Ficus benjamina transplant at home, after purchase, into a large pot

Antonov Garden prepared a master class on replanting Ficus Benjamin especially for subscribers. We took visual photos, shot a video and wrote a clear text with a step-by-step description. I will tell you when to replant a ficus, what the substrate should be, how to support the ficus after replanting, what and when to use fertilizers after replanting, what a root collar is, and why it should not be buried.

Description of Ficus Benjamin

It can grow up to 25 meters in height. The trunk is gray, the leaves have all shades of green with yellow and white splashes, usually have a sharp droplet shape. The leaves reach 5 centimeters in width and grow up to 12 centimeters in length. Ficus opened the door to art for gardeners. From the trunks of the plant, braids and beautiful curves are obtained. This green home tree is capable of purifying the air from harmful substances; it is successfully used to treat diseases of various specifics. Most often it is used to eliminate respiratory pathologies.

ficus benjamina in a pot

Bonsai

Almost all varieties of ficus benjamina can be used for growing bonsai. But the Viandi variety is most suitable for this purpose. It is characterized by a low growth rate and a wavy, curved trunk. From cuttings of this variety you can grow a bonsai the fastest.

The technology for growing these dwarf trees for Ficus Benjamin and for other species is practically the same. Bonsai are grown in low, wide containers filled with depleted soil, which promotes a slow growth rate. The roots of the tree are pruned 2-3 times a year, after which it is planted in the same container. The plant is also pruned 2-3 times a year.

In addition to pruning, great importance is attached to the formation of the trunk and branches.

The branches and trunk are wrapped with thick copper wire, and then gradually bent so that the plant takes on the desired shape. Usually after such procedures, after 4-5 years the plant looks like a real tree in miniature.

Ficus benjamina transplant

Every plant growing at home requires proper care. Without the necessary attention, the tree will not grow properly. The task of replanting must be approached more responsibly than other procedures, since the growth of a houseplant completely depends on the composition of the soil and the accuracy of the actions. Here are a few reasons why you need to replant a ficus:

The pot containing the small tree suddenly broke.
The soil began to smell unpleasant, but no external harmful factors were observed.
The owner begins to suspect that the root system has begun to rot.
Pests have appeared.

Various diseases can be a good reason to relocate a small tree. Soil mold and other disturbing symptoms, such as fungus, are signs of pathologies that can be eliminated by replanting. The plant will die if measures are not taken in time after detection of harmful effects.

The best time is early spring, because this is a period of active growth and development. The winter period is very difficult for these plants; changing their “home” at such a time will be traumatic for the green friend. Transplantation can also be done in the fall if the days are warm outside. Then the roots will have time to recover in time for the difficult period. Excessive replanting is traumatic for the roots of the plant. For adult ficuses, this procedure is simply useless. You just need to update the top layer of soil to ensure there is enough nutrients.

Helpful advice! So that the green crop does not lack lighting, you can buy a regular LED lamp with a power of no more than 12 W. Then there will be enough light so that the tree does not act up. Artificial light will help maintain vital functions in cloudy weather.

Pests

Among the pests that can cause damage, the most dangerous are scale insects, aphids and spider mites.

Scale insect on ficus

Scale insects attack ficus more often than others. You will find them by the brown or black plaques in which the insects hide under a protective waxy shell.

Spider mite

Mites can also attack ficus trees. You won't miss even the appearance of a small number of ticks. You will definitely see if small reddish or brown dots crawl along the leaves and branches of the ficus. If a cobweb appears on the ficus, it means that you missed the initial stage of this attack, and the ficus needs to be treated urgently.

Mealybugs appear as whitish-fluffy lumps on twigs at the base of leaves and on the roots

You will find aphids in the form of green or dark small insects on the underside of young leaves

If you find any parasites, first take the flower to the bathroom and wash off the insects from the leaves using a shower with lukewarm water. Before doing this, cover the soil with polyethylene so that it does not wash out. Dry the flower for half an hour in the bathroom, and then treat it with a suitable insecticide. To buy the right product, first take a photo of your pests on your phone so that the store salesperson can tell you the most effective way to combat them.

And further. If the instructions suggest several treatments, do not neglect this. No one succeeds in eliminating the population of many insects at once.

How to replant a ficus after purchase

Not all housewives know how to properly replant a plant after purchase without much difficulty. However, this is the most important procedure for maintaining life. Homemade ficus also needs good care with proper watering.

we replant ficus benjamina after purchase

It is not recommended to change the place of residence of the plant immediately after purchase. The transplant procedure can be done only if a fungal infection or mold has appeared in the soil. To take root in a new place, the tree needs a couple of weeks to acclimatize. After a period of adaptation, they begin the procedure itself, using soil that was prepared in advance. You need to change housing no later than a month after purchase. You should not buy soil with an acidity level that exceeds the norm.

Important! Do not use soil with a high level of acidity, no higher than 6.5 pH!

Transplant algorithm:

Prepare a nutritious soil mixture.
We put any drainage in the pot and fill it with river sand.
We water the small tree 1-2 days before the procedure.
We take it out of the old shipping container, remove the soil and rotten roots.
We move the ficus into the new house and fill it with pre-prepared soil.
Water a little from a watering can.

This will help! During the procedure, the green crop experiences stress. Full watering is contraindicated; you need to regularly spray the leaves with warm water.

Further care

Caring for Ficus Benjamin after transplantation is as follows:

The transplanted ficus returns to its previous place of residence if optimal conditions are met there . There should be no direct rays of the sun, heating devices, drafts, and the temperature should be in the range of +22...+25°C.
Spray the plant with boiled water at room temperature every day . You can do one of them with the Epin stimulator, which will help you recover after the transplant.
For small specimens, you can put a transparent bag on top to preserve a humid microclimate.
Watering is carried out when the top layer of soil dries well . For them, use well-settled or filtered soft water at room temperature. If the soil has subsided greatly after watering, then you should add a little more on top.
The first feeding is done only after a month . Then in the spring-summer period it is fed with fertilizers with a high nitrogen content - twice a month. During this time, you can use both organic fertilizers (rotted manure) and mineral fertilizers (for example, urea, urea). Complex fertilizers “Palma”, “Giant”, “Kemira”, “Rainbow” are considered good fertilizers.

Replanting a ficus is stressful. After it, it slows down its growth for some time and may shed its leaves. The appearance of new leaves will indicate to you that the replanting procedure was successful and the plant has taken root.

Selection and preparation of soil for transplanting ficus benjamina

If the soil mixture is prepared independently, then before the procedure you need to disinfect it with boiling water. A weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) is often used. Store-bought soil does not require additional processing. Basic requirements for soil substrate:

good ability to retain moisture for a long time;
neutral acidity not more than 6.5 pH;
breathability.

In the case of a young tree, lightweight soil without unnecessary impurities will suit it. You can buy soil at the store or prepare it yourself from leaf soil. Mature trees need denser soil. Drainage is any porous building material (expanded clay) or building brick chips, and the soil is mixed with turf, leaf soil and sand in proportions of 2:1, respectively.

Preparatory work before transplantation

Preparatory work for transplanting a ficus begins in advance and consists of selecting a planting container and preparing a nutrient substrate.

Choosing a pot

For the plant, select a plastic or clay vessel 2-3 cm (both in width and height) larger than the one in which it was located when purchased. A “growing” pot will provide the ficus with more soil and allow it to freely grow its root system.

Both options have a right to exist. The disadvantage of a plastic vessel can be considered to be its unpresentable appearance, while the disadvantage of a ceramic vessel is rapid hypothermia on a winter windowsill. Both problems can be solved: an unsightly plastic pot can be placed in a beautiful glass flowerpot, and insulating material can be placed under the bottom of the clay pot for the winter. Be it an ordinary board or a piece of foam.

Currently, flower growers have the opportunity to acquire flower pots equipped with automatic watering.

Flower pot with automatic watering
This innovation is convenient because there is no need to constantly check the soil moisture. “Smart” pots are equipped with an indicator that shows the water level at the bottom of the tank and the gardener only has to add water when the float drops to a minimum.

The first drawback, so to speak, can be considered the fact that the system works when the earthen coma is completely entwined with roots, because Plants independently regulate water consumption and supply. If a plant with a small root system was planted in such a pot, it will take 2-3 months for it to grow. All this time, the flower must be watered using traditional methods.

The second disadvantage is the rather high price compared to plastic.

The planting container is thoroughly washed with soapy water or disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Soil preparation

Prepare the soil mixture in advance, adding leaf humus, peat and sand in equal proportions. The pH level for ficus should be within 5.5-6.5 units, i.e. be neutral or slightly acidic, and also have high moisture and breathability.

Before filling the planting container, the composition is disinfected using potassium permanganate or boiling water. This will destroy possible pathogens. Additionally, they are treated with the drug “Fitosporin”, which will serve as prevention against parasitic microorganisms.

A small addition of expanded clay or vermiculite is allowed to improve the drainage properties of the soil mixture. This composition is most applicable when transplanting young plants.

For adult specimens, leaf humus can be replaced with garden soil, and the remaining components can be left the same, maintaining the same ratios. This is explained by the fact that the root system of young plants develops better on light soils, while for an adult specimen it is preferable to choose dense soil.

How to choose a new pot and how often to replant

The indoor tree does not tolerate changing the soil and pot. Culture can weaken greatly and slow down development. In rare cases, death occurs. To prevent consequences, the owner needs to keep control over the frequency of transplants, which depends on the age of the tree:

the youngest plants need a regular annual procedure;
after 5 years of life, it can be replanted once every 20 months;
the most mature ficuses do not need to be replanted; they need regular renewal of the soil layer at the top.

Don't forget! You can't replant without a good reason. Only pests and roots rotting from waterlogging can cause it.

Pots 3 centimeters larger than the previous one are suitable for new housing. The choice often falls on the following “houses”:

Plastic pots. Practical, easy to use and comfortable.
Clay pots. Here the plant will definitely not become waterlogged. Clay absorbs moisture well.
Wooden tubs. Used for transplanting small trees that have reached a decent size.

The right place for replanting contributes to the good life of any indoor plant. Before purchasing, you need to treat and check the bottom for the presence of special holes for ventilating the soil. There are often cases when a flower pot breaks or the tree begins to lose vitality. Unscrupulous vase manufacturers use cheap plastic to save money. This material releases toxins upon contact with soil and water, poisoning the ficus. As a result, the plant begins to wither. It is necessary to replace and correctly select a new container for the life of ficus Benjamin.

replanting ficus benjamin into a larger pot

Years of experience give gardeners the ability to identify high-quality flower pots from low-quality ones. Familiar manufacturing companies provide high-quality plastic products. When choosing a new pot, you need to build on previous experience.

If the ficus does not take root in a plastic pot, then it is better to use ceramics - it is natural, does not emit toxins, is beautiful and reliable. The material is not cheap, but it gives a 100% guarantee of quality. The size of the new container should be as similar as possible to the old one, otherwise the plant will experience even more stress during transplantation.

Choosing a color is an equally important aspect. Experienced flower growers recommend choosing vases in bright and light colors. They will please the eye at any time of the year and will attract the attention of guests. The right choice is the key to the comfort of a green tree.

What are the mistakes?

Inexperienced flower growers, unwittingly, become the cause of problems in the development of a green pet or even its death. There are a number of the most common mistakes in transplanting Ficus Benjamin, which it is advisable to familiarize yourself with in advance and try to avoid them in your personal practice.

Deepening of the root collar is the most common cause of rotting of ficus shoots at the base. To prevent such a problem, you should remember that when placing a plant in a pot, you must ensure that the place located a few centimeters higher than the branch of the upper root is not covered with soil.
The formation of voids in the soil in the absence of proper compaction , which leads to rapid drying of the roots. When pouring soil into a pot, you must carefully press it down with your hands, trying not to damage the roots.
Replanting in autumn or winter : a “sleeping” ficus will not have enough strength to adapt to the new soil, which threatens the death of the flower.
Important! In the autumn and winter, only unscheduled transplants are allowed, caused by a threat to the life of the plant, for example, when it is damaged by pests.
Placing a pot of ficus immediately replanted on a sunny windowsill : ultraviolet radiation is destructive for a fragile plant.
Feeding only the transplanted specimen with nitrogen fertilizers : this substance stimulates the growth of green mass, but it is practically useless for the roots. As a result, sooner or later, the bush will begin to disappear. Immediately after changing the soil, the plant does not need additional fertilizer.
Choosing an overly large pot : the roots will take a long time to absorb the volume of soil, and the plant will literally freeze in growth. The volume of the pot should be equal to the volume of the earthen ball plus 2-3 centimeters.
The absence of a drainage layer in the container is fraught with rotting of the ficus root system and its subsequent death. When filling a pot, you should always start by placing prepared drainage at the bottom.

Transplanting Ficus Benjamin is a prerequisite for its full development. By following the basic recommendations for performing this procedure, you can avoid various difficulties with the plant’s adaptation to the new soil and its further growth.

How to transplant a ficus at home step by step

To transplant a tree, housewives follow these instructions:

The previous vessel is tapped so that the old soil no longer sticks to the walls of the container.
In order not to spend a lot of time on cleaning, you need to cover the replanting area with cardboard and unnecessary waste paper.
Preparation of items for the procedure: pre-prepared soil, a small watering can, a plastic spatula and a new vessel.
A drainage layer is poured onto the bottom of the new container. The thickness should vary by 3-5 cm - depending on the size of the pot.
Remove the tree from the old container without removing the lump from the ground. Then they are carefully moved to a more spacious home.
New fresh soil is poured around the entire circumference.
Compact the soil.
After transplantation, water or spray with water.

when and how to replant ficus benjamina

Important! If the root system has been damaged due to improper care of the tree, then the roots must be completely cleared of old soil and the damaged areas removed. The cut areas must be powdered with charcoal.

Choosing containers

Ficus loves close quarters. It does not require much space; it does not need a too large pot. It is enough to choose a container 2-3 centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one. A tight container in combination with pruning the roots will prevent the growth of the bush, leaving it at the desired level for the apartment.

When buying a container for a green pet, it is important not to confuse a pot with a flowerpot. The flowerpot does not have drainage holes and serves as a decorative vessel into which the pot is placed. Several plants can be planted in a flower container at the same time. This method will give more room for imagination in the formation of a common crown and wicker trunks of plants at home. You can watch a video with an example of the design of small trees.

Clay and plastic pots are suitable replacements.

The advantage of clay vessels is that they are heavy and more stable. But if a ceramic vessel falls, it will inevitably break. Pottery is porous, and the walls can become clogged with minerals, ruining its appearance. Getting rid of such a layer is not easy. It is worth choosing clay coated with glaze. It will prevent rapid drying.
Plastic dishes are lighter and will not break if dropped. There are always plastics of different colors and shapes to choose from. This pot is easy to care for. It retains moisture better, which means the plant can be watered less often. If watering is too frequent, the roots will rot in the sour substrate; plastic will not allow them to dry out quickly.

If you follow the rules of caring for the flower, it grows well in clay and plastic containers. Before use, a new vessel should be washed and a clay vessel should be soaked in water overnight.

Care and watering of Ficus Benjamin after transplantation

After the procedure, the plant may begin to shed its leaves, but you should not be afraid of this, as this is a natural reaction to the stress experienced. Soon the tree will grow and develop to its full potential again. If you overwater the soil, the roots will soon begin to rot, and the tree may die from moisture.

After the transplantation procedure, it is recommended to water little by little. The first spraying with water should be carried out within two days. The main signal for watering is dry soil in the pot. A wooden stick is placed inside the container and pulled out. The stick is left without particles of soil - watering is required. If there are still stuck pieces, you can and should wait a few days.

Ficus is a capricious plant; it does not tolerate changes in location. It is better to choose a sunny, windless place for the plant. You can place it in a corner where the sun shines in the morning and shade towards midday.

On new territory

So, you purchased a Ficus Benjamin and happily installed it in a pre-selected location. Of course, you have familiarized yourself with the desirable conditions of its detention.

Most likely, a store-bought pot is not durable and does not meet aesthetic requirements. You may want to replace the plastic pot with one of your choice. Take your time, because the ficus must go through an adaptation period of at least a month. Otherwise, he will shed his leaves in protest.

Please note: ficus benjamina is a very conservative plant and does not like change. Therefore, even if you fulfill all the conditions, this does not guarantee 100% success. But don’t despair, just wait it out calmly: after a while the plant will begin to come to life and settle into the new territory.

Remember that this picky dog does not like to be moved from place to place. Keep in mind that in its homeland, Ficus Benjamin is a very large tree that grows for decades in one place.

When to transplant into a large pot

You start thinking about choosing a new home for a tree when the root system begins to grow out of the drainage holes. Sometimes the roots can be seen on the surface of the soil layer. There is also a need for replanting when the tree grows in an uncomfortable, small transport pot. It is impossible to grow and develop normally when constrained.

It is also necessary to replant a tree into a large pot when the need for propagation arises in order to obtain new young plants. These factors indicate that the time has come to transplant the green tree into a large pot.

How do you know if a transplant is needed?

Any plant eventually requires changing the pot due to the growth of its root system; if this is not done in time, it will stop growing and forming new leaves. Such a deviation in the development of the flower will become noticeable by the roots appearing above the surface of the earth.

There are also other reasons why a ficus should be replanted:

If the plant was recently bought in a store, then it is better to plant it within a week in another container with soil prepared specifically for ficus. The fact is that pots for selling plants are made of thin plastic, which will not withstand full soil. Therefore, a light and temporary substrate with many growth-accelerating additives is usually poured inside them; if the ficus roots are not cleaned of them, they can quickly “burn out.”
The soil of the flower is already too old, its top layer is often covered with a crust and does not allow water to pass through at all; better drainage needs to be created for it and the missing fertilizers must be added.
Strong growth of the root system, when the tips of the roots begin to appear in the drainage holes of the pot.

Replanting Ficus Benjamin in the fall

There are emergency situations when a tree grows in a poor substrate, often dries out or the soil is too dense. It is not recommended to replant in the fall. From October to the end of winter, the plant goes into a dormant stage. In order not to disturb him again, the procedure should be performed exclusively using the pass method.

Benjamin ficus transplant

The worst option is that during the dormant period, the roots of the tree began to rot or a nematode attack began. You can't do without a full transplant. In such cases, you need to completely treat the damaged roots with potassium permanganate and be patient. Replanting needs to be done twice as carefully, without disturbing the roots again. Sometimes the plant begins to shed its leaves, wither and slow down its development. Due to damage to the root system, there are inevitable cases of death.

Important! Root rotting during a quiet period can lead to the death of the flower.

Crown formation, ficus pruning

Pruning is a popular method that allows you to give your ficus benjamina the desired shape. Most often, the following types of crown formation are used for these plants:

Ball-shaped crown.
Bush-like.
In the form of a single or multi-tiered standard.
Bonsai style.
In the form of various sculptures.

Experts recommend planning to trim your ficus in spring or early summer, since it is at this time of year that its accelerated growth begins.

When forming the crown, it is necessary to take into account the age of the plant. It is easiest to give the desired crown shape to young specimens. This, in turn, guarantees that as a result of pruning the plant will acquire the required shape.

Pruning Ficus Benjamin is usually considered in relation to those plants that have a fairly overgrown crown, or specimens that, due to their unusually large size, have lost their former attractiveness.

In order to avoid unpleasant consequences after pruning ficus Benjamin, it is necessary to carry out this operation taking into account the following rules:

try to ensure that after the operation the plant does not lose its naturalness;
before removing the branches, try to imagine what the ficus will look like without them;
branches must be removed only with a sterile instrument;
it is necessary to keep the bark intact;
When pruning ficus, you must ensure that the leaves are not damaged;
Ficus branches must be removed at an angle to the top edge.

Why does Ficus Benjamina shed its leaves after transplantation?

Shedding of leaves occurs for several reasons, but the root of the problem is always the same - improper care. Even simply turning the pot a few degrees to the left or right can cause protest in the form of dropped leaves.

Change of place

Ficus is the same indoor plant that can survive replanting normally if handled correctly. But if you constantly rotate and move the pot, the tree will not tolerate it and will shed its leaves. Before transplanting, you need to carefully select the place where the flower will be located. The temperature should be slightly higher than average room temperature, the lighting should be moderate. After making the right choice, there will be much less “moving”.

Excessive or insufficient lighting

Green crops are very sensitive to light. The tree will not like 24-hour shade or direct sunlight, and it will shed its leaves. In winter it is good to provide additional light. The lamp should be placed 25-35 centimeters above the plant. Lamps up to 20 watts will be enough.

Improper watering

Most indoor plants do not like excess water in the pot; house ficus is no exception. Before transplanting, you need to take care of the correct thickness of the drainage layer; it should not exceed 5 centimeters. Watering should only be done when the soil is dry.

The cause of leaf falling is lack of moisture. Because of this, the home flower tree cannot take nutrients, carry out photosynthesis normally and move cell sap. In hot seasons you need to water more often, in cold seasons - less often.

Little trick! Using a device with a sharp tip, you can loosen the top layer of soil without touching the roots. The soil will not dry out, Benjamin's ficus will receive a sufficient amount of moisture before the next watering.

Crown formation, ficus pruning

Ficus benjamina can easily be given a varied look by pruning. The most common types of crown formation of Ficus Benjamin are:

Ball-shaped crown;
Bush-like;
In the form of a single or multi-tiered trunk;
Bonsai style;
In the form of various sculptures.

It is more advisable to prune ficus in spring or early summer, during the period of accelerated growth. The formation of the crown of a plant is also affected by its age. So, the younger the ficus, the easier and faster its crown is formed and the more successfully the plant can be pruned and take on a new look.

Pruning Ficus Benjamin is most often carried out when the plant has grown too large or has acquired an insufficiently attractive appearance due to the overgrown crown.

When pruning Ficus Benjamin, it is important to follow some rules:

Preserve the natural appearance of the plant;
Do not rush to cut off what you think are unnecessary branches, trying to mentally imagine the plant without them;
Perform pruning with a sterile instrument;
Do not damage the bark;
Do not twist or tear off leaves;
Make the cut at an angle to the top edge.

The Benjamin ficus can be given an attractive appearance not only by forming the crown, but also by interweaving the trunks. To do this, several young ficus trees with approximately the same thickness and height of trunks are transplanted into one pot.

Semi-lignified ficus stems are flexible and easy to weave. In places of plexus, side shoots and leaves are removed. The spiral or braid is made free to further thicken the trunks. In most cases, the plexus of trunks begins when the lower part of the plants (the expected beginning of the plexus) reaches 13 cm.

As they grow, they make the next round. To prevent the braid or spiral from unraveling, the trunks are loosely tied with woolen thread or electrical tape.