Ficus Microcarpus has many names. Some gardeners call the plant Indian laurel, others a green island or Chinese anise. Today, breeders have bred various species of this ficus, which differ in the form of foliage and size.
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Kinds
Ficus Microcarp is a very original plant, but even a novice amateur grower can grow it. A flower grows in the wild in Asia and Australia. In the natural environment, plants can reach 25 m in height. Ficus Microcarpus got its name for small fruits, because in Greek Greek microcarp means small fruit.
Very often bonsai is grown from it, since the roots of the flower look very decorative.
Of the most popular types of ficus in home floriculture, one can distinguish:
- Ginseng. Ficus microcarp Ginseng has very thick roots and is great for bonsai. This is a typical representative of the ficus of Microcarp.
- Moklamé. This is the smallest view. Plants really need good lighting, and in winter they must be highlighted. This species needs at least 10 hours of light per day, otherwise its foliage will stretch.
- Variegata. The appearance is distinguished by the unusual shape of the leaves. Leaves have a two-tone color.
- Westland Has this kind of dark green foliage. Leaves are very elongated.
Ficus Microcarp care at home
Despite the fact that we consider this plant to be exotic, it does not require any complicated care. It is enough to follow the simple rules of growing a flower, and no problems should arise.
Growing conditions
Ficus Microcarpus does not like too bright light. But the pot should not be put in the shade.If the plant lacks light, then it will simply drop the leaves. It is best to choose a place for the flowerpot next to the east or west window. It is undesirable to put ficus on the windowsill.
If we talk about the temperature regime, the ficus Microcarpus prefers an air temperature of about +25 degrees in the summer. In winter, the plant tolerates a decrease in temperature well to +16 degrees. The plant reacts very poorly to temperature changes. Also, Microcarpus does not like drafts.
The plant does not need a high level of humidity. It is quite enough to maintain humidity in the room at about 70%. If the room is too dry, then the flower should be sprayed regularly, especially in the hot season. To increase humidity, it is recommended to spray air in and around the flower.
Soil requirements and fertilizing
The plant loves light and nutritious soil.
You can buy ready-made soil mix in a flower shop, or you can make up the soil yourself by mixing:
- 2 parts of turf.
- 1 part of sheet land.
- 1 part humus.
- 1 part of coarse river sand.
Starting from spring and throughout the summer, ficus should be fed every two weeks. The plant gratefully accepts the introduction of complex mineral fertilizers for indoor flowers. Since the fall, top dressing is reduced and fertilizer is applied only 1 time per month.
It is very important to water the flower before applying fertilizers, so as not to cause root burns.
Watering
This variety of ficus is watered quite often and plentifully. It is especially important not to miss watering during the hot season. Usually flower growers are guided by the dryness of an earthen coma in a pot - the soil should not dry out. But it is impossible to fill the flower too abundantly, since excessive dampness can lead to decay of the roots. As soon as the earth in the flowerpot dries to a depth of 2 cm, the ficus should be watered.
Categorically it is impossible to water ficus with cold water. Water should be at room temperature and well maintained.
Cropping and shaping the crown
So that the ficus does not lose its decorativeness over time, you should regularly trim its crown.
Typically, shoots are allowed to form up to 10 pairs of leaflets, and then the shoots cut to three leaves. Pruning is carried out during spring and summer. Splices should be sprinkled with activated carbon.
Transfer
The root system of ficuses grows quite slowly, so it is enough to transplant the plant into another pot once every two years. A transplant is done at the beginning of spring, so that the flower is easier to take root in a new place. Ficuses are transplanted into a more spacious pot 5 cm wider in diameter than the previous one.
First, in a new flowerpot, a drainage layer is laid to the bottom. And then fall asleep fresh soil. The ficus is carefully removed from the old flowerpot, the roots are cleaned of soil, and then they are shortened by 10 cm. After this, the flower is placed in a new flowerpot, the soil is compacted around the roots and lightly shed. The plant should be in the shade until completely rooted.
Breeding
This species of ficus is propagated by air layers or seeds. But these methods are quite laborious. Therefore, many flower growers simply cut the flower to get young specimens. About 10 cm long shoots are suitable for cuttings.
Can be used for cuttings and shoots that remain after trimming. To root, cuttings are placed in moist sand and the container is covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect. Boxes are best left in a warm place in the shade. Already within the first month, cuttings will give roots. As soon as the first roots appear, all foliage from the seedlings should be cut off, leaving only the top pair.
After 2 weeks, you need to carry out the first feeding of young plants with mineral fertilizers. When the seedlings get stronger, they can be planted in separate flowerpots with a diameter of about 10 cm.
Read also:Aglaonema care at home
Pests and diseases
Of the pest insects, ficuses are most often attacked by spider mites, entangling the plant with a thin spider web. Leaves as a result of tick attack on a plant fall off.
If the leaves have become sticky, then the scab has settled on the flower. In this case, you should treat the flower with anti-insect preparations and wash all parts of the plant with a solution of laundry soap.
Of the diseases, this type of ficus most often affects root rot, which occurs due to excessive watering. In this case, it is necessary to transplant the flower, removing all the diseased parts of the roots. The remaining healthy roots must be treated with fungicide.
Possible growing problems
If you regularly violate the fairly simple rules for growing and caring for ficus at home, then the plant can become sick. Most often, due to the dryness of the room or vice versa, excessive moisture, insect pests attack the flower.
Also, if the plant suffers a shortage of light for a long time, then its leaves may become thinner and smaller in size. If the ficus is constantly experiencing a lack of nutrients, then it can simply lose its leaves. Also, the plant can respond to too low air temperature in the room.
Many gardeners make one common mistake - they leave water in the pan after watering. Due to stagnation of water, dark spots may appear on the foliage. In this case, you will have to change the soil in the pot and transplant the flower into a new pot with sterile soil.
