Among all the diversity of species of the genus Ficus,The dwarf ficus rightfully occupies a special place. This is a very beautiful plant with characteristic small leaves, the length of which is one and a half to three centimeters, no more. The foliage is dark green and has an oval, slightly pointed shape. The plant itself is considered evergreen. Thin shoots grow from the stems of the ficus, which, due to their aerial roots, can cling to a wall or a special support.
Features of pygmy ficus
If we compare this ficus with other species,For example, with Benjamin's ficus, Bengal, lyre or rubber plant, the dwarf ficus is much more difficult to grow - the plant is more capricious and demanding. Therefore, experts do not recommend buying it for those people who do not have good experience in growing plants. In this case, it is better to buy other types of ficus, the care of which is less complicated. Nevertheless, the dwarf ficus has its undeniable and special advantages - you can use it in any way. It can be an ampelous plant, which is used to cover areas of land or walls in greenhouses, and a plant grown around a support. In both cases, the ficus will look great. If the climate is mild and moderate, it is recommended to plant the plants in pots or open ground - depending on where you plan to grow it. In the second case, the ficus will form straight shoots, which in principle cannot form in potted varieties. If such plants are not provided with supports, they will acquire a beautiful ampelous drooping shape. Today, the most popular are the Sunny dwarf ficus with blistered, slightly rounded leaves, as well as the White Sun - a ficus distinguished by a cream border on the foliage. In general, dwarf ficuses are considered the most stable plants of all decorative varieties. Dwarf ficuses grow rapidly. The leaves do not have a large area, and the plant itself is shade-tolerant, which, in principle, can be ideal for indoor conditions. However, due to the fact that the ficus has many leaves, it is very difficult for it to maintain its original vertical position. That is why, in order to provide the plant with good care and rapid growth, professionals recommend tying it up or installing a small auxiliary support nearby. The areas of dwarf ficuses are China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan; this is an oriental plant. By the way, take note - in Taiwan, dwarf ficus seeds are used by chefs to make jelly. Other varieties of ficus are known to be used in industry and other manufacturing areas.
Rules for the care of a dwarfish ficus
Now it's time to look at someFeatures of care. As mentioned above, the dwarf ficus is very demanding, so everyone who grows such an exotic plant should clearly know how to care for it in order to ensure its rapid, high-quality growth.
- Temperature
Minimum temperature reading fordwarf ficus is ten degrees. Only this plant can withstand a temperature drop to six or even zero degrees. But this is in extreme cases, when it is simply impossible to optimize the temperature. The standard is eighteen to twenty degrees.
- Lighting
Proper care means competentLighting. Dwarf ficuses, unlike other varieties, do not like light. It is better to place the pot with the plant in partial shade, preferably a few meters from the window. If too little light falls on the ficus from the window, then it can be moved closer. At home, the ficus will feel good with diffused lighting - it does not tolerate an overly illuminated space. If you grow the plant in open ground, then it is better to place it on the south side, which is protected from drafts and winds.
- Watering and fertilizing
Dwarf ficuses need frequent watering,especially in the summer. As winter approaches, it is recommended to reduce watering. In spring and summer, you need to feed the ficus about once every two weeks, using complex additives with microelements in the composition. You need to dilute such feeding in proportions of thirty grams per bucket of water. Please note that the dwarf ficus does not tolerate dry soil. However, you should not flood the soil either. In winter, the soil should be slightly moistened, but due to the low temperature, water evaporation will be weaker. Accordingly, watering should be reduced. You need to spray the plant often, since the ficus prefers high humidity. It is good if you put the pot with the plant on a special tray with water and pebbles. In spring and summer, feed the plant using nitrogen fertilizers. They need to be dissolved in irrigation water, three times a month. Do not take too much fertilizer - otherwise you will burn the root system.
- Transfer
Proper care is impossible without periodictransplants. As a rule, such ficuses are transplanted into new pots in early spring, once every two years. Each time, you need to use a pot that is larger than before. Then, when the plant reaches certain parameters, you need to replace part of the old soil with new high-quality soil, the pH of which should not be lower than five and a half and higher than six. You can add a little sand here to ensure drainage. Periodically inspect the plant and remove old or damaged branches and foliage.
- Reproduction
All varieties of dwarf ficuspropagated by cuttings from five to ten centimeters long. At the end of spring, they are planted to take root in cups of the same size, which should be placed in a warm place with good humidity. The temperature should be 20-22 degrees. In the spring, dwarf ficuses can be propagated using layers. To do this, shoots are dug into porous soil, steadily maintaining it in a moist state. After the roots appear, the shoots must be separated from the mother plant.
- Pest Control
Like any ficus, a dwarf varietysuffers from yellowing and falling leaves. This can be caused by mealybugs. Remove the pest manually, then treat the plant with a special anti-coccidial drug. However, yellowed foliage may also indicate rotting or drying out of the plant. The spider mite is another strong pest that can reduce complex plant care to zero, so it is so important to get rid of it in time. In general, spider mites themselves are hardly noticeable - they can be identified by possible damage. Remember that spider mites feel comfortable in dry air, so do not forget to frequently ventilate the room and periodically humidify the air. How to get rid of a spider mite? First of all, collect it manually if it is noticeable. Do not forget to wash the plant after that. You can rinse it with cold water - mites are afraid of it and cannot stand the cold. Among natural remedies, give preference to an infusion of garlic, yarrow or alder. For example, you can crush two hundred grams of garlic or a whole onion and pour water over the mixture. After a few days, use the infusion as a spray. In stores, you can buy actellic, sulfur or karbofos, as well as some biological substances. Insecticides and ascaricides can be used against some root mites. However, remember that when working with ficuses, you need to be careful and cautious. For example, some varieties provoke photocontact dermatitis. They increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, which can later lead to serious burns. Dwarf ficus should not be bought for home by people who suffer from breathing problems, as well as hypotension or suffer from constant fatigue. The milky juice contained in some ficuses provokes acute pain in the stomach, as well as a feeling of severe fatigue and vomiting. These are the basic rules that should be remembered by those who are engaged in growing a dwarf ficus. In general, the dwarf ficus is a small plant, but lush and beautiful, which will certainly fit into any flower bed, even in a small apartment and especially in a summer cottage. You just have to try a little to make the plant grow healthy and beautiful.
