Ficus Microcarpa at home: easy to care for and beautiful results. Spring protection of garden plants from pests and diseases

They have long become familiar. You will no longer surprise anyone with the variety of species, and there are more than 280 of them, or with the shape and color of the leaves. Nevertheless, interest in these wonderful plants continues to grow year by year, as an art that is not yet very widespread in our country is practiced. Perhaps the interest in ficus trees is explained by their attractive looking and simplicity. Indeed, in nature, these plants grow in tropical, subtropical, and even temperate climate zones. One of the most attractive and easy to care for is the ficus microcarpa.

Ficus microcarpa: description

Ficus microcarpa, like all representatives of the genus (lat. Ficus), belongs to the family. As part of the family, a monotypic ficus tribe (Ficeae) is formed. Representatives of these species are almost always. Like many, microcarpa is an epiphyte, that is, it can grow on other plants. It has many aerial roots. The trunk is erect, gray. IN room conditions its height reaches one and a half meters. Dense, dark green leaves have a glossy shine and densely cover the crown. The leaves are attached to the branches by short petioles. Shape: oval, elongated. Up to 10 cm in length, up to 5 cm in width. The root system is very developed. Actually, the roots protruding from the ground and acquiring a bizarre shape are distinctive feature of this type. This variety gets its name from the appearance of the fruit. It's very small. In Greek the small fruit is "mikros karpos".

Did you know? There is a variegated form of ficus microcarpa. It's called Variegata.

The homeland of this amazing tree is the forests of eastern and southern China, Taiwan, Indonesia and northern Australia.

Care in the first days after purchase

First of all, you need to decide on a place where you can place the tree. To select it, you need to take into account the properties of microcarp and its vagaries.

Notice right away that the plant does not like to be rearranged from place to place.

Reacts poorly to very bright light, dry air and drafts. So it’s best to place the new one away from the batteries. Those with windows facing the north, west and southwest sides are more suitable. Variegata form better time place it in rooms with windows facing east, southeast, as it needs brighter lighting.
It is necessary to spray microcarpa from the first day of purchase. Do this two to three times a day. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Check for moisture down to a depth of one centimeter.

After two weeks, the plant can be transplanted into a new, permanent container. Take care of drainage. Its layer should be at least one third of the height of the pot. Expanded clay and foam can be used as drainage. The soil should be nutritious and loose. You can use ready-made soil for ficus trees. It is sold in specialized stores. After transplantation, as with an ordinary ficus microcarpa.

If the plant does lose its leaves, don’t worry. This is his reaction to the change of place.

Did you know? IN wildlife Ficus microcarpa reaches a height of up to twenty-five meters. Some leaves can be up to fifteen centimeters long and up to eight centimeters wide.

Optimal conditions for growing indoors

Ficus microcarpa is quite easy to care for at home. He is not very whimsical, despite. However, it has its own specifics that must be taken into account. First of all, it's lighting and temperature.

Lighting

Microcarpa prefers shade or diffuse sunlight. Should be protected from direct sun rays. It is better to place it away from windows. Artificial lighting or backlighting can be provided. Suitable for this fluorescent lamps power 15 W and color temperature 2800–3800 Kelvin (dawn/sunset).

Temperature

Another feature of ficus microcarpa is that the roots need warmth, as well as the above-ground part. Optimal temperature for life activity and development - from 17 to 24 degrees Celsius. It should be taken into account that a decrease in temperature is permissible in . More low temperature may lead to illness. When the temperature rises above 23 degrees Celsius, it is necessary to provide additional spraying of the plant.

Important! Small-fruited ficus does not really like temperature changes.

How to care for ficus microcarpa

It should be noted that the plant still requires some attention. Only correct location in the house, coupled with lighting, this type of plant will not be limited. In order for the tree to begin to please the eye, you will have to do a little work. Maintenance is quite simple. Like all plants, microcarpa needs proper watering, and her wonderful roots and branches - in the correct form and pruning. With simple manipulations, the tree will turn into an incredible-looking decoration that pleases the eye.

Watering

You need to water abundantly and often. Especially during the period of active growth (spring-summer season). It should be noted that the regularity and abundance of watering depend on the dryness of the air, room temperature and lighting. You need to focus on the plant and dryness. The earth ball in the pot should not dry out, however, its excessive moisture can lead to rotting of the roots and death of the plant. The soil should have time to dry out at a depth of 2-3 centimeters.

There are also requirements for water. It must be soft and left for at least twelve hours. Its temperature when watering should be at room temperature.

Humidity

Ficus microcarpa loves moist air. Therefore, the tree needs to be sprayed once or twice daily, depending on the dryness of the air. Otherwise, the plant will look lethargic and become sensitive to, and will not be able to resist. In addition to spraying, the plant will benefit if you regularly wipe its leaves with a soft, damp cloth.

Soil and its fertilization

Microcarpa loves light, fertile soil with a pH level of 5.5 - 7.5. You can prepare the soil yourself. To do this, you need to mix equal proportions of turf, soil, leaf humus and sand.

Additional fertilizers are needed in (early spring - late autumn). You can use universal complex fertilizers for decorative foliage plants. They are added to water for soil irrigation. It is better to apply fertilizer once every two weeks.

If ficus microcarpa is grown in bonsai style, then specialized fertilizers are used.

The tree also responds very well to fertilization through foliar spraying.

Important! To facilitate the process of assimilation useful substances plant, fertilizers should be applied only to moist soil.

Pruning and crown formation

In order for the tree to maintain its attractive shape, it also needs to be pruned periodically. It is better to start shaping the crown as early as possible. Ficus is flexible in terms of appearance design, giving the opportunity to let your imagination run wild. Why not an object for lovers of bonsai art?

To obtain a powerful trunk from a young plant, it is recommended to prune it. The direction of the branches is formed using wire. Thick shoots up to twenty centimeters long can also be trimmed. The branches of the crown of the ficus microcarpa achieve strong branches on shoots up to five centimeters.

Rules for transplanting ficus microcarp

Let's touch on how and when it is best to replant ficus microcarpa.
This species is best done every two years. The tree grows very slowly, and in adulthood the trunk practically stops developing. Ficus microcarpa needs replanting more to renew the soil or replace the substrate. This procedure also allows you to examine the condition of the roots located underground. It is better to replant in the spring.

Important! Mature plant It’s better not to replant at all, but just renew upper layer land.

The pot for ficus microcarp does not play a special role. It's even better to use the same one that was there. Just clean and wash thoroughly. If you take a new one, make sure that there is a sufficient layer of “old” soil on the roots. Make sure that new pot contains drain holes. Lay drainage (expanded clay or polystyrene foam) in a layer of 2–3 centimeters. Place the tree with soil on the roots and add more new soil. Be careful with the fragile roots of the plant.

Important! After transplantficus microcarpaSometimes sheds leaves.This is a consequence of the adaptation process. At the end of the period of "illness", foliage cover will recover.

Reproduction methods at home

Ficus microcarpa has several methods:, and. Most often, ficus cuttings and tree layering are used.
Take cut, non-woody branches for cuttings and place them for a day in an opaque container with warm ( room temperature) water. It is important to know how to properly cut ficus for propagation. The branches are cut obliquely, at an angle, retreating about a centimeter from the node. After a day, the water is drained, as there is a lot of juice in it. Ficus microcarpa juice is a very strong allergen. Be careful not to get it on your skin. The cuttings are again placed in fresh warm water with addition . When the roots appear, the sprouts are transplanted into a container with soil and covered with a transparent container. As soon as young plant will sprout new leaves, the container is removed. Also, cuttings can be planted directly into the ground, immersing the stem of the cutting 3–5 centimeters into the ground. covered with a container. It is necessary to monitor the humidity and spray the plant stems with water. Ficuses take root in this way within a month.
Ficus can also be propagated by seeds. They are available in specialized flower shops. The seeds are pre-soaked for a day in a solution of a growth stimulator. Planted to a depth of half a centimeter, at a distance from each other of at least one and a half to two centimeters. The soil for planting seeds should be light and airy. The basis of the soil mixture should be peat and leaf soil. You will also need a lot of sand. The mixture must be thoroughly mixed until smooth. After planting the seeds, the soil is thoroughly sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with film or glass. You need to make sure that the soil is always moist every day. It is advisable to clean for fifteen minutes every day protective film, allow the sprouts and soil to “breathe” and evaporate excess moisture. When the first leaf appears on the seedlings, each sprout is cropped into a separate container.

Sakura is most often associated with Japan and its culture. Picnics in the canopy flowering trees have long become an integral attribute of welcoming spring in the Land of the Rising Sun. The financial and academic year here begins on April 1, when the magnificent cherry blossoms bloom. Therefore, many significant moments in the life of the Japanese take place under the sign of their flowering. But sakura also grows well in cooler regions - certain species can be successfully grown even in Siberia.

We have prepared a hearty, incredibly appetizing and simply easy-to-prepare dish for you today. This sauce is one hundred percent universal, as it goes with every side dish: vegetables, pasta, or anything. Chicken and mushroom gravy will save you in moments when you don’t have time or don’t want to think too much about what to cook. Take your favorite side dish (you can do this in advance so everything is hot), add some gravy and dinner is ready! A real lifesaver.

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Rapidly growing and turning into wild thickets, hogweed disrupts the existing ecosystem and suppresses all other plants. Essential oils, contained in the fruits and leaves of hogweed, cause severe forms of dermatitis. At the same time, it is much more difficult to control than other common weeds. Fortunately, today a product has appeared on the market that can short term rid your area of ​​most weeds, including hogweed.

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Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees. This philosophy originated in the 8th-10th centuries in China. In Europe, art has always aroused great interest, and nowadays it is also very popular. In ficus microcarpa natural conditions Fruits form, but in an apartment it almost never blooms. The peculiarity of this species is its partially exposed root system, which forms interesting shapes.

Description

Ficus microcarpa is native to the Japanese Islands, Northern Australia, Southeast China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It grows in coastal forests, on river banks, sometimes in the mountains and deep in the thicket of the forest.

There are several varieties of this type:

• var. crassifolia;
• oluangpiensis;
• fuyuensis;
• nitida;
• pusillifolia.

Popular varieties:

• “Green Gem” – densely leafy plant crown;
• “Westland” - leaf blades grow up to 11 cm in length and 5 cm in width;
• "Moklam" - leaves small size, dark green, rounded;
• "Variegata" - the leaves of the plant have a variegated color.

It is believed that ficus trees protect home comfort and help maintain stable relationships. These plants purify indoor air.

There is an opinion that bonsai was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks in the 6th century. The niches of houses were decorated with such trees. According to one legend, the emperor ordered the creation of a miniature empire with rivers, mountains, houses and trees. His subjects came up with miniature trees to carry out the order.

How to care for ficus microcarpa at home?

The plant is light-loving, but under bright rays its leaves lose color, so it is better to place the tree in partial shade.

The soil substrate should be moderately moist. Before watering the plant, make sure the earthen ball is dry. If excess moisture occurs, leaves will begin to fall. Ficus microcarpa leaves should be sprayed with cool boiled water.

In summer the tree can be kept on outdoors, in winter the room temperature must be maintained in the range of +18…+24 degrees.

In order for a beautiful tree to form, you need to trim the tops of the shoots in the spring and summer.

IN winter time Ficus microcarpa is placed near a window or additionally illuminated with lamps.

Leaves turn yellow and fall off: what to do?

The reason for this phenomenon may be insufficient watering. This phenomenon can also be caused by dry air and insufficient lighting, especially in winter. These need to be eliminated possible reasons. If it is not possible to provide the tree with additional lighting, you need to wait until spring - then new leaves should appear. If the leaves turn yellow little by little, it is possible that care has been compromised and the ficus microcarpa is experiencing a lack of nutrients. He needs to be fed.

Crown formation and pruning

When forming the crown of a tree, you need to follow these recommendations:

• removal of the apical bud stimulates the growth of lateral buds, a lush bush is formed;
• If pruning is done in the spring, a lush crown will form.

The main shoot is pruned at a height of 10-15 cm. The growth of axillary shoots is activated; they are pinched when they reach 10 cm. To ensure that the shoots develop evenly, the plant is turned to the sun in different directions.

The plant is pruned in the spring. Achieve the following goals:

• the plant rejuvenates due to the growth of new shoots;
• the tree takes on the required shape;
• V in the right place branching begins;
• the direction of branch growth changes.

For sanitary purposes, pruning is done at any time of the year. Trim the plant 2-3 weeks before transplanting into a new container. Weak and sickly plants do not undergo formative pruning.

How to transplant?

After purchase, the plant adapts for 2-3 weeks, and then it is transplanted into another container. To plant ficus microcarp, a special substrate is purchased.

As a rule, a tree is replanted every 2-3 years. spring time. The substrate needs to be updated periodically. Plants are planted using the transshipment method so as not to damage root system. The container must have holes to remove excess moisture. A layer of drainage 2-3 cm high is poured onto the bottom of the flowerpot.

How to propagate Ficus microcarpa?

There are the following methods of propagation of this plant:

1. Cuttings - produced from late January to September. You can use apical, semi-lignified shoots. They are kept in water at room temperature until roots appear. Then they are transplanted into a pot under a film, which is removed after the leaves appear.
2. Air layering. Leaves are removed from a long shoot in a selected location, the bark is peeled off in this area, treated with Kornevin, wrapped in moistened moss, and then covered with film. When roots appear, the shoot is cut off, the film is removed, and the shoot along with the moss is planted in the substrate.
3. Root suckers. They cut off part of the root, keep it in water for a couple of hours, then plant it in the soil substrate, leaving 3 cm on the surface. Cover the top with film, regularly water and ventilate. After the leaves appear, the film is removed.

Diseases and pests: treatment methods

The plant can become sick due to inappropriate care or improper maintenance. Most often, ficus microcarpa is affected by aphids and spider mites. They appear as small black dots or thin cobwebs on branches. Home care involves treating the tree with a soapy solution. If this is not enough, then the ficus is replanted or an insecticide solution is used.

If the irrigation regime is not followed and excessive waterlogging occurs, the plant is affected by fungal infections. In this case, carry out sanitary pruning, treat the tree with a fungicide solution and reduce the intensity of watering.

Grow a unique bonsai in your home, it’s incredible exciting process. Take proper care of the plant, devote enough time to it, provide the required care, and it will definitely delight you with its beauty. appearance and positive emotions.

When planning to grow their own bonsai at home, many people choose ficus. And this choice is truly justified. Some types of ficus have all the characteristics needed for growing bonsai:

• branched roots;
• interesting, ornate, massive trunks - curved or grooved;
• beautiful bark - light and smooth in some species and more textured and colorful in others;
• rapid growth - you can grow a bonsai from a ficus in two to three years;
• small leaves - not all ficus have small leaves, but we will select ficus species suitable for creating bonsai.

The first step in growing ficus bonsai is choose the right type.

What types of ficus are suitable for creating bonsai?

There are several of them - these are ficuses:

• Bengal (Ficus benghalensis),
• Benjamin (Ficus benjamina),
• carica or fig (Ficus carica),
• microcarpa (Ficus microcarpa),
• dark leaf (Ficus neriifolia),
• blunted / retusa (Ficus retusa),
• rusty red (Ficus rubiginosa),
• ginseng / ginseng (Ficus ginseng).

Let's take a look at bonsai photo, grown from each suitable type of ficus and we will accurately determine the type.

Photo of ficus bonsai.

Bonsai grown from Bengal ficus.
Ficus benjamina bonsai.
Ficus carica bonsai.
Dark leaf ficus bonsai.
Ficus microcarpa bonsai.
Ficus retusa bonsai.
Rust red ficus bonsai.
Ficus ginseng bonsai

Now that we have decided on ficus species, it's time to choose the form of bonsai that you strive for, because it is impossible to create a bonsai without having a concrete result in front of your eyes!

Ficus bonsai mold.

Typically, one of the following bonsai forms is used for ficus trees:

Erect, classic or T yokkan. If you are planning to grow your first bonsai, it is better to start with it. Tekkan is characterized by a straight trunk, thick branched roots and a lower part of the trunk free from branches. The number of branches decreases upward.

Irregular erect or Moyogi. The trunk of such a bonsai is slightly curved in one or more places. The crown does not extend beyond the container. General position ficus remains vertical.

Oblique or Syakan. The ficus trunk is strongly inclined to one side. WITH reverse side the roots seem to be uprooted.

Forked or Sokan. Two trunks grow from a common root. The shorter trunk is the “child”. The second trunk is the “parent”. He is taller and fatter. The beauty and complexity of the sokan is in the balance in the thickness and length of the trunks.

Broom-shaped or Hokidachi. Hokidachi's style is seemingly simple, but in reality it is complex. IN best examples branches and roots should radiate equally from the trunk.

Grove or Yesueue. One container contains one or different types ficus trees, differing in age and trunk thickness. The minimum number of ficuses is five.

1. root formation,
2. formation of the trunk and crown.

How to give a ficus bonsai the desired shape?

Roots.

The roots are given the desired shape by repeatedly pruning the main shoot. The plant does not grow upward, but in width. The roots and shoots of a young ficus are shortened and planted in a wide container with good drainage.

Pruning of branches and roots is carried out regularly until the trunk reaches the desired volume. Only after this we proceed to the next step - forming the shape of the trunk and crown. Consider the pattern of root formation in a bonsai.

Crown.

The leaves are given the desired shape by pruning. Ficus - very fast growing plant. It should be trimmed to 2-4 leaves after 6-10 new leaves have grown. When pruned, the ficus will “bleed” milky sap, which is actually latex. Start pruning at the bottom and work your way up according to a pre-planned plan. When cutting ficus branches, use special scissors or simply make concave cuts. Lubricate the cut areas with garden varnish.

Use small, sharp scissors to trim your bonsai. Only the stems are trimmed, not the leaves. Trimmed leaves take on an untidy appearance and turn brown. Most pruning should be done in late winter before vigorous spring growth. You can also prune in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, pruning is stopped, as the plant is in the dormant stage.

Trunk.

The desired shape of the trunk is given in several ways.

Method one - garter.

The top of the crown is tied to some part of the tree - often to the base.

Method two - use of wire.

The shape of the trunk is formed using ordinary wire. Use thin wire with insulation. Do not use wire immediately after replanting your bonsai. Wrapping the wire too tightly can cause scarring. Start at the base of the bonsai and wrap the wire around the trunk. Next, follow the branches. After about 6 -8 weeks the ficus will be able to maintain its proposed shape and the wire can be removed. Carefully cut the wire. Don't try to unwind it - you will most likely break the branches.

Here's how it's done. The example, although not on a ficus tree, is clear.

Conditions for growing ficus bonsai.

Location.

Ficus can be grown indoors, close to sunny window or outdoors all year round in warm climates. Direct morning sunlight is preferable; Direct midday sun can sometimes be too much - it can burn tender leaves. Ficuses do not like cold drafts and sudden changes in conditions. Make changes gradually.

Watering.

Bonsai trees live in small pots, and their soil dries out much faster than in a regular pot of soil. Therefore, you should pay close attention to watering your ficus. Water your bonsai every day, but only a little. Also use an aerosol spray - it will make life easier for the roots, especially on hot days.

Leaves also need extra moisture to stay green and healthy. If you keep a ficus bonsai indoors, spray it every day. If in winter the ficus stands near the radiator, place a bowl of water near it, which, by evaporating, will provide the bonsai with the necessary humidity.

Top dressing.

Feeding your bonsai is necessary for its health because nutrients in the soil are washed out very quickly under conditions of abundant watering. When new leaves begin to appear in the spring, it is time to start feeding your bonsai. Use liquid organic fertilizers or chemical fertilizers diluted twice as strong as indicated on the package. Ficus bonsai need to be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season and once a month in winter. Ficus responds to feeding quickly and enthusiastically.

Replanting a ficus bonsai.

A mature ficus bonsai should be replanted every two years in the spring using a soil mixture. After transplantation, water the ficus and place it in dark place for several weeks to allow the roots to gain strength.

Pests and diseases of ficus bonsai.

Shields Ficus is attacked more often than others. Brown or black cones appear on the branches, which contain insects under a protective waxy coating.

Mealybugs appear as whitish-fluffy areas at the bases of leaves and on the roots.

Ficus does not tolerate insecticides containing malathion. In a good way Ficus pest control is neem oil.

If your bonsai began to lose leaves for no apparent reason, due to excessive humidity or dryness. However, a sudden breath of cold air or sudden exposure to bright sunlight may give the same result. You don't need to do anything special! Keep your ficus warm, let the soil dry out and then water little and often. After 3-4 weeks the leaves will return.

Growing ficus bonsai is a philosophical and long process, be patient and create a masterpiece!

Lovers of indoor plants have long appreciated the compact ficus microcarpa, which is particularly hardy and interesting in appearance. The presence of this ficus can emphasize the elusive oriental charm of the interior, adding originality and comfort to it. It is simply impossible not to notice such a representative of the flora.

- the undisputed leader in the existing diversity of evergreen trees. About 300 grow in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions various types this graceful and multifaceted plant.

Ficus microcarpa – evergreen tree, which is native to tropical and subtropical forests located in the southeastern parts of Asia, southern China and northern Australia. The name Ficus microcarpa was given by its fruits, the size of which usually reaches 1 cm. Translated from Greek, mikros means small, and karpos means fruit.

On a note! An epiphytic plant reaching over 20 meters, during the growth process it becomes a strangler, forming a large number of aerial roots.

Having become a houseplant, Ficus microcarpa moklame has significantly reduced its size and does not grow more than 1.5 meters. On its trunk covered with bark gray, grow twigs covered with oval glossy leaves with a pointed apex.

Ficus flowering will not please you bright flowers and more like the appearance round berries than a flower. In the future such " unusual flowers"grow to full-fledged berries, not poisonous, but tasteless. At home, ficus microcarpa blooms extremely rarely.

Growing an evergreen tree

Ficus microcarpa, which can be cared for at home even by a non-professional, is one of the most favorite types of indoor plants even among novice gardeners.

By the way! It gained well-deserved popularity many hundreds of years ago: in the East, this particular representative of the flora was considered the embodiment of love, devotion, wisdom and fertility.

Ficus microcarpa moklame has a close connection with the mental state of the people constantly surrounding it, therefore most lovers of the species perceive it as a miniature tree that carries a special sacred meaning.

Ficus microcarpa care at home will not require much effort, you just need to follow the basic rules for growing a fairly hardy plant. In order for your pet to please its owner with its beautiful appearance, you need to follow a number of care rules.

Immediately choose a place for permanent residence ficus, which likes stability: the plant does not like moving, an exception can be made only in the summer, moving it to open balcony or veranda.

Avoid exposure to direct sunlight by placing the ficus microcarpa in a shaded area. It is important to remember that a long stay without sufficient lighting can cause the plant to shed its leaves and slow down in development. Feels good when artificial lighting, which allows you to grow it in winter without any problems.

Important! Ficus microcarpa is a compact tree that does not tolerate sudden changes in light levels. This fact must be noted Special attention when moving a tree from a greenhouse, store or conservatory to premises for permanent residence.

The plant needs to create the most ideal temperature regime: hot summer months about 25 °C, but not more than 30 °C; in sultry heat, you need to ventilate the room. In winter, the temperature can be lowered to 16 °C. When growing ficus microcarpa, you must not allow it to become overcooled, which can cause the leaves to fall off.

For ficus it is extremely important to maintain comfortable humidity air: ideal – 70%, critically low – 50%. When critical readings are reached, the plant is sprayed warm water. IN heating season it is better to keep the plant away from heating devices(at least 2 meters). To increase humidity, wet expanded clay can be placed in the plant tray.

Before watering, you need to consider many factors:

• development phases;
• plant age;
• ficus sizes;
• key environmental indicators;
• season.

By general rule Watering should be moderate (1-2 times a week), preventing overdrying or waterlogging of the soil in which the evergreen tree grows. In winter, watering is significantly reduced to 3-4 times a month.

Ficus microcarpa, care for which at home is quite simple, for a long time It will be a real decoration of the interior of any room, attracting the admiring glances of others. In addition to regular care, the indoor beauty needs to be replanted twice a year. A simple activity is best done during the spring-summer season. It is at this time of year that the plant adapts to new conditions in the shortest possible time.

On a note! The composition of the soil for planting ficus microcarp should contain sand, leaf soil and turf in equal proportions and with particularly careful care.

Young ficus plants are replanted annually, as the pot and drainage holes are filled with plant roots. Each new pot is increased by 4-5 cm in diameter. As the tree matures, it is replanted once every 2-3 years. When the diameter of the pot reaches 30 cm, you can simply replace the top 2-3 cm of soil.

Reproduction process

Experienced flower growers reproduce mainly during the spring months, allowing young shoots to grow stronger before the onset of the cold season. This process occurs most often vegetatively, in rare cases – by seeds.

Semi-lignified cuttings (about 15 cm) are cut from the main plant, from which the released milky juice and lower leaves are removed. The prepared cuttings are left in an opaque container with warm water for about 20 days, after which they are rooted.

One of the secrets experienced flower growers is that add to the water prepared for cuttings Activated carbon , the tablet of which must first be crushed.

Another common method of propagation is to plant cuttings in a substrate of perlite and peat or a mixture of sand and soil. At a temperature of 25 °C the mixture is constantly kept moist. If roots form within a month, then all leaves except the top pair are removed. After 3 months, the cuttings can be planted in a separate pot with a diameter of 8-10 cm.

It is more difficult to propagate ficus from seeds, and this process will take much more time. To speed up seed germination, use special growth stimulants and carefully monitor the humidity and temperature of the surrounding air.

Ficus crown formation

One of the reasons for the popularity of ficus microcarpa is its appearance, which flower growers take special care of. Forming an attractive tree crown requires compliance with certain rules:

1. It should be remembered that removal of the apical bud leads to the growth of lateral buds, forming a lush bush.
2. Choose the right time to trim buds: a rich crown is formed during the spring season.

Ficus microcarpa bonsai – special kind house plant, which is obtained thanks to the ability of an evergreen tree to naturally form branches. Competent care and correct pruning allow you to get a beautiful tree.

The formation of a crown in the form of a bush begins with pruning the main shoot at a height of 10-15 cm. This will give impetus to the development of axillary shoots, which, as they reach 10 cm, are also pinched. Cut shoots must be rubbed from juice and treated with charcoal. For uniform growth of shoots, the plant must be turned to the sun in different directions.

Unusual bonsai

Application of special modern technologies allows you to get a special type of indoor plants - ficus microcarpa ginseng. During the growing process, special attention is paid to the development of its roots, which have bizarre shapes reminiscent of ginseng root in their original appearance.

The process of obtaining this particular type of indoor miniature trees is a technically complex procedure that requires professional equipment and special knowledge from specialists. The cultivation of such representatives of the flora begins with the usual procedures: planting seeds or rooting cuttings. The young shoot is specially fed with substances containing hormones for accelerated root growth. Upon reaching required size plants, the ficus trunk is removed, and the remaining root is replanted, deepening its smaller part.

On a note! Growing indoor trees Ginseng varieties are grown on special farms, mainly located in China or the United States of America.

The skin of the transplanted roots very quickly becomes rough, turning into real bark. Using a variety of specially selected chemical substances allows you to speed up the process of formation of new branches with leaves, and the use of retardants helps maintain the miniature size of the tree.

As a result of the painstaking work of professional flower growers, lovers of indoor plants have the opportunity to enjoy the excellent appearance of the original evergreen compact tree.

Difficulties in growing ficus microcarpa

The main problem of the plant is the sudden shedding of green leaves. Let's consider what to do in this case and what are the causes of this illness:

• transfer of ficus to other (new) growing conditions - decreased light levels, drafts, temperature changes.
• excessive watering of the plant and, as a result, rotting of the roots.

Decay yellow leaves caused by lack of watering or lighting, as well as low humidity levels. If it is not possible to add lighting, then you will have to wait for the onset of spring and the appearance of new green leaves. Gradual yellowing indicates a lack of fertilizer.

Ficus microcarpa suffers not only from improper care, but also from pests. Particularly stands out. Signs of its appearance - sticky leaves or brown crusts on tree shoots. If the ficus is located outside the room, it may be affected by thrips.

The original appearance, ease of care and compact size of ficus microcarp have brought it well-deserved popularity and love from professional and novice gardeners. The quaint tree fits perfectly into any setting, adding an element of sophistication and homeliness.