Ficus microcarpa - the first steps to the art of bonsai. Secrets of successful cultivation of ficus microcarp Ficus small-fruited care at home

One of the most spectacular decorative indoor plants is considered to be a miniature bonsai tree ficus microcarpa.

Caring for him at home is not particularly difficult, the main thing is to follow certain recommendations in growing this representative of tropical flora.

This plant will decorate any interior, bringing a touch of sophisticated

Ficus microcarpa. Care immediately after purchase

Ficus microcarp or small-fruited ficus is an evergreen tree native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Southern China, Southeast Asia, and Northern Australia. This plant got its name due to the small size of the fruit (translated from the Greek "mikros" - small and "karpos" - fruit).

Under natural habitat conditions, it reaches a very impressive size (up to 25 meters in height) and has a wide and dense crown. Most often, it is located on the trunks of other plants, leading the life of an epiphyte. The fact is that the numerous aerial roots of the flower are weak and cannot serve as a reliable support.

The leaves are oval, pointed at the ends, smooth, shiny, located on short petioles. The color of the foliage is dark green, the bark is gray. The fruits are small, initially colored yellow-green, but by maturity they change color to purple.

Ficus microcarpa, which is cared for in accordance with all the rules, is easy to shape and the result is an elegant indoor bonsai.

In specialized stores, you can buy both very young plants and more mature indoor trees, formed in various styles and shapes.

Immediately after the purchase, it is necessary to allocate a permanent place, reliably protected from direct sunlight and drafts. This indoor plant does not need bright lighting, on the contrary, it feels much better in partial shade and some distance from the window.

Ficus microcarp needs a sufficiently high humidity, and therefore it should be sprayed daily, starting from the very first day of appearance in the apartment.

Also, do not place the plant in rooms with dry air, near heating appliances, batteries. Do not forget to check the soil moisture, it is easy to do - just feel the substrate in a pot at a depth of one phalanx of your finger.

In the first 1-2 weeks of staying in a new place, the small-fruited ficus may begin to shed its leaves - this is how it reacts to changing conditions. Keep spraying and watering the plant regularly and it will soon adapt and produce new leaves.

If the ficus was bought in a small plastic pot intended for transportation, it will need to be transplanted into a more comfortable container. However, this should be done no earlier than 2-3 weeks after the end of the adaptation period.

Features of growing ficus microcarp

Location

Ficus microcarpa prefers a moderately lit place, away from direct sunlight. Like all types of ficus with dark foliage, it is shade-tolerant and can grow in partial shade.

Having decided on a suitable place for the plant, you need to try to rearrange it as little as possible, otherwise it may drop leaves. To stop this process, it is recommended to spray the ficus with a solution of the Epin biostimulator.

Temperature

The most comfortable temperature for small-fruited ficus is 17-23 degrees Celsius. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the plant does not experience sharp temperature fluctuations, otherwise it may lose most of the foliage. In addition, the cause of leaf fall can be a lack of moisture, the use of cold water for irrigation, drafts. Ficus microcarp, the care of which requires certain knowledge, is a rather whimsical flower, and you need to be patient when growing it.

Humidity

Small-fruited ficus needs daily spraying, 1-2 times a day, depending on the dryness of the air in the room where the plant is located. During its moistening, it is necessary to ensure that the main part of the water falls on the foliage, and not on the trunk. It is also recommended to regularly wipe the bonsai leaves with a damp cloth.

Watering

Like most representatives of tropical flora, microcarp ficus is very fond of moisture. However, excessive soil moisture is detrimental to the flower: its roots can rot, and the plant itself will die.

Water for irrigation is recommended to use soft, well-settled (at least 12 hours), room temperature. In the spring and summer, the flower requires more active watering, and in winter it is more moderate, while all the time it is necessary to ensure that the earthen ball in the pot does not dry out and the water does not stagnate in the pan.

Tracking the frequency of watering is easy: between waterings, the earth should have time to dry to a depth of at least 2-3 cm.

Feeding and transplanting

top dressing

You need to start feeding the plant from early spring to mid-canopy. For these purposes, you can use both a universal organic or mineral fertilizer, and a special fertilizer for bonsai. It should be applied to the ground that is still damp after watering, once every two weeks.

In the period from November to February, it is enough to feed the ficus microcarp once a month, while the dose of fertilizer should be half the usual.

The plant also responds well to foliar feeding when a small amount of a suitable fertilizer is added to the foliar spray water.

substrate

As a substrate for ficus microcarp, a mixture of equal parts of sand, clay granulate and picking earth is well suited. You can also purchase a special primer designed for ficuses in the store.

Transfer

It is recommended to transplant the plant every 2-3 years, in the spring. There is no need for an annual transplant, since the trunk of a small-fruited ficus grows very slowly. However, the substrate is recommended to be updated periodically, otherwise the flower will start to hurt.

Don't worry if the plant starts dropping leaves after transplanting - this is a normal process. After a period of adaptation, the foliage will recover.

During transplantation, you need to be very careful not to damage the roots. It is necessary to transfer the ficus into a new pot along with the old clod of earth, adding a new substrate in the required amount. The pot must be with holes for water drainage, and at its bottom - drainage 2-3 cm high.

Formation of small-fruited ficus

Due to the fact that the trunk of the ficus microcarp is able to grow intensively in width, and its shoots are very plate, the plant can be easily formed for every taste.

To get a powerful trunk, in young plants it is recommended to cut it repeatedly and strongly. Also, when shortening the trunk, a large number of leaves are also removed, which significantly reduces the ficus's need for moisture.

The direction of the branches can be formed with a wire. If they grow too thick, then with shoots up to 20 cm long, they can be pruned.

In the case of the formation of strong branches in shoots up to 5 cm, you can remove the top - so you get a branched crown of your bonsai.

Ficus microcarpa - care and possible difficulties

The appearance of dark spots on the leaves and rotting of the roots indicates excessive watering.

With a lack of moisture, the plant noticeably weakens and begins to shed its leaves.

Drafts, sudden changes in temperature, lack of light and watering with cold water can also cause foliage loss.

Infection of a plant with a spider mite indicates too low humidity in the room where the ficus microcarp grows. Care for him in this case should be aimed at eliminating the cause of infection and controlling pests of indoor plants.

Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees. This philosophy originated in the 8th-10th century in China. In Europe, art has always been of great interest, and today it is also very popular. Ficus microcarp produces fruits under natural conditions, but it almost never blooms in an apartment. The peculiarity of this species is in the partially bare root system, which forms interesting shapes.

Description

The ficus microcarp is native to the Japanese Islands, Northern Australia, Southeast China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It grows in coastal forest, on river banks, sometimes in the mountains and deep in the thicket of the forest.

There are several varieties of this type:

var. crassifolia;
oluangpiensis;
fuyuensis;
nitida;
pusillifolia.

Popular varieties:

"Green Gem" - the crown of plants is densely leafy;
"Westland" - leaf blades grow up to 11 cm long, 5 cm wide;
"Moklam" - leaves of small size, dark green hue, rounded;
"Variegata" - the leaves of the plant have a variegated color.

It is believed that ficuses protect home comfort and contribute to the preservation of stable relationships. These plants purify indoor air.

There is an opinion that Buddhist monks brought bonsai to Japan in the 6th century. Niches of houses were decorated with such trees. According to one legend, the emperor ordered the creation of a miniature empire with rivers, mountains, houses and trees. His subjects came up with miniature trees to fulfill the order.

How to care for ficus microcarp at home?

The plant is photophilous, but under bright rays its leaves lose color, so it is better to place the tree in partial shade.

The soil substrate should be moderately moist. Before watering the plant, make sure that the earth ball is dry. If there is excessive moisture, the leaves will begin to fall. Ficus microcarp leaves should be sprayed with cool boiled water.

In summer, the tree can be kept outdoors, in winter it is necessary to maintain the temperature in the room in the range of + 18 ... + 24 degrees.

In order to form a beautiful tree, you need to cut the tops of the shoots in the spring and summer.

In winter, the microcarp ficus is placed near the window or additionally illuminated with lamps.

Leaves turn yellow and fall: what to do?

The reason for this phenomenon may be insufficient watering. Also, this phenomenon can provoke dry air, insufficient lighting, especially in winter. These possible causes must be eliminated. If it is not possible to provide the tree with additional lighting, you need to wait for spring - then new leaves should appear. If the leaves turn yellow little by little, care may be disturbed and the microcarp ficus is deficient in nutrients. He needs to be fed.

Crown shaping and pruning

When forming the crown of a tree, the following recommendations must be observed:

removal of the apical bud stimulates the growth of the lateral ones, a lush bush is formed;
if pruning is carried out in the spring, a lush crown will form.

Pruning of the main shoot is carried out at a height of 10-15 cm. The growth of axillary shoots is activated, they are pinched when they reach 10 cm. In order for the shoots to develop evenly, the plant is turned to the sun in different directions.

Plant pruning is carried out in the spring. Achieve the following goals:

the plant is rejuvenated due to fouling with new shoots;
the tree acquires the required shape;
branching begins in the right place;
the direction of growth of the branches changes.

For sanitary purposes, pruning is done at any time of the year. Cut the plant 2-3 weeks before transplanting into a new container. Weak and diseased plants do not undergo formative pruning.

How to transplant?

After the purchase, the plant adapts for 2-3 weeks, and then it is transplanted into another container. For planting ficus microcarp, they acquire a special substrate.

As a rule, a tree is transplanted every 2-3 years in the spring. Periodically, the substrate needs to be updated. The plant is planted by transshipment so as not to damage the root system. The container must have holes to remove excess moisture. A layer of drainage 2-3 cm high is poured at the bottom of the flowerpot.

How to propagate ficus microcarp?

There are the following ways to propagate this plant:

Cuttings - produced from late January to September. You can use apical, semi-lignified shoots. They are kept in water at room temperature until roots appear. Then they are transplanted into a flowerpot under a film, which is removed after the leaves appear.
Air layers. On a long shoot, leaves are removed in a selected place, the bark is cleaned in this place, treated with Kornevin, wrapped in moistened moss, and then covered with a film. When the roots appear, the shoot is cut off, the film is removed, the shoot, together with the moss, is planted in the substrate.
Root offspring. A part of the root is cut off, kept in water for a couple of hours, then planted in a soil substrate, leaving 3 cm on the surface. Cover with a film on top, regularly water and ventilate. After the appearance of the leaves, the film is removed.

Diseases and pests: methods of treatment

The plant can get sick due to inappropriate care or improper maintenance. Most often, ficus microcarp affects aphids and spider mites. They appear as small black dots or thin cobwebs on branches. Home care consists in treating the tree with soapy water. If this is not enough, then the ficus is transplanted or an insecticide solution is used.

If the irrigation regime is not observed and excessive waterlogging occurs, the plant is affected by fungal infections. In this case, sanitary pruning is carried out, the tree is treated with a fungicide solution and the intensity of watering is reduced.

Grow a unique bonsai in your home, this is an incredibly exciting process. Properly take care of the plant, devote enough time to it, provide the required care, and it will certainly please you with a beautiful appearance and positive emotions.

Ficus microcarpa got its name because of the appearance of the fruit. The fact is that it is very small and reaches only one centimeter. A small fruit in Greek sounds like mikros karpos, hence its name. The plant is native to southeast Asia, northern Australia and southern China.

It is noteworthy that wild ficus can be huge and reach a height of 25 meters. Its crown is very fluffy and dense, and small-fruited domestic ficuses are just dwarfs compared to them. Usually they grow no more than one and a half meters, and some species are quite tiny, and they are grown in the bonsai style.

General characteristics and varieties

The main external feature of the microcarp ficus is that its root system is bare and rises above the soil surface and takes on the most unusual forms.

The foliage of the plant is slightly elongated and oval in shape, 5-10 centimeters long, the leaves can be 3-5 centimeters wide. Their top is pointed. The upper part of the leaf is smooth and shiny, with a thin skin. They are attached to the branches alternately with the help of a short petiole. There are several varieties of small-fruited ficus:

Rules for home care

In order for the plant to grow well, it needs special care. It is very important to choose the right place. Microcarp does not like when it gets direct sunlight, so it is preferable to place it where there is a shadow or partial shade. It should not be placed on the windowsill near the battery in winter.

As for the temperature, he loves the heat. He is comfortable at a temperature that is slightly higher than room temperature: about 25-30 degrees. Heat is necessary not only for the part that is above the ground, but also for the root system, so in winter it is not recommended to leave it on the windowsill or place it on the floor.

Ficus watering is required all year round. Do it more often during the summer. It is important to ensure that the earthen coma does not dry out.

If the indoor flower does not have enough moisture, then this can be understood by external signs:

the plant becomes lethargic;
leaves begin to fall.

In winter, watering should be moderate and not too plentiful. Too much moisture can cause root rot and leaf spots.

Ficus microcarp is very sensitive to the composition of water, so watering should be done only with water that has already settled for at least 12 hours, and its temperature is equal to room temperature.

Humidity is also very important. This plant requires high humidity - it just needs it. If the humidity is lowered, then the indoor flower becomes lethargic and more susceptible to various diseases and pests. In view of this, it should be sprayed daily with water and wipe the leaves with a damp soft cloth.

Ficus responds positively to top dressing, so fertilizers can be applied periodically to the soil. From time to time it can be sprayed with a weak solution of mineral fertilizers. For the soil, special formulations designed for indoor deciduous plants are suitable.

If the flower is grown in the bonsai style, then it is better to use special fertilizers for top dressing. It should be remembered that all dressings are applied only to moist soil.

Transplant and reproduction

Frequent repotting is not required. Ficus microcarp should be transplanted approximately every two years to renew the substrate. Often it is not necessary to transplant it, because the trunk grows very slowly and practically does not increase in size. It is better to transplant the plant in the spring. In this case, it is necessary to remember about the placement of a drainage layer in the pot.

To give the flower a beautiful and neat look, it is cut off. This is how the necessary crown is formed, but this should be done in spring or autumn.

There are three main ways to reproduce ficus:

cuttings;
reproduction by layering;
seed reproduction.

For cuttings, not completely stiffened shoots are suitable, which are cut from the top of the tree. Then they are placed in water, which should be drained after a day. It will contain a large amount of milky juice.

Then the water is changed and the cutting is put back into it. A small amount of ash should be added - this helps to avoid rotting. After the roots appear, it is planted in a container and covered with a transparent cap on top - so it is necessary to keep it until the first leaves appear.

It should be noted that microcarp juice is a strong allergen, therefore, with such manipulations, contact with the skin should be avoided.

You can try to propagate the plant with layering. In this case, in an adult tree, it is necessary to retreat from the crown of 55-60 centimeters. Then you need to cut off the bark from the trunk - a section equal to about 10 centimeters. Wrap the resulting bare spot with wet sphagnum and film. In about a month, roots should appear in this place. The branch is cut along with the crown and roots and planted in a separate container.

Ficus microcarpa bonsai can also be grown from seeds, but this method is more complicated and time consuming. Usually the seeds are planted in the spring. The quality of the planting material and the conditions in which it was stored are very important. If the storage conditions were not properly observed, then they simply lose their germination. Before planting the seeds, they need to be stratified, and a layer of drainage should be laid on the bottom of the tank and only then the soil should be poured.

Possible diseases and pests

Plant diseases are most often provoked by improper care of it. Often, insect pests can move from neighboring flowers, especially if they are located close to each other. The most common insects on the plant include aphids and spider mites. In order not to miss their appearance, you should regularly inspect the flower. Pests may hide on the underside of the leaves, or cobwebs may be present on the stems.

With a similar ailment, you can treat the ground part of the plant with a soapy solution. After that, it is better to transplant the ficus into a new land. If pests reappear, then treat with insecticidal agents.

If the plant is watered too much I, then fungal diseases can begin to spread. At the same time, dark or light spots begin to appear on the aerial part of the root. If this happens, then the damaged areas must be removed and the ficus treated with fungicidal agents. Watering should be reduced.

Sometimes ficus microcarp sheds leaves. What to do worries many flower growers. This is observed when an indoor flower is kept in a room that is too cold for it or in a draft. It is necessary to place the ficus in those conditions in which it will be comfortable.

His homeland is Southeast Asia. The growth of this plant in nature 20-25 meters. Its peculiarity is a thin, smooth trunk and a lush, dark green crown. The scientific name is Ficus microcarpa.

It got its name because of the miniature fruits that appear on it in the wild. At home, neither flowering nor fruit can be obtained, since there are no conditions for its pollination.

In indoor floriculture, it is most often grown in the Bonsai style. This miniature tree is, in fact, a copy of an Asian relative.

The plant has lanceolate, wide leaves, smooth in texture, on short petioles. The surface of the leaves seems to be rubbed with wax.

When flowering, like all members of the family, it forms spherical, purple, small inflorescences (syconia). They are more like berries.

Benefit and harm

Its leaves purify the air by absorbing harmful substances.

At the same time, it also has harmful properties.

The juice released when cutting the shoots can cause allergies, skin irritation. Therefore, all manipulations are advised to be carried out with gloves.

Home care

Growing this type of Bonsai style, it is given a special form, consisting of a bizarre interlacing of roots. They are located above the pot and look like a sculptural statue, decorated with a dense crown.

But in order to grow such beauty, the grower will have to follow some rules.

Immediately allocate him a place where he will be kept permanently. It should be bright, but without direct sunlight, protected from drafts.

The first two weeks in the house - a period of adaptation to new conditions. Ficus can drop leaves, but it's not scary. It needs to be transplanted from the shipping container, but only after 3 weeks.

Start spraying immediately after purchase, and postpone watering for two days.

A photo

In the photo ficus "Microcarpa":

He needs a regular transplant. They do it once every two or three years.

It is not necessary to replant annually, but partial soil replacement is recommended. Transfer to a new container is carried out together with the old substrate.

The exception is a transplant after purchase. The substrate in which the plants are sold is not suitable for long-term cultivation and is completely replaced.

Before the procedure, the plant is not watered so that the roots are easier to clean. A layer of drainage is poured into a new container, then soil for ficus. The mixture can be purchased ready-made, special.

If this is not possible, make it yourself from leafy turf, sand and peat in equal amounts.

To maintain low acidity, charcoal is added to the composition.

In the center of the pot or slightly shifting, they put a tree and fill the empty space with soil. Seal it by lightly tapping on the container.

The size of the pot should be 3-4 centimeters larger than the previous one. If you do not want the ficus to grow in size, you can not change the dishes, but only replace the soil mixture.

Soil composition features

The composition is selected depending on age.

Leaf turf - 1 hour.
Sand-1h.
Peat - 1 hour.
Wood ash - 0.5 tsp.

Leafy ground - 2 hours.
Turf - 2 hours
Sand - 1 hour
Humus - 1 hour
Wood ash - 0.5 tsp.

How long to water the ficus "Microcarp"?

Drying of the soil should not be allowed, water the ficus regularly. Water is used soft, room temperature.

Check the condition of the soil with your finger, sticking it into the pot. Sticky soil indicates that there is no need to water yet.

When watering, the earthen ball should be completely saturated. Water should seep into the pan, then it is drained.

IMPORTANT: Do not waterlog the soil, the roots will rot from this.

Temperature

The optimum air temperature is 25-30 degrees. Main condition - Do not lower the temperature below 16. Moreover, both the air and the soil should be warm. In winter, the ficus can become supercooled on the windowsill or cold floor and die. To prevent this from happening, do not keep it near cold windows and do not place it on the floor.

Air humidity

He does not need abundant humidity, it is enough to maintain a level of 50-60%. However, on hot summer days and in winter, during heating operation, humidity is reduced to 30-40%.

Frequent spraying, the use of a humidifier, and decorative fountains help to solve the problem.

fertilizers

Top dressing is a necessary condition for growing.
Fertilize Microcarp from spring to autumn.

You can use a general purpose leafy plant fertilizer or a special bonsai fertilizer.

The frequency of the procedure is once every two weeks.

During the dormant period - November-February - it is enough to fertilize every 30-40 days.

Foliar top dressings are useful.

The procedure is combined with spraying every 2-3 weeks.

The concentration of minerals, with this method, should be several times less (carefully read the recommendations on the package).

ATTENTION: Apply top dressing only to moist soil so that the roots are not injured and the nutrients are fully absorbed.

reproduction

Reproduction is carried out in the following ways:

cuttings

Top cut off. Semi-woody shoots. To remove the milky juice, they stand for a day in water. Then root in a glass of warm water.

To prevent decay, a little wood ash is added to the water.

After the roots appear, the cutting is planted in a pot under a transparent cap until the leaves appear.

Cultivation layering

Layers can be grown on a copy obtained by cuttings.

For reproduction of Microcarp with a characteristic appearance, this method is not acceptable.

To obtain a layering, retreat from the top of the head 50-60 cm, cut off the bark from the trunk (10-12 cm) and wrap the cut with moistened moss and film.

In this place, roots form in a month. Then the crown is cut off and planted in a separate container.

Sowing seeds

Only the seed method can grow a specimen with a sculptural root characteristic of the species.

Propagation by seeds is carried out in the spring. First of all, you should purchase high-quality planting material at a point of sale where conditions for storing goods are created.

If the seeds were stored incorrectly, they will not sprout.

Sowing of moistened and stratified seeds is carried out in a flat container. A layer of drainage is laid at the bottom, then a layer of soil.

The surface is tamped, moistened, seeds are laid out on it.

Then the crops are sprinkled with a small layer of sand and covered with glass or a transparent film.

Seedlings need sufficient light and warmth to germinate. (22-250С).

Depending on the quality and conditions of the material sprouts will appear in 2-4 weeks. In the phase of two true leaves, the sprouts dive.

During rearing, regular spraying is carried out.

New specimens are seated in separate containers no earlier than 60 days after picking.

Ficus "Microcarpa": how to form a crown?

Regular pruning is a necessary condition for obtaining a beautiful ficus. It is carried out in spring or autumn, at the beginning or end of the growing season, respectively.

In order for the trunk of the tree to be powerful, it is necessary to cut young plants often and strongly. When pruning, many leaves are removed.

Branches can be formed by directing in the right direction with a wire.

Shoots are shortened when their length is more than 20 centimeters. To obtain a branched crown, shoots longer than five centimeters are pinched.

This will promote the growth of the lower buds and the crown will become lush.

In order for Microcarp to have decorative thickened roots, a specimen grown from seeds must be cut off.

In this case, the trunk is cut off to the root neck, leave a stump 2-3 centimeters long.

The roots are washed and divided, then each is planted so that the main part is above the soil level.

For the appearance of foliage, stimulants are used.

On large roots, cuttings can be grafted to obtain a spectacular crown of a complicated shape.

Diseases and pests

With improper care, ficus can suffer from the following problems:

Dark spots on leaves a consequence of overmoistening.

Fusarium - root rot. At the same time, they darken, become hollow inside, soft. The reason is wet and cold soil.

Dropping leaves - dryness and high air temperature, insufficient watering.

The appearance of a white coating. White cobwebs on the leaves - infection with a spider mite. In this case, it is necessary to wipe the leaves with a cotton swab dipped in a solution of alcohol or laundry soap and treat with an insecticide.

Dots and spots on the leaves - the appearance of aphids. Its reproduction is helped by overdried and too warm air. You can destroy aphids by bathing the plant in a soapy or tobacco solution.

ADVICE. To prevent pests, keep the leaves clean by rubbing them regularly.

Why does the ficus "Microcarp" fall leaves? What to do?

Leaf yellowing can occur for various reasons.

Natural dying. In this case, the phenomenon is single and there is no need to deal with it.

Change of conditions of detention. If the ficus "Microcarp" has green leaves falling, it means that the plant experienced stress during rearrangement or transplantation.

Move the plant to its original place and do not move it unless absolutely necessary.

Wrong soil or dishes. The soil could be infected, and when transplanted, the virus got into the roots of the plant.

Treat it with fungicides. Also, the reason could be too spacious pot.

Lack or excess of lighting. Too dark a window or direct sunlight on the ficus can cause the leaves to turn yellow.

Root freezing. In winter, when the ficus is kept on a window or a cold floor, the soil temperature drops sharply, and the ficus freezes. Do not keep it near cold glass.

If you grow ficus on the floor. For the winter, place felt, polystyrene or several layers of newspapers under the pot.

The appearance of pests. Insects that live on leaves and stems suck the juices from the tissues and they die.

Carefully inspect your pet with a magnifying glass, as the pests are very small and difficult to see with the naked eye.

From the experience of flower growers

Do not water the ficus immediately after transplanting - let it adapt for a couple of days.

When spraying and watering, do not fall on the trunk - this will cause it to rot.

In winter, make sure that the leaves do not touch the ice glass, otherwise local frostbite will occur.

When airing, the ficus should not fall under the flow of cold air.

The hot air from the batteries is also bad for him.

Ficus Microcarpa is an ideal houseplant. Caring for it is simple, and with proper pruning, you can create a beautiful, original tree that serves as an original interior detail for an apartment.

Video

Useful video about home care for ficus "Microcarp":

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

The many-sided and amazing ficuses are graceful plants from the Mulberry family, of which there are more than 280 species in wildlife. They mainly grow in regions with subtropical, temperate and tropical climates. Ficuses occupy a leading position in terms of the number of varieties among indoor plants. Ficus microcarpa bonsai and ficus microcarpa ginseng- one of the most common forms that flower growers give to this unpretentious plant for decorating rooms.

Description

Ficus microcarp, like other representatives of the ficus genus (lat. Ficus), belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae). The composition of the family forms a monosort knee of ficus (Ficeae).

Most representatives of this species always remain evergreens.

Microcarp, like many ficuses, is an epiphyte, that is, it can grow on another plant.

It has a large number of air roots, a gray upright trunk. At home, it grows up to 1.5 m in height.

The dark green dense leaves have a sheen of a glossy shade and densely cover the crown. Leaves are attached to branches with short petioles. They have an elongated, oval shape and reach 5 cm in width and 10 cm in length.

Ficus has a very well developed root system. A distinctive feature of this species are the roots protruding from the ground, which acquire bizarre shapes. This variety got its name because of the appearance of the fruit - they are very small in size. Translated from Greek "mikros karpos" means "little fruit".

This amazing plant is native to the forests of southern and eastern China, Indonesia, northern Australia and Taiwan.

Care immediately after purchase

First you need to decide on the place where our tree will be placed. When choosing, you should take into account the properties and whims of the microcarp.

It is immediately worth noting that the plant does not like permutations from one place to another.

Ficus moklame reacts poorly to drafts, dry air and very bright light. Therefore, a new plant should be placed as far as possible from heating radiators. Rooms where the windows face the southwest, west and north sides are best suited.

Ficus with Variegata form it is best to place it in a room with east and southeast windows, since such a plant needs brighter light.

Microcarp must be sprayed from the very first day of purchase, especially ficus moklame, ginseng and bonsai. It is best to do this 2-3 times a day. It is not recommended to allow the soil to dry out. Check the substrate moisture frequently by dipping your finger into the soil to a depth of one centimeter.

A couple of weeks after purchase, the plant should transplant into a newer and more permanent container. Do not forget to take care of the drainage, the layer of which should be at least 1/3 of the height of the pot. For drainage, you can use foam or expanded clay. The soil in the substrate should be loose and nutritious. Ready land for ficuses is perfect, which you can buy in specialized flower shops. Care after transplantation is carried out in the same way as for a regular microcarp plant.

If the ficus ginseng or moklame has shed its foliage, then you should not worry about this. Most likely, this is just a reaction to the change of "place of residence".

View of roots and trunk- the first thing that attracts attention. The roots have the ability to thicken and become bare, taking a shape like oval barrels. The branches are thin, have small dark green leaves. The surface of the leaves is shiny, as if it had been polished.

Some ficus moklame may seem rude and ugly, but in most cases the plant is in great demand in flower shops. To give the ficus an attractive appearance, you should not only provide the plant with proper care at home, but also constantly form its crown. Ficus can be shaped:

bonsai tree
bush

In order for its crown to be lush, moderately branched and healthy, it is necessary to regularly trim the branches. Here are some important rules to follow:

Use only disinfected and sharp objects (scissors, knife).
Cut off the tops that protrude from the main crown line.
Cut along an oblique line, not straight.
Cut tops can be used for further rooting.

Making ficus bonsai is quite difficult at home, but not at all impossible. When forming a bonsai, two conditions must be met:

The plant must be at least 20 cm.
Ficus should be planted in a wide, but not very deep flowerpot.

Bonsai formation stages:

We trim the crown of the plant so that its appearance is flatter.
We hang small weights on the branches with the help of threads to give the plant a suitable look. This must be done so that the branches fall parallel to the ground.
We keep the load in this state for about two weeks, after which we remove it.

Ficus branches, during the period of their formation in this way, can shed their leaves. This is not a sign of illness or improper care, but only an adaptation to a new situation.

To give the plant an even more colorful appearance, it is worth transferring the ficus to a square-shaped pot, the style of which will be typical for bonsai.

The microcarp plant blooms, but this process does not carry any aesthetics. The flowers are small, collected in a small inflorescence, which has a diameter of no more than 2 cm. These inflorescences are called syconia. The houseplant belongs to the category of decorative and deciduous, so its main beauty lies precisely in this.

Optimal growing conditions

Ficus care is very simple at home. The plant, despite its exoticism, is very unpretentious. However, it still has its own specifics, which should be taken into account. Basically it is temperature and lighting.

Temperature

Ficus needs warmth both for the above-ground part of the plant and for the root system. The optimal temperature for proper development and maintenance of life is in the range of 17-24°C. It should be borne in mind that in winter, a decrease in temperature is permissible. Too low air or soil temperatures can lead to various diseases. At temperatures above 23°C, the plant should be provided with additional watering and spraying.

Lighting

Areas with shading or indirect sunlight are best for microcarp. The plant must be protected from direct sunlight. A flower pot is best placed away from windows. Artificial lighting or lighting is also a place to be. To do this, you can use fluorescent lamps with a power of 15 W and a temperature (color) from 2800 ° to 3800 ° Kelvin (dawn / sunset).

Care

It should be noted that the plant does not require any special attention. However, the care of this species is not limited to the correct location of the pot with the plant and the necessary lighting. To make a tree pleasing to the eye, you have to work hard. Care is fairly simple. Like all other plants, ficus must be properly watered, and wonderful twigs and stems are constantly shaped with pruning. Through simple manipulations, the tree will turn into an incredible decoration that will delight the eyes of your guests and household members.

Watering

Ficus should be watered frequently and plentifully, especially in the spring-summer season, that is, during the period of active plant growth. It should be noted that the abundance and regularity of watering directly depend on the illumination, room temperature and air dryness.

When watering, you should be guided by the condition of the plant and the dryness of the soil. You should monitor the moisture content of the soil in the pot, however, you should not water the ficus microcarp too much, as this can cause root rot, which often leads to the death of the plant. The substrate should have time to dry before the next watering. Soil moisture is checked at a depth of 2-3 cm.

Water for irrigation must also meet certain requirements. It should stand for at least 12 hours and be soft. The temperature during watering should not be cooler than room temperature.

Humidity

Humid air is a priority for ficus microcarp, so the tree should be sprayed 1-2 times a day, depending on the humidity of the air. With a lack of spraying, the ficus will become sensitive to various diseases, will look lethargic, and will lose the ability to resist pests. In addition to spraying, the plant will benefit from regularly wiping its leaves with a damp cloth.

Soil and fertilizer

fertile soil with an acidity level of 5.5-7.5 on the pH scale - a favorite for microcarp. The soil is easy to prepare yourself. To do this, mix sand, leafy humus, peat and sod land in equal proportions. During the growing season, it is recommended to apply additional fertilizers (from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn). Complex universal fertilizers or fertilizers for decorative and deciduous plants are perfect. They must be added to the water when watering the soil. Fertilize once every couple of weeks.

When growing ficus microcarp in the bonsai style, specialized fertilizers are used.

Fertilizers can also be applied by spraying foliage - the tree responds well to this.

Crown shaping and pruning

In order for the plant to retain the attractiveness of its forms, it must be cut periodically. You should start shaping the crown as early as possible. In terms of changing the appearance, the ficus is very malleable, which allows your imagination to run wild.

To get a powerful trunk from a young tree, it needs to be trimmed more. With the help of a wire, it is necessary to form the direction of the branches. Thick shoots, whose length is not more than 20 cm, can also be pruned. By cutting strong branches, branching of the ficus crown can be achieved.

Transplant rules

Let's touch on when and how best to transplant a microcarp plant.

This variety should repot every couple of years. The tree grows quite slowly, and the trunk almost ceases to develop in adulthood. For ficus, transplanting mainly has the goal of replacing the substrate and renewing the soil. This procedure will also allow the grower to look at the state of the root system, which was previously underground.

Transplantation is best done in the spring. The size of the pot for ficus microcarp does not play a special role. It is even best to use the same container that was previously, however, it should be thoroughly cleaned and washed. If you decide to take a new pot, then be sure to make sure that a small layer of "old" earth remains on the roots of the plant. Be sure to check that the new container contains holes for draining water.

Don't forget to install drainage. from foam or expanded clay with a layer of 2-3 cm. Set the ficus with the earth on the roots in place and add fresh soil. You should be extremely careful with the fragile root system of the plant.