Secrets of successful cultivation of ficus microcarp. Ficus microcarpa home care Just bought: what to do next
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
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 prepare it yourself from equal parts of coarse sand, peat, turf 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:
- Green leaves fall - poor lighting, drafts, temperature changes, waterlogging of the soil, change of place.
- The leaves first turn yellow and then fall off - insufficient watering, low humidity, poor lighting in winter.
- Lower leaves turn yellow - lack of nutrients.
- 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:
- spider mite
- Shchitovka
- 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 got its name because of the miniature fruits, translated from Greek "mikros karpos" - a small fruit. The plant itself can reach quite impressive sizes. Although, it is often grown in the bonsai technique. This type of ficus is interesting in that in the lower part of its trunk there is a thickening of the roots, which takes the most bizarre forms during the growth process.
In nature, ficus microcarp can be found in some provinces of China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Australia. According to its form of growth, this plant belongs to epiphytic species, forms many aerial roots. Under natural conditions, the tree grows up to 25 meters in height, at home you can count on a one and a half meter copy.
The leaves of this variety are up to 10 cm long and up to 5 cm wide, their size becomes maximum in an adult plant, and before that, the leaves are smaller. The surface of each leaf is shiny, glossy, the tip is pointed. On the branches, the leaves sit on short petioles, their arrangement is alternate.
As it grows, the upper part of the root system rises above the soil and can look very decorative, forming weaves and bends. This is what allows you to grow this type of ficus in the form of bonsai. Often this plant is sold grown in this technique.
Ficus macrocarp is capricious in some aspects and you should be aware of this. For example, he does not like permutations, so he immediately needs to choose a permanent place and try to disturb the plant less in the future. This flower also does not like drafts, bright sunlight and dry air, it needs proper care.
- Place the purchased plant away from heating appliances. Best of all, windows with a western, northwestern and northern location are suitable for him. If the acquired plant has a variegated, that is, variegated form, ficus needs more light. Such varieties are best placed on the eastern and southeastern windows.
- In the first days in a new place, it is necessary to especially monitor the humidity of the air near the plant. The pot can be placed on a pallet with wet pebbles, and the leaves themselves can be sprayed 2-3 times a day. It is also necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out, moisten the earth with small portions of water every few days.
- After 2 weeks, when the ficus has adapted, it is recommended to transplant it into a new container. At the same time, you can check the state of the root system, because it is not known how much time it took to transport the plant, and how many days it spent in the store.
Useful advice: a household air humidifier will help to increase the humidity in the room - this is an affordable device that does not require special maintenance, but makes life very easy for indoor plants.
Each apartment has its own microclimate and many plants adapt to it, however, one should not forget about their needs so that the flowers can live and develop normally.
Ficus microcarp is considered a shade-tolerant crop. He can feel good both in bright diffused lighting and in partial shade. As the tree grows, it no longer fits on the windowsill and can be kept on the floor near the window.
If there is not enough light for the plant (this can be seen by the more faded color of the leaves), it will be necessary to organize the backlight. A special phytolamp is best suited for these purposes; its radiation spectrum is ideal for all plants. You can get by with a regular fluorescent lamp.
In this ficus, the roots also need warmth, as does the aerial part. It is best to keep the temperature in the range of 17-24°C. In the apartment, this is easily achieved with the help of an air conditioner.
During the winter months, the temperature can be slightly lower, but not for long. From hypothermia, the plant can get sick. If in summer the temperature rises to 25 ° C and above, the ficus must be sprayed at least twice a day, then it will be easier for him to endure the heat.
Of course, in the East, ficus bonsai is not grown, choosing conifers and various shrubs for this form of art. Strictly speaking, ficus bonsai is called pseudo-bonsai, since accelerated technologies are used in the creation, and real bonsai has been grown for decades and it is very expensive, since it is a "piece" product.
But, is it worth it for an ordinary grower to go into such subtleties if a bonsai grown from ficus looks just as good? You can grow such a tree from scratch on your own in just two years. To do this, you do not need to invent anything, everything has already been invented many centuries ago in the East.
There are different styles for bonsai. The tree can be formed in the form of a curved vertical, with a slope, a forked trunk, using other options. The advantage of the macrocarp species is the rapid growth of the ficus and its endurance. At home, this plant sprouts from seeds that have accidentally fallen, even in rock crevices or appears from cracks in the asphalt.
If the microcarpa ficus you purchased is grown using the bonsai technique, it needs special care. Bonsai culture does not tolerate haste, fuss and excess. After all, this tree is in miniature, which means that all actions must be carefully verified.
Since bonsai is planted in a wide but shallow dish, such a plant requires a special watering scheme. Large soil surface area evaporates water faster. At the same time, with abundant watering, there is simply nowhere for water to go, since the soil layer in the container is not very large.
Important! You need to water the tree often, but little by little. Check the soil before watering. It should dry out 2-3 cm deep.
Excess water accumulated after watering in the pan must be drained. It is recommended to pre-defend water, you can use rain or melt water - it is softer. The temperature of the water for irrigation should be at room temperature or slightly warmer, from the cold the plant can shed all the leaves.
The soil for ficus microcarp should be light and nutritious, have good moisture and breathability, with neutral or moderate acidity. You can buy a special soil for ficuses, or make up the soil mixture yourself.
Use to compose the substrate:
- 2 parts of sod land;
- 2 parts of deciduous land;
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part sand;
- some charcoal.
The first 2 months after transplantation, the plant can not be fertilized. Top dressing is carried out during the period of active vegetation of the ficus - from March to October. If your plant is grown in the bonsai technique, you should buy special fertilizers for it.
Fertilizer is diluted in water and fertilized after watering so as not to burn the roots. Microcarp is very responsive to foliar feeding. For them, fertilizer is bred at twice the weaker concentration and the foliage is sprayed.
Care and watering at home: video
In order for the bonsai to grow a powerful trunk, the ficus is subjected to regular pruning. With its help, the crown is given the desired look. The direction of growth of skeletal branches is set using a wire. To get the most magnificent crown, the main shoots are shortened to 5 cm, forcing them to branch.
Ficus microcarp tolerates pruning well, it does not do him any harm. Since the plant does not have a pronounced dormant period and continues to grow even during the winter months, it is pruned at this time as well. If you yourself grew a young ficus seedling from which you want to form a bonsai, then it needs to be cut off the main trunk at a low height, this will lead to the fact that the rest of the stem will get stronger and become much thicker.
Pruning starts from the lower layers of the crown, then moves up, according to a plan that allows you to create the desired shape. Cut not the leaves, but the branches themselves. If the shoot was thick, the cut must be covered with garden pitch. Cardinally, the plant is pruned in the spring before the start of active growth. At other times, they only slightly correct the contour, shortening individual overgrown branches.
Ficus microcarpa does not tolerate transplanting well and is very sensitive to root damage, so it should be transplanted as little as possible. Experts recommend doing this once every 2-3 years. To curb the growth of bonsai plants are specially planted in shallow containers. The purpose of transplanting is to replace depleted soil and reduce the number of overgrown roots.
They operate as follows:
- It is necessary to prepare a new pot, which should be 2-3 cm wider and slightly higher than the previous one.
- The drainage hole is covered with a plastic mesh and coarse sand is poured.
- 1/3 of the prepared soil is poured over the drainage layer.
- Bonsai are taken out of an old container, gently shake the earth from the roots, wash them in warm water and shorten them a little with sharp scissors.
- Wounds on the roots must be treated with charcoal. Thin threadlike roots are removed completely.
- Having prepared the plant, it is installed on the ground and covered with earth on top so that the upper third of the roots remains above the surface. If necessary, the rhizomes are pre-intertwined with each other, if this is required by the intended style.
- The final stage is soil compaction, watering and laying sphagnum moss on top of the soil.
Ficus microcarp transplant: video
Reproduction of ficus microcarp occurs in three ways: cuttings, layering and seeds.
For a cutting, an apical semi-lignified shoot is cut from a tree, it is soaked for a day to remove the protruding milky juice. After that, the stalk is placed in a glass of water, where wood ash or charcoal is added to prevent decay. When the roots appear, the seedling is rooted in light nutrient soil, covered with a glass jar on top so that it takes root more easily. When new leaves appear, the jar is removed.
If you decide to try to propagate the ficus by layering, on a tall specimen they retreat from the crown by 55-60 cm and cut off the bark from the trunk in a section 10 cm long. The bare area is wrapped with wet sphagnum and film. After a month, roots will appear in this place. The crown is cut off along with young roots and planted in a separate container.
Bonsai can only be obtained from a plant grown from a seed. Landing is traditionally carried out in the spring. The quality of planting material is very important, as are the conditions for its storage. If the norms are not respected, the seeds will simply lose their germination. Seeds are stratified and moistened before planting. Drainage is laid at the bottom of the landing tank, then a layer of soil.
Seeds are laid out on the surface of the earth, sprinkled with sand on top, moistened and covered with a film. Successful germination of seedlings requires warmth and diffused light. Young plants hatch in 2-4 weeks. As soon as a few leaves appear, the shoots dive. After another 2 months, they are seated in separate pots.
Ficus disease, as in the case of other plants, can be triggered by improper care or poor living conditions. Pests often move from neighboring flowers, especially in conditions of crowding, dry air and elevated temperatures.
As an emergency measure, it is necessary to treat the aerial part of the ficus with soapy water, you can simply try to wash the pests off the crown under the shower. After that, it is advisable to transplant the plant into fresh soil, after disinfecting the pot. If this does not help, be sure to spray the tree with insecticides, they work quickly and effectively.
From excessive watering, dark or whitish spots may appear on aerial roots. This indicates the spread of fungal diseases that cause rot. In this case, all damaged areas are cut out, the ficus is treated with fungicides and they stop actively watering.
Unexpected leaf fall, when the leaves leave the tree green, may be the result of being in a draft or in a too cold room. Create comfortable conditions for the ficus and the leaves will grow again. If the foliage is covered with spots, this indicates rotting of the roots. The plant will have to be removed from the pot, inspect the roots, remove all suspicious areas and plant in fresh soil.
When the leaves do not fall off suddenly, but after preliminary yellowing, the reason is poor watering. Some flower growers are afraid to flood the plant and go to the other extreme, allowing overdrying. We must not forget that any extremes are harmful to the plant. Watering should be regular, but careful.
Varieties of ficus microcarp
On sale you can find varieties of ficus microcarp. We will introduce you to its most popular varieties:
Variety Ginseng Its intricate root shape is the result of long breeding work. Now anyone can grow a beautiful miniature tree from the seeds of this plant, the trunk of which sometimes resembles figures of animals or humans. In care, this variety is considered unpretentious, but requires attention to top dressing - without them, it will not be able to grow so decorative.
Variety Moklame Moklame is considered a dwarf epiphytic ficus. It was his diminutiveness that made him attractive for growing in home culture. This is a sun-loving variety of ficus microcarp and requires more lighted places. In winter, moklama must be illuminated for normal growth. The shoots have an elegant shape and form a solid green crown.
Variety Variegata Variegated form with high decorative qualities. Like all variegated plants, it needs increased lighting. You can grow a lush bush, or form a bonsai.
Westland 
This is another small-leaved and small-fruited ficus belonging to the macrocarp species. The branches are covered with dark green elongated leaves 11 cm long. Does not require special care. Grows well in bush form.
Try to create your own unique bonsai, for sure this process will incredibly captivate you and give you a lot of positive emotions.
Characteristics and tips for caring for ficus microparpa indoors, do-it-yourself reproduction, possible difficulties in growing and ways to solve them, facts to note, varieties.
The content of the article:
Ficus microcarpa (Ficus microcarpa) or Ficus small-fruited is a shrub or tree that belongs to the genus of the same name, which is part of the Mulberry family (Moraceae). The native lands on which this representative of the flora grows are in the southeastern regions of China, the northern regions of the Australian continent, the regions of Japan and Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippine Islands.
This variety of ficus got its scientific name thanks to very small fruits, and from two Greek words: miniature "mikros" and the fruit "karpos" they got - microcarp. Due to the unusual root system that protrudes above the soil, such a plant is traded under the name - Ficus ginseng (Ficus ginseng).
If we talk about natural conditions, then this evergreen ficus can reach a height of about 25 meters with its shoots, but when grown in rooms, these figures are much more modest and do not exceed one and a half meters. The trunk of the ficus microcarp is covered with a smooth grayish-brown bark. It is interesting that such a plant begins to "live" as an epiphyte, that is, it is conveniently located on thick branches or the trunk of a larger tree. Since ficus gives rise to lateral root aerial processes from its branches, they eventually begin to wrap themselves up like a cocoon all parts of the host plant and bring it to death.
This is because, with its roots, having stuck to the branches and trunk, Ficus microcarpa begins to suck out nutrients from a stronger representative of the flora. But, despite such “aggressiveness”, ficus roots are rather weak and cannot descend to the soil in order to take root in it and take the form of a banyan tree, when the root processes begin to look like a small forest of thin stems. It is these stems that then serve as a support for the wide crown of the banyan ficus.
A special noteworthy difference between small-fruited ficus and other representatives of the genus is that its root system becomes bare over time and, as it were, rises above the soil surface, forming something like a caudex - a root formation in some plants in which they accumulate moisture to overcome dry periods. The forms that the root system takes are quite bizarre and unique.
Due to the excellent branching, a wide and dense crown is formed, which is obtained as such thanks to the leaves. Their shape is oval-elliptical, the leaves grow in the next order on the shoots, located very often. The outline of the leaf plate at the top is pointed. Its length is 12–15 cm with a width of about 2–7 cm. The color of the leaves is dark green, the surface is glossy, shiny and leathery. The petiole is not long; its parameters rarely exceed 5 cm.
Like other varieties of ficuses, this plant also forms nondescript flowers in nature, which are located on the inner surface of the syconium - a hollow pear-like or rounded formation. In diameter, such an inflorescence can reach 0.5–1 cm (which is why the species name of the variety has gone). As the syconium matures, its color will change from greenish yellow to purple. The pollinators of flowers of this species are the wasps Parapristina verticillata.
After pollination of flowers, which rather resemble the brown inner pubescence of syconium, berry-like fruits begin to ripen. They are not used for food, but they do not have poisonous properties. However, it should be remembered that when grown in room conditions, it is almost impossible to achieve flowering in ficus microcarp. It should also be noted that, like all representatives of the genus, this ficus has the ability to secrete milky juice, which, if it comes into contact with the skin, can cause irritation, so you should not forget about it when leaving.
The growth rate of Ficus microcarpa is average, unlike its "brothers" in the genus, but this is covered by the fact that caring for the plant is quite easy, and if you do not violate the rules below, then even a novice grower can handle such a ficus.
- plant lighting you need a bright, but diffused, which is possible only on the windowsill of windows east or west.
- Content temperature ficus microcarp should be within 18–23 degrees in summer, and not fall below 16 in winter. If there is a strong heat, ventilation is necessary.
- Air humidity in the room where the small-fruited ficus is contained, should be high. Perform daily spraying from a fine spray with warm and soft water of the deciduous mass of the plant. This is especially true on hot summer days or in winter, when heaters are turned on. After spraying, shading from direct sunlight is required.
- Watering Ficus microcarpa follows in the summer regularly, but moderately (about once every 3-4 days). In this case, the state of the soil should serve as a guideline - if the upper part began to dry out, then it was time to moisten. It is impossible to allow both the bay and the complete drying of the soil in the pot. With excessive watering, the small-fruited ficus will begin to shed foliage. With the advent of winter, watering is reduced to 1 time per week. Use only warm, but soft water.
- fertilizers for ficus, microcarp is introduced with the onset of spring, when the movement of juices begins and until September itself. The frequency is once every 14 days. Organic and mineral preparations are used, preferably in liquid form, so that they can be dissolved in water for irrigation.
- General care tips. As soon as spring comes, but throughout it and until the end of summer, it is possible to prune too long shoots of small-fruited ficus or those that grow in the middle of the crown. This plant is suitable for those who have just started to get involved in the bonsai technique, as it is quite easy to care for. When forming Ficus microcarpa using this technique, it is recommended that each branch, when 6–10 leaf plates are formed on it, be shortened so that only 3–4 leaves remain on it. In the summer, you can keep a pot with a plant on the balcony or take it out into the garden.
- Carrying out transplant selection of soil. When February-March comes, the young small-fruited ficus needs to be replanted every year. In this case, the diameter of the pot should be increased by 4-5 cm. When the plant grows up, such changes are recommended every 2-3 years. However, as soon as the diameter of the container becomes equal to 30 cm, then only 3 cm of soil from above can be replaced with a more fertile one. Before planting, 3 cm of drainage must be placed in a new pot (first expanded clay, then river sand).
Ficus microcarp does not impose special requirements when choosing soil; fertile loose soil with weak or neutral acidity is suitable for it. You can use ready-made purchased formulations intended for ficuses or palm trees. Also make up the soil mixture from:
- equal parts of turf, peat, leafy soil and coarse sand;
- leafy soil, soddy land, river sand (in a ratio of 1: 1: 0.5) with the addition of a handful of pieces of charcoal.
Tips for propagating ficus microcarp at home
Usually cuttings are used for this. In spring, small-fruited blanks are cut from the tops of the ficus shoots, 8–10 cm long, and so that they have at least 2–3 healthy leaves. White milky juice may ooze from the cut for some time, then you should wait a bit and carefully remove it or put the cuttings in a glass of water and change it periodically. The twigs are placed in a vessel with boiled water, in which the stimulant preparation is dissolved and waiting for the formation of roots or, before planting in the substrate, the cut should be treated with a root formation stimulator.
After this treatment, the cuttings are planted in pots filled with peat-perlite or peat-sand mixture. In any case, you will need to create the conditions for a mini-greenhouse by wrapping the container with the cuttings in a transparent plastic bag. The temperature during rooting should be maintained at about 25 degrees. The place in which the cuttings are placed should be well lit, but without direct sunlight. Caring for the cuttings is to air every day and make sure that the substrate in the pot is always moist.
After a month, it is recommended to gently tilt the stalk of the ficus microcarp to see if there are formed roots there. If they are formed, it is recommended to immediately cut off all the leaf plates, leaving only the top pair. When 14 days have passed, top dressing is carried out with diluted fertilizer, and after three months, it is recommended to transplant the cuttings into separate pots with a diameter of about 10 cm.
Small-fruited ficus can be propagated in addition to this method by layering, root shoots and sowing seeds.
Possible difficulties in growing ficus microcarp
With frequent violations of the conditions of detention, the small-fruited ficus will begin to weaken and harmful insects such as scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, thrips, whiteflies or spider mites can “attack” it. It is recommended to treat with insecticidal and acaricidal preparations.
If the plant does not have enough light, then the young branches will become thinner, and the size of the foliage will become smaller. The same thing happens when the microcarp ficus does not have enough nutrients. If watering is insufficient, then foliage may be shed, the plant also reacts to a sharp drop in temperature or keeping it at low heat rates, drafts, and watering with cold water.
When water stagnates in a pot, the root system begins to rot, and dark spots form on the leaves. You will need to remove the plant from the pot, remove the damaged roots, sprinkle the cuts with fungicide and plant Ficus microcarpa in a new container with sterile soil, while watering must be adjusted.
Ficus microcarpa ginseng - facts on a note and photo
The plant is often more than all ficuses applicable for growing bonsai (small tree) technique. The foliage also differs from, for example, Benjamin's ficus (the most common representative of the eponymous genus) - this plant does not have an elongated awn at the top. But the foliage of Ficus microcarpa can take on a more rounded to oblong shape. And unlike the bark that covers other varieties, it is more easily injured in this plant.
The characteristic form of the root system (the main difference between the ficus microcarp) is not immediately achieved, since such plants are grown on special farms located in South China or the United States of America. At the same time, it is important not only to maintain certain indicators of heat and moisture in the process of seed germination or rooting of cuttings, but also to use specific hormonal and insecticidal agents.
In the case when the root has already reached a certain size, the ficus is carefully removed from the ground, while cutting off the already fully formed stem. Naturally, only small stumps remain. The root shoots that are taken out are cleaned of soil, washed and sorted. It is in this form that they are massively bought by various farms involved in the cultivation of flowers. The roots are then placed one at a time in pots, but at the same time not too much of them, deepening - most of them remain above the surface of the substrate. Over time, the thin skin covering the roots will coarsen and take the form of a bark. Then, using a variety of chemicals, they accelerate the process of formation of new young shoots with foliage that will grow from these roots.
Often even grafts from the branches of other plants are used. To preserve the compact outlines of small-fruited ficus, special substances are used - retardants. And after that, such plants are ready for sale.
Varieties of ficus microcarp
- Variegata (Variegata) differs in the variegated color of the leaf plates, and this plant requires a higher level of illumination when leaving, otherwise all the leaves will gradually lose their color with light shades, acquiring a rich dark green color scheme.
- Moclame is a species of ficus microcarp that takes on dwarf forms and lives as an epiphyte. It was its compact size that made the variety the most attractive for indoor cultivation. When leaving, it requires more illumination and places on the southern windows, but with shading at lunchtime. With the advent of winter, even on the windowsill of a window in a southern location, additional lighting with phytolamps is required so that the daylight hours are at least 10 hours a day. This will provide normal conditions for the ficus, otherwise the branches will stretch out too much, but at the same time the overall growth will stop. The shape of the shoots is distinguished by grace and with their help a continuous green crown is formed.
- Westland. Another variety of ficus microcarp is distinguished by its small size, both foliage and fruits. Its shoots are completely covered with alternately growing dark green leathery leaves, which rarely reach 11 cm in length. It takes the form of a bush well and does not require special conditions for growing.
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:
- Use only disinfected and sharp objects (scissors, knife).
- Cut off the tops that protrude from the main crown line.
- Cut along an oblique line, not straight.
- 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:
- The plant must be at least 20 cm.
- Ficus should be planted in a wide, but not very deep flowerpot.
Bonsai formation stages:
- We trim the crown of the plant so that its appearance is flatter.
- 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.
- 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.
It has long become habitual. You won’t surprise anyone either 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 from year to year, as art, which is not yet very common in our country, is practiced. Perhaps the interest in ficuses is due to their attractive appearance and simplicity. Indeed, in nature, these plants grow in tropical, and subtropical, and even in temperate climatic zones. One of the most attractive and easy to care for is the ficus microcarp.
Ficus microcarp: description
Ficus microcarp, like all representatives of the genus (lat. Ficus), belongs to the family (Moraceae). As part of the family, a monotypic ficus knee (Ficeae) is formed. Representatives of these species are almost always evergreens.
Did you know? There is a variegated form of ficus microcarp. It's called Variegata.
The birthplace 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 the place where you can put the tree. To choose it, you need to take into account the properties of the microcarp and its whims.
Notice right away that the plant does not like permutations from place to place.
It reacts poorly to very bright light, dry air and drafts. So it's best to place the new plant away from the batteries. More suitable roomswhose windows face the north, west and southwest sides. Form Variegata is best placed in rooms with windows to the east, southeast, as it needs brighter lighting. 
It is necessary to spray microcarp from the first day of purchase. Do this two or three times a day. Don't let the soil dry out. Check the humidity 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, polystyrene can be used as drainage. The soil should be nutritious and loose. You can use ready-made land for ficuses. It is sold in specialized stores. After transplantation, as for the usual microcarp ficus.
If the plant has shed its leaves, don't worry. This is his reaction to the change of place. 
Did you know? In the wild, ficus microcarp reaches a height of up to twenty-five meters. Some leaves can be up to fifteen in length and up to eight centimeters in width.
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 is lighting and temperature.
Lighting
Microcarpa prefers shading or diffused sunlight. Should be protected from direct sunlight. It is better to place away from windows. You can provide artificial lighting or backlighting. For this, fluorescent lamps with a power of 15 W and a color temperature of 2800-3800 Kelvin (dawn / sunset) are suitable. 
Temperature
Another feature of the ficus microcarp is that the roots need warmth, as well as the aerial part. The optimum temperature for life and development is from 17 to 24 degrees Celsius. It should be noted that a decrease in temperature is permissible in winter. Lower temperatures can lead to illness. When the temperature rises above 23 degrees Celsius, it is necessary to provide additional spraying of the plant.
Important! Ficus small-fruited does not really like temperature changes.
How to care for ficus microcarpa
It should be noted that the plant still requires some attention to itself. Only the 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 have to work a little. Care is pretty simple. Like all plants, microcarp needs proper watering, and its wonderful roots and twigs need proper shaping and pruning. Through 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 light. You need to focus on the plant and the dryness of the soil. An earthen ball in a pot should not dry out, however, its excessive moisture can lead to rotting of the roots and death of the plant. The earth should have time to dry out at a depth of 2-3 centimeters.
There are also requirements for water. It should be soft and settled for at least twelve hours. Its temperature during watering should be at room temperature.
Humidity
Ficus microcarpa loves moist air. Therefore, you need to spray the tree once or twice daily, depending on the dryness of the air. Otherwise, the plant will look lethargic and become sensitive to, unable to resist. In addition to spraying, it will benefit the plant if you regularly wipe its leaves with a soft, damp cloth. 
Soil and its fertilizer
Microcarp loves light fertile soil with a pH level of 5.5 - 7.5. The soil can be prepared independently. To do this, it is necessary to mix in equal proportions turf, peat soil, leafy humus and sand.
Additional fertilizers are needed during the growing season (early spring - late autumn). You can use universal complex fertilizers for decorative leafy plants. They are added to the water for irrigation of the soil. It is better to fertilize once every two weeks.If ficus microcarp is grown in the bonsai style, then specialized fertilizers are used.
Also, the tree responds very well to fertilization through foliar spraying.
Important! To facilitate the process of assimilation of nutrients by the plant, fertilizers should be applied only to moist soil.
Pruning and crown shaping
In order for the tree to retain its attractive shape, it also needs to be trimmed periodically. It is better to start shaping the crown as early as possible. Ficus is malleable in terms of design appearance, makes it possible to roam fantasy. Why not an object for lovers of bonsai art?
To obtain a powerful trunk in a young plant, it is recommended to cut it. The direction of the branches is formed with a wire. Thick shoots up to twenty centimeters long can also be cut. The branching of the crown of the ficus microcarp achieves strong branches in shoots up to five centimeters.
Rules for transplanting ficus microcarp
Let's touch on how and when it is better to transplant ficus microcarp. 
This species is best once every two years. The tree grows very slowly, and in the adult state the trunk practically stops developing. Ficus microcarp needs a transplant more to renew the soil or replace the substrate. This procedure also allows you to inspect the condition of the roots that are underground. It is better to transplant in the spring.
Important! It is better not to transplant an adult plant at all, but only to renew the top layer of the earth.
A pot for ficus microcarp does not play a special role. It is even better to use the same one that was. Just clean and wash thoroughly. If you take a new one, make sure that a sufficient layer of the “old” earth remains on the roots. Make sure the new pot has drain holes. Lay drainage (expanded clay or polystyrene) with a layer of 2-3 centimeters. Install a tree with earth on the roots and add new soil. Be careful with fragile plant roots.
Important! After transplantficus microcarpasometimes sheds leaves.This is a consequence of the adaptation process. At the end of the "disease" period, the foliage will recover.
Reproduction methods at home
Ficus microcarp has several ways:, and. Most often, ficus cuttings and tree layering are used. 
Cut, not stiff branches are taken for cuttings, placed 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, stepping back from the node about a centimeter. After a day, the water is drained, as it contains a lot of juice. Ficus microcarp 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 the addition of ash. When the roots appear, the sprouts are transplanted into a container with earth and covered with a transparent container. As soon as the young plant puts out new leaves, the container is removed. Also, cuttings can be planted immediately in the ground, immersing the stem of the cutting 3–5 centimeters into the ground. covered with container. It is necessary to monitor the humidity and spray the stems of plants with water. Ficuses take root in this way for a month. 
Ficus can also be propagated by seeds. They are in specialized flower shops. Seeds are pre-soaked for a day in a growth stimulator solution. They are planted to a depth of half a centimeter, at a distance of at least one and a half to two centimeters from each other. The soil for planting seeds should be light and airy. The basis of the soil mixture should be peat and leafy soil. You will also need a lot of sand. The mixture must be thoroughly mixed until smooth. After planting the seeds, the soil is carefully sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with a film or glass. So that the soil is always moist, you need to monitor every day. Every day it is desirable to remove the protective film for fifteen minutes, let the sprouts and soil "breathe", evaporate excess moisture. When the seedlings have the first leaf, the sprouts stop each in a separate container. 