Ficus benedict reproduction. Description of the stylish and hardy ficus ali plant. Lighting Requirements

When the willow ficus grows up and the pot becomes too cramped for it, there is not enough soil for the roots, it dries quickly, it's time to replant the plant. The pot for Benedict is chosen a couple of centimeters larger than the previous one.

Young plants need an annual transplant, and 4-5 year olds can be relocated every two years or less.

Before transplanting, the plant is watered abundantly. Be sure to inspect the roots of the ficus. Rotten or damaged parts are removed. The bottom of the container is laid out with expanded clay or pebbles.

At the end of the process, the new settler is again watered under the root. If necessary, the migrant is strengthened with a support. Adult specimens growing in large containers require only renewal of the top layer of the earth without a transplant. Resettlement of green pets is carried out in the spring-summer season. In winter, plants do not bother.

Ficus ali, less popular name - benedict, one of the many types of ficus, adapted to home conditions. Homeland consider Southeast Asia. It got its name from the discoverer of this species (Simon Benedict).

There are several varieties. Appearances are not quite similar to ordinary ficuses. Benedikta is not whimsical to strict living conditions and care is quite simple.

Description: In its natural environment, it reaches a height of 15-20 m. An evergreen plant, similar to a tree, with a high and even trunk and bark Brown in adulthood. Young trees have dark bark. There are light stains on the surface of the bark.

Narrow, belt-like leaves with a pointed end and drooping branches.

The color of the leaves depends on the habitat and variety: plain or variegated. Length reaches 30 cm, width 5-7 cm.

A vein is clearly visible along the leaf, less noticeable lateral veins evenly extend from it to the sides. The central vein bends the leaf in half, as if breaking it.

The appearance of the ficus "Ali" into the world

Ficus Ali (cv. ‘Alii’ or Ficus Binnendijkii), ficus Binnendijki hides under its name a whole group of similar plants.

In the 19th century they were discovered and described by the Dutch botanist Simon Binnendijk.

Ficus leaves are dark green and long, similar to willow leaves.

Therefore, it has another name - ficus willow.

Information! The scientific name of the plant is Ficus binnendijkii, but due to difficulty in pronunciation or otherwise, it is rarely used. Commonly referred to as Ficus Alii

Ficus Alii is a fast growing and evergreen tree that can grow up to 20m in the wild.

At home, ficus Ali grows up to 2 m.

This plant originated from the tropics of Southeast Asia and spread to the territory that covers the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, the islands of Java, Borneo, Sumatra.

This ficus can successfully grow in room conditions as well as in the winter garden.

Among flower growers, different varieties of ficus are used.

But the varieties differ only in the width of the leaves.

If you comply with certain conditions, then Ali's ficuses will delight you with their appearance.

Here are the conditions:

• illumination;
• temperature;
• watering;
• humidity;
• the soil.

illumination

Ali - strong and not whimsical plants.

But they have their preferences.

One of the most important is light. Plants prefer bright rooms, but so that direct sunlight does not fall on it.

Ficuses with variegated leaves need bright diffused light, plants with green leaves feel good in partial shade.

Lighting is required in winter.

Ali does not like being moved, turned around, he is a “homebody”, so you need to look for a place for him indoors, given his future growth.

Temperature

Room temperature is comfortable enough for ficuses.

In summer, optimally 20-25°C, in winter - 16-20°C.

Interesting! if the room is warm, then the plant needs more light, and vice versa, the cooler the room, the shorter the daylight hours. In nature, it is connected with the seasons.

This flower does not like both drought and excessive moisture.

It requires regular and moderate watering, avoiding stagnant water and waterlogging of the soil.

Experts advise watering the ficus when the topsoil dries 1-2 cm.

Air humidity

Humidity is important to Ficus Alii, so they will be grateful for regular spraying.

If the plant is not large, you can rinse it in the shower.

Tip: The soil for the plant can be bought at the store: special soil for ficuses or use soil for palm trees.

If you do it yourself, then for young plants you need to use the following mixture: sod, sand and peat in equal parts, adult ficuses love loose and nutritious soil

Important! Alkaline and acidic soils will not suit Ficus Ali!

Ficuses need to be fed sometimes, it is optimal to do this once every 10-14 days, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers.

Ficuses need to be fed only in the spring and summer.

If you buy ficus Ali as a home plant, care for it will be minimal, since the tree is unpretentious. But some "wishes" from the willow to the owner, nevertheless, are available. Many novice flower growers often make typical mistakes when caring for a green pet. To prevent this from happening, it is important to take into account some of the subtleties that will have to be faced after he finds himself in a new house.

One of the keys to the success of growing any ficus is a sufficient amount of sunlight, but without exposure to direct radiation. It is better that the lighting is soft and diffused. In principle, if a grower has acquired a plant with plain foliage, it can feel fine even in partial shade, but the variegated plant will definitely not tolerate such an attitude towards itself and will begin to declare this with a total loss of leaves. Optimal location- a window with access to the east or southeast, without drafts.

Ali, like other ficus trees, welcomes warmly. In summer, the best temperature for him is from 22 to 25 ° C, and in winter time it is not recommended to leave it indoors if the thermometer there falls below 16 ° C. With a sharp decrease in temperature in the room, the plant may die, especially if the pot or tub is on the floor.

Since the tree does not impose special requirements on air humidity, its moderate indicators - 50-70% - will be quite enough for it. In the hot season, foliage spraying should be added to watering activities. It is advisable to either get humidifiers, or put an aquarium or a large container of water next to the pot. Get effective moisturizing, which does not require serious financial costs.

By the state of the top layer of soil in a pot, you can always determine whether ficus Ali needs water procedures. When the layer dries up two to three centimeters deep, and the soil becomes crumbly, it's time to water. Scheme - from one to two times a week. Neither "overfill" nor "underfill" is possible.

Many novice flower growers, having read that a tree loves moisture, often make a total mistake by starting to water it too much. This leads to rotting of the roots, and it can be difficult to reanimate the plant after it. Therefore, the amount of liquid should always be monitored, as well as regularly check the condition of the pan in the pot or tub so that there is no excess water left.

Water for irrigation must be settled, at room temperature. Water that flows from the tap cannot be used immediately. It contains lime, and it greatly spoils the appearance of the foliage: whitish stains appear on it, and removing them can be very problematic.

Spraying activities, as already mentioned, are carried out in the heat. But do not neglect them in winter, when heaters and batteries are running. It is recommended to purchase a fine spray gun for this purpose. Spraying itself is carried out once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Dust from the leaves is carefully removed with a soft and damp cloth. In the hot summer, it is quite possible to arrange a shower for the plant, with the help of a slightly warm, moderate jet of water.

Soil Requirements

Ficus Binnendijka grows well and develops in a special soil designed for it. However, if you prepare the earth yourself, the effect will be even better. It consists of peat, sod, fine sand, charcoal and red brick chips, mixed in equal proportions. It is important not to forget about the drainage holes in the pot. For a young ficus, three components will be enough: peat, sand and sod.

Ficus Benedict needs to be fed periodically. Typically, fertilization starts in March and ends in August. At the same time, it is recommended to alternate root and foliar top dressing, making them every two to three weeks.

crown formation

This tree is very well formed, the formation of its crown can be done different ways, among which there are both simple and more complex ones. The easiest way is to arrange the culture in the form of a simple stem. First, the side branches are pruned, leaving only five of them in the center. After that, the top of the longest and strongest branch is pinched, and the entire lateral growth is given a spherical shape. After such trimming, it is necessary to briefly equip the support for the trunk.

A stem consisting of two tiers is already more difficult to make. To do this, the tree must be divided into three levels, shaping both the upper and lower parts into a ball, and removing all side branches in the middle.

Crown formation is carried out only in spring and summer, when the plant is in the active phase of growth and development. The time from October to February should be excluded. The pruning process itself should be carried out with a sharp pruner, avoiding cuts in the form of stumps. Slices are processed with garden pitch and sprinkled with crushed charcoal, and the secateurs must be treated with alcohol.

Ficus Ali care is one of the easiest. In room conditions, the tree almost never blooms, the main stages of cultivation are watering, fertilizing and obligatory forming pruning of the crown, creating ideal lighting conditions and temperature indicators.

Lighting

All varieties of ficuses are photophilous, so choose illuminated window sills for windows facing south or southeast for cultivation. Varieties with a dark green shade of leaves can grow in partial shade and prefer the absence of direct sun rays. Variegated forms are suitable for growing even in direct sunlight, but on hot summer days they need to be shaded.

Temperature regime

In its natural environment, ficus Binnendijka grows at a constantly high temperature of the subtropics. Differs in heat-loving, does not take out cold drafts, sharp decline or temperature fluctuations. Temperature regime differs depending on the season:

• in winter, the maximum possible decrease in temperature is 16 degrees;
• in summer, the optimum temperature will be up to 30 degrees.

When the temperature drops below 10 degrees, the ficus withers, the leaves fall, the plant enters a state of rest. When hypothermia flower, water it warm water and put in a sunny place.

Varieties with dark green foliage are more frost-resistant, can tolerate a short-term drop in temperature to 7 degrees, variegated varieties die already at 10 degrees.

Air humidity

For this small-leaved indoor ficus air humidity is critical. In a dry room or with a sharp increase in temperature, the leaves may dry out, turn yellow, and fall off.

In this case, you need to regularly spray the plant, and try to get on the top and bottom of the leaves. It is better to use not ordinary tap water, but rain, distilled or filtered. The procedure is carried out as needed, in the hot summer time you can spray daily.

As additional measure A warm shower will do the trick. The plant is completely bathed, after covering the surface of the earth with a bag so as not to overmoisten the soil.

Watering rules

It is necessary to take care of the plant regularly, one of the most important stages is watering. Between the introduction of water into the soil, drying of the earthen clod by at least 3 cm should be observed. Watering can be done in two ways:

1. From above - carefully bring settled or purified water into the root zone. The amount of water depends on the volume of the root system and the height of the tree.
2. From a pallet. If there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, additional moisture can be arranged from the bottom of the container. Coarse-grained sand or pebbles are poured into a flat wide pallet, water is poured. As the soil dries out, the plant draws moisture with its roots.

illumination

Ficus ali (Binnendijka)

Mulberry family. Ficus binnendiyka comes from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the extent of its distribution from the foothills of the Himalayas, through Nepal, Burma, Thailand, and to Vietnam, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Philippines. It has spread in other parts of the world in countries with a tropical climate, it is also popular in the USA, it is grown on the streets in parks and gardens. Grows in all but the wettest and driest habitats of all major islands, best in rocky and rocky open areas.

These are evergreen trees or shrubs that grow in nature about 20 m in height, at home about 1.5 m. It has a powerful root system, very aggressive in favorable conditions. The leaves are shiny, dark green, about 25-30 cm long and 6-7 wide. As with all ficuses, when cut or broken, sticky white milky juice is released from any part of the plant.

Description Vitaly Alenkin (Vitaly): Ficus binnendijkii Miquel - the bark of young shoots is light green. Young shoots quickly become woody. On trunks and lateral shoots of middle-aged plants, the bark is dark brown, rough, with white strokes, partially exfoliates in the form of small gray pieces (ribbons). In mature plants, the bark is light gray with white strokes.

Young leaves on the tops of the shoots are tubular twisted, in light green stipules. The latter, after opening the leaf, dry up and fall off. Fully formed leaves are lanceolate (outwardly reminiscent of oleander leaves), slightly concave along the midrib (in the form of a "boat"), smooth to the touch, hard, glossy with a pointed apex and a triangular base, from 25 to 30 cm long and up to 4-4.5 cm wide. The leaf blade is dark green above, dull green below, with a pronounced powerful yellow-green central vein. Petiole 3-4 cm.

Among flower growers, you can hear the names “ficus willow” related to ficus binnendiyka. The leaves of this ficus do indeed resemble willow in shape, but this is a folk name, not a botanical one.

Temperature: moderate, optimal in the range of 20-25°C, in winter it is possible to keep at lower temperatures of about 16-18°C, with limited watering, a limit of 13°C with a dry content. With sudden changes in temperature, it can drop leaves.

Lighting: bright diffused light, light partial shade. With a lack of light, the shoots stretch out, the leaves thin out. From direct sunlight in the hot afternoon can get burns. Variegated varieties like ‘Amstel Gold need more intense light, with some morning or evening sun.

Watering: moderate in summer, the topsoil should dry out completely. In winter, when light and temperature decrease, watering is limited to such an extent that the soil dries out completely. Ficus Ali and other Binnendiyka varieties tolerate severe dryness, but die from waterlogging.

Humidity: The leaves can be sprayed, especially in hot, dry weather in summer and in winter when central heating is on. If the size of the pot allows, then once every two weeks you can wear ficus binnendiyka in the shower, while covering the ground from water.

Top dressing with fertilizers: from March to August, once every two to three weeks, they are fed with fertilizers for decorative leafy plants.

Reproduction: cuttings, which are easily rooted in water in good light, as well as air layering. Cut cuttings about 15 to 25 cm long. Just put in a jar of water, it takes from a month to three to form roots. But it is much faster than rooting in a greenhouse in the ground. To prevent the water in the jar from blooming, change it every 2 days.

Formation appearance: ficus binnendiyka - a large plant, with good care mature plant requires periodic pruning to maintain a compact shape. You can grow a ficus in the form of a stem, or by braiding the trunks of several cuttings planted in one pot. Even if you don’t form Ali’s ficus in any way, it will still grow into a beautiful lush empty.

Young ficuses are transplanted annually in the spring, into fresh soil. But if it turns out that the roots have not grown too much, there is a lot of free land, plant it in the same pot, only replacing the soil with fresh one.

Old binnendiyka ficuses are transplanted every 2-3 years, but you can add fresh fertile soil every year by removing the top 2-3 cm of old soil.

The soil for ficuses should be loose and nutritious. Such a mixture is suitable: turf land 2 parts, sheet or greenhouse 1 part, you can add chopped pine bark, vermiculite and charcoal. An important condition is good drainage to the bottom of the pot, and the acidity of the soil should be slightly acidic, or close to neutral (pH 5.5-6.5).

The most common variety of Ficus binnendika Ali. Very often the name of the species is skipped and shortened to ficus Ali.

Ficus ali is also called ficus benedict and it is a species that is very common in home floriculture. In nature, it can be found in Southeast Asia. And this plant was named so, in honor of the person who first discovered this species and his name is Simon Benedict.

There are several varieties of this plant. Their appearance is somewhat unusual for ficuses. Ficus ali is quite unpretentious and undemanding to care for.

Landing and transplant

It is better to transplant and propagate (plant) ficuses in early spring, when the plant is just waking up.

Young plants are transplanted annually, completely changing the soil.

Adults are transplanted by transshipment, once every 3 years.

large plants are not transplanted. They are fed and the topsoil is renewed once a year.

How to propagate ficus Ali - reproduction is usually carried out during its transplantation: by layering, by cuttings (cuttings, which are most often cut from the top). Branches suitable for propagation can also be used those that remain after pruning, however, it is most convenient to combine the transplant process with dividing the tree into several parts.

Until the plant reaches the age of three or four, it is advisable to transplant annually, and in the future it will be needed no more than once every five years. If the tree is already very large, it is not necessary to replant it: it is enough to change the top layer of soil to a fresh and nutritious one every year.

Ficus Ali should be transplanted into a container that is two to three centimeters larger than the previous one. Before removing the ficus from the pot, the soil is watered so that you can get it quickly, without severely injuring the root system. All roots should be well inspected and washed. If some part of them is rotten, which is sometimes found in adult plants, the damaged areas are immediately excised and treated with an antifungal agent. Next, the tree is placed in a new container and gradually covered with earth. After transplanting, it should be watered.

In order for the new planting material separated from the "mother" plant to be able to root well, there must be several rooting processes. Thus, there is a chance to grow different specimens, which in the future may differ from each other in growth rate and crown splendor. The beginning of spring is the best time for this.

After the cutting is carefully cut from the main body of the tree, it is placed in a separate container with water at room temperature. The secreted milky juice is quickly removed, and the water in the container is changed as often as possible. If the place for the growth of the material is warm and bright, the first roots will appear after 14 days. Periodically change and add water, and when the roots grow two centimeters, the cutting can be planted in a permanent pot.

Until the ficus reaches 4 years of age, transplantation is carried out annually, and then once every 3 years. The following factors indicate the need to transfer the plant to a new pot:

• roots can be seen in the drainage holes;
• even after abundant watering, the soil instantly dries up;
• the root system protrudes above the soil surface.

In a cramped pot, the plant will receive less nutrients and moisture, which will negatively affect the appearance of the tree.

Transplant scheme:

1. Prepare a pot 4-5 cm larger than the old one. It is better to take a completely new sterile container, but if there is none, the used one must be thoroughly washed and disinfected to eliminate pathogenic microflora.
2. You can make up the soil yourself or purchase a ready-made substrate.
3. Perform a transplant better in spring or in June, when the temperature is kept at 22 degrees.
4. Water the soil during the day. Carefully remove the plant by pulling the stem out of the pot. Trim off excess soil from the roots.
5. Lay a layer of drainage up to 3 cm thick at the bottom. Then fill in the soil for another 4-5 cm. Place the plant on top, cover with the rest of the soil. The layer of earth should not reach 2 cm to the top of the container.
6. Moisten the soil immediately after transplanting.

Old ficuses that have reached a height of 1 or more meters do not need to be transplanted. But periodically it is necessary to change the soil, removing the top 5-6 cm of the earth.

Immediately after transplanting, limit watering and top dressing, infrequent spraying with warm water will be enough. Place the pot in a ventilated place with no drafts, but not in direct sunlight.

For transplanting, a pot is selected that will be only a little larger than the previous one. The flower should be very carefully removed from the pot (for this it is recommended to soak an earthen lump). Next, you need to separate the roots from the ground and carefully examine them. In the event that there are diseased, rotten or dried roots, get rid of them immediately. After that, place the flower in a pot, add soil and water.

When the procedure is completed, do not touch your pet for a while. He needs rest to cope with stress.

Ficuses are transplanted in the spring, as soon as the plant has awakened. If you have a young shoot, then you need to replant every year, due to growth. This completely changes the soil. Adult ficuses are transplanted every 3 years. Large plants do not "disturb" - they need enough feeding and replacing the top layer of soil once a year.

Prepare a new pot. It should be a couple of centimeters larger than the current one.

We cover the bottom with drainage (stones and expanded clay). We put the ficus on it, then we fill it with soil, in equal parts.

Be careful: the ficus should not bend over.

We water the plant, it now needs a lot of water, and return it to where it used to be. Now you will need to water when the soil dries.

reproduction

Ficus Ali is propagated with a stem cutting: in May-July, a cutting of at least 15-20 cm in size with 3-4 leaves on it is cut off with a sharp knife (secateurs) from the mother plant, put it in a container with water at room temperature and placed in a warm (22- 25°C) bright spot until roots appear.

After a couple of weeks, roots begin to sprout.

The plant is planted in the ground when the roots reach 1.5-2.5 cm.

Ficus Ali is propagated by cuttings. The procedure is carried out in the spring at the beginning of active growth. You will need an apical stem about 10 cm long. Remove the lower leaves from it, leaving 2-3 pairs of the upper ones. The cutting is planted immediately in a mixture of sand and peat.

For quick rooting, the pot can be placed in a mini-greenhouse - under the cropped plastic bottle. It can also be rooted in water by covering the container with an escape bag. When the roots appear, the plant is transplanted into a pot with a diameter of 10 cm, and the first days are also covered with a bag or a cut bottle.

Reproduction of ficus Ali is a very simple process, it is very easy to carry out with the help of cuttings. To propagate this flower, it is necessary to cut the stalk with a sharply sharpened knife. After cutting, this part of the stem is placed in water and placed in a warm, bright place. Periodically add water, as it will evaporate rather quickly.

Best time in order to reproduce these flowers, - the end of winter or the beginning of spring. It is during this period that their growth is activated, so by next winter your baby will be able to take root properly.

Reproduction of ficus Ali is carried out by cuttings. Do it in the spring. The procedure is carried out in stages:

• Cut off the stem with a sharp knife.
• Put him in the water not too hot place before the emergence of young roots.
• When they become strong enough, the mini-willow is placed in water for a couple of days with the addition of a growth stimulator. It's done to boost his immunity with the upcoming transplant into the ground.
• Then the plant is planted in a permanent place in a prepared pot with an earthen mixture.

Mature plants with long shoots are propagated by layering. This is done in the following sequence:

1. On the leafless part of the escape is done shallow incision.
2. A pebble is inserted into it, and the place is sprinkled with hormonal powder.
3. The incision is wrapped in wet moss and wrapped in foil.
4. After the appearance of roots that have made their way through the moss, the shoot is cut off below the winding.
5. young plant placed in a pot.
6. Remaining after this the cut is smeared with Vaseline.

About air humidity

Ficus bennendica is very tolerant of dry air in apartments. Spraying and showering have purely hygienic purposes, and also serve as a preventive measure against spider mites.

At first, Ali will develop curled leaves due to lack of air humidity, but this does not mean that you need to rush around him with a spray bottle. Over time, the plant will get used to the humidity that you have and will grow beautiful straight leaves.

Protection against diseases and pests

Ficus Ali is good because it is almost not susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. But it happens sometimes.

Signs of the disease:

• leaves droop, look lethargic and fall: the reason is waterlogging of the soil, it is necessary to moderate watering
• the growth of the plant slows down, the leaves lose color and fall: usually the problem is a lack of light.

The issue is resolved by rearranging the plant to a more lit place or connecting artificial lighting

• the leaves of the plant dry and wrinkle: bright sunlight is to blame, shading and spraying will solve the problem
• brown spots on the tips of the leaves: the reason is high temperature or low humidity, overfeeding the plant. The issue is solved by spraying ficus and airing the room, reducing the amount of fertilizer.

Poor plant care can lead to pests.

As a result, ficus may appear:

• mealybugs;
• shields and false shields;
• spider mites.

The mealybug appears due to low humidity, they fight it by wiping the plants with a soft cloth dipped in alcohol.

This happens more often in winter when the batteries get hot.

Alternatively, you can hang batteries with wet towels or place a humidifier under the plant.

When attacked by scale insects and false scale insects, ficus leaves lose their color and fall.

The insects themselves look like plaques - black or flesh-colored.

You can remove them by wiping the plant with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water.

In case of serious damage, actellik is used (20 drops per liter of water).

A spider web, white and thin, will tell you about a spider mite. The spider mite does not like moisture, so it is worth rinsing the ficus in the shower with warm water several times in a row.

Ficus Binnendi Ali is rarely affected by pests and diseases, however, if mistakes are made in care, they can still appear. If the tree slows down growth and loses foliage, it may not have enough lighting, and you need to choose another place for it, in accordance with the known rules of care. When the leaf begins to dry and curl, the reason may be both a lack of sun and the appearance of pests and diseases.

It happens that spots appear on the foliage different color- from gray to brown. It is most likely a fungal infection. Gray bloom is a manifestation of powdery mildew, and black or brown spots are black spotting. All such diseases are treated by applying effective fungicides and adjusting care measures - too abundant watering stops and fertilizer application is adjusted.

No less common pest is the scale insect. A small bug clings to the foliage and draws all the juices out of it. Foliage loses color, becomes lethargic and begins to fall off. If there are few scale insects, they are also removed. manually(for example, with a sponge dipped in water). Then the entire ficus Ali is processed with an ordinary solution of laundry soap.

Sometimes, after a week, re-treatment may be required, and when the soap is ineffective - unfortunately, there is no way out, except for insecticides. One of the strong drugs is Aktellik. It is diluted in the following ratio: 20 drops per liter of water, and the treatment itself is carried out only on the street or with open windows, using gloves.

In simple ways, you can deal with spider mites. A characteristic sign of its appearance is a white sticky web that entangles a diseased plant. At first, you should not rush to use "chemistry": this type of tick does not tolerate moisture, so the ficus should be washed under a plentiful shower, and then wrapped in an impromptu greenhouse made of plastic wrap.

If Ali's homemade ficus is regularly looked after, then it becomes quite possible to avoid damage by pests and fungi. It is best to familiarize yourself with the rules of simple care in advance so that you do not have any problems in the future.

The plant can be attacked by various insect pests - spider mites, whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs. They are attracted by weakened trees with reduced immunity, which is the result of improper care: frequent and abundant watering and spraying, irrational top dressing, especially fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, growing in too dry and cool rooms.

Most diseases also develop against the background of illiterate ficus care. The most common fungal disease powdery mildew, which manifests itself as whitish spots with a bloom on the foliage. Root rot appears after waterlogging of the soil in the absence of drainage holes in the pot, excessive watering.

Ficus Ali is one of the most commonly used plants for landscaping offices and apartments. In general, the flower is unpretentious, lives for a long time with proper care, is highly decorative due to the large mass of rich green foliage.

Your pet may be adversely affected by various diseases due to improper care. Also, if you do not comply with all the necessary conditions, there is a chance to detect harmful insects on the leaves of the flower. Because proper care- this is the best protection and prevention of various pests.

• For example, if you take care of a flower incorrectly, a mealybug may appear. It is removed either mechanically or using a very weak solution of alcohol.
• If scale insects attacked your pet, use a soapy solution or (if the process has already gone too far) use insecticides.
• They get rid of the spider mite, creating a kind of greenhouse effect. If the desired result does not come, use insecticides.

Ficus Ali - unpretentious medium-sized ornamental plant. It is very similar to a small willow. He gets sick most often due to improper care. In favorable conditions with good care, the green pet grows quickly and pleases with its beautiful view.

Problems that arise

In ficus binnendik, unlike benjamin, cuttings take root more reluctantly. In order for the cutting to give roots for sure, you need to cut a branch of at least 15-20 cm and leave 3-4 leaves on it. And you need to cut the cuttings in May-July. Root in water or moist vermiculite, in a bright place. It improves rooting by heating the cutting so that the water temperature is around 24-25°C.

Unlike ficus benjamin, binnendika is more often affected by mites, especially in winter during the heating season or in summer, exposed on the balcony in hot weather. At the same time, the tips of the leaves may begin to dry in the ficus. The only salvation is hanging the batteries with wet towels, or installing a humidifier directly under the ficus.

Excessive watering is detrimental to ficus Ali, as well as to all other ficuses, the plant easily rots, sheds leaves. Ficus also suffers from sudden fluctuations in temperature, for example, if it stands in the summer in the garden and on the balcony, and it gets colder at night. Also, the plant reacts painfully to drafts. In winter, opening the window, rearrange the ficus from cold air currents, otherwise the branches dry out, twist, the leaves fly around.

Ficus Ali is very light tolerant, but it is not a small plant and grows in good conditions fast. After a while, it is no longer cleaned on the windowsill and you have to look for a place for it in the room. I would like to warn against setting the pot on the floor, near balcony door(it can be dark there if the leaves are not at the level of the glass, and cold - drafts).

The temptation is great to put a pot of ficus against the wall of the room, for example, next to the sofa. large tree Ficus Ali looks really impressively beautiful, but exactly as long as it has enough light. Then a beautiful tree can begin to "bald". To prevent this from happening, it needs to be illuminated with lamps.

But you can use lamps with conventional E27 or E14 cartridges, put a fluorescent or LED light bulb with a wide or narrow base. For a ficus up to 50 cm high, a 20 W fluorescent lamp or an LED lamp with a power of 5-7 W is sufficient.

Whoever loves flowers, likes to plant them and other plants at home, sooner or later will come to the desire to start a ficus. But which one to choose? So that you would suit him in the world, and would there be all the conditions for his growth? Alternatively, choose ficus Ali. And how to deal with it, we will now figure it out.

What your green "neighbor" will look like depends on your preferences. The formation of the crown of ficus Ali is the so-called haircut for room joy. Pruning will help make a bush. It will not grow, get a compact shape and become fluffy. You can also plant a couple of cuttings in one pot, and as they grow, twist them together into a pigtail.

If ficus Ali sheds leaves, then you have waterlogged the soil and the roots have rotted. Or the habitat of the plant has been changed. Your ficus is not growing, the leaves have become colorless and lifeless - these are the first bells for concern. Does ficus Ali drop leaves? No, but the condition of the bark may worsen - there is not enough light.

The leaves can wrinkle and dry, turn yellow, the ficus Ali is ready to drop them - in this case, it is necessary to shade and moisten them with a spray bottle. If ficus Ali has leaves with brown spots, then there are several reasons - the high temperature of the room, overfed, or there is not enough moisture in the air.

Diseases and pests

Considering that Ficus Ali is not rubber-bearing, it does almost no harm.

You should be careful with the juice of the leaves of the plant, if they get on the skin, they can cause dermatological and allergic reactions, but the leaves of ficus Ali are not as fleshy as those of other species and therefore the harm is minimal here.

The plant has beneficial features characteristic of all ficuses.

It has a good effect on the microclimate of the room in which it is located.

According to popular belief, in a house where ficus grows well, people do not get sick.

And if a disease suddenly occurs, then it passes easily and without consequences.

According to an old belief, if a childless woman starts growing ficus, she will soon become pregnant.

We think that this is due to the positive energy emanating from the ficus.

An infusion of alcohol from the leaves of the plant treats arthritis, arthrosis and rheumatism.

The plant is used in the treatment of vascular, pulmonary, skin diseases. Infusions and tinctures, compresses, extracts are made from it.

Ficus Ali is stylish, hardy and not demanding.

It can be formed in the form of a bush or a tree on a trunk, or you can do nothing, allowing Ali's ficus to simply grow.

The choice is yours. With proper care, it will decorate your home and bring you a lot of joy.

Description of ficus ali

Ficus binnendiyka Ali in natural conditions can grow from fifteen to twenty meters in height. It has a smooth and long trunk, covered with strong dark-colored bark. It is the same in indoor varieties, which, with good care, grow up to one and a half to two meters. The leaves are narrow, like tight straps, pointed at both ends, the branches droop beautifully, like a real willow.

Maximum length leaves - up to thirty centimeters, and width - from 5 to 7. The leaf has a characteristic bright vein, and its color depends on the variety: both monophonic and variegated specimens are found.

Southeast Asia is considered the birthplace of such an evergreen plant. For the first time this type of ficus was discovered by the botanist Simon Benedict, therefore the second name of the tree is Binnendijka.

There are several varieties of this ficus; at home, four varieties are most often grown:

• Amstel Gold is distinguished by an unusual leaf color - the upper part is colored yellow-green, saturated dark green spots are arranged in a chaotic manner;
• Alii has broader leaves than other varieties, the most unpretentious for indoor cultivation;
• Amstel Queen is distinguished by wide, curved leaves;
• in Amstel King, the width of one sheet can reach 7 cm, the plate is more durable, with a thick skin.

Variety description:

1. Under natural conditions, it grows in the form of a tree up to 20 m high. The trunk is long, even, in young plants it has a rich brown hue, with time the bark turns gray, scars from fallen leaves remain on it.
2. The leaves are dense, narrow, with a pointed end, without a glossy sheen.
3. The branches are thin and flexible, and due to the large amount of foliage they bend to the ground.
4. In some varieties, the leaves have a central vein of a lighter shade.

Young trees are standard plants with a long trunk, completely dotted with small leaves and flexible branches. In adulthood, the ficus has a rounded crown, a long lignified trunk. Due to the fact that at a young age trees have flexible trunks, it is possible to create compositions - the formation of a ball, spiral, pigtail.

Ficus Ali is a plant that does not look too much like a ficus, which misleads many people. However, despite the peculiar appearance, it is still a homemade long-leaved ficus. Why is this ficus bin Ali so unlike other ficuses?

It's all about the leaves of this variety. While the leaves of most ficuses are large, dense and oval in shape, the leaves of the species are long and narrow. In length, these narrow leaves reach about 30 cm. In different varieties of this domestic ficus, the leaves are equally long, but may have a different color. In view of these features, this plant is also called "ficus willow".

As already mentioned, Binnendijk's ficus is represented by several varieties that differ slightly from each other.

Let's consider them in more detail:

1. Ficus Binnendijka Amstel King. Among its narrow-leaved counterparts, ficus Amstel King has the widest leaves. Also, the Amstel King variety has a rather high trunk and a spherical crown.
2. Ficus Amstel Gold. Narrow-leaved ficus, the leaves of which are painted in two colors - green and light green.
3. Ficus Amstel Queen. A variety that, in its characteristics, is very similar to the home variety of Ali, but it has slightly fewer leaves.

Ficuses are those plants that are found in almost all homes or workplaces of those who love greenery. Ficus Ali (Ficus Binnendijkii), aka Binnendijka, or willow-leaved ficus, is a fairly well-known plant. Learning the history of this representative of the flora, you may come across the name of Simon Benedict, who found Ali in Southeast Asia.

Ficus Binnendijka is the most common option flower growers choose. And all thanks to its brightness. Seeing it for the first time, you will immediately understand that this is a representative of this species. As for the shape of the leaves, it may seem that in front of you is a willow. That's how similar they are. The leaves are long, dark green in color. They grow densely on branches and trunks. If you follow all the rules of care, then you will get a 2-meter handsome man.

In nature, this evergreen plant reaches a height of 15-20 meters. It resembles a tree, as it has a smooth and fairly long trunk. It is covered with bark, which in adult specimens has a dark tint. On its surface there are stains of a pale shade.

Narrow, belt-like leaves are pointed at the tips. The branches of this ficus are drooping.

The color of the foliage is directly dependent on the variety of the plant, as well as on its habitat. It can be monophonic or variegated. In length, the leaves can reach 30 centimeters, and in width from 5 to 7 centimeters.

The leaf has a prominent vein that runs along it. In different directions from the central vein, lateral veins diverge, which are not so clearly visible. And the central vein bends the leaf in half, as if breaking it.

Varieties of ficus Ali

Ficus willow has several varieties, each of which can become a worthy decoration of any room:

• Amstel King - if a lover of indoor floriculture wants to purchase a willow tree with more broad leaves- This perfect option. It has a high trunk, and the crown arbitrarily acquires a spherical shape. From time to time it needs to be adjusted a little;
• Amstel Gold is a beautiful bicolor ficus. It contains leaves of both classic green and light green color;
• Amstel Queen - almost no different from Ali, but its leaves are much smaller. The most elegant among the small-leaved.

In the wild, and there are many varieties of Ali on sale. But really popular - only four.

• Ali. Also known as Aliya. The most popular. Its leaves are the widest among its "brothers".
• Amstel King. Recognizable ficus Ali, but with lighter and wider leaves.
• Amstel Gold. It has light green, yellowish leaves. Green spots scattered over the leaf blades make the crown even more interesting.
• Amstel Queen. It is the leaves of the "Queen" that are a bit like cherry - wider than other varieties, rich green.

This beautiful culture was discovered by the botanist Simon Bennendijka (now it is clear why the ficus Binnendijka Ali). This variety is also found in the wild. True, there he is already 20 meters tall. You can observe such beauty in the Indian subtropics. They are evergreen. If you met a representative with a light gray bark, then in front of you is an adult, with a dark brown - a young one.

Another similarity with willow lies in the fact that the leaves are still, in addition, narrow, there are many of them, so the branches cannot withstand the load that has fallen on them and, under their weight, tend to go down - just like a willow. The color of the leaves can be not only monophonic, but also variegated. Their length can be 30 cm, and the width - no more than 7. The leaves are bent towards the middle, so they still resemble opened pea pods.

Ficus has many varieties. For example Alii - with very wide leaves. You will most often meet him at flower growers. There is also Amstel Gold, Queen and King. Golden is characterized by variegated leaves: the background is yellow-green, and in the middle all shades of green. Royal - the width of the leaves is average, approximately like Alii and Amstel Gold. And Amstel King has the largest leaf width, in all other respects it is the same Amstel Queen.

unpretentious care

This homemade variety is strong, so caring for the Binnendijk ficus is simple. The main thing is to create all conditions for its growth and normal development. Binnedika loves light, but indirect. With a green color, partial shade is preferred, and variegated representatives prefer diffused light. In summer, make sure that the sun's rays do not fall directly on the plant.

This species does not like being moved or moved and even simply rotated, so try not to touch it once again. Use this knowledge when choosing a location, as well as the fact that the plant needs a place to grow. The ideal temperature for Ali would be 18-23 degrees Celsius. In the summer months, it can withstand 20-25 degrees, in winter it should not fall below 16, it will feel most comfortable within 20 degrees Celsius.

Ali does not tolerate overdrying of the soil. Watering requires moderate and with enviable regularity. Water in the pot should not stagnate. By overdoing it, you allow the soil to acidify, which leads to the decay of the ficus and its death. Water the plant more frequently from spring to autumn. At this time, it grows actively, therefore it requires more liquid.

Proper care is the key to success

Spraying ficus Ali loves. Use either a spray gun or a shower for these purposes. Water temperature room. So you will not only moisten the plant, but also remove dust from its leaves. How often to do this - look according to your conditions: what is the temperature and what is the humidity in the room where the ficus is located. If the temperature does not exceed 22 degrees, 2 times a week is enough.

2 parts of sod and greenhouse/leaf land;

charcoal;

sand;

baking powder (crushed red brick).

For young individuals, 1 part of sand, peat and soddy land is suitable. Do not use alkaline or acidic soils. Spring-summer - the active development of ficus, which requires additional nutrition. It is enough to fertilize twice a month. In the flower shop you can find special complex dressings designed for deciduous houseplants.

Starting from autumn and until spring comes, ficus ali is at rest, so it does not require top dressing. If you decide to purchase a ficus ali, then you will need to control its care - remember this.

How to propagate a plant

Transplant scheme:

• Light. He must be present in the room, and in large numbers. But beware of direct contact with the rays on the plant - they can burn sensitive ficus leaves.
• Temperature. In summer, such a ficus needs about 22 degrees, in winter - not lower than 16. Ficus will feel bad if the air in the room stagnates all the time - but do not open the window on which this plant stands for ventilation. Also, do not hang the air conditioner over the ficus itself - for it it will be akin to constant drafts.
• Air humidity. It may be moderate. But if the summer turned out to be hot, or in winter you do not save on heating, spray your ficus more often. And do not forget: defend the water for these purposes, while allowing it to warm up to room temperature.
• Watering. It is remembered when the top of the soil in the pot begins to dry out by about 2 cm. Use settled water. Drain away everything that runs into the pan - if such a liquid is not removed in time, the soil will pull it back, but the flower will not have time to use it, and the roots in such wet soil may begin to rot.
• Nutrition. In spring and summer, "delicacies" buy ficus. They give them twice a month. It can be both mineral fertilizer and organic, or a combination of these top dressings (once a “mineral water” is given, the second time, two weeks later, organic). Important: nutrition is applied only when watering, ficus cannot be fed from a spray bottle.
• Diseases. If you take care of it correctly, Ali practically does not get sick. True, sometimes he still suffers from ailments. If its leaves wither and turn yellow, this may indicate an excess or lack of light (see the situation). Black, dry leaves scream that the plant has frozen, and the temperature has dropped sharply. And if dark (black or reddish) spots go from the bottom of the leaves, this is a fungus. Urgently treat the ficus with a fungicide, and cut off the diseased leaves and twigs.
• Pests. Sometimes scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids start up on the leaves. In order to drive them away, insecticides are bought. But before processing, wipe both the leaves and the stem with a piece of cotton dipped in soapy water, scraping the insects into the sink.
• Special conditions. Like other ficuses, Ali does not tolerate permutations. Having got used to one window sill, he can react painfully to relocation to another place (up to “scandals” with indicative leaf fall). Therefore, bringing the plant into the house, immediately select the window sill where the ficus will stand all its life. Great if it is southeast (for light or spotty leaves) or east (for strictly green leaves). And no drafts!

Transfer

The reasons for transplanting may be a suspicion of root rot (in this case, all roots are examined, all suspicious parts are cut off) or the banal growth of a ficus, in which its root system ceases to fit in a pot.

In the first case, an old pot is used, only before that it is sterilized (with a solution of potassium permanganate, boiling water). In the second pot, they buy a couple of centimeters larger than the old one.

Young ficuses (up to 4 years old) are transplanted every year. Older ones - once every 2-3 years.

If you have a real giant growing up to the ceiling, you don’t need to replant it (and how to cross an almost full-fledged tree?), Just feed Ali more often and change his top soil.

I can recommend several good recipes.

1. Turf, leaf land, peat, sand (in equal proportions).
2. Two shares of leaf and sod land, one share of humus, peat, sand.
3. Sand, peat, turf land (in equal quantities).

In the case of a healthy plant, use transshipment when transplanting. In a new pot, install the ficus together with the adhering soil, and fill the gap between it and the walls with fresh soil.

reproduction

The most popular and running method is cuttings.

Everything is done like this:

1. Cut off a healthy stem cutting in spring or summer.
2. Put it in a glass of water.
3. Root this branch in partial shade, at 20-24 degrees. If the room is hot, spray the cutting occasionally.
4. This baby should start rooting after 20 days.
5. As soon as the roots get stronger (as in the photo above), the ficus can be planted in the ground and considered small, but a tree.

And ficuses can be propagated by seeds. We sell such seeds (say, they are offered by the well-known company Gavrish). This is not the most popular method as it requires a lot of time and patience.

Reproduction is a process that, like transplantation, is carried out in the spring, as soon as the ficus has woken up. Propagated by Ali Benjamin stem cuttings, because they are well rooted.

We take a ficus mother and cut off the stalk.

Make sure that this process goes quickly - for this, use a sharp tool (secateurs, knife, scissors).

We put in a container with water at room temperature and into the light.

We are waiting for the roots, it will take about half a month.

Don't forget to add water. When they are already 2-3 centimeters long, they can be planted. Thus, stem cuttings are propagated by the Binnendik plant.

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megan92 13 days ago

Daria 12 days ago

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One of the most spectacular of its kind is the ficus Ali. This plant is used to decorate offices, apartments and winter gardens. The people called the flower ficus willow. By the way, the name was taken for a reason. The fact is that the leaf plates of the presented plant are very similar to willow leaves. The stem of the flower is massive, as are the branches. Although because of the splendor of all this is invisible. At home, the presented types of ficuses usually grow up to two meters.

Some believe that "Ali" is a specific plant variety. In fact, this is a whole group of several species that are very similar to each other. By the way, if the name Binnedijk ficus is found somewhere, then you should know that this is still the same “Ali”. The presented species was discovered back in the 19th century, and after that he gave a complete description, by a famous botanist, whose name was Simon Bennendijka. Actually, the flower was named in his honor.

The most popular varieties of ficus Ali

In nature today there are quite a few varieties of this plant. It would be very difficult to list them all. Therefore, it is necessary to single out those who are more often bred by flower growers.

These include:

• Amstel King;
• Amstel gold;
• Amstel queen.

The presented variety is used at home more often than others. The leaf plates of "Ali" are slightly different in their appearance, because they are somewhat wider than those of other species, which adds beauty and some grace to the plant.

Amstel King

Ficus Amstel King fell in love with gardeners for its sufficient unpretentiousness in care and originality. Long-leaved and broad-leaved "handsome" can become an ornament to any room. It is worth saying that the leaves of this variety sometimes reach a width of 7-8 cm.

Amstel gold

Ficus is often called Amstel green gold. The flower boasts an unusual color of leaf plates that have a green-yellow base, on which blotches are located in a different order. various forms all shades of green.

Amstel Queen

Some flower growers believe that this is an narrow-leaved plant only because its leaf plates are slightly smaller than those of Ali. Although the saturation of the colors of this ficus is striking in its splendor, encouraging people to purchase this particular variety.

Lighting Requirements

Despite the fact that the ficus Bennedik Amstel king is unpretentious flower, still the most simple rules care should be taken. One of these concerns lighting.

The plant is best placed in a shady place where direct sunlight does not fall.

Important! If the flower is placed in dark room the leaves will lose their color.

In winter, you can install a lighting lamp next to the flower, which will replace the sun for the plant.

It is worth remembering that the ficus does not like permutations, it does not even tolerate the turns of the pot. Therefore, the place where the flower will "dwell" is chosen in advance.

Setting the optimum temperature

The plant thrives at room temperature. Optimal indicators are considered to be +18 °C .. +25 °C. In winter, it is allowed that the temperature can drop to +16 °C. It is better not to allow strong drops, because the flower will begin to shed its leaves and hurt.

How to water properly

Ficus Ali, like other varieties, does not tolerate drought. Every gardener should know that the substrate is watered regularly, but not flooded. During the growing season, which lasts from spring to autumn, the plant is watered more abundantly, because at this moment the flower is actively growing and it needs “nutrition”. In winter, manipulation is performed less often.

Important! Do not forget about the irrigation of the ficus.

Soil mix for ficus

Ficuses do not fit the substrate for ordinary houseplants, they need a special soil, which is best prepared with your own hands. It won't take long, so don't be lazy.

To compile the substrate you need to take:

• two parts of sod land;
• two pieces of leafy or greenhouse land;
• one part of coal;
• quite a bit of charcoal.

After all the parts will need to be carefully displaced.

If you plan to transplant a young plant, then a slightly modified soil mixture is suitable for it, consisting of:

• sod land;
• peat;
• sand.

Ficus should never be planted in alkaline or acidic soil.

Ali's ficus diseases

By properly caring for ficus Ali, you can avoid many diseases that affect the flower.

Signs of ficus diseases are as follows:

1. Leaf plates wither, wither or fall off altogether. The reason often lies in the overflow of the plant, which leads to decay of the root system. Sometimes this takes place when rearranging the ficus.
2. The leaves lose their color, the flower does not grow at all or grows slowly, and the leaf plates fall off. Most likely, the ficus does not have enough light.
3. Leaf blades turn yellow or dry. Usually the reason lies in the bright sunlight on the leaves. It is necessary to spray the plant and put it away from the window.
4. Brown spots that appear on the leaves may be the result of too much high temperature in the room. Sometimes the reason lies in low air humidity or oversaturation with fertilizers. Once the situation is corrected, everything should be back to normal.

Pests

The most common uninvited "guests" are:

1. Shield or false shield.
2. Mealybug.
3. Spider mite.

Shield or false shield

Noticing that the leaves lose their color and quickly fall off, it can be assumed that the pest has taken over the plant. At the same time, small plaques of light or dark colors can be seen on the leaf plates. If the pest has only made itself felt, then you should wipe the leaves with a washcloth dipped in soapy water. At a later stage, you will need to use actellik.

Mealybug

spider mite

The presence of a spider mite is indicated by a white cobweb that appeared on the leaf plates. Given that these pests do not tolerate moisture, the flower must be well "bathed" in the shower. The procedure is carried out for several days. It will not be superfluous to create a greenhouse. To do this, you will need to cover the flower pot with a plastic bag and put it in a warm place for a couple of days. If this does not help, then the flower should be treated with actellik.

You can be sure that the ficus Ali will undoubtedly please the grower with its beauty, if you take care of it properly.

In the photo, ficus "Benedict":

Home care

The acquisition must be given time to acclimatize.

To do this, the ficus is put in a permanent place - well-lit, but without access to direct sunlight and left alone for a couple of weeks.

Only water when necessary.

Then the tropical guest is removed from the soil, the roots are washed and examined to identify problem areas - rotten and dried roots, the presence of soil pests.

All dead and rotten parts are cut off, and healthy tissues are disinfected with crushed activated or charcoal.

After the procedure, the ficus is transplanted into a suitable pot with a complete replacement of the soil.

Temperature

Ficus Benedict is afraid of the cold and does not survive when the temperature drops below 11-13°, but it also does not tolerate heat well, throwing off most of the green leaves.

Advice: Optimal content for 23-26° summer and 14-16 in winter.

The air should always be fresh, but without sudden changes in temperature, cold snaps and drafts.

The ficus is unlikely to endure a hot jet coming out of a heater, fan or air conditioner.

Watering

Tropical ficus does not tolerate complete drying of the soil in a pot in the same way as stagnant water.

It is optimal to moisten the plant when the earth dries to a depth of 3-4 cm and becomes crumbly.

Attention: Be sure to pour out the water that has collected in the pan so as not to cause root rot!

It is required to spray the green mass daily to create conditions close to natural - as a resident of the tropics, Benedict's ficus requires highly humidified air.

In dry periods, an open container with water or moistened stones can be placed next to the plant.

Bloom

At home, it practically does not bloom, only in natural conditions.

crown formation

Cutting must be done with early age to give some kind of permanent shape, while the ficus has flexible stems.

The procedure is carried out during active vegetation, trying not to touch the tree in winter and autumn, so as not to get a one-sided plant with an ugly skew.

The most suitable time- spring, when a rested flower has a large supply of new vitality and can grow evenly, developing many shoots at once.

When forming the crown, the physiological characteristics of the ficus Benedict are taken into account.

New stems appear from the lateral and apical buds, the latter developing much faster than the others and greatly inhibiting their growth.

Cutting off the top stimulates the awakening and subsequent activity of the lateral buds.

Crown can be made almost any- standard, in the form of a bush, bonsai, arc or ball.

In addition, there is ficus weaving and the formation of sculptures. What form to give to Benedict's ficus is up to you.

The pruning technique is simple. Using a sharply sharpened knife or secateurs, cut off the shoot above the kidney and wipe it with a clean sponge until the milky juice is released.

Then the wound is powdered with activated or charcoal powder to protect against infection.

Pathogenic fungus likes to attack such stumps.

Priming

The soil must be fertile and rich, but at the same time loose and breathable so that water does not linger in it.

For its preparation, sod and leaf soil, sand, humus, peat and loosening components such as perlite are used.

Landing and transplant

It is carried out in the spring, before the start of intensive development of the ficus.

Replanting every year is completely optional and even harmful - exotic doesn't like change and can get stressed.

The signal for transplantation is the rapid drying of the earth in a pot means that the root system has grown greatly and does not fit in containers.

In adult specimens, you can not change the soil, it is enough to pour the right amount of earth.

Thus, the risk of developing stressful conditions is reduced.

Young and actively growing ficuses require fresh, undepleted soil.

At the bottom of the new pot, a drainage layer is placed, consisting of any stones - broken brick, expanded clay, river and sea pebbles.

Thus, he signals the presence of unfavorable factors for him.

If the leaves first turn black and then fall off, there are sharp jumps in temperature.

Yellow and sluggish leaves hint at excessive lighting or waterlogging of the soil in a pot.

root rot

Ficus is wilted, does not straighten out even after watering and spraying, the soil in the pot dries out for a very long time, development stops - all these are symptoms of the development of fungal root rot.

The plant is urgently freed from the old soil, washing the roots in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and transplanted into a new land.

Carry out the treatment with fungicidal agents.

Pests

This tidbit can be attacked by scale insects, spider mites, aphids and whiteflies.

ficus benedict- undemanding to care for at home and a stylish plant that can be grown both in residential buildings and in offices to decorate the interior.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Also called ficus benedict and it is a species that is very common in home floriculture. In nature, it can be found in Southeast Asia. And this plant was named so, in honor of the person who first discovered this species and his name is Simon Benedict.

There are several varieties of this plant. Their appearance is somewhat unusual for ficuses. Ficus ali is quite unpretentious and undemanding to care for.

In nature, this evergreen plant reaches a height of 15-20 meters. It resembles a tree, as it has a smooth and fairly long trunk. It is covered with bark, which in adult specimens has a dark tint. On its surface there are stains of a pale shade.

Narrow, belt-like leaves are pointed at the tips. The branches of this ficus are drooping.

The color of the foliage is directly dependent on the variety of the plant, as well as on its habitat. It can be monophonic or variegated. In length, the leaves can reach 30 centimeters, and in width from 5 to 7 centimeters.

The leaf has a prominent vein that runs along it. In different directions from the central vein, lateral veins diverge, which are not so clearly visible. And the central vein bends the leaf in half, as if breaking it.

Ficus ali care at home

illumination

This is a fairly light-loving plant that needs bright, but at the same time diffused light. Variegated forms need especially good lighting. And forms with plain leaves feel quite good in partial shade conditions. It is recommended to place near an east or southeast window. It is necessary to protect the ficus from the draft. He can react extremely negatively to a change in illumination or climate.

Temperature regime

Pretty thermophilic plant. So, in the warm season, it feels good at a temperature of 22 to 24 degrees. In winter, it is desirable to maintain the temperature at 16 degrees. In summer, ficus requires a relatively large amount of light.

A sharp drop in temperature negatively affects the plant, especially if the temperature of the soil in the flower pot drops significantly. Ficus should not be placed near heaters or air conditioners. He does not like stagnant air, so the room must be regularly ventilated, but be sure to remove the flower away from the draft.

Humidity

Not very demanding on air humidity. Feels best at moderate humidity (from 50 to 70 percent). If the room is hot, which is often the case in summer, then the foliage must be regularly sprayed without fail. For this purpose, warm, well-settled water is suitable. You also need to humidify the air in the room.

Earthmixture

You can buy a ready-made earthen mixture for palm trees or ficuses in a special store. You can also cook it yourself.

1 option: mix sod land, peat and sand, taken in equal proportions.

Option 2: for an adult specimen, it is necessary to combine sheet and sod land, sand, peat and humus, which should be taken in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1: 1.

3 option: also for adult plants, an earth mixture is suitable, consisting of leafy and soddy soil, sand and peat, taken in equal proportions.

How to water

Water after the top layer dries a couple of centimeters deep. If the earth is crumbly, then the ficus needs watering. Water from the pan must be removed in time, otherwise the root system will begin to rot.

Fertilizer

Feed in the spring-summer period 1 time in 2 weeks. To do this, use organic and mineral fertilizers, while they should be alternated. In winter, fertilizers are not applied to the soil. Fertilizers should be applied only to the soil, they cannot be sprayed on the plant. It is also recommended to dissolve the necessary ficuses in water for irrigation. nutrients, which can be bought at a flower shop.

Transplant Features

Transplanted as needed, for example, when the root system no longer fits in a pot. When transplanting, take a pot a little more than the previous one. At the same time, young plants are transplanted once a year, and adult specimens (4–5 years old) are transplanted 2 times a year.

Only part of the new earth is poured into the pot, and the remaining space is filled with the old. For mature plants, the use of fresh soil is optional. In large ficuses, it is recommended to replace the top layer of the substrate once a year. This should be done during the period of intensive growth (spring and summer).

You can propagate by cuttings, which take root quite easily. The stem cutting is cut off in the spring and summer. Water is used for rooting. Place the cutting in a slightly shaded area. The temperature should be maintained between 20 and 25 degrees.

In the heat, it is necessary to systematically humidify the air. As a rule, after 3 weeks, the cutting takes root and is planted in the soil.

Diseases

The plant is quite resistant to diseases and harmful insects very rarely settle on it. In the event that you take care of the plant, observing all the rules, then it will not get sick.

Possible diseases

1. Withered withered leaves- there is either a lot of light for a plant, or a little.
2. Leaves turn black and die- most likely there are frequent sudden changes in temperature with drops of at least 7 degrees.
3. Dark dots or specks appear on the wrong side of the foliage- This fungal disease(cercospore or anthracnose). As a rule, anthracnose is manifested by a reddish bloom on the trunk. If you do not detect and get rid of this disease in time, then the ficus dies or all the leaves die off.

Pests

It has a whitish color and a cottony texture. Most often settles on branches and on the basis of leaves. If the plant is watered, then whitish lumps can be clearly seen on the surface of the soil.

Has a yellowish color. She settles on leaves and stems and looks like a small tubercle.

Placed closer to the peduncle.

If water stagnates in the soil, this can provoke the appearance of spider mites or centipedes.

If you notice pests on the ficus, then carefully remove them with a moistened sponge and give the plant a warm shower. If centipedes or spider mites are wound up, then in this case you will need complete replacement soil. Even flower growers are advised to use a solution of water with soap and alcohol. So, for 1 liter of pure water, you need to take 1 large spoonful of alcohol and 1 small spoonful of laundry soap. Everything is thoroughly mixed, and then the affected areas are washed with this mixture with a sponge.

mulberry family. Ficus binnendiyka comes from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the extent of its distribution from the foothills of the Himalayas, through Nepal, Burma, Thailand, and to Vietnam, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Philippines. It has spread in other parts of the world in countries with a tropical climate, it is also popular in the USA, it is grown on the streets in parks and gardens. Grows in all but the wettest and driest habitats of all major islands, best in rocky and rocky open areas.

These are evergreen trees or shrubs that grow in nature about 20 m in height, at home about 1.5 m. It has a powerful root system, very aggressive in favorable conditions. The leaves are shiny, dark green, about 25-30 cm long and 6-7 wide. As with all ficuses, when cut or broken, sticky white milky juice is released from any part of the plant.

Description Vitaly Alenkin (Vitaly): Ficus binnendijkii Miquel- the bark of young shoots is light green. Young shoots quickly become woody. On trunks and lateral shoots of middle-aged plants, the bark is dark brown, rough, with white strokes, partially exfoliates in the form of small gray pieces (ribbons). In mature plants, the bark is light gray with white strokes.

Young leaves on the tops of the shoots are tubular twisted, in light green stipules. The latter, after opening the leaf, dry up and fall off. Fully formed leaves are lanceolate (outwardly reminiscent of oleander leaves), slightly concave along the midrib (in the form of a "boat"), smooth to the touch, hard, glossy with a pointed apex and a triangular base, from 25 to 30 cm long and up to 4-4.5 cm wide. The leaf blade is dark green above, dull green below, with a pronounced powerful yellow-green central vein. Petiole 3-4 cm.

Ficus binnendiyka Ali "Alii"
Its leaves are much wider than those of the original type of ficus binnendiyka; the rest of the features are the same. This variety is more often used than the species in landscaping apartments, offices, winter gardens.

Ficus binnendiyka Amstel King "Amstel King"
The leaf blade is wider and reaches 7 cm. In fact, Amstel King and Amstel Queen cultivars are very difficult to distinguish.

Ficus Binnendiyka Amstel Queen "Amstel Queen"
A variety (more correctly a cultivar) with an intermediate width of the leaf blade between Amstel King and Ali.

Ficus binnendiyka Amstel Gold "Amstel Gold"
The leaves are very showy coloring; on a light yellow-green background, patches of green of different shades are scattered, from dark green to light green.

Among flower growers, you can hear the names "ficus willow" related to the binnendiyka ficus. The leaves of this ficus do indeed resemble willow in shape, but this is a folk name, not a botanical one.

Ficus binnendey care

Temperature: moderate, optimal in the range of 20-25°C, in winter it is possible to keep at lower temperatures of about 16-18°C, with limited watering, the limit is 13°C with a dry content. With sudden changes in temperature, it can drop leaves.

Lighting: bright diffused light, light partial shade. With a lack of light, the shoots stretch out, the leaves thin out. From direct sunlight in the hot afternoon can get burns. Variegated varieties like Amstel Gold needs more intense light, with some sunlight in the morning or evening.

In general, ficus binnendiyka (Ficus Ali) is very undemanding to light, for example, on the northern windowsill of a window, even shaded from the street by houses or a balcony, it will grow without losing leaves, but only very slowly, growing by about 2-3 cm per year. height, while on a bright window it can grow by 10-15 cm per year.

Watering: moderate in summer, the topsoil should dry out completely. In winter, when light and temperature decrease, watering is limited to such an extent that the soil dries out completely. Ficus Ali and other Binnendiyka varieties tolerate severe dryness, but die from waterlogging.

Air humidity: leaves can be sprayed, especially in hot, dry weather in summer and in winter when central heating is on. If the size of the pot allows, then once every two weeks you can wear ficus binnendiyka in the shower, while covering the ground from water.

Fertilizing: from March to August, once every two to three weeks, they are fed with fertilizers for decorative and deciduous plants.

Reproduction: cuttings that easily root in water in good light, as well as air layering. Cut cuttings about 15 to 25 cm long. Just put in a jar of water, it takes from a month to three to form roots. But it is much faster than rooting in a greenhouse in the ground. To prevent the water in the jar from blooming, change it every 2 days.

Shaping appearance: ficus binnendiyka - a large plant, with good care, an adult plant requires periodic pruning to maintain a compact shape. You can grow a ficus in the form of a stem, or by braiding the trunks of several cuttings planted in one pot. Even if you don’t form Ali’s ficus in any way, it will still grow into a beautiful lush empty.

How to transplant ficus Ali

Young ficuses are transplanted annually in the spring, into fresh soil. But if it turns out that the roots have not grown too much, there is a lot of free land, plant it in the same pot, only replacing the soil with fresh one.

Old binnendiyka ficuses are transplanted every 2-3 years, but you can add fresh fertile soil every year by removing the top 2-3 cm of old soil.

The soil for ficuses should be loose and nutritious. Such a mixture is suitable: turf land 2 parts, sheet or greenhouse 1 part, you can add chopped pine bark, vermiculite and charcoal. An important condition is good drainage to the bottom of the pot, and the acidity of the soil should be slightly acidic, or close to neutral (pH 5.5-6.5). Ficus does not tolerate alkaline and too acidic substrates. The pot should be fairly stable, and not too spacious. The volume of the pot is increased when the roots fill almost the entire volume.

By the way

The most common variety of Ficus binnendika Ali. Very often the name of the species is skipped and shortened to ficus Ali.

About air humidity

Ficus bennendica is very tolerant of dry air in apartments. Spraying and showering have purely hygienic purposes, and also serve as a preventive measure against spider mites.

Here is how Vitaly answers the question why a few new leaves of a purchased ficus are very fragile and, as it were, wavy:

At first, Ali will develop curled leaves due to lack of air humidity, but this does not mean that you need to rush around him with a spray bottle. Over time, the plant will get used to the humidity that you have and will grow beautiful straight leaves.

Growing problems

Growing ficus binnendika for 8 years along with ficus benjamin, I would like to note some features of its content, without claiming authority:

In ficus binnendik, unlike benjamin, cuttings take root more reluctantly. In order for the cutting to give roots for sure, you need to cut a branch of at least 15-20 cm and leave 3-4 leaves on it. And you need to cut the cuttings in May-July. Root in water or moist vermiculite, in a bright place. It improves rooting by heating the cutting so that the water temperature is around 24-25°C.

Unlike ficus benjamin, binnendika is more often affected by mites, especially in winter during the heating season or in summer, exposed on the balcony in hot weather. At the same time, the tips of the leaves may begin to dry in the ficus. The only salvation is hanging the batteries with wet towels, or installing a humidifier directly under the ficus.

Excessive watering is detrimental to ficus Ali, as well as to all other ficuses, the plant easily rots, sheds leaves. Ficus also suffers from sudden fluctuations in temperature, for example, if it stands in the summer in the garden and on the balcony, and it gets colder at night. Also, the plant reacts painfully to drafts. In winter, opening the window, rearrange the ficus from cold air currents, otherwise the branches dry out, twist, the leaves fly around.

Ficus Ali is very light tolerant, but it is not a small plant and grows quickly under good conditions. After a while, it is no longer cleaned on the windowsill and you have to look for a place for it in the room. I would like to warn against placing the pot on the floor, near the balcony door (it can be dark there if the leaves are not at the level of the glass, and cold - drafts).

The temptation is great to put a pot of ficus against the wall of the room, for example, next to the sofa. The large Ficus Ali tree looks really impressively beautiful, but only as long as it has enough light. Then a beautiful tree can begin to "bald". To prevent this from happening, it needs to be illuminated with lamps.

But you can use lamps with conventional E27 or E14 cartridges, put a fluorescent or LED light bulb with a wide or narrow base. For a ficus up to 50 cm high, a 20 W fluorescent lamp or an LED lamp with a power of 5-7 W is sufficient.