Good afternoon, my reader. The massive plants that our grandmothers grew in huge tubs were replaced by Benjamin's compact ficus. The Asian guest is gradually settling in our homes, and more and more amateur flower growers are showing interest in him. Naturally, they want to know how to care for a flower indoors.
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Description of ficus Benjamin
An evergreen tree (shrub) from the genus Ficus of the Mulberry family occurs naturally in Southeast Asia and Australia. Under natural conditions, the plant reaches 20-25 m in height and several meters in girth.
There are cases when representatives of this culture live up to 100 years or more. In particular, a unique specimen grows in the Royal Botanic Garden of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), which the locals nicknamed "the turtle". The old-timer of the island state is 150 years old, its crown covers an area of 2.5 thousand square meters. m.
Benjamin's indoor ficus looks much more modest: its growth, depending on the variety, ranges from 0.5-3 m. It is noteworthy that the plant blooms only in the wild or in greenhouses, where ideal conditions can be created as close as possible to natural.
Care
An unpretentious native of Southeast Asia needs increased attention only for the first 3 months of the adaptation period in a new place. With a successful development of events, further care does not require much effort.
Lighting
The intensity of crop growth depends on the quantity and quality of lighting. Ficus Benjamin significantly lags behind in development if it does not have enough sunlight. In addition, this noticeably affects the decorative effect of the crown of variegated varieties.
The flower will be most comfortable on the windowsills on the western, eastern and southeastern sides of the house. On the southern window, the plant will be too hot, and direct sunlight will leave burns on the leaves.
The north window is suitable only during the summer season. The rest of the time there will be not enough light, and you will have to use artificial lighting with a phytolamp. In summer, the plant can be taken out into the fresh air, remembering to protect it from direct sunlight and drafts.
Temperature regime
A ficus accustomed to the southern sun needs warmth, especially during the active growing season. The ideal temperature is 18-22 ° С, in summer the flower can withstand heat up to 25-30 ° С. But it is better to make sure that these indicators fluctuate smoothly. Otherwise, the plant will begin to wilt and shed its foliage. The same applies to the winter dormant period, when the plant will feel normal at a temperature of 16-18 ° C.
Watering, feeding
The amount of moisture needed by the ficus determines the size of the flower and the conditions for its maintenance. In summer, in heat, with low humidity, the plant should be watered 1-2 times a week with warm, settled water. In this case, the crown must be periodically sprayed to make it easier for the flower to survive the heat.
With the onset of cold weather, watering and spraying is halved. In winter, the soil in the pot is moistened only as needed, when the top layer dries 1-2 cm deep. However, there is no need for abundant watering in the summer, since the plant reacts negatively to stagnant moisture in the soil.
During the growing season, twice a month, ficus is fed with complex mineral fertilizers “for decorative deciduous plants”. This procedure is combined with watering.
Any plant is a living organism that needs good conditions and careful care. Give your indoor flower a little more attention, and you will see how grateful it can be.
Does Benjamin's ficus grow in your house?
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