Choosing a ficus pot according to size, shape and material

What kind of pot is needed for planting ficus

Probably no one will argue that ficus is one of the most popular plants that gardeners grow at home. This flower is represented by both low-growing representatives (bonsai) and whole bushes reaching a height of 2-3 meters. A large number of varieties of ficus will allow everyone to choose what they like best.

An important point to pay attention to when growing a plant is choosing the size of the ficus pot. Many do not pay due attention to such a moment, but in vain, since so much depends on it.

Signs and superstitions

There are many completely opposite superstitions and signs regarding ficus. Some people believe that this plant should be placed in the bedroom in order to get pregnant. And also that this flower absorbs negative energy and improves relationships between family members. Ficus will bring love, prosperity, luck and financial stability to the house.

But not everyone loves ficus trees. Some people believe that these plants allegedly contribute to scandals and discord. Ficus spoils relationships with men, preventing them from growing up to marriage, and is considered a “husband-driver.”

The large leaves of Ficus Elastica emit a large amount of oxygen throughout the daylight hours. This plant kills bacteria and makes the air cleaner.

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How to choose the right container shape

The ficus pot should be selected depending on the size of the flower itself. If the plant has just been purchased and it is still quite small, then it is recommended to take a closer look at a small flowerpot.

You need to be much more careful when choosing a pot for a ficus that has been growing at home for a long time.

Experienced gardeners advise paying attention to containers of standard sizes, in which the diameter is equal to the height of the flowerpot. If you have a Rubber-bearing ficus or Benjamin ficus at home, then such a pot will be an ideal option.

When planting a tree from which you want to create a bonsai, you need to understand that choosing a flowerpot will be a little more difficult. Many novice gardeners buy what they like best based on appearance, and this is completely wrong.

Important! A bonsai pot should be flatter, resembling a plate in appearance rather than a flowerpot.

A container or thicket is something that is in great demand. In addition to the fact that such containers are very convenient, they will fit perfectly into any interior of an apartment or office.

When thinking about which pot to plant a flower in, you need to understand that any shape can be changed artificially. Of course, no one will deliberately remake the container, but there is an opportunity to cheat by weaving a flowerpot in which a vase can be placed. Tall products look beautiful and original, ideal for bonsai and other forms.

Types of crowns

When deciding how to form a ficus crown, you need to understand what shape you want to give to the plant. The following types of crown are distinguished:

Bush, with the help of which bushes are grown from tall trees. In young plants, you need to pinch the central shoot, which is why the side shoots will begin to actively develop. You will see the first results within a year after pruning.
Standard, which allows you to create a contrast between the trunk and crown. Tiered pruning is often carried out. To do this, the crown is divided into several parts, between which the shoots are completely removed. The process of growing ficus of this form takes from 3 to 4 years.
Sculpture. This type of pruning is best suited for small-leaved varieties. The florist selects the shape of the crown in advance and carefully shortens or removes the shoots. The crown will need to be adjusted annually, otherwise the plant will lose its attractive appearance.

However, not only the above types of crowns are popular. Ficus trees are sometimes grown in the form of miniature trees called bonsai. Below is a more detailed description of the types of ficus pruning. Be sure to read them before deciding how to shape your ficus.

Pot size - how to choose it

Some believe that the pot for Ficus Benjamin can be anything. Even one left over from some other flower, for example, will do. If you act according to this principle, you may encounter the fact that the plant stops growing, begins to wither, and then dies altogether.

Experienced flower growers say that “We choose the size depending on the development of the flower roots.” There is no point in planting young plants that have small roots in large flowerpots, since the ficus will stop growing due to the fact that the root system begins to actively develop. And until it entwines the entire earthen lump, the situation will not change.

However, this does not mean that you should wait until the roots appear from the drainage holes.

If the flower has not been replanted for more than a year, you need to take out the earthen ball along with the flower and carefully examine it. Having noticed a developed root system, it is necessary to transplant the ficus into a pot that will be several centimeters larger than the previous one.

Important! Rubber-bearing ficuses grow very quickly, so you will have to buy a new pot for them every year.

The mistake many gardeners make is that when planning to plant a tree, they transplant an already quite large flower into a container that is slightly larger than the previous one. This rule must be followed for those flowers that grow on the windowsill. For floor ficuses, you should buy fairly spacious flowerpots. Considering that adult and large plants are not replanted, their top layer of substrate is simply changed annually, it will be very difficult to transplant a flower into a larger pot. The plant may simply not take root in the new place and die.

When to prune

It’s easy to form a beautiful bush of tree-like ficus, for example, Benjamin, but even experienced gardeners have problems with Rubber.

Do you prune your ficus? Yes 18.6%

No 20.94%

I want to try 60.47%

The time of pruning is of great importance; it depends on:

will the sleeping buds wake up at all?
how many new shoots will there be;
growth intensity;
when the ficus returns to decorativeness after formation.

Spring

It is better to carry out pruning at the beginning of active sap flow, when the rubber plant devotes all its efforts to resuming development. If you remove the growing point and prevent it from stretching upward, the sleeping buds located in the axils of the leaves will wake up.

The lower the trunk is cut at this time, the more new shoots will be awakened. The roots begin to drive plastic substances upward, but there are simply no leaves and a significant part of the plant, which they should provide with nutrition and liquid. Waiting for better times, the axillary buds, which are nothing more than the rudiments of new shoots, explode in growth.

If the rubber-bearing ficus has released a young leaf, even if it has not yet had time to open, some of its strength has already been expended. This does not mean that the tree will not produce new shoots, just that fewer buds will be awakened, or their growth force will be weaker.

Drastic pruning in early April or late March will cause the bush to branch heavily. Removing the top few leaves on a tall ficus tree may produce a pair of new shoots in the axils of closely spaced blades. The same will happen with significant pruning in May or June.

Summer

Pruning rubber ficus at home in the middle of the season is possible. But there are two strong arguments against it:

By the beginning of July, the plant had already spent most of its energy developing new leaves and lengthening the trunk. It’s not for nothing that spring is called a “period of active growth.” In the best case, with short pruning, the ficus will produce two branches, but they will take a long time to lengthen, and the decorative effect will return only next season. Much more often, one new shoot is formed, replacing the one that has been pruned. You will just look a little to the side.
It's hot in summer. Varieties with dark plates, such as Abidjan, Black Prince, Burgundy, Robusta, suffer more from high temperatures. But variegated plants also feel discomfort already at 27-30° C, and 35° C causes them to stop development. Heat is stressful for ficus. If you add injury from pruning, you may not only be left without new shoots and tops, but also lose some of the leaves.

Autumn and winter

The rubber ficus has a relative rest period. Growth processes do not stop completely, but are suspended. You cannot pinch, do formative pruning, or rejuvenate the tree at this time.

In autumn, sleeping buds cannot be awakened. The plant has given all its strength and is gaining new ones. Winter is also not the right time to force rubber plant ficus to branch. In case of emergency, it is permissible to prune at the end of February, but you will have to use special means, for example, cytokinin paste.

Without stimulants, dormant buds may wake up in winter, but with a high probability they will immediately dry out. When a period of active growth begins, one, the strongest, will most likely begin to develop rapidly. It will give a powerful shoot, but it won’t produce a lush bush.

Material – what is better to pay attention to

Despite the fact that ficus plants are quite unpretentious plants and can “live” in almost any pot, it is still recommended to pay attention to the material from which it is made.

You need to understand that not all containers are safe; we are talking about toxic materials, from which flowerpots can also be made. Some manufacturers, in order to save a little on production, use poor quality plastic, which begins to release toxins when it comes into contact with soil, water or fertilizers. It is the latter that adversely affects the plant.

There have been cases when a flower began to gradually fade, but the reason could not be found. And only an accidental transplant into a new container saved the situation.

Therefore, when thinking about what kind of pot is needed for a ficus, it is best to choose proven materials.

These include:

The latter material is relevant for the manufacture of large tubs that can decorate any room.

As for clay containers, they are usually used for planting bonsai.

Ceramics is an expensive material, but it is beautiful, durable and, of course, natural, so if possible, it is worth paying attention to it.

If the florist is well acquainted with the manufacturer and has repeatedly purchased pots from the represented company made of plastic, then you can purchase them. At the same time, having noticed some negative changes occurring with the flower, and also having ruled out all possible problems, it would not be a bad idea to change the flowerpot by purchasing a pot made of natural material.

Caring for Established Recruits

Ficus transplant

When looking for the optimal place to place an indoor flower, choose illuminated places without the scorching rays of the sun. When shaded, the plant will grow, but the rate of development will be reduced. With a prolonged lack of light, the trunk will begin to stretch and the shoots will become bare. To prevent loss of decorativeness, in winter it is better to reduce the temperature to 15-16°C and reduce the number of waterings.

Moisten the home flower when the substrate has dried to a depth of 2-3 cm. The inhabitant tolerates mild drought much better than waterlogging. It is necessary to moisturize the plant 1-2 times a week in summer; in winter, 1 procedure every 7-10 days is sufficient. An excess of moisture will be indicated by red spots on the leaf blades; if there is a deficiency, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. It is useful to water young ficuses once every 10 days with settled warm water 3-5°C above room temperature.

From the beginning of April to October, the rubber-bearing ficus should be fed with liquid mineral fertilizer. A solution of nitrophoska (1 tsp per 1 liter of water) is suitable. Fertilizing should be carried out 2-3 hours after watering. The frequency of fertilization is once every 2 weeks during the period of active growth. The perennial will respond favorably to alternating mineral fertilizers and mullein infusions (proportion 1:10).

It is worth caring for the plant with care to avoid health problems. The milky sap of ficus is poisonous; upon contact with the skin, it causes irritation, allergies or dermatitis, since it contains enzymes and alkaloids.

Therefore, when carrying out pruning, propagation and replanting, you must use gloves.

Transplantation of young and adult specimens

Transplantation of rubber ficus is carried out in the spring or early summer. Young plants need to be replanted annually, and adults once every 2 years as the pot fills with roots. A sign of depleted soil will be immediate seepage of water into the pan. Each new container should be 5-6 cm deeper and 4-5 cm larger in diameter.

How to replant a rubber ficus without damaging its roots? The ideal option is transshipment. To do this, you will need to remove the plant from the container along with the earthen lump and place it in a new container, and fill the empty space with new soil. If the inhabitant is many years old and has grown, then the optimal solution would be to annually replace the top of the soil by at least 3 cm.

Video with care details.

Trimming and shaping

Pruning rubber ficus is necessary for branching and stopping growth. Without this procedure you won’t get a lush crown.

It is important to remember that if only the top is removed, new shoots will not form and the ficus will not branch. It is optimal to cut 5 or 6 internodes

How to prune rubber ficus with minimal losses? The process is carried out in early spring, otherwise the main growth point will begin to grow instead of the lateral buds. The procedure will require a disinfected sharp knife.

In addition to pruning, plant growers have come up with an additional way to shape ficus. An effective method is bending the trunk. The top is bent and fixed near any surface - floor, window sill. After which the bud that is highest on the bent stem wakes up and begins to dominate, while the growth of the bent shoot stops.

Young plants lend themselves best to this forming. Buds on adult specimens with already woody trunks rarely wake up.

Propagation, shaping, pruning and other manipulations necessary for growing require no effort

The main condition for the decorativeness of a plant is the attention and desire of the owner to raise a beautiful pet.

Which color do you prefer?

Perhaps this is the simplest thing that can be. Today there are so many color options on the market that choosing the right pot for your ficus is not difficult. Some gardeners advise paying attention to light colors, which harmonize very beautifully with the green shades of the leaf plates. If you purchase a ceramic flowerpot, then you can take a closer look at products that have a whimsical and delicate design.

By choosing the right pot, the flower will grow quickly and develop well.

How to move a flower correctly: step-by-step instructions

Ficus benjamina is transplanted using the transshipment method. At the same time, the lump of soil entwined with roots is not destroyed. The plant experiences minimal stress and suffers minimal damage. How to do it:

One or two days before the event, completely water the pot of the plant. This is done so that the earthen ball can be removed without difficulty.
Cover the work area with newspapers or polyethylene.
To transplant a large specimen, you will need an assistant.
Prepare a wooden stick and spatula that you will use during the procedure.
Gently holding the stem, remove the ficus together with the earthen lump from the old container. To make the lump move away from the walls more easily, knock on the sides of the pot. Use a thin stick to push the lump from below through the holes in the pot.
If roots grow through the drainage holes, carefully pull them out. You should not trim the roots, as this will damage the flower.
Disturbing the roots as little as possible, remove some of the topsoil and pieces of drainage stuck to the bottom. There, the earthen lump is lightened and space is freed up for fresh soil.
Inspect the roots. In a healthy plant they are dense, elastic, brown-cream in color. If rotten ones are found, free them from the soil, wash them and trim them to healthy tissue.
Check whether the roots fit the height of the new container. If the pot is too deep or shallow, adjust this using the height of the drainage layer.
Ficus benjamina needs good drainage so that the water does not stagnate. Expanded clay is placed on the bottom and sand is sprinkled on top.
Place a small layer of soil over the drainage.
Set up a plant ball. In this case, the root collar should be 2–3 cm below the edges of the container.
Fill the voids between the walls of the pot and the lump of earth with the prepared substrate. Sprinkle the lump on top. As the pot is filled, lightly press down the soil, giving the plant a vertical position.
If the soil between the roots is wet, you should not water the ficus after replanting. Watering is carried out if the lump is completely dry.

Some gardeners recommend covering the plant with a plastic bag for better adaptation. The bag is removed several times a day for ventilation. Feeding can be done no earlier than a month later, when the ficus gets stronger and gains strength.

The nuances of transplanting an adult plant into another container

It is advisable not to replant an adult plant that is more than 5 years old. Ficus benjamina, being a mature tree, does not tolerate this procedure well. Instead of reloading, replace some of the soil.

To do this, water the plant well so that all the soil is wet.
Carefully, trying not to damage the roots, remove the top layer of soil. Sometimes this can be done to a depth of up to a third of the pot. You need to look at the condition of the root system and its height.
Having removed part of the soil, it is replaced with freshly prepared or purchased substrate.

What is the best way to do this after purchase?

Before purchasing, you should carefully examine the specimen in order to purchase a healthy plant and not have problems with it in the future.

Particular attention is paid to the roots. To assess their condition, I inspect the soil

It should not show signs of mold, plaque or unpleasant odor. If the stem at the surface of the ground is softened or damaged, refrain from purchasing.

The new plant is sent to quarantine, that is, isolated from other indoor flowers for a couple of weeks. This way you will protect them from possible diseases and pests from the new ficus.

It is recommended to replant a new specimen from the substrate in which it was sold. Store-bought soil is not always nutritious. Stimulants are often added to it, allowing the plant to look more attractive, but weakening it. To prevent disease or death of a store-bought flower, replant it in suitable soil.

The transplant is carried out after 3 weeks, when the ficus gets used to the new conditions. If you rush, the plant may lose its leaves due to stress.

Considering that the transplant is not carried out due to the growth of the flower, the container is selected in accordance with the size of the roots. Flower growers recommend choosing a purchased specialized soil for the first procedure. Its composition will be somewhat similar to that in which the ficus grew. Thus, getting used to new conditions will be gradual, without much stress.

When replanting for the first time, it is necessary to remove as much store-bought soil mixture from the roots as possible. If you leave the earthen ball untouched, the transplantation will have no effect. After the procedure, they are watered with fungicides to prevent diseases.

Which pot to choose for Ficus Benjamin and other varieties?

Standard flowerpots are more suitable for young plants. And adults are better grown in large tubs with a volume of 10-15 liters or more.

When choosing a container, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:

container sizes;
shape;
coloring;
material;
the number of plants that will be planted there.

In fact, a flowerpot for a tree is not only its habitat. It is also a tool for shaping its trunk and crown. Therefore, you should approach the choice of container for growing a flower responsibly.

How to choose the right form?

The most ordinary flowerpot will suit the plant. The presence of special refinements in its design is not necessary. The ideal option is to plant it in a pot of the correct shape. Its width and height will be approximately the same. This form is suitable for any variety of ficus.

But if you want something special, you need to consider the following nuances:

It is better to avoid a round shape. In the process of transplanting a flower into such a pot, there is a risk of injuring its root system. Then the flower will be very sick.
In a pot that is too elongated, the volume of soil will be much higher than normal. This can lead to a slowdown in tree growth. It will begin to devote its energies to growing roots, and only then will it continue to grow in height.
A flat container is more suitable for growing bonsai. It will be shaped more like a bowl than a flowerpot.

Diseases and pests

Rubber ficus plants are often infected by various fungi. You can try to treat infected plants, but most often the diseases develop rapidly, and control measures do not help.

The main types of fungi that appear on ficus trees:

Botrytis (or gray mold) is a disease that occurs in conditions of excess humidity. The leaves become covered with a dusty gray coating and spots. They need to be cut off and special preparations used.
Sooty fungus is a black coating on the leaves. It develops in the excrement of insect pests. For treatment, foliage and stems are irrigated with fungicide.
Powdery mildew appears as white spots. Severely affected leaves are cut off, the rest are washed with a solution of copper sulfate.
Rhizoctonia, pythium and late blight fungi settle on roots and trunks. It is almost impossible to cure a diseased flower. It will have to be destroyed. The pot cannot be reused.
Anthracosis (or rust) appears as brown spots that grow quickly. After which the leaf dies. The affected areas are cut off and the plant is treated with fungicidal preparations.

In conditions of high humidity and lack of ventilation, pests settle on ficus trees. Most often these are mealybugs, whitefly butterflies, scale insects, spider mites, aphids, and thrips. To get rid of insects, chemicals and folk remedies (soap and tobacco solutions) are effective.

The nematode attacks the roots and releases toxic substances. A diseased ficus is difficult to cure. The plant is removed from the pot and the roots are soaked in water with an insecticide.

Is it possible to plant several flowers in one container?

Ficus trees are often used in the interior design process. If you plant 2-3 shoots in one flowerpot, you can form a beautiful composition from them. But to do this, you need to understand how to properly weave together several trunks.

When planting several trees in one pot, the following recommendations must be followed:

Choose indoor crops of the same height - within 15-17 cm.
If the trunk is woody by more than half, such a plant is no longer suitable for creating a composition. It may break during the weaving process.
If there are only two plants, they can be braided in a spiral shape.
In the case of using dwarf varieties, it is enough to twist the trunk once. For other trees, you can continue to twist their stems as they grow.
Volumetric or tall flowers require additional support during the weaving period. Then the tree will be protected from distortions and falls. After the process is completed, the frame can be removed.
It is advisable to secure the contact points of the shoots with wire or strong threads. Then they are guaranteed to grow together into the required shape.

The most common type of weaving is the braid. It is also one of the simplest and even a beginner can do it. More experienced gardeners can try weaving plants into a trellis or hedge.

Growing Requirements

Growth. In comfortable conditions, Ficus rubber can grow from 60 cm to 1 m per year.

Flowering period. Only very large, old plants bloom and produce fig-like fruits.

Lighting. Ficus rubber plants are light-loving plants, but they also adapt to darker places. Lack of light slows down growth.

Temperature. In winter the minimum temperature is 15°C, in summer - no higher than 29°C.

Watering. In winter, keep the soil slightly moist by watering your rubber plant no more than once a week. Water more frequently in summer, at least twice a week.

Feeding. In summer, add liquid fertilizer to the water every 14 days.

Humidity. Rubber ficus adapts to central heating, but it must be sprayed from above at least once a week, and the leaves must be wiped with a sponge every month.

Cleaning. Varieties with smooth leaves are cleaned by hand. Fleecy leaves are cleaned with a soft brush. For Ficus rubbery, you can use a cleaning product every two months.

Atmosphere. Ventilation, but not drafts.

The soil. A soil mixture based on peat or turf soil, good drainage.

Transfer. It is necessary in two cases: the plant has become too tall and large for its pot, or water immediately passes through from top to bottom. The latter indicates that the soil has become depleted. Replant your rubber plant in the spring.

Pruning: Only to limit the growth of ficus. Don't forget about support for young plants. When a leaf or stem is torn off, a white, thick liquid flows out. The wound should be anointed with petrolatum or isolated with a piece of cloth.

With good care, the plant will live a long time and grow until it reaches the ceiling. If overwatered, it can die within 6 months. Ficus rubber plant requires minimal care. Do not overwater, especially in winter.

A ficus pot is a cozy “house” and a guarantee of plant health

Indoor plants are elements of living nature that can be easily “built” into the interior of any room and style. Flowers, mini-trees, bushes fill the house with warmth, draw attention to themselves, and create a special, comfortable atmosphere. Ficus trees are one of the most popular house plants. Almost all of them are unpretentious in care and at the same time exquisitely decorative. A significant role in preserving their health and beauty is played by the correct choice of the container in which they grow. Knowing how to choose the right pot for a ficus will help provide your green pet with the best conditions for it.

Features and characteristics of the rubber-bearing ficus Elastica

In countries with temperate and cold climates, rubber ficus is grown as an ornamental houseplant. Its thick white juice contains about 20% rubber.

All varieties of elastic ficus have a number of common features:

plant leaves are dense and leathery, with pointed tips;
the shape of the leaves is round, oval and elongated;
in nature, Elastica ficuses grow up to 30-40 m; in a greenhouse and apartment, the size of the tree is limited by the height of the ceiling.

There are several types of rubber ficus. Our popular brands are Decora, Black Prince, Robusta, Melany, Abidjan. The color of the leaves of the plant varies from dark to deep green. Very beautiful trees with variegated, red-green, light green and white leaves - Belize, Brazil, Tineke, Schriveriana.

Important! Ficus - spurge. The sap of the plant is poisonous to domestic animals. Contact of this liquid with human skin may cause an allergic reaction.

What kind of pot is needed for ficus

It is believed that unglazed clay pots for indoor flowers are the best option because the clay is porous and allows air to circulate. This has a positive effect on both the regulation of soil moisture and the supply of oxygen to the roots. However, ficus plants are not picky about the material from which the container is made - it can be ceramic, clay or plastic. The only thing that all types of crops fundamentally need are drainage holes and a “spout” on the tray to drain excess liquid. You can plant a young ficus or transplant an adult plant even into a cheap plastic pot - and if you follow simple care rules, the owner of the flower will receive a healthy and well-developed flower, bush or tree.

Pot shape

For most “natural” ficus plants (that is, excluding trees formed in the bonsai style), standard-shaped pot models with approximately equal height and diameter, as well as holes at the bottom (to ensure drainage of the plantings), are suitable.

Pot shape and color

Most of the pots have the shape of an inverted hay. However, sometimes pots of other shapes are found on sale, for example, flat or bowl-shaped. We plant ampelous forms of ficus in shallow pots. Tall and bushy to large and stable. Some plastic pots have eye-catching colors, so it is important to select pots and stands that match the overall decor of the room. Recently, flower pots with a container for planting and a tray at the same time have been very convenient.

Features of choosing a container for bonsai

The following rules will help you correctly determine the size of the pot for ficus bonsai, taking into account the aesthetics of the plant’s appearance:

the depth of the container should be equal to the diameter of the trunk just above the ground level;
for trees with a particularly wide crown, select a wider pot;
For trees with a very thick trunk (compared to their height), deeper vessels are chosen.

In addition, bonsai experts believe that the shape of the vessel should be in harmony with the tree. According to their appearance, bonsai plants are conventionally divided into male and female (this depends only on the opinion of the owner):

male trees have a strong trunk, strong, mature bark, and often have sharp angular branching. They look good in containers with pronounced corners - square, rectangular;
Ficus bonsai are considered to be female if they are more refined, with smooth bark, as well as smoothed lines of bending branches. Oval or round containers are suitable for them.

A properly selected flat bonsai enhances the aesthetic pleasure of contemplating the tree as a work of art. If we take into account only gardening considerations, almost any flat bonsai pots with a wall height of no more than 10 cm will do.

The “charm” of ficuses, in addition to their many other advantages, also lies in the fact that they are not picky in terms of the shape and material of the pots. Therefore, taking into account the size of the root system and the method of growing the plant, you can select a variety of vessels for them, harmoniously fitting them into the interior style of the room.

Reproduction methods

There are several ways to propagate ficus at home; let’s look at them in more detail.

Apical cuttings

In this case, you need a piece of stem (often this is the growing tip), it should be about 10-15 cm in length. Remove all leaves, if sap is oozing, wait until it stops, usually within 30 minutes, and then wash it off thoroughly.

Spring and summer are the ideal time to propagate the plant. At this time, growth is more active, which means the root system will form faster. A mixture of sand, peat and perlite is poured into the pot. All available cuttings are planted in the ground, covered with a plastic bottle or plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect. They strictly monitor the temperature, which should be at 25 degrees.

Sheet plates

This is another way you can propagate a plant at home. True, this method is not suitable for all varieties, but it can be used for young ficus. Spring is the best time; before winter, the plant has time to adapt and take root.

The step-by-step process is as follows.

A leaf with an internode is cut from the stem, and not only the main one must be made, but also an additional oblique cut for the rapid formation of roots.
First, to remove unnecessary juice, the leaf is immersed in water for an hour. After this, it is transferred to a liquid with a stimulant.
To prevent moisture evaporation through the leaf plate, it is recommended to tie it in a tube.
When the roots appear, you can transfer the plant to the ground. Immersion in the soil is carried out up to the petiole. After this, the ground is watered, it can be sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with film to create greenhouse conditions.
If the humidity is at 80% and the room temperature is from 25 to 28 degrees, then within a month new shoots will begin to appear.

Air layering

This method is used when the trunk is very exposed. Small cuts are made along it at a distance of three centimeters, and the bark is removed. “Kornevin” is applied to this place, sphagnum moss is applied, sprayed with a spray bottle, and covered with film. From time to time, make sure that the moss does not dry out. When the roots break through the polyethylene, the sprout can be transplanted into a separate pot.

Seeds

This method is not used often, since it is not so easy to get seeds, but if you are lucky, planting is carried out as follows.

A mixture of sphagnum moss and peat is used as soil. It must be constantly moist, this is the only way to germinate the seeds.
The container is covered with film, as soon as the first roots appear, each shoot is planted in a pot. The composition of the soil changes; to root the plant, it is necessary to use a mixture of perlite, river sand and peat.
While the ficus is rooting, provide it with diffused light, abundant watering in the summer and a small amount of moisture in the winter.
The upper parts are pinched, leaving only a couple of internodes, which in the future will become the basis for the formation of the crown.

Root

This is a very effective method, which is often used by plant growers. The cuttings are prepared in advance, they are cut from the common root system, and all sections are treated with crushed activated carbon.

One piece can be divided into several parts, each is immersed in the ground, leaving a few centimeters on top of it, and covered with film on top. If everything is done correctly and the soil is well moistened, then within a few months the first leaves will begin to appear. When there are four or more of them, you can remove the plastic bag, since the new plant needs to get used to the surrounding conditions.

Planting ficus in Italian flowerpots

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In this article we will tell you about ficus: about replanting, care, selection of flowerpots or flowerpots, and the possibilities of using ficus in landscaping.

Ficus (ficus) is an ancient charming plant that grows in the tropics and subtropics. Ficus belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae). It thrives indoors all year round. In the warm season, you can place the plant on the terrace or balcony. Ficus has many types. Let's list some of them:

“Benjamina” “Binnedijka” “Rubber” (“Elastica”) “Carika” (fig) “Lyre-shaped” “Bengal” “Sacred” “Tiny” “Rooting”.

The forms of the plant are also varied: shrub, dwarf shrub, hanging tree, standard tree, bonsai.

The color of the leaves can be monochromatic, or it can combine two or three colors. For example, the “Ali” variety is monochromatic, “Kinki” is green and the color of baked milk, “Belize” is gray, pink and green. The shape and size of the ficus leaf are also very diverse: oval, heart-shaped, lyre-shaped, carved, with a wavy edge; from 2 to 30 cm in length, from 1.5 cm to 7 cm in width.

Caring for a ficus will not be a hassle if you love your plant and care for it properly. The plant loves diffused light, but can also tolerate partial shade. The desired temperature range is from plus 12 to plus 30 °C. Watering depends on a number of factors: time of year, location of the plant, proximity to heating radiators (air conditioning systems), size of the pots, soil. Based on the fact that a large number of factors are more difficult to take into account, we recommend taking a simpler but proven path - watering as the earthen clod dries out to a depth of 4 cm (two phalanges of the index finger). If, when penetrating to this depth, the earth crumbles, it’s time to water; if not, it’s too early. We recommend watering with settled, slightly warm water. There is no need to heat the settled water; take hot boiled water and mix it with the settled water in a bucket. Ficus loves to be sprayed with slightly warm water. Some species, for example ficus "Ali", are resistant to cool air flows (air conditioning). Ficus plants react negatively to stagnant moisture in the pots, at the roots, so you need to be careful when choosing a pot and flowerpot! You should not use ceramics coated with glaze: it has low air permeability. With proper care, ficus trees rarely get sick.

Ficus transplantation is an interesting and useful thing! Interesting - because the result will not be long in coming - you get a harmonious picture of the relationship between the plant and the new flowerpot. It is pleasant for your eyes, as well as for your guests, to contemplate a fresh composition. Useful - because replanting gives the plant new vitality and growth impulses. For replanting, you can take specialized soil for ficus and palm trees. It is possible to add high-quality universal soil to this soil, up to half the total volume of soil in the pot. In addition to the soil, it is necessary to prepare drainage, which will most likely be expanded clay.

Now you can start selecting flowerpots for your ficus. The GARDICA.ru online store offers you a large selection of flowerpots. Pots differ in material, shape, color, volume, presence or absence of a tray, and self-watering system. What unites the pots and flowerpots we offer is that they are made in Italy by true masters of their craft. The choice is yours! recommends using pots and flowerpots made of bulk plastic for replanting, because, firstly, the ficus and flowerpot can spend part of the year outside, and secondly, large and medium-sized specimens need a reliable and durable pot. Read more in the article about volumetric plastic

First, let's look at the classic planting option - transplanting into a pot with drainage holes and a tray. Four cross-shaped holes will be enough. For pot LIRA

with a volume of 25 liters, the manufacturer has provided four holes with a diameter of 2 cm. We fill the bottom of the flowerpot with a layer of expanded clay 3-4 cm high, followed by the prepared soil. We remove the ficus from the pot in which it is located. If this is a transport technological pot, then you can simply cut it. If it is a soft plastic pot, you can press it a little from the bottom and sides, pushing the earthen ball with roots out. If it is a pot with dense walls, then it and the plant should be placed on its side and knocked on the walls of the pot, as if shaking the plant with an earthen lump out of the pot. If it's a ceramic pot, be careful, it may break! If you transplant from a bulk plastic pot, this moment will not bother you: the pot will not break. After you have removed the plant with a lump of earth from the previous pot, gently shake off the soil or peat and re-evaluate the size of the ficus root system. This will allow you to understand how much soil needs to be filled in after expanded clay. Fill the soil, install the ficus with a ball of earth on it, cover the roots of the plant with soil, compact the soil around the perimeter of the flowerpot. Near the trunk, tamp thoroughly, but carefully, without putting much pressure on the root system. The soil should not reach 2-4 cm to the edge of the pot, otherwise watering will be inconvenient, the water will pour over the edge without having time to wet the soil. After transplanting, water the ficus with slightly warm, settled water. High-quality European fertilizers can be added to the irrigation water after transplantation to promote rapid and healthy rooting. Wipe away any dust that gets on the leaves during replanting, and spray the ficus with high-quality wax for indoor plants. The top open layer of soil can be mulched with expanded clay, marble chips, pebbles, pine bark, decorative stones or colored chips.

Soil selection and preparation

For some reason, experienced gardeners do not disdain ready-made substrates, but beginners like to make mixtures on their own. Then it turns out that they do not fit well, and the owners are forced to make an unscheduled transplant.

You should learn how to properly prepare the soil on simpler plants, for example, violets. They can be moved from container to container several times a year.

Beginning flower growers are recommended to choose soil in the store - specialized for ficus and palm trees. The composition is ideal for crops; starting fertilizers, which will last for 1-2 months, are balanced.

The younger the plants, the more loose and light the substrate is needed. To transplant tub specimens, it must be denser and more nutritious.

Even store-bought soil is recommended to be further processed:

The package is placed in a deep metal container.
Boiling water is carefully poured over the wall.
Cover with a lid.
Leave until the liquid has cooled completely.

Before replanting, the soil, especially peat-based soil, needs to be moistened. It should be slightly moist, not wet and sticky.

Ficus pot

Ficus belongs to those types of plants for which it is practically unimportant what material the pot is made of. The main thing is that this material does not have a chemical effect on the substrate it contains and the ficus pot looks aesthetically pleasing in accordance with the interior of the room.

Traditionally, vessels made of clay, plastic and wood are used, and the choice depends on the preferences, tastes and capabilities of the grower. But at the initial stage, for growing an individual that has just begun to develop, it is preferable to use clay containers that are not covered with glaze, since they allow moisture and air to pass through well. At the same time, you should not place ficuses in clay pots on sunny windowsills, since clay tends to heat up very much, which leads to a general increase in temperature in the pot, which contributes not only to the drying out of the substrate, but also to the withering of the plant.

Standard products are suitable for young individuals, but adults (more than 3-5 years old) will need large containers with a volume of several tens of liters, such as a wooden tub, a large plastic container or a voluminous flowerpot. You need to select a pot for ficus taking into account the shape, size and type of plant.

The shape of the pot for the vast majority of varieties and types of ficus ideally fits the standard shape, with a height close in value to the diameter. But there are also cases when preference is given to vessels of a different shape. An example of this are flat pots, bowls and plastic containers with a side height of at least 10 cm, used for growing trees using elements of the bonsai method that is popular today, for which many types and varieties of ficus are excellent.

Where to put

— Lighting for ficuses should be sufficient. There should be no direct sunlight, the light should be diffused. If necessary, we illuminate the ficuses with lamps.

— The temperature for good ficus growth is room temperature, the main thing is not lower than 10 degrees.

- Humidity . All types of ficus respond positively to spraying. When the air is dry, use air humidifiers or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. You can also place the pot on a tray with expanded clay, which is filled with water. This will increase the humidity level.

Ficus pot sizes

It is selected based on the size and degree of development of the root system of the plant that is supposed to be planted. The ficus pot should not be too loose. It is recommended to choose a vessel, always with a bottom drainage hole, in which the roots of the plant do not reach the walls of the vessel by about 1.5-2 cm. You also need to take into account that at the bottom of the vessel it is necessary to arrange drainage from expanded clay or brick chips. When transplanting young or developing ficus specimens, the pot should be 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the previous container.

During the process of plant formation, the volume of the vessel can be reduced; in this case, careful pruning of the roots is necessary, accompanied by pruning and shaping of the crown.

You cannot plant a ficus in a pot that is too spacious for it. As a rule, this leads to undesirable consequences, such as souring of the soil in the vessel that is not inhabited by the root system and, as a consequence, rotting of the roots, often leading to the death of the plant. Also, there are types of ficus for which a spacious container is simply contraindicated.

Since ficus is a large plant, and in natural conditions some of its species grow up to 10-15 m in height, the size of the container can serve as a tool for adjusting growth limits. Keeping an individual in a container that is too tight for its root system will stop the growth of the above-ground part of the plant.

How to make a transplant correctly?

To transplant a ficus, you need to choose the right soil and a new pot. Otherwise, the plant may begin to hurt and will be susceptible to attacks by pests. After transplantation, the plant needs gentle care.

What land is suitable?

You can prepare the ficus substrate yourself at home. For young plants, leaf humus, sand and peat are taken in equal proportions. It is recommended to plant an adult ficus in a mixture of the following components:

The second soil option is turf, sand, peat and leaf soil in equal proportions. You can purchase ready-made mixtures in the store. In order for the plant to receive a sufficient amount of nutrients in the soil, you need to add mineral fertilizer with a long-term effect.

When choosing a purchased substrate, you need to pay attention to its composition. Peat mixtures quickly dry out and become depleted, and humus mixtures can become a breeding ground for pests.

Before using the soil, it must be disinfected. This can be done in the following ways:

Before planting the plant in the ground, it is recommended to add a solution of phytosporin. This drug promotes the development of beneficial microelements.

The soil for ficus should have good moisture holding capacity and water permeability. The optimal acidity level is within 6.0-6.2 pH.

Drainage preparation

A drainage layer of at least 5 cm must be laid at the bottom of the pot. Suitable types of drainage:

The filler should be of a coarse fraction, since fine expanded clay can clog the drainage hole in the pot. As a result, moisture stagnation will occur.

Pot

The size of the pot depends on the size of the root system.

The container should not be too large. The roots should not touch the walls for about 2 cm. The pot can be clay, ceramic or plastic. For larger plants, wooden planters can be used. The new pot should be 3-4 cm wider than the previous one.

Why does the Benjamin variety or others grow poorly?

The main factors influencing the slowdown in ficus growth are:

improper watering and lighting;
temperature violation;
errors in plant fertilization;
pests and frequent rearrangement of plants from place to place.

Various factors can slow down the growth of a flower or stop it altogether. To eliminate this, it is necessary to identify the cause, and then begin resuscitation, otherwise the plant may die.

Violation of the watering regime

Very often, flower growers make one significant mistake in caring for ficus benjamina - knowing that the flower is unpretentious in care and can grow equally both outdoors and indoors, they begin to flood the plant at home just as if it were growing in the garden

It is important for both professionals and beginners to remember that the flower grows well in dry conditions

When there is an excess of moisture, the root system dies first. Ficus can be watered only when the soil is completely dry; however, the flower cannot be flooded, and all water that has drained into the pan must be removed immediately. Excess moisture should also be drained from the pot or flowerpot.

The water with which the flower is watered also plays an important role for the proper growth of the plant - you can water the ficus only with settled or filtered water.

Frequent change of place

Very often, the growth of a ficus can stop even if the grower followed all the rules of care, but made a mistake in only one thing

It is important for the flower to initially choose the right place and not touch it anywhere else. Moving a flower from place to place in most cases has a detrimental effect on its growth.

Temperature

In hot weather, this indicator can be increased to +30℃, but only for a short time.
In winter, a minimum limit of +15℃ can be allowed, but again only for a short time.

If in winter the room in which the ficus is located is cold, then it is necessary to turn on additional means of heating, or move the flowerpot with a flower closer to the radiator.

Along with temperature, the humidity in the room is no less important. In an excessively dry room, ficus should be sprayed regularly - 1-2 times a day. If it is not possible to spray the flower manually, then it is advisable to purchase an air humidifier and regularly ventilate the room. It is also recommended to wash the plant under a warm shower once or twice a week.

Incorrect lighting

The flower may stop growing if there are problems with lighting. Ficus loves light very much, so it must be placed on the sunny side, but during the period of time when the sun's rays are especially strong, the window needs to be covered with something.

When there is not enough light for a flower, in addition to the fact that it stops growing, the leaves of the plant begin to fall off, and this can be noticed immediately.

It is known that in the autumn-winter period, daylight hours are significantly shortened, as a result of which the ficus needs to be provided with additional light sources for 6-8 hours daily.