There are only about 800 species of ficus,among which there are giant trees, low-growing shrubs, and vines. The most famous representative of this genus can be considered the rubber tree - ficus elastica, which has been known since the time of Queen Victoria. There were times when it was of great interest to rubber harvesters, but today this plant is grown more for decorative purposes. We will tell you what kind of care is needed for ficus elastica at home so that it creates a favorable atmosphere in the house for as long as possible. In natural conditions, this type of ficus reaches quite impressive sizes, but in apartments it is much more modest and does not strive to fill all the space around with its crown. A young plant has a single trunk, but an adult ficus acquires additional aerial roots, which make the tree bulky. Sometimes in India, people take advantage of this feature of the rubber ficus and create real hanging bridges of life over abysses with its help. The leaves of the ficus resemble open palms. They are oval in shape, quite large and leathery, and come in various shades of green, but are always quite bright.

Care of the elastics ficus: features of the contents

Considering that this ficus is an inhabitant of humidtropics, it is no wonder that it is very demanding of the humidity in the room where it lives. In the summer, it is important to water the plant well, and in the winter you need to be very careful with this, before watering, make sure that the earthen lump is completely dry. Abundant moisture in the summer is not a reason to create a small personal swamp in the pot. Make sure that the water does not stagnate either in the soil or in the pan. It will be difficult to restore the ficus after overwatering. If, however, a mistake was made and the plant is flooded, it must be urgently replanted and watered with root until nothing threatens it. In general, the ficus loves water procedures, and bathing or regular spraying will definitely not hurt it. The higher the humidity around it, the better the ficus feels. In natural conditions, the ficus grows all year round, and only in our zone in winter does it have a forced period of rest due to a decrease in air temperature and lighting. So you have a chance to avoid this phenomenon if you manage to provide the plant with additional lighting and adjust the ratio of humidity and heat. Then the care will remain the same as in the summer (regular spraying and watering), and your ficus will develop continuously.

Where to arrange the ficus?

Although ficus is considered an unpretentious plantand caring for it does not cause much trouble, but it does not approve of constant rearrangements. Therefore, take care of its location in advance. It is better if it is as light as possible, you can even let the ficus sometimes be exposed to direct sunlight (but not more than a couple of hours a day). If the window is north, you can even leave it uncurtained. Ficus is quite tolerant of drafts, but you should not test its strength and expose it to too strong gusts, but an open window will not harm your pet. With insufficient lighting, the ficus will begin to stretch its trunk too much and will lose its attractiveness. The internodes will lengthen, the leaves will fall off, and overall growth will slow down.

All about transplantation and top dressing

Young plants will need to be replanted.annually. Choose pots of a classic shape, but remember that ficuses do not like too deep "immersion". You can buy soil for transplanting in any flower shop or make it yourself. If the latter option is more to your liking, then take leaf and turf soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 1:2:1:1. Do not give free rein to root formation, otherwise soon you will not know where to put the pot with the domestic giant. Ficus elastica is usually fed during the period of active growth, that is, in spring or summer. As a top dressing, choose any liquid fertilizers once every two weeks. If your plant continues to grow in winter, you can continue to feed, just make the concentration of the solution two times weaker.

Crown formation

Any care involves not only the creationfavorable conditions for growth, but a beautiful appearance of the plant. Ficus usually grows with one trunk, and over time its lower leaves fall off and the trunk becomes bare. Agree, this does not look very good. It is recommended to create a presentable appearance by growing the bush to the size you need and pinching off the top (it can be rooted). After this procedure, new lateral shoots appear in the leaf axils, which will later form a beautiful crown. In the future, they will also need to be trimmed so that the ficus branches even more.

Reproduction of the rubber-figged ficus

Propagation occurs by cuttings.One shoot usually produces as many cuttings as there are leaves on it. The cutting should have at least one leaf with an intact eye and half of the next internode. When the cutting is cut, it is necessary to get rid of the milky juice that comes out of it. To do this, put it in water and change it periodically until the juice stops coming out. To help the cutting take root faster, make a small cross-shaped cut at the bottom, plant them in heated soil and cover them with polyethylene film on top.

Possible problems in care

The lower leaves fall off. It is natural for the development of the plant, leaving care is not required.

Fall leaves from the whole plant. Most likely, there was bogging of the soil. It is necessary to change or carefully dry and check the drainage.

Leaves twist and wither. The temperature of the content is too low. Perhaps the plant is too close to the window glass.

The tips of the leaves become dry and brown. The required humidity is disturbed: the room is too dry. Include in the care of the plant mandatory daily spraying.

The new shoots are thin, and the leaves gradually grow smaller - lack of light and nutrition.

Ficuses can be affected by pests such as mealybugs, scabies and false scutes.

As you can see, caring for the Ficus elastica is quite simple, and this plant can be safely recommended to all busy and novice gardeners.

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