Growing plants is an exciting hobby. It takes a lot of knowledge and patience. But it is worth it, as the results obtained bring a lot of emotions and satisfaction. A huge number of plants from all over the world can be successfully grown indoors. Every florist will surely have favorites. And very often - these are ficuses. They are represented by several types. Rubber ficus has been popular for a long time and is successfully grown at home. It is a symbol of family happiness. In the past, in almost every home, he occupied the most honorable place.
Rubber ficus - an inhabitant of the tropical forests of India, belongs to the Mulberry family. In its natural habitat, this plant is a giant tree, reaching 30 m in height. Naturally, this representative of the flora in apartments would feel uncomfortable, but special undersized forms have been developed for indoor floriculture. They are perfect for landscaping small spaces.
Rubber ficus -an evergreen plant that has dense, large, oval-shaped leaves. They are shiny and leathery. The leaves reach a length of 25 cm and have a clearly defined light vein in the middle. They have different colors. Variegated species are especially spectacular.
This thermophilic plant with good care will please with rapid growth. Rubber ficus should be placed on well-lit windows protected from drafts. However, direct sunlight should not fall on it. Also, for the normal growth of this tropical representative, the thermal regime should be observed. The plant develops normally at a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius.
Ficus rubber picky about air humidity. The leaves of the plant are sprayed or moistened with a cloth dipped in warm water. Water the flower regularly. When caring for ficus, use warm water. In order to stimulate the rapid growth of young plants, warm baths are taken once a week during the cold season. To do this, the planter tray is filled with water at a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. In spring and summer, top dressing is carried out with a solution of mineral fertilizers.
When growing, you should pay attention to the formation of the crown of rubber ficus. To make the flower look beautiful, you will need to be patient. Without outside interference, the ficus rubber-bearing ficus does not form side shoots. Pruning and shaping the plant is carried out during the entire period of growth. Pinch the top of the ficus at a height of one and a half metersplants. After about two years, side shoots will appear, which in turn are also pruned. In order for the shoots to develop evenly, the rubbery ficus is periodically rotated. With intensive formation of shoots, some of them are removed. During the pruning of the ficus, milky juice is released. It is blotted with a napkin. The cut points are sprinkled with activated charcoal powder.
Ficus cuttings, obtained by pruning, are an excellent material for propagation. After wetting the milky juice and drying for an hour, they are placed in a container with warm water or in pots with peat for rooting. Planting material will be ready in a month. Rooted cuttings are planted in small pots.
With long-term cultivation, the rubber ficus may lose its attractiveness. If over time the trunk of the plant becomes bare, air layering is performed to help rejuvenate it.
