Ficus Bengali: care, reproduction, growing conditions

Ficus Bengali is a charming evergreen tree, loved by flower growers for unpretentiousness in growing and large, velvety to touch leaves.

Bengal Ficus in the natural environment

Being a native of the humid forests and the lower mountain slopes of India, Thailand, Malaysia and Burma, this tree in the natural environment is able to grow to an incredible size and is characterized by numerous air roots that gradually transform into trunks. The crown of the largest specimen in diameter is 350 meters, has more than three thousand air roots. Some of them wither, the rest descend to the ground, take root, take the form of bearing trunks, later forming lateral shoots. Outwardly such a Bengali ficus creates the appearance of a small forest: covering an area of several hectares, the tree forms whole ecosystems.

Description

Externally, the Bichelian ficus, referred to in ancient literature as the "world tree" and "the symbol of immortality and endless revival," is a tree with beautiful saturated green leaves, each of which in length reaches 15-25 centimeters. In the room, the Bengali ficus can grow to the ceiling in just a few years. Therefore, most often such a tree, characterized by a highly decorative appearance and ease of care, is a resident of office premises and huge halls.

Illumination is an important factor of care

Caring for Bengal ficus, you need to know that the plant is light-loving, so place it in a sunny place, protected from direct sunlight. Otherwise, there is a risk of burns, which can be determined by brown spots on the leaf plates. The lack of light will indicate wilting leaves, twisting them. In order for the crown to develop evenly, and all sides receive an equal amount of light, the Bengali ficus is recommended to rotate periodically around its axis.

At home, Bichelian ficus prefers a moderate temperature of 18-26 ° C, and in winter can withstand 12-16 ° C above zero. Negatively, by discarding leaves, the plant reacts to sudden temperature changes and drafts. It is highly recommended not to place the Bengal ficus near the heating devices: hot air, drying the leaves, causes the death of the plant. In the summer season, it is recommended to take the tree out on the street or on the balcony.

Ficus Bengali: home care

The Bengal ficus needs regular, moderate watering with soft, steady-state water, which must be carried out as the soil dries up: in the warm season - every three to four days, in winter it will be enough once a week. On hot summer days, the plant should be sprayed from the spray gun, and its leaves should be regularly wiped with a damp cloth to refresh the ficus and remove dust. It is necessary to drain the remains of water from the pan, because stagnant moisture can determine the development of fungal diseases and rotting roots.

Top dressing of a plant

Like any plant, the ficus needs feeding: in summer, during the period of active growth, they need to be carried out twice a month (fertilizers with high nitrogen content), in winter - every two months (with preparations for non-flowering plants). Ficus Bengal, care for which is able even inexperienced grower, positively refers to pruning, aimed at inhibiting the growth of the tree and necessary to give the crown a neat appearance and beautiful shape.

Transfer

Transplantation of young plants is carried out annually, in March-April. Ficus bengal at home is characterized by a high growth rate: up to 1 meter per year, so the capacity should be selected slightly larger (only a couple of centimeters) compared to the previous ones, which will become a deterrent to active development. When transplanting, it is recommended to slightly cut the roots of the tree. Adult plants will be sufficient to replace the top soil layer with fresh.

The soil for Bengal ficus should be nutritious, consisting of peat, humus and leaf earth. You can buy a shop primer for ficuses. Required good drainage is required, which can be used as clay crocks, expanded clay, bark of trees.

Ficus Bengali: reproduction. Process Features

The Bengal ficus reproduces by cuttings, for which semi-matured apical cuttings with leaves are used. They are recommended to be cut in a growth stimulant, then placed in water or in moist sand and put in a light warm place for several weeks. Then the process with the formed root system should be transplanted into a separate container, and a week later, fertilize with mineral fertilizer.

Diseases and pests

In time, pests can be detected by regular inspection of the leaves, especially their back side. Of the diseases most often the Bengali ficus is affected by a spider mite, aphids, scutellum and mealybug. If possible, the plant should be rinsed under a warm shower or rinsed with a tissue, then treated with chemicals.

Yellowing of the lower leaves and their subsequent falling off will indicate a waterlogging of the soil. Especially such a problem can arise in the winter. If there are white woolly spots on the underside of the leaf, one can assume the presence of a mealybug. The pest needs to be removed with a sponge soaked in methyl alcohol, and the plant should be sprinkled with a systemic insecticide or "Malathion". The appearance of the scabbard can be judged by the presence of scaly brown insects on the stems and from the underside of the leaves. The treatment of the plant is similar to the above.

To the appearance of fungal diseases may result in constant waterlogging of the soil or stagnation of water. For preventive purposes, the leaves of the plant should be wiped with soapy water, showered, at least once a month treated with a weak solution of manganese.

As a reward for quality care, due attention and sincere love, Ficus will thank its owners with the atmosphere of tranquility in the house and positive energy.