Secrets of the successful cultivation of ficus microcarp

Ficuses have long become familiar houseplants. Already no one will be surprised either by the diversity of species, and there are more than 280 of them, nor by the shape and color of the leaves. Nevertheless, interest in these wonderful plants continues to grow from year to year, as bonsai art, which is not very common in our country, is practiced. Perhaps the interest in ficuses due to their attractive appearance and ease of care for them. Indeed, in nature, these plants grow in tropical and subtropical, and even in temperate climatic zones. One of the most attractive and easy to care for can be called a ficus microcarp.

Ficus microcarp: description

Ficus mikkarpa, like all members of the genus (lat. Ficus), belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae). As a part of the family, a monotypic knee-ficus (Ficeae) forms. Representatives of these species are almost always evergreens.

Like many ficuses, microcarp is an epiphyte, i.e. it can grow on other plants. He has many air roots. Barrel upright gray. In room conditions, its height reaches one and a half meters. Dense, dark green leaves have a glossy shine, densely cover the crown. The leaves are attached to the branches with short petioles. In shape - oval, elongated. In length up to 10 cm, in width - up to 5 cm. The root system is developed very strongly. Actually, the roots protruding from the ground and acquiring a bizarre shape are a distinctive feature of this species. The name of this species received from the appearance of the fetus. He is very small. In Greek, the small fruit will be "mikros karpos". The homeland of this amazing tree is the forests of eastern and southern China, Taiwan, Indonesia and northern Australia.

Care in the first days after purchase

First of all, you need to determine the place where you can put a tree. To select it, one should take into account the properties of the microcarp and its whims.

Notice right away, the plant does not like permutations from place to place.

It reacts poorly to very bright light, dry air and drafts. So it is best to place a new plant away from the batteries. More suitable rooms, whose windows overlook the north, west and south-west side. The Variegata form is best placed in rooms with windows to the east, southeast, as it needs brighter lighting. It is necessary to spray a microcarp from the first day of purchase. Do this two or three times a day. Do not overdry the ground. Check the humidity at a depth of one centimeter.

After two weeks, the plant can be transplanted into a new, permanent container. Take care of drainage. His layer must be at least one-third of the height of the pot. As a drainage, you can use expanded clay, foam. The soil should be nutritious and loose. You can use the finished land for ficuses. It is sold in specialized stores. After transplanting care, as for the usual ficus mikrokarpa.

If the plant still dropped foliage, do not worry.This is his reaction to changing places.

Optimal conditions for growing in the house

Ficus mikkarpa quite simple in the care at home. He is not very whimsical, despite the exotic. Nevertheless, it has its own specifics that must be considered. First of all, it is lighting and temperature.

Lighting

Microcarp prefers shading or diffused sunlight. Should be protected from direct sunlight. It is better to have away from the windows. You can provide artificial lighting or lighting. For this, fluorescent lamps with a power of 15 W and a color temperature of 2800-3800 Kelvin (dawn / sunset) are suitable.

Temperature

Another feature of the ficus microcarp is that the roots need warmth, as well as the aerial part. The optimal temperature for life and development is from 17 to 24 degrees Celsius. It should be noted that lowering the temperature is permissible in the winter period. Lower temperatures can cause illness.When the temperature rises above 23 degrees Celsius, it is necessary to provide additional spraying of the plant.

How to care for ficus mikkarpa

It should be noted that the plant still requires some attention to itself. Only the correct location in the house, coupled with the backlight, this type of plant is not limited. In order for the tree to start pleasing the eye, you will have to work a little. Care is pretty simple. Like all plants, microcarp needs proper watering, and its wonderful roots and twigs need proper molding and pruning. By simple manipulations, the tree will turn into an incredible kind of decoration, pleasing the eye.

Watering

It is necessary to water plentifully and often. Especially in the period of active growth (spring-summer season). It should be noted that the regularity and abundance of irrigation depend on the dryness of the air, the temperature of the room and the illumination. Need to focus on the plant and dry soil. An earthen clod in a pot should not dry out, however, and excessive moisture can lead to rotting of the roots and death of the plant.The earth must have time to dry at a depth of 2-3 centimeters.

Water requirements are also made. It should be soft and stand at least twelve hours. Her temperature during watering should be room temperature.

Humidity

Ficus mikkarpa likes moist air. Therefore, it is necessary to spray the tree once or twice a day, depending on the dryness of the air. Otherwise, the plant will look sluggish and will be sensitive to diseases, will not be able to resist pests. In addition to spraying, the plant will benefit if you regularly wipe its leaves with a soft, damp cloth.

Soil and fertilizer

Mikrokarpa loves light fertile soil with a pH level of 5.5 - 7.5. The soil can be prepared by yourself. For this it is necessary to mix in equal proportions sod, peat ground, deciduous humus and sand.

Additional fertilizers are needed during the growing season (early spring - late autumn). It is possible to use universal complex fertilizers for decorative leafy plants.They are added to water for watering the soil. Fertilizer is better every two weeks.

If the ficus microcarp is grown in bonsai style, then specialized fertilizers are used.

Also, the tree responds very well to fertilization by spraying the foliage.

Cropping and crown formation

In order for the tree to maintain the attractiveness of the form, it must also be periodically cut. Formation of the crown is better to start as early as possible. Ficus is malleable in terms of design appearance, makes it possible to roam the imagination. What is not an object for lovers of art bonsai?

To obtain a powerful trunk in a young plant, it is recommended to prune it. The direction of the branches is formed with the help of a wire. Thick shoots up to twenty centimeters in length can also be cut. Branches of the crown in the ficus microcarp achieve cutting off strong branches from shoots up to five centimeters.

Ficus microcarp transplant rules

Let us see how and when it is better to transplant a ficus microcarp. This species is best replanted every two years. The tree grows very slowly, and in the adult state the trunk almost ceases to grow. Ficus microcarp transplant is more needed to update the soil or replace the substrate. This procedure also allows you to inspect the condition of the roots, which are underground. Replace better in the spring.

The pot for ficus microcarp does not play a special role. It is even better to use the same one that was. Just carefully clean and wash. If you take a new one, make sure that there is a sufficient layer of the “old” earth on the roots. Make sure the new pot contains drain holes. Lay a drainage (expanded clay or polyfoam) with a layer of 2-3 centimeters. Set the tree with the ground on the roots and fill the new ground. Be careful with the fragile roots of the plant.

Methods of reproduction at home

Ficus microcarp has several methods of reproduction: cuttings, layering and seed. Most often use cuttings of ficus and cuttings of the tree. On cuttings, cut, not stiffened branches are taken, placed for 24 hours in an opaque container with warm (room temperature) water. It is important to know how to cut ficus for reproduction. The branches are cut obliquely, at an angle, departing from a node about a centimeter. A day later, the water is drained, as there is a lot of juice. Ficus juice microcarp is a very strong allergen. Beware of getting it on the skin. The cuttings are again placed in fresh warm water with added ash. When the roots appear, sprouts are transplanted into a container with the ground and covered with a transparent container. As soon as a young plant launches new leaves, the container is removed. Also, cuttings can be planted directly into the ground, immersing the stem of the cutting 3-5 centimeters into the ground. Seedlings covered capacity. It is necessary to monitor the humidity and spray the stems of plants with water. Ficuses root in this way for a month. Ficus can be propagated by seed. They are in specialized flower shops.Seeds are pre-soaked for a day in a growth stimulant solution. Planted at a depth of half a centimeter, at a distance of at least one and a half - two centimeters from each other. The soil for planting seeds should be light and airy. The basis of soil mixture should be peat and leaf earth. Also need a lot of sand. The mixture must be thoroughly mixed until uniform. After planting the seeds, the soil is carefully sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with film or glass. So that the soil is always wet, you need to watch every day. Every day, it is desirable to remove the protective film for fifteen minutes, give the sprouts and the soil to "breathe", evaporate the excess moisture. When the first leaf appears on the seedlings, the sprouts stop each in a separate container.

How to deal with possible diseases and pests

Despite its simplicity, Ficus mikrokarpa prone to a number of diseases. Mostly difficulties arise due to improper care. Consider the most common difficulties faced by lovers of this type.

The root system may rot due to excess moisture. Dark spots may appear on the leaves.The method of treatment is very simple - to reduce the frequency and abundance of watering, to give the soil a chance to dry out. It is also possible that there are not enough drain holes in the pot itself. With a lack of moisture and high temperature on the ficus may appear spider mite. This pest is able to destroy the plant in a very short time. Young plants to get rid of the parasite can be washed under the shower. The water temperature is about 40-45 degrees Celsius. Adult plants need to be treated with insecticides several times. On the drugs themselves and their dosages it is better to consult in flower shops. Also on the ficus can attack aphid, shield, whitefly and thrips. To combat them, it is better to use special preparations. Today, in specialized stores given a large selection of drug names. It is better to consult with the sellers about the brands and active ingredients, to clarify the dosage.

Small-fruited ficus can reset foliage due to insufficient watering, poor lighting, drafts, overabundance or lack of fertilizer. May lose leaves due to transfer from place to place and transplant. To speed up the adaptation process, it is recommended to spray the plant once a week with Epin.

With proper care, the ficus microcarp will delight with the exotic shape of the roots and glossy green foliage. A plant can easily become not only a pet "favorite", but also a source of pride.