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Ficus microcarpa: how to grow and propagate a plant. Ficus microcarp - home care Why does the ficus "Microcarp" fall leaves? What to do

Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees. This philosophy originated in the 8th-10th century in China. In Europe, art has always been of great interest, and today it is also very popular. Ficus microcarp produces fruits under natural conditions, but it almost never blooms in an apartment. The peculiarity of this species is in the partially bare root system, which forms interesting shapes.

Description

The ficus microcarp is native to the Japanese Islands, Northern Australia, Southeast China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It grows in coastal forest, 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" - the crown of plants is densely leafy;
  • "Westland" - leaf blades grow up to 11 cm long, 5 cm wide;
  • "Moklam" - leaves of small size, dark green hue, rounded;
  • "Variegata" - the leaves of the plant have a variegated color.

It is believed that ficuses protect home comfort and contribute to the preservation of stable relationships. These plants purify indoor air.

There is an opinion that Buddhist monks brought bonsai to Japan in the 6th century. 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 fulfill the order.

How to care for ficus microcarp at home?

The plant is photophilous, 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 that the earth ball is dry. If there is excessive moisture, the leaves will begin to fall. Ficus microcarp leaves should be sprayed with cool boiled water.

In summer, the tree can be kept outdoors, in winter it is necessary to maintain the temperature in the room in the range of + 18 ... + 24 degrees.

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

In winter, the microcarp ficus is placed near the window or additionally illuminated with lamps.

Leaves turn yellow and fall: what to do?

The reason for this phenomenon may be insufficient watering. Also, this phenomenon can provoke dry air, insufficient lighting, especially in winter. These possible causes must be eliminated. If it is not possible to provide the tree with additional lighting, you need to wait for spring - then new leaves should appear. If the leaves turn yellow little by little, care may be disturbed and the microcarp ficus is deficient in nutrients. He needs to be fed.

Crown shaping and pruning

When forming the crown of a tree, the following recommendations must be observed:

  • removal of the apical bud stimulates the growth of the lateral ones, a lush bush is formed;
  • if pruning is carried out in the spring, a lush crown will form.

Pruning of the main shoot is carried out at a height of 10-15 cm. The growth of axillary shoots is activated, they are pinched when they reach 10 cm. In order for the shoots to develop evenly, the plant is turned to the sun in different directions.

Plant pruning is carried out in the spring. Achieve the following goals:

  • the plant is rejuvenated due to fouling with new shoots;
  • the tree acquires the required shape;
  • branching begins in the right place;
  • the direction of growth of the branches changes.

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

How to transplant?

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

As a rule, a tree is transplanted every 2-3 years in the spring. Periodically, the substrate needs to be updated. The plant is planted by transshipment so as not to damage the root system. The container must have holes to remove excess moisture. A layer of drainage 2-3 cm high is poured at the bottom of the flowerpot.

How to propagate ficus microcarp?

There are the following ways to propagate 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 flowerpot under a film, which is removed after the leaves appear.
  2. Air layers. On a long shoot, leaves are removed in a selected place, the bark is cleaned in this place, treated with Kornevin, wrapped in moistened moss, and then covered with a film. When the roots appear, the shoot is cut off, the film is removed, the shoot, together with the moss, is planted in the substrate.
  3. Root offspring. A part of the root is cut off, kept in water for a couple of hours, then planted in a soil substrate, leaving 3 cm on the surface. Cover with a film on top, regularly water and ventilate. After the appearance of the leaves, the film is removed.

Diseases and pests: methods of treatment

The plant can get sick due to inappropriate care or improper maintenance. Most often, ficus microcarp affects aphids and spider mites. They appear as small black dots or thin cobwebs on branches. Home care consists in treating the tree with soapy water. If this is not enough, then the ficus is transplanted or an insecticide solution is used.

If the irrigation regime is not observed and excessive waterlogging occurs, the plant is affected by fungal infections. In this case, sanitary pruning is carried out, the tree is treated with a fungicide solution and the intensity of watering is reduced.

Grow a unique bonsai in your home, this is an incredibly exciting process. Properly take care of the plant, devote enough time to it, provide the required care, and it will certainly please you with a beautiful appearance and positive emotions.

Ficuses are indoor plants that have long been grown by flower growers. However, interest in them does not fade away, but only increases every year. This is due to the fact that the plant has an attractive appearance and does not require much attention to itself. These plants in natural conditions live both in the tropics and in the subtropics, they are found even in the temperate climate zone.

This species is an epiphyte, that is, it is able to grow on other plants. (ficus microcarpa) has many aerial roots. The plant has an upright trunk with a gray color. When grown indoors, it can reach a height of about 1.5 m. The leaves have a glossy sheen and a dark green color. The roots of the plant protrude from the ground, which is the main difference between this species.

Home care for ficus microcarp should be started immediately after purchase. First you need to determine the place where the plant will live. To do this, it is important to consider what properties the tree has, as well as the fact that it does not tolerate when it is moved from one place to another. Poorly tolerates the following points:

  • exposure to bright light;
  • excessive dryness of air masses;
  • the presence of drafts.

Therefore, you should place the acquired ficus away from heating appliances. The best option would be a room with windows on the north side. Ficus does not like direct sunlight. You need to spray ficus from the first days after it was purchased. Such manipulations should be done three times during the day. It is unacceptable to overdry the soil, so you will need to check the humidity.

After a couple of weeks, it will already be possible to transplant the plant into a container in which it will constantly develop. Be sure to lay a layer of drainage when transplanting, it should fill the pot by a third. To do this, it is recommended to use expanded clay or foam. The soil is chosen nutritious and loose. You can use the finished land for ficuses. It happens that after throwing off the leaves, you should not worry about this, because this is a reaction to a change of place.

Microcarp prefers fertile soil, it can be made on your own by mixing humus with turf and peat soil and adding sand to the mixture. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions.

When the plant is actively developing, it is necessary to apply fertilizers; for this, complex options designed for ornamental plants are suitable. They must be diluted in water, and then spill the soil. Feeding is carried out once every half a month. If bonsai-style cultivation takes place, then special fertilizers are used. The plant absorbs fertilizer well if applied by spraying the leaves.

Trimming

To maintain the attractiveness of the form, it will be necessary to periodically prune the plant. Forming the crown should begin the sooner the better. Ficus easily lends itself to any appearance design, so the fantasy here can be limitless. Therefore, those who are fond of the art of bonsai love it so much, ficus microcarpa is ideal for this.

To make the trunk powerful, you need to trim it from a young plant. You can direct the branches in the right direction if you use a wire. If the shoots are too thick, then they should be removed. If desired, you can make the crown more branched, this can be achieved by cutting strong branches up to 5 cm.

Ficus transplant

The microcarp does not particularly like to be disturbed, so repotting should be done no earlier than every 2 years. The development of the tree is very slow, and when it reaches adulthood, it stops growing altogether. It is necessary to replace the soil only in order to update it. During this procedure, it is recommended to inspect the roots that are in the underground space. Transplanting is best done in the spring.

If there is not enough moisture, and the temperature in the room is elevated, then this will contribute to the appearance of a spider mite, due to which the plant can die in a short period of time. To get rid of it, it is enough to arrange a shower for young plants with a water temperature of 40-45 degrees. For adult plants, insecticides can be used to treat.

Ficus can be attacked by aphids, thyroid, whitefly and thrips. To get rid of them, it is better to choose drugs specially designed for this, which can be found in stores in large quantities.

Dropping of leaves can occur if there is insufficient watering, as well as due to poor lighting, drafts or improper fertilization. Also, the loss of foliage can be caused by transferring from one place to another or transplanting. To speed up the adaptation process, you should use the Epin solution.

Ginseng, also known as microcarp or small-fruited ficus, belongs to the Mulberry family.

In Latin, its scientific name is Ficus microcarpa ginseng.

Naturally, it is an evergreen tree. height 15-25 meters with a dense spreading crown, a powerful trunk and huge aerial roots hanging down.

In room culture, it is most often grown as a bonsai with a small trunk, but a huge rhizome, shaped like a ginseng root. Not by chance "ginseng" is translated as "ginseng".

The tropics and subtropics of Southeast Asia are the usual habitat of the tree.

This representative of the flora is also called "Indian laurel", "green island" and "Chinese banyan".

Its dark green leathery leaves are quite large - up to 15 cm in length.

They are oval in shape and have a glossy surface.

Ginseng is a ficus strangler.

Starting life as an epiphyte, as it develops, it takes root next to the host tree, braids it and strangles it, preventing it from developing.

The bizarre rhizome for which indoor ficus ginseng is famous is not found in nature.

It is grown on farms using a special technology that is kept secret.

The tree is fed with special preparations and kept in special conditions.

Co. when the root reaches the desired thickness and shape, the plant is transplanted into another container, leaving most of the rhizome on the surface of the soil.

At the same time, the trunk is cut off and new greenery is grown.

Bred on farms and indoor forms with an ordinary trunk.

In this case, the rhizome is hidden in the ground and the main beauty of the tree is given by a luxurious dense crown.

Home care

ficus ginseng differs in unpretentiousness in leaving and endurance.

Following simple care rules will help him develop well, not get sick and be protected from pest attacks.

Important - The trunk of the tree is covered with a thin gray-brown bark, when damaged, a white milky juice is released.

It is advisable to prevent such injuries when caring for a "green friend" - the wounds on the trunk are delayed for a very long time.

Temperature

The tree prefers diffused light or partial shade.

The ideal place is next to a window, but as far as possible from heating appliances.

Important - It is advisable to decide once and for all on the permanent place of the ficus, because he does not like moving and, in response, can shed his leaves.

The most comfortable temperature for this representative of the flora is 20 to 23°C.

In the hot season, regular ventilation is required. At the same time, drafts are very undesirable.

In winter, the temperature column in the room should not fall below 16°C.

Watering and humidity

From spring to autumn, abundant watering is required, but without excessive zeal, and moderate in winter.

Waterlogging the soil can lead to root rot.

The need for watering is easily determined: drying of the top layer of soil to a depth of about 3 cm is a signal that it is time to moisten the soil.

It is important to ensure that the earth does not dry out completely and the water in the pan does not stagnate.

The tree needs high humidity.

It will be very grateful for daily spraying in the morning and evening.

It is better to take boiled water for this, otherwise a white coating will remain on the leaves.

Also, the plant will not refuse a warm shower once a month and regularly wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.

It is desirable that during water procedures, as little water as possible gets on the trunk.

To increase the humidity, you can use a pallet with wet pebbles.

top dressing

In winter, top dressing is reduced to once a month.

Fertilizers should be applied along with watering in moist soil.

Bloom

The tree blooms with small flowers, which bloom inside a spherical receptacle.

Later they are transformed into fruits, the so-called siconia, shaped like large berries.

At home, the tree is extremely rarely covered with flowers, and even more so it does not bear fruit, since it must be pollinated by small wasps that live only in its homeland.

crown formation

The ficus microcarp has very plastic shoots, so its crown can be given any shape.

If the appearance of the purchased specimen is quite satisfactory, you can save it by regularly pinching the tips of the branches.

To form a branched crown, the top of the tree is cut off, leaving no more than 5 cm in length of branches.

An interesting shape of the crown is obtained if you choose one strong branch growing in any direction and do not interfere with its development.

The direction of the branches is sometimes formed with a wire.

To obtain a powerful trunk, it is severely cut several times.

It is worth saying that along with this procedure, a large number of leaves are also removed, which reduces the plant's need for moisture.

Transfer

"Indian laurel" needs loose and fertile soil with acidity pH 5.5 to 7.5.

You can buy a special substrate for ficuses or cook it yourself from equal parts of coarse sand, peat, sod and leaf soil with the addition of fine charcoal.

Another option for a suitable substrate- taken in equal parts sand, humus and clay granulate.

Young specimens are transplanted every year or every other year in early spring with a complete replacement of the earth, and adults - once every 2-3 years transfer method.

Advice: To maintain a compact shape when transplanting, it is recommended to trim one third of the roots.

Post-Purchase Care

In the first two weeks after the purchase, the tree often sheds foliage - in this way it reacts to a change of residence.

This is not scary - with regular watering and spraying, the "newcomer" will soon adapt and put out fresh leaves.

In order for him to quickly get used to new conditions, it is useful to spray him with a solution once a week. "Epin".

Advice: If the pet was purchased in the transport soil, it is imperative to change it to a new substrate.

But this is done only a couple of weeks after he gets used to it.

Photo

In the photo ficus "Ginseng":

reproduction

cuttings

In spring, semi-lignified trees are cut from the tops of the shoots. cuttings 15 cm long and for a couple of hours they are placed in water so that the milky juice is washed off.

The substrate is disinfected before planting by calcining in the oven or freezing in the refrigerator.

Rooting is happening within 2 months, after which the plant is transplanted into separate pots.

Root cuttings

In an adult specimen, a piece of the root is cut off, which is planted in the substrate, leaving 2.5 cm its upper part to rise above the ground surface.

When watering once a week and regular airing after 3-4 months you can expect new shoots.

After the appearance 4-5 leaves remove the film and place the young bush in a bright place with shading and provide it with proper care.

Air layers

A ring of bark with a width is removed from the trunk from 2 to 3 cm.

The incision site is covered with wet sphagnum moss and covered with polyethylene.

After the roots appear in this place, the upper part of the bonsai is cut off along with the new root system and planted in another pot.

This method is used to rejuvenate specimens that have lost their decorative effect.

seeds

A rare method, as it is difficult to acquire seeds.

Sowing seeds is carried out in a substrate consisting of peat and sphagnum moss.

They take quite a long time to grow. "mini hothouse" and constantly moist substrate.

Important - It should be borne in mind that with any method of reproduction, the result will be a ficus with an ordinary trunk and a closed root system.

It is extremely difficult to get a powerful external root at home.

As already described above, this requires a special cultivation technology.

Diseases and pests

The tree most often gets sick from improper care.

The following problems may occur:

  1. Green leaves fall - poor lighting, drafts, temperature changes, waterlogging of the soil, change of place.
  2. The leaves first turn yellow and then fall off - insufficient watering, low humidity, poor lighting in winter.
  3. Lower leaves turn yellow - lack of nutrients.
  4. Dark spots appear on the foliage and root rot develops - water stagnation in the soil.

When establishing proper care, problems disappear: the green pet quickly recovers and acquires new leaves.

If a tree is affected by root rot, treatment should be taken immediately.

You need to get it out of the flowerpot, remove all diseased parts of the root and cut off part of the crown so that the “patient” spends all his strength on recovery.

Dangerous Enemies:

  1. spider mite
  2. Shchitovka
  3. Mealybug.

If pests are found, insecticide treatment is carried out.

In order to prevent, regular inspection of the foliage and proper care is necessary.

Benefit and harm

Ficus microcarpa is not only an interior decoration, but also a very useful plant.

Potted tree effectively improves the microclimate in the house, purifying the air from such harmful substances as phenol, benzene and trichlorethylene.

In addition, it has numerous healing properties.

Tinctures and preparations made from milky juice and leaves are used to treat mastopathy and various neoplasms.

With the help of ficus, you can get rid of wen, warts and hematomas.

Also, funds from it help with arthritis, osteochondrosis and sciatica. The tree is not poisonous and is completely safe.

ficus ginseng deserves to live in your home for a long time.

With proper care at home for the Ginseng ficus, the tree can not only become an elegant decoration, but also purify the air in the room.

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Ficus microcarpa belongs to the genus Ficus, Mulberry family. The homeland of this evergreen tree is Southeast Asia, where it can be found in the tropical and subtropical forests of India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, South China and Northern Australia.

In nature, Ficus microcarp reaches a height of about 25 meters, while forming a wide dense crown. The trunk of the plant is smooth, thin. When damaged, a thick white juice is released. The bark is grey-brown. The leaves are dark green, glossy, leathery, petiolate, oval-elliptical with a pointed apex, arranged alternately on the shoots. Leaf length 12 - 15 cm, width - 2 - 7 cm. The flowers are small, formed inside the inflorescence - a spherical syconia, the diameter of which is 0.5 - 1 cm. Initially, the syconia is green-yellow, becomes purple as it matures. Pollinated only by wasps Parapristina verticillata.

Ficus microcarpa belongs to the group of strangler ficuses. In nature, starting its life as an epiphyte, as it matures, it takes root at the trunk of the host tree and, entangling it with roots, crushes it. However, the numerous aerial roots of this ficus are very weak, so it practically does not turn into a banyan tree, in which the roots become additional trunks and support for a dense crown.

In room conditions, it is bred either because of the unusual shape of the roots, strongly protruding above the soil surface (the trade name for this form is Ficus ginseng), or because of the dense, beautiful crown. In the second case, the roots are usually hidden.

Caring for Ficus microcarp does not cause much difficulty. This is a rather unpretentious plant. But we can give some general recommendations on the content.

Lighting. Ficus microcarpa loves bright diffused sunlight, but grows well in artificial light. When placed in a room, it should be placed as close as possible to the window, but away from the radiators.

Temperature. Prefers moderate summer temperatures around 20 - 23 °C. Higher temperatures require regular ventilation and fresh air. However, it is desirable to avoid drafts and sudden temperature changes.

Winter temperatures should not fall below 16 °C.

Watering. During the period of active growth, the plant needs abundant watering, which is carried out as the earthen coma dries out. In winter, they are guided by the temperature in the room, air humidity and light. When using additional lighting and hot, dry air, the ficus very quickly absorbs moisture from the soil and watering during this period can be even more frequent than in summer. In a cool dark room, the need for water is significantly reduced.

Air humidity. Ficus microcarpa prefers high humidity, for which it must be sprayed 1-2 times a day and washed every 2-3 weeks under a warm shower.

To increase the humidity, you can use a pallet with wet expanded clay.

The soil. The plant needs soft, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5 - 7.5. You can use a ready-made soil mixture for ficuses, or you can prepare the substrate yourself by taking sod, leaf, peat soil, sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1 and add a little charcoal.

Fertilizer. During the growing season, once every two weeks, ficus needs top dressing with complex fertilizers. Universal fertilizers for decorative leafy plants or for bonsai are suitable for it. In winter, top dressing can be reduced to one per month.

The plant responds well to foliar top dressing. In this case, a weak solution of fertilizers is used, the concentration of which is taken in accordance with the attached instructions.

pruning. To form a beautiful crown, regular pruning is recommended, which is preferably carried out in spring or autumn (before the start of the growing season or after it).

Pests and diseases

At low humidity and high temperatures, the likelihood of damage by spider mites is high. If the plant is small, it can be washed thoroughly under a hot shower with a water temperature of 40 - 45 ° C. Large plants are recommended to be sprayed with an insecticidal preparation of the appropriate action.

In addition, ficus is affected by whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips and scale insects.

Of the diseases, the most common diseases of improper care:

- leaf dumping is possible due to drafts, temperature changes, cold water irrigation, lack of light, overdrying or waterlogging of an earthen coma;
- root rot and dark spots on the leaves appear from stagnant water in the pot.

Ficus microcarp does not adapt well to changes in living conditions. For quick adaptation and getting used to, it is recommended to spray it once a week with a solution of "Epin" during the entire adaptation period.

Forms of Ficus microcarp

In addition to plants with ordinary dark green foliage, there is also a variegated form of Ficus microcarp - Variegata. This form needs brighter lighting than the mother plant, because with a lack of light, variegation disappears.

ficus ginseng(Ficus ginseng), or Ficus ginseng, is a plant with fancifully swollen roots resembling ginseng roots in appearance, which are formed in a special way with the help of special hormones and fertilizers during seed propagation. When cutting ficus, this form of roots cannot be achieved. Care for Ficus ginseng is exactly the same as for the usual one, but it is recommended to do more frequent and deeper pruning so that all attention is focused on the roots. You should also pay special attention to the nutrition of the plant. With a lack of nutrition, the shoots begin to take nutrients from the roots, as a result of which they become thinner and wrinkled.

The many-sided and amazing ficuses are graceful plants from the Mulberry family, of which there are more than 280 species in wildlife. They mainly grow in regions with subtropical, temperate and tropical climates. Ficuses occupy a leading position in terms of the number of varieties among indoor plants. Ficus microcarpa bonsai And ficus microcarpa ginseng- one of the most common forms that flower growers give to this unpretentious plant for decorating rooms.

Description

Ficus microcarp, like other representatives of the ficus genus (lat. Ficus), belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae). The composition of the family forms a monosort knee of ficus (Ficeae).

Most representatives of this species always remain evergreens.

Microcarp, like many ficuses, is an epiphyte, that is, it can grow on another plant.

It has a large number of air roots, a gray upright trunk. At home, it grows up to 1.5 m in height.

The dark green dense leaves have a sheen of a glossy shade and densely cover the crown. Leaves are attached to branches with short petioles. They have an elongated, oval shape and reach 5 cm in width and 10 cm in length.

Ficus has a very well developed root system. A distinctive feature of this species are the roots protruding from the ground, which acquire bizarre shapes. This variety got its name because of the appearance of the fruit - they are very small in size. Translated from Greek "mikros karpos" means "little fruit".

This amazing plant is native to the forests of southern and eastern China, Indonesia, northern Australia and Taiwan.

Care immediately after purchase

First you need to decide on the place where our tree will be placed. When choosing, you should take into account the properties and whims of the microcarp.

It is immediately worth noting that the plant does not like permutations from one place to another.

Ficus moklame reacts poorly to drafts, dry air and very bright light. Therefore, a new plant should be placed as far as possible from heating radiators. Rooms where the windows face the southwest, west and north sides are best suited.

Ficus with Variegata form it is best to place it in a room with east and southeast windows, since such a plant needs brighter light.

Microcarp must be sprayed from the very first day of purchase, especially ficus moklame, ginseng and bonsai. It is best to do this 2-3 times a day. It is not recommended to allow the soil to dry out. Check the substrate moisture frequently by dipping your finger into the soil to a depth of one centimeter.

A couple of weeks after purchase, the plant should transplant into a newer and more permanent container. Do not forget to take care of the drainage, the layer of which should be at least 1/3 of the height of the pot. For drainage, you can use foam or expanded clay. The soil in the substrate should be loose and nutritious. Ready land for ficuses is perfect, which you can buy in specialized flower shops. Care after transplantation is carried out in the same way as for a regular microcarp plant.

If the ficus ginseng or moklame has shed its foliage, then you should not worry about this. Most likely, this is just a reaction to the change of "place of residence".

View of roots and trunk- the first thing that attracts attention. The roots have the ability to thicken and become bare, taking a shape like oval barrels. The branches are thin, have small dark green leaves. The surface of the leaves is shiny, as if it had been polished.

Some ficus moklame may seem rude and ugly, but in most cases the plant is in great demand in flower shops. To give the ficus an attractive appearance, you should not only provide the plant with proper care at home, but also constantly form its crown. Ficus can be shaped:

  • bonsai tree
  • bush

In order for its crown to be lush, moderately branched and healthy, it is necessary to regularly trim the branches. Here are some important rules to follow:

  1. Use only disinfected and sharp objects (scissors, knife).
  2. Cut off the tops that protrude from the main crown line.
  3. Cut along an oblique line, not straight.
  4. Cut tops can be used for further rooting.

Making ficus bonsai is quite difficult at home, but not at all impossible. When forming a bonsai, two conditions must be met:

  1. The plant must be at least 20 cm.
  2. Ficus should be planted in a wide, but not very deep flowerpot.

Bonsai formation stages:

  1. We trim the crown of the plant so that its appearance is flatter.
  2. We hang small weights on the branches with the help of threads to give the plant a suitable look. This must be done so that the branches fall parallel to the ground.
  3. We keep the load in this state for about two weeks, after which we remove it.

Ficus branches, during the period of their formation in this way, can shed their leaves. This is not a sign of illness or improper care, but only an adaptation to a new situation.

To give the plant an even more colorful appearance, it is worth transferring the ficus to a square-shaped pot, the style of which will be typical for bonsai.

The microcarp plant blooms, but this process does not carry any aesthetics. The flowers are small, collected in a small inflorescence, which has a diameter of no more than 2 cm. These inflorescences are called syconia. The houseplant belongs to the category of decorative and deciduous, so its main beauty lies precisely in this.

Optimal growing conditions

Ficus care is very simple at home. The plant, despite its exoticism, is very unpretentious. However, it still has its own specifics, which should be taken into account. Basically it is temperature and lighting.

Temperature

Ficus needs warmth both for the above-ground part of the plant and for the root system. The optimal temperature for proper development and maintenance of life is in the range of 17-24°C. It should be borne in mind that in winter, a decrease in temperature is permissible. Too low air or soil temperatures can lead to various diseases. At temperatures above 23°C, the plant should be provided with additional watering and spraying.

Lighting

Areas with shading or indirect sunlight are best for microcarp. The plant must be protected from direct sunlight. A flower pot is best placed away from windows. Artificial lighting or lighting is also a place to be. To do this, you can use fluorescent lamps with a power of 15 W and a temperature (color) from 2800 ° to 3800 ° Kelvin (dawn / sunset).

Care

It should be noted that the plant does not require any special attention. However, the care of this species is not limited to the correct location of the pot with the plant and the necessary lighting. To make a tree pleasing to the eye, you have to work hard. Care is fairly simple. Like all other plants, ficus must be properly watered, and wonderful twigs and stems are constantly shaped with pruning. Through simple manipulations, the tree will turn into an incredible decoration that will delight the eyes of your guests and household members.

Watering

Ficus should be watered frequently and plentifully, especially in the spring-summer season, that is, during the period of active plant growth. It should be noted that the abundance and regularity of watering directly depend on the illumination, room temperature and air dryness.

When watering, you should be guided by the condition of the plant and the dryness of the soil. You should monitor the moisture content of the soil in the pot, however, you should not water the ficus microcarp too much, as this can cause root rot, which often leads to the death of the plant. The substrate should have time to dry before the next watering. Soil moisture is checked at a depth of 2-3 cm.

Water for irrigation must also meet certain requirements. It should stand for at least 12 hours and be soft. The temperature during watering should not be cooler than room temperature.

Humidity

Humid air is a priority for ficus microcarp, so the tree should be sprayed 1-2 times a day, depending on the humidity of the air. With a lack of spraying, the ficus will become sensitive to various diseases, will look lethargic, and will lose the ability to resist pests. In addition to spraying, the plant will benefit from regularly wiping its leaves with a damp cloth.

Soil and fertilizer

fertile soil with an acidity level of 5.5-7.5 on the pH scale - a favorite for microcarp. The soil is easy to prepare yourself. To do this, mix sand, leafy humus, peat and sod land in equal proportions. During the growing season, it is recommended to apply additional fertilizers (from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn). Complex universal fertilizers or fertilizers for decorative and deciduous plants are perfect. They must be added to the water when watering the soil. Fertilize once every couple of weeks.

When growing ficus microcarp in the bonsai style, specialized fertilizers are used.

Fertilizers can also be applied by spraying foliage - the tree responds well to this.

Crown shaping and pruning

In order for the plant to retain the attractiveness of its forms, it must be cut periodically. You should start shaping the crown as early as possible. In terms of changing the appearance, the ficus is very malleable, which allows your imagination to run wild.

To get a powerful trunk from a young tree, it needs to be trimmed more. With the help of a wire, it is necessary to form the direction of the branches. Thick shoots, whose length is not more than 20 cm, can also be pruned. By cutting strong branches, branching of the ficus crown can be achieved.

Transplant rules

Let's touch on when and how best to transplant a microcarp plant.

This variety should repot every couple of years. The tree grows quite slowly, and the trunk almost ceases to develop in adulthood. For ficus, transplanting mainly has the goal of replacing the substrate and renewing the soil. This procedure will also allow the grower to look at the state of the root system, which was previously underground.

Transplantation is best done in the spring. The size of the pot for ficus microcarp does not play a special role. It is even best to use the same container that was previously, however, it should be thoroughly cleaned and washed. If you decide to take a new pot, then be sure to make sure that a small layer of "old" earth remains on the roots of the plant. Be sure to check that the new container contains holes for draining water.

Don't forget to install drainage. from foam or expanded clay with a layer of 2-3 cm. Set the ficus with the earth on the roots in place and add fresh soil. You should be extremely careful with the fragile root system of the plant.