Fans of figs, for certain can not pass by the ficus of Benjamin, besides the variety of varieties is simply amazing. But whatever Benjamin ficus you bought, Kinki, Natasha, Mix or variegated varieties, care for them will be almost the same. Therefore, we will talk about how to care for the ficus of Benjamin, without introducing the division into varieties.
Ficus Benjamin - content and reproduction
Care for the ficus of Benjamin of any variety, Natasha is Naomi, Irene or Safari, you need to start with the evaluation of the pot in which it was sold. If the pot is very small, then the ficus will need to be transplanted, about a month after the purchase. After the young plant will need to be transplanted once a year, and with age, the transplant can be done every few years. The best time for transplant is spring or early summer. The soil should be nutritious, but at the same time light, so it is better to buy a ready mix in a flower shop.
How to care for the ficus of Benjamin, so that he every day pleased you with his appearance? To begin with, you need to remember that this plant is extremely photophilic, even a direct sunlight moves well. But if you decide to put the ficus in a place that will be exposed to the sun, you will need to accustom the plant gradually to these conditions, pritenyat after the purchase. Caring for any flower implies turns, but this does not apply to the Benjamin ficus. This flower can not stand the reverse side, even turning the pot a couple of degrees can provoke the disease.
Since the ficus of Benjamin comes from the tropics, it is as warm as air. The optimum temperature is 25-30 ° C, you can suffer a higher temperature, but for this you should spray it often. In the winter, experts recommend reducing the temperature to 18 ° C. Also in winter it is recommended to raise the pot over the floor, with the help of a stand, because the ficus is very afraid of drafts. The first bell, reporting a lack of light or heat, is a strong drop of leaves. Once the conditions are again favorable, the flower will again begin to grow and cover with foliage.
Sprinkle the ficus needs moderately, cutting it in the winter. If there is too much water, the plant will begin to discard the leaves. Feed the plant from March to September with universal fertilizers for flowers. The more active your ficus grows, the more often it needs to be fed. In winter, as well as during a stop in growth, the flower is stopped to feed.
The ficus of Benjamin can easily be shaped into any shape by trimming, so it can be grown as a sham tree. During pruning, cuttings remain, which can be given to friends, because the ficus propagates by cuttings. Only the lacteal juice from the lower cut must be washed off so that a blockage of the vessels does not form. After the stalks have to be put in water until the roots are formed.
Ficus Benjamin - nursing and illnesses
Even if you know exactly how to care for the ficus of Benjamin, you still are not immune to the damage of the flower by various pests. What are often encountered and how to deal with them, now we'll figure it out.
Shields
With this disease on the leaves and stems there are brown dots, the leaves lose color, dry up and fall off.
What to do? Wipe the leaves with a soap sponge, after spraying the plant with the solution of the actinic, taking 1-2 ml of the preparation for 1 liter of standing water.
Spider mite
On the stems and interstices there is a web, leaves wither and fall. This pest can be triggered by too dry air in the room.
What to do? Wipe the leaves and stems with a soapy sponge and wash under a warm shower. We start to spray regularly to increase the humidity. If the plant is severely injured, then it can be sprayed with the solution of the actinella, in the same proportion as in the fight with the scabbard.
Thrips
On the upper side of leaves there are numerous light points, the leaves become ribbed gray-brown with a silvery sheen. The disease is provoked by low air humidity and high temperature.
What to do? Spray with insecticides (if necessary, then more than once), for example, an actellic, a phytoverl, inta-vir.