Ficus benjamina

In the conditions of natural growth, Ficus Benjamina (Ficus benjamina) can develop to the size of a large tree (in Ceylon, there are specimens that can hide more than 200 people under the crown). It is a shrub with thin drooping shoots, the leaves are oval with a pointed tip. Their color, light green at an early stage, becomes dark green as the plant matures. Many varieties and varieties with green or variegated foliage are derived from the botanical species. Ficus Benjamin is undoubtedly the most common of the tropical plants that are used for indoor landscaping. For this reason, over the past two decades, its cultivars have been the object of research on acclimatization of plants in indoor conditions. In areas with mild climates, this plant can simply be cultivated outdoors. Of the common variegated varieties, the ficus of Benjamin 'Exotica' is interesting, the leaves of which have a strong gloss, and the young stems and central leaf veins have a brownish color. The 'Naked' variety has shorter and narrower leaves than the' Exotic ' variety, slightly wavy, and the side shoots are partially drooping. Variety 'Folol', derived from the variety 'Naked', looks similar to it, but has more matte leaves of smaller size. The variety 'Israel' is similar to 'Exotic', but its leaves are larger, the shoots are drooping, and the stems are gray in color. Benjamin's ficus 'Golden King' is similar to the original botanical one type: leaves with whitish or ivory edging with gray-green spots. The Starlight variety is characterized by dark green foliage with a white border. The 'Dwarf golden' has very small pea-green leaves; with age, a gray tint appears; the edges of the leaves are white. The variety 'Dwarf star' is similar to 'Dwarf golden', but the leaves are even smaller, with a wide white border. Especially beautiful is the variegated variety 'Hawaii' with leaves decorated with pure white spots.

In the conditions of natural growth, Ficus Benjamina (Ficus benjamina) can develop to the size of a large tree (in Ceylon, there are specimens that can hide more than 200 people under the crown). It is a shrub with thin drooping shoots, the leaves are oval with a pointed tip. Their color, light green at an early stage, becomes dark green as the plant matures.

Many varieties and varieties with green or variegated foliage are derived from the botanical species. Ficus Benjamin is undoubtedly the most common of the tropical plants that are used for indoor landscaping. For this reason, over the past two decades, its cultivars have been the object of research on acclimatization of plants in indoor conditions. In areas with mild climates, this plant can simply be cultivated outdoors.

Of the common variegated varieties, the ficus of Benjamin 'Exotica' is interesting, the leaves of which have a strong gloss, and the young stems and central leaf veins have a brownish color. The 'Naked' variety has shorter and narrower leaves than the' Exotic ' variety, slightly wavy, and the side shoots are partially drooping. Variety 'Folol', derived from the variety 'Naked', looks similar to it, but has more matte leaves of smaller size. The variety 'Israel' is similar to 'Exotic', but its leaves are larger, the shoots are drooping, and the stems are gray in color. Benjamin's ficus 'Golden King' is similar to the original botanical one type: leaves with whitish or ivory edging with gray-green spots. The Starlight variety is characterized by dark green foliage with a white border. The 'Dwarf golden' has very small pea-green leaves; with age, a gray tint appears; the edges of the leaves are white. The variety 'Dwarf star' is similar to 'Dwarf golden', but the leaves are even smaller, with a wide white border. Especially beautiful is the variegated variety 'Hawaii' with leaves decorated with pure white spots.

Cultivation

During the summer months, the plant can be kept outdoors, protected from wind and direct sunlight. Benjamin ficus usually adapts easily when moving from a greenhouse to a normal dwelling, only in some cases it loses its foliage, and if the loss of foliage is significant, the plant can die. Ficus should be placed in a protected place, in pots of various sizes, filled with light, rich in organic substances, soil. Fertilizers are periodically applied, mainly nitrogen: they are added to irrigation water. To always maintain a low level of salt content in the soil, you should alternate watering with fertilizer and watering with rainwater.

Location

It is important that in a closed room ficus Benjamin was in a well-lit place, only in summer a light shade is allowed.

Temperature

Different types of ficus require different winter temperatures. For ficus Benjamin, a minimum temperature of 13-15 °C and a maximum of 25-28 °C are acceptable. Do not place the plant near a heat source.

Watering

The frequency of watering depends on the season. The volume of irrigation is reduced in autumn, and even more in winter. Each time, before watering, you should check the level of soil moisture, but ficuses do not tolerate over-drying of the earthen lump.

Transplant

In the early phase of plant development (until it reaches a height of 1 m), ficus Benjamin is transplanted into a new container annually in the spring, using a pot 1-2 sizes larger than the previous one. Transplanting into a new vessel already grown (more than 1 m in height) ficus Benjamin is carried out every 2-3 years, always in the spring. The plant is removed from the pot along with a lump of earth and part of the old soil is replaced with a new one.

Care

It is recommended to remove dust from the leaves more often by wiping them with a damp sponge.

Reproduction

Ficus Benjamin is propagated by apical cuttings, placing them for rooting in a protected place at a temperature of 20-22 °C. All variegated varieties grow more slowly than green-leaved ones.

Diseases

Ficus Benjamin is susceptible to many fungal diseases and pest attacks. At home, most often due to contrasting temperature changes or changes in light conditions, small watery yellowish spots appear on the leaves, which gradually swell and harden. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to avoid sharp fluctuations in the temperature in the room and excess water in the soil.

Acquisition

If you purchase Benjamin ficus in spring instead of late summer, it will lose fewer leaves when transplanted or moved. It is desirable that the plant has leaves at the base of the stem. Make sure that there is no damage to the leaves.