it is more effeminate, whimsical and requires serious care.
Benjamin can begin its development both as an ordinary tree, and as an epiphyte, the roots of which after a certain period reach the soil and root, giving life to several shoots.
Gray smooth bark with thin shtrishkami, wide crown and thin shoots with drooping leaves.
Fruit, which are called syconiums, can not be seen by far to every grower, but if your ficus has bloomed, then on it, tightly adhering to the shoots, in a short time paired fruits will appear that grow up to 2 cm, ripening, become claret and inedible.
Home care
Ficus balsamine requires special care at home. The plant does not tolerate a change of environment, stress can destroy it.
After transplanting the tree into a constant tank, at the bottom of which is poured drainage, and then a mixture of sod, sand and peat. Pour cool water.
Watch Benjamin carefully 3 monthsduring which there is a risk of death of a young tree. It can shed the leaves, slow down growth, until it comes to life.
Do not water it too often, better. spray 2 times a day. It is necessary to spill the earth well only when the ground is dry.
Sometimes the seedling is covered with a glass jar or plastic bag, opening it only for ventilation. In the "greenhouse" ficus hold about a month.
In 20-30 days You can feed the ficus "Rainbow" or a special complex for palm.
Watering
Water the ficus with settled water at room temperature. While the tree is growing and gaining strength, watering is needed abundant.
In spring and summer you need not only to water, but often to spray the leaves.
In the autumn and in winter watering is reduced to 2 times a week, continuing to care for foliage.
Bloom
Phenomenon at home rareThe fruits of Benjamin, unlike some "relatives", for example, figs, are inedible.
Crown formation
The formation of the crown of ficus - matter of your taste. Perfectly look a few shoots, braided in a pigtail, the top of which is decorated with a ball of green foliage.
Bonsai lovers remove shoots as much as possible to achieve fine foliage and good branching.
You need to start forming with trimming the central shoot on 3 buds.
If you simply form a crown, then prune the branches every spring, bonsai requires more frequent pruning, which the ficus easily tolerates.
Treat slices with boiling or ashes so that the juice does not flow.
The soil for the ficus Benjamin need light, well-saturated with oxygen. It is best to use a mixture of peat, sand and sod.
Planting and transplanting
Features of landing for each type of their own. But, as a rule, Benjamin cuttings are rooted in small containers filled with sand, maintaining constant humidity.
It is best to create greenhouse conditions for the young escape, covering it with a glass jar.
Ficus rooting for 1 month then it is transplanted to a permanent place.
Ficuses are transplanted up to 3 years annually, in early spring, when active growth has not yet begun.
A clod of earth, covered with roots, is taken out of an old pot and placed in a more spacious one, in which fresh drainage and soil mixture are poured.
Adult ficuses are transplanted only when the former capacity has become small to the roots, but the top layer in the container is changed annually.
A photo
In the photo ficus balsamine:
Breeding
Ficus propagated by cuttings, which are obtained by pruning. Sprigs put in banks with "Kornevin" and wait for the appearance of the roots.
Then the ficus is planted in sandy soil or a special mixture.
If the plant has lost leaves, too old, you can cut the bark around the top, leaving the cuttings on 10 centimeters.
Tip: Notch not more than 2 cm.
After 14 days air roots will appear near the incision: now the cutting can be separated from the mother tree and planted in the ground.
Temperature
Benjamin Ficus loves bright diffused light, the temperature during growth (in spring and summer) should be around 25 degrees, at a higher, it sheds leaves.
Ficus winters at temperature 17 - 18 degrees. Some species, for example, Natasha, like high humidity and higher temperatures.
Important: if your handsome man has motley foliage, spray it daily, make sure that the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees, in the summer take it out to fresh air.
Benefit and harm
Benjamin - the most loyal friends of man. They purify the air, saturate it with oxygen, emit biologically active substances that increase efficiency, normalize sleep.
Ficus leaves help with rheumatism, accelerate the healing of wounds, relieve inflammation.
Milky juice is useful for skin diseases. A decoction of the roots taken in diseases of the genitourinary system.
It was believed that this plant not only gives the house peace and happiness, but also contributes to the continuation of the species.
Ficus can only harm its neighbors on the windowsill: a fast-growing tree gradually replaces everyone.
If your ficus is not a bonsai, look for a comfortable, well-lit place without drafts on the floor, and it will become a real decoration of the room.
Scientific name
Rod Ticus (Ficus) was singled out in the middle of the 18th century by Karl Linnaeus.
In his "Types of Plants" he described several species, among which was the biblical fig tree.
Ficus benjamines have quite a few names.
The most common ones are:
- Focus benjamina;
- Benjamina free;
- Benjamina fig;
- Danielle;
- Exotica;
- Monique;
- Barok;
- Natasja.
Benjamin Ficus - symbol of bangkok city.
Ficus grows in Sri Lanka - "turtle". So dubbed the tree for the similarity of its crown with an animal.
"Turtle" is more than 150 years old, the crown of a tree is 2500 square meters.
Diseases and pests
Ficus are very resistant to disease. The most dangerous period for them is the first three months.
Of the pests are dangerous for ficus aphid, spider mite, shield aphid.
Carefully and gently wash the leaves with soapy water, in which you can add tobacco dust, chamomile, calendula.
Wipe the leaves, removing insects. Do not forget to constantly spray the plants, this is the best prevention.
Do ficus balsam leaves fall?
When waterlogging, a sharp change in temperature, drafts ficus loses leaves. Follow all rules of breeding and care for this plant, do not allow any waterlogging or drying of the ground to prevent this from happening.
But if all the rules are followed, and the foliage falls? Do not worry, sometimes it is a completely normal, natural process. For example, trees lose leaves on the lower part of the trunk, as in nature.
Conclusion
Favorite indoor plants for centuries, Benjamin's ficuses are well studied and not too whimsical. They look great in an apartment, cottage, office.
With careful care, you can grow a real work of art, and if haircut and experiments are not your strong point, just ... talk to Benjamin when your heart is heavy. They are wonderful companions for introverts and melancholic.
