Fans of miniature bonsai plants do not ignore the Microcarp ficus. Correct molding allows you to get from a bush that looks like an ordinary Benjamin ficus, a mini-tree with a thickened trunk under the "head" of green foliage.

Botanical description of the plant

Ficus Microcarpa (Latin - Ficus Microcarpa ginseng), in appearance one of the most colorful and popular in home floriculture, is a representative of the extensive Mulberry family. The homeland of this evergreen plant is the forests of the tropical region of Malaysia, the Philippines, southern China and northern Australia. In the wild, Microcarpa is quite aggressive towards neighboring trees, tightly braiding them with its aerial roots. At home, however, it is a slow-growing, pretty plant that can be molded in a bonsai style. It rarely reaches a height of one and a half meters, while in its natural environment it grows up to 20 m.

Varieties of ficus Microcarp - Moklame, Albomarginata, Ginseng.

The thickened trunk of a bizarre plant is, in fact, a continuation of its massive root. This is not a natural property of a plant, but the result of the work of specialists who skillfully prune and stimulate it. special means... "Regular" Microcarps are similar to Benjamin's ficus.

The bark of the trunk is smooth and tender, easily damaged, gray... Leaves can be round, oval or elliptical.

The plant blooms (only in natural conditions or in greenhouses) with syconia - flowers similar to berries, subsequently forming small fruits (up to 1 cm in diameter). Translated in Latin, "microcarpa" means small-fruited.

Growing features

With properly organized care, even a beginner and very busy florist can get an excellent result - a beautifully designed mini-tree with a lush green crown. Most important factors in the cultivation of ficus Microcarp:

• correctly selected place in relation to illumination;
• maintaining temperature regime;
• timely work on the formation of the trunk and crown.

This houseplant perceives any permutation as stress, so it is advisable to find a permanent place for it immediately.

Planting technology and transplant timing

As the ficus grows, it should be transplanted into large containers (with an increase in diameter of 4-5 cm). Since Microcarpa's trunk grows slowly, transplanting is an infrequent procedure. Choosing the right pot and potting soil is important.

Pot and soil selection

The main requirement for Microcarpa pots is the presence of drainage holes. Any flower, including ficus, is more comfortable to be in a pot made of natural clay, not covered with glaze. The porosity of the material allows excess moisture evaporate through the walls of the container, while more oxygen is supplied to the roots. Although, if there is good drainage, a pot of any material is suitable for ficus.

The size of the vessel depends on the size of the Microcarpa root system. It is advisable that when transplanting, the distance between the roots and the walls of the pot is 2 cm.

Bonsai plants require low, flat models. Too large pots are contraindicated for all types of ficuses, since the soil that is not inhabited by the roots sours in them, causing decay.

The best option- acquire soil special composition designed for ficuses. For home cooking, after preliminary disinfection, equal parts of leafy earth, turf, sand are mixed, and 0.3-0.5 parts of ash are added to lower the acidity.

How to plant correctly

If there is a need to prune the root system of the ficus Microcarpa-bonsai, it is advised not to water the soil before the transplantation procedure, so that the roots are better cleaned. Cut to 10% of their length. With regular pruning, the roots grow in breadth and thicken.

Drainage from expanded clay (it is possible from pebbles), a layer of new soil is laid in a new container. Set, holding, the tree in the right place(in the center or shifting away from it) and cover the voids with earth. To seal it, lightly tap the pot.

If there is no need to disturb the roots, the plant is transplanted using the transshipment method.

When is it time to replant

Usually, immediately after the purchase, the store-bought ficuses of Microcarp need to be transplanted, since they grow in poor peat soil. They do this after two to three weeks, giving the plant time to adapt the plant to a new place - “moving” and transplanting at the same time become too much stress for it. Nevertheless, a small loss of foliage can still respond to transplanting a tree.

An adult ficus plant needs a transplant no more than once every three years. Plants of the first years of life are transplanted annually in spring, when it will be easiest for the trees to adapt to the new soil. Sometimes they only replace the top 2-3 cm of soil (if there is no need to increase the size of the pot).

Subtleties of care

The usual room temperature is quite suitable for the Microcarp ficus: in summer, its optimal level is 25-30 ° C. In winter, the flower tolerates its lowering to 17-18 ° C, but when the thermometer drops to 16 ° C and below, it suffers, and with a prolonged cold snap, its roots may freeze and the plant will die.

Ficus painfully tolerates permutations, loves Fresh air, but it must be protected from any drafts.

Prefers places that are lit, but without direct rays of the sun falling on the leaves - a place in the back of the room is also suitable. However, with constant shading, it stops growing, reacts with yellowing and falling leaves. In winter, additional lighting is desirable. It is important to remember: the tree does not tolerate sharp fluctuations in the amount of illumination.

Caring for ficus Microcarp at home also includes the formation of a crown. In that creative process no preferences other than the tastes of the owner. The plant is drastically cut in the spring, before its active growth, not earlier than it reaches 15 cm in height. Throughout spring and summer, systematic light pruning is carried out - shortening of branches that protrude too much beyond the boundaries of the silhouette of the crown (for their uniform development, the pot with ficus is periodically turned around its axis). In autumn and winter, this procedure is not carried out.

Watering and feeding rules

The frequency of watering depends on the degree of soil moisture: it is watered when the soil dries out by 2-3 cm. Usually in the summer - two, and in the winter - three times a week.

Microcarpa loves when its leaves are sprayed with a spray bottle and reacts positively to humidifying the air. It is advisable that the humidity level in the house does not fall below 50% (optimal figures are 70%). Irrigation is carried out with water at room temperature. It is especially important to spray the tree more often from a spray bottle in winter, when the air in the premises is dry. The minimum distance from heating devices to Microcarp ficus is 2 meters.

Fertilize the plant twice a month with a liquid nutrient mixture for ficuses (it is possible for palm trees), alternating mineral compositions with organic ones. In winter, during the dormant period, no top dressing is applied.

Diseases and possible problems

The plant is "interested" in whiteflies, aphids, scale insects, thrips, mealybugs... To combat them, use commercial insecticides for home flowers.

Microcarpa is not susceptible to disease, problems arise with persistent violation of the rules for caring for it:

• with a lack of light or nutrition, young shoots become thinner, and the leaves on them become smaller;
• if the plant lacks moisture, the foliage turns yellow and falls off;
• leaf fall of green leaves, on the contrary, indicates excess watering... With prolonged stagnation of moisture in the soil, root decay begins - while the leaves darken, become covered with spots;
• with a sharp change in the light regime or watering, the tree can also shed its leaves, but after a week or two it adapts to new conditions;
• falling foliage due to low temperatures or constant drafts can lead to his death.

Reproduction

Ficus Microcarpa can be propagated by seed, cuttings, root cuttings and air-layering.

Seeds

Only the first method allows you to obtain a voluminous sculptural trunk characteristic of Microcarpa-bonsai, but only specialists can do this:

• sowing material must be stored correctly, otherwise its germination rate is sharply reduced;
• sowing is carried out in the spring after preliminary moistening and stratification of seeds;
• they are placed in a flat container on a layer of drainage and moistened, slightly compacted soil, slightly sprinkled with a layer of sand and covered with transparent material to create greenhouse conditions;
• kept with an extended daylight hours at a temperature of 22-25 ° C - two to four weeks until shoots appear and then until two true leaves appear;
• dive and grow with constant spraying;
• two months after the pick, they are seated in a permanent place of growth;
• the trunks and leaves of the "grown" ficuses of Microcarp are removed, after which the roots are transplanted, leaving most of them above the ground.

Thus, domestic attempts to obtain from seeds a Microcarpa tree with a trunk characteristic appearance without proper experience and skills, they are most often doomed to failure.

Cuttings

For reproduction by apical cuttings, semi-lignified shoots are cut, kept in water for 10-20 hours to remove the milky juice contained in them and rooted in clean warm water... It is periodically changed to fresh, adding a little ash from decay.

After the roots appear, they are planted in the soil and covered with glass or polyethylene until the leaves appear. Ficus Microcarpa, obtained by cuttings, looks like Benjamin's ficus, which is familiar to many.

Air layering

Ficuses grown by cuttings propagate by air layers:

• departing from the top about 50 cm, cut off the bark from the trunk by 8-12 mm;
• the cut is wrapped with moistened moss and on top - with a film;
• after three weeks or a month, roots grow in this place, after which the crown is cut off and deposited.

Root processes

Adult, fully formed plants are propagated by root shoots: a small part of the root is cut off and planted, leaving 2.5 cm above the soil surface. They create the effect of a greenhouse with the help of a film, watered once a week, remembering to regularly ventilate. After the emergence of the sprout, they are looked after in the usual way.

Microcarps with characteristic appearance you cannot get it by any means other than growing from seeds.

Ficus Microcarpa does not require a lot of time and effort to care for it, while it is original decoration premises decorated in any style. Following simple rules, not only a specialist, but also an amateur far from floriculture, can grow it in its usual form, and form a bonsai tree.

Ficus microcarpa got its name from its miniature fruits, translated from Greek "mikros karpos" - small fruit... The plant itself is capable of reaching a fairly impressive size. Although, it is often grown using the bonsai technique. This type of ficus is interesting in that in the lower part of its trunk there is a thickening of the roots, which takes on the most bizarre forms during the growth process.

In nature, ficus microcarp can be found in some provinces of China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Australia. According to its growth form, this plant belongs to the epiphytic species, forms many aerial roots. Under natural conditions, the tree grows up to 25 meters in height, at home you can count on a one and a half meter specimen.

The leaves of this variety are up to 10 cm in length and up to 5 cm in width, their size becomes maximum in an adult plant, and before that, the leaves are smaller. The surface of each leaf is shiny, glossy, the tip is pointed. On the branches, the leaves sit on short petioles, their arrangement is alternate.

As it grows, the top of the root system rises above the soil and can look very decorative, forming weaves and curves. This is what makes it possible to grow this type of ficus in the form of a bonsai. This plant is often sold grown using this technique.

Ficus macrocarpa is capricious in some aspects and you should be aware of this. For example, he does not like permutations, so he immediately needs to choose a permanent place and try to disturb the plant less in the future. This flower also does not like drafts, bright sunlight and dry air, it needs proper care.

• Place the purchased plant away from heating appliances... Best suited for him are windows with a west, north-west and north exposure. If the acquired plant has a variegated, that is, variegated form, the ficus needs more light. These varieties are best placed on the eastern and southeastern windows.
• In the first days in a new place, it is necessary to especially monitor the air humidity near the plant. The pot can be placed on a pallet with wet pebbles, and the leaves themselves can be sprayed 2-3 times a day. It is also necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out, moisten the ground with small portions of water every few days.
• After 2 weeks, when the ficus adapts, it is recommended to transplant it into a new container. At the same time, you can check the state of the root system, because it is not known how long it took to transport the plant, and how many days it spent in the store.

Helpful hint: A household humidifier will help increase the humidity in the room - this is an affordable device that does not require special maintenance, but makes the life of indoor plants very much easier.

Each apartment has its own microclimate and many plants adapt to it, however, we must not forget about their needs so that the flowers can live and develop normally.

Ficus microcarp is considered a shade-tolerant culture. It can feel good both in bright ambient light and in partial shade. As the tree grows, it no longer fits on the windowsill and can be kept on the floor near the window.

If the plant does not have enough light (this can be seen by the faded color of the leaves), it will be necessary to organize the backlight. A special phytolamp is best suited for these purposes; its radiation spectrum is ideal for all plants. You can do with a conventional fluorescent lamp.

In this ficus, the roots need heat as much as the aerial part. It is best to keep the temperature in the 17-24 ° C range. In an apartment, this is easily achieved with an air conditioner.

During the winter months, the temperature may be slightly lower, but not for long. From hypothermia, the plant can get sick. If in summer the temperature rises to 25 ° C and above, the ficus must be sprayed at least twice a day, then it will be easier for it to tolerate the heat.

Of course, in the East, bonsai from ficuses are not grown, choosing for this art form conifers and various shrubs. Strictly speaking, ficus bonsai is called pseudo-bonsai, since accelerated technologies are used when creating, and a real bonsai has been grown for decades and is very expensive, since it is a "piece" product.

But, is it worth going into such subtleties for an ordinary grower if bonsai grown from ficus looks no worse? You can grow such a tree from scratch on your own in just two years. You don't need to invent anything for this, everything was already invented many centuries ago in the East.

There are various styles for bonsai. The tree can be formed in the form of a curved vertical, with a slope, a forked trunk, using other options. The advantage of the macrocarp species is fast growth ficus and its endurance. In its homeland, this plant sprouts from accidentally caught seeds even in crevices of rocks or appears from cracks in the asphalt.

If the ficus microcarp you have purchased is grown using the bonsai technique, it needs special care. Bonsai culture abhors rush, hustle and bustle and excessiveness. After all, this tree is in miniature, which means that all actions must be carefully verified.

Since bonsai is planted in a wide, but shallow container, such a plant requires a special watering scheme. A large soil surface area will evaporate water faster. At the same time, with abundant watering, the water simply has nowhere to go, since the layer of earth in the container is not very large.

Important! You need to water the tree often, but little by little. Check the soil before watering. It should dry 2-3 cm deep.

Excess water that has accumulated in the sump after watering must be drained. It is recommended to pre-defend the water, you can use rain or melt water - it is softer. The temperature of the water for irrigation should be room temperature or slightly warmer; from the cold, the plant can shed all its leaves.

The soil for ficus microcarp should be light and nutritious, have good moisture and air permeability, with neutral or moderate acidity. You can buy a special soil for ficuses, or make up a soil mixture yourself.

Use to compose the substrate:

• 2 parts of sod land;
• 2 pieces of deciduous land;
• 1 part peat;
• 1 part sand;
• some charcoal.

The first 2 months after transplanting the plant need not be fertilized. Top dressing is carried out during the active growing season of the ficus - from March to October. If your plant is grown using the bonsai technique, you should buy special fertilizers for it.

Fertilizer is diluted in water and fertilized after watering, so as not to burn the roots. Microcarpa is very responsive to foliar feeding... For them, fertilizer is diluted with half the concentration and sprayed on foliage.

Home care and watering: video

In order for a bonsai to grow a powerful trunk, the ficus is regularly pruned. With its help, the crown is given the desired appearance. The direction of growth of skeletal branches is set using a wire. To get as much as possible lush crown, the main shoots are shortened to 5 cm, forcing them to branch.

Ficus microcarpa tolerates pruning well, it does not harm it. Since the plant does not have a pronounced dormant period and continues to grow even in the winter months, it is pruned at this time as well. If you yourself grew a young ficus seedling, from which you want to form a bonsai, then you need to cut the main trunk at a low height, this will lead to the fact that the rest of the trunk will get stronger and become much thicker.

Pruning begins from the lower layers of the crown, then moves upward, according to a plan that allows you to create the desired shape... It is not the leaves that are cut off, but the branches themselves. If the shoot was thick, the cut must be covered with garden pitch. The plant is drastically cut in the spring before the start of active growth. At other times, the contour is only slightly tweaked, shortening individual overgrown branches.

Ficus microcarp does not tolerate transplanting and is very sensitive to root damage, so it should be transplanted as rarely as possible. Experts recommend doing this once every 2-3 years. To curb the growth of bonsai, plants are specially planted in shallow containers. The purpose of the transplant is to replace the depleted soil and reduce the number of overgrown roots.

In this case, they act as follows:

• It is necessary to prepare a new pot, which should be 2-3 cm wider and slightly higher than the previous one.
• The drain hole is closed plastic mesh and poured coarse sand.
• 1/3 of the prepared soil is poured on top of the drainage layer.
• Bonsai are taken out of an old container, gently shaken off the soil from the roots, washed in warm water and shortened a little with sharp scissors.
• Root wounds need to be treated charcoal... Thin filamentous roots are removed completely.
• Having prepared the plant, it is placed on the ground and covered with earth on top so that the upper third of the roots remains above the surface. If necessary, the rhizomes are pre-intertwined with each other, if the intended style requires it.
• The final stage is soil compaction, watering and laying sphagnum moss over the soil.

Ficus microcarp transplant: video

Reproduction of ficus microcarp occurs in three ways: cuttings, layering and seeds.

For the cutting, the apical semi-lignified shoot is cut from the tree, soaked for a day to remove the protruding milky juice. After that, the cutting is placed in a glass of water, where wood ash or coal is added to prevent decay. When the roots appear, the seedling is rooted in a light nutritious soil, covering on top glass jar so that it takes root more easily. When new leaves appear, the jar is removed.

If you decide to try to propagate the ficus by layering, on a tall specimen they retreat from the crown by 55-60 cm and cut off the bark from the trunk in an area 10 cm long. The bare area is wrapped with wet sphagnum and film. A month later, roots will appear in this place. The crown is cut off along with the young roots and planted in a separate container.

Bonsai can only be obtained from a plant grown from seed. Planting is traditionally carried out in the spring. The quality of the planting material is very important, as are the conditions for its storage. If the norms are not met, the seeds will simply lose their germination. Seeds are stratified and moistened before planting. Drainage is laid at the bottom of the planting tank, then a layer of soil.

The seeds are laid out on the surface of the ground, sprinkled with sand on top, moistened and covered with foil. For successful germination of seedlings, warmth and diffused light are needed. Young plants hatch in 2-4 weeks. As soon as a few leaves appear, the seedlings dive. After another 2 months, they are seated in separate pots.

Ficus disease, as is the case with other plants, can be triggered by improper care or poor living conditions. Pests often move from neighboring flowers, especially in crowded conditions, dry air and high temperatures.

As an emergency measure, it is necessary to process the aerial part of the ficus soapy water, you can just try to wash off the pests from the crown under the shower. After that, it is advisable to transplant the plant into fresh soil, having previously disinfected the pot. If this does not help, be sure to spray the tree with insecticides, they work quickly and effectively.

Over-watering can cause dark or whitish spots on aerial roots. This indicates the spread of fungal diseases that cause rot. In this case, cut out all damaged areas, treat the ficus with fungicides and stop actively watering.

Unexpected leaf fall, when the leaves leave the tree green, may be the result of being in a draft or in a too cold room. Create a ficus comfortable conditions and the leaves will grow again. If the foliage is covered with spots, this indicates decay of the roots. The plant will have to be removed from the pot, inspected the roots, removed all suspicious areas and planted in fresh soil.

When the leaves do not fall suddenly, but after preliminary yellowing, the reason is poor watering. Some growers are afraid to flood the plant and go to the other extreme, allowing overdrying. We must not forget that any extremes are harmful to the plant. Watering should be regular, but gentle.

Ficus microcarp varieties

On sale you can find varieties of ficus microcarp. Let's introduce you to its most popular varieties:

Ginseng variety

Its intricate root shape is the result of long breeding work. Now anyone can grow a beautiful miniature tree from the seeds of this plant, the trunk of which sometimes resembles animal or human figurines. In care, this variety is considered unpretentious, but requires attention to feeding - without them, it will not be able to grow so decorative.

Moklame variety

Moklame is considered a dwarf epiphytic ficus. It was his diminutiveness that made him attractive for growing in home culture. It is a sun-loving variety of microcarp ficus and requires more illuminated areas. In winter, moklam must be supplemented for normal growth. The shoots are graceful and form a solid green crown.

Variegata variety

Variegated form with high decorative qualities. Like all variegated plants, it needs increased lighting. Can be grown as a lush bush, or shaped as a bonsai.

Westland

This is another small-leaved and small-fruited ficus belonging to the macrocarp species. The branches are covered with dark green elongated leaves 11 cm long. Doesn't require any special care. Grows well in bush form.

Try to create your own unique bonsai, for sure this process will fascinate you incredibly and give you a lot of positive emotions.

Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees. This philosophy originated in the 8-10th century in China. In Europe, art has always aroused great interest, nowadays it is also very popular. In ficus microcarp, fruits are formed in natural conditions, but in the apartment it almost never blooms. The peculiarity of this species is in a partially bare root system, which forms interesting forms.

Description

Ficus microcarp is native to the Japanese islands, Northern Australia, Southeast China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It grows in the coastal forest, on river banks, sometimes in the mountains and deep in the forest.

There are several varieties of this type:

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

Popular varieties:

• "Green Gem" - densely leafy crown of plants;
• "Westland" - leaf blades grow up to 11 cm in length, 5 cm in width;
• "Moklam" - leaves of a small size, dark green shade, rounded;
• "Variegata" - the leaves of the plant have a variegated color.

It is believed that ficuses cherish home comfort and contribute to the maintenance of a stable relationship. These plants purify indoor air.

It is believed that bonsai was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the 6th century. Niches of houses were decorated with such trees. According to one of the legends, the emperor ordered to create a miniature empire with rivers, mountains, houses and trees. His subjects invented miniature trees to carry out orders.

How to care for microcarp ficus at home?

The plant is light-loving, 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. Make sure the clod is dry before watering the plant. If excessive moisture occurs, the leaves will begin to fall off. Ficus microcarp leaves should be sprayed with cool boiled water.

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

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

V winter time ficus microcarp is placed near a 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 illumination especially in winter. It is necessary to eliminate these possible causes. If it is not possible to provide the tree with additional lighting, you need to wait for the spring - then new leaves should appear. If the leaves turn yellow little by little, it is possible that care is disturbed and the ficus of the microcarp is lacking in nutrients. It should be fed.

Crown formation and pruning

When forming the crown of a tree, you must follow these recommendations:

• removal of the apical bud stimulates the growth of the lateral ones, a lush bush is formed;
• if pruning is done 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 towards the sun in different directions.

Plants are pruned in the spring. Achieve the following goals:

• the plant is rejuvenated due to overgrowth with new shoots;
• the tree takes on the required shape;
• branching starts in the right place;
• the direction of growth of branches changes.

For sanitary purposes, pruning is done at any time of the year. The plant is cut off 2-3 weeks before transplanting into a new container. Weak and sickly plants are not formally pruned.

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, a special substrate is purchased.

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

How to propagate ficus microcarp?

There are the following breeding methods for this plant:

1. 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 the film, which is removed after the leaves appear.
2. Air layering... Leaves are removed on a long shoot in a chosen place, the bark is cleaned in this place, treated with "Kornevin", wrapped with moistened moss, and then covered with a film. When the roots appear, the shoot is cut off, the film is removed, the shoot, along with the moss, is planted in the substrate.
3. 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 watered and ventilated. After the leaves appear, the film is removed.

Diseases and pests: treatments

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. Take proper care of the plant, devote enough time to it, provide the required care, and it will certainly delight you with its beautiful appearance and positive emotions.

Ficuses are indoor plants that have been grown by flower growers for a long time. However, interest in them does not fade away, but only grows every year. This is due to the fact that the plant has an attractive appearance and does not require much attention to itself. These plants live in natural conditions both in the tropics and in the subtropics, they are found even in the temperate climatic zone.

This species is an epiphyte, that is, it can grow on other plants. (ficus microcarpa) has many roots air type... The plant has an erect trunk with a gray color. When grown at home, it can reach a height of about 1.5 m. The leaves have a glossy sheen and dark green color. The roots of the plant protrude from the ground, which is the main difference between this species.

Home care for microcarp ficus should be started immediately after purchase. First, you need to determine the place where the plant will live. For this, it is important to take into account what properties the tree has, as well as the fact that it does not tolerate when it is rearranged from one place to another. Poorly tolerates the following points:

• bright light hit;
• excessive dryness of air masses;
• the presence of drafts.

Therefore, the purchased ficus should be placed at a distance from the heating appliances. The best option will become a room with windows to the north side. Ficus does not like direct sunlight. You need to spray ficus from the first days after you purchased it. Such manipulations should be done three times during the day. It is unacceptable to overdry the soil, so you will need to check the moisture content.

After a couple of weeks, it will already be possible to transplant the plant into a container in which it will constantly develop. Be sure to lay a drainage layer when transplanting, it should fill the pot by a third. To do this, it is recommended to use expanded clay or foam. The soil is chosen as nutritious and loose. You can use ready-made soil for ficuses. It happens that after transplanting, the ficus throws off the leaves, you should not worry about this, since this is a reaction to a change of place.

Microcarpa prefers fertile soil, it can be made on its own by mixing humus with turf and peat soil and adding sand to the mixture. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions.

When the plant is actively developing, fertilizers need to be applied; for this, complex options designed for decorative plants are suitable. They must be diluted in water and then spilled with soil. Top dressing is carried out once every half a month.... If there is a bonsai-style cultivation, then special fertilizers are used. The plant absorbs fertilizers quite well if they are applied by spraying the leaves.

Trimming

To maintain the attractiveness of the shape, it will be necessary to periodically prune the plant. The formation of the crown should be started the earlier, the better. Ficus lends itself easily to any exterior design, so the imagination here can be limitless. Therefore, it is so loved by those who are fond of the art of bonsai, ficus microcarpa is ideal for this.

To make the trunk powerful, you need to prune it from a young plant. You can direct the branches in the desired direction if you use a wire. If the shoots are too thick, they should be removed. If desired, you can make the crown more branched, this can be achieved if you cut off strong branches up to 5 cm.

Ficus transplant

Microcarpa does not particularly like to be disturbed, so transplanting should be carried out no earlier than every 2 years. The development of a tree occurs at a very slow pace, and when it reaches adulthood, it stops growing altogether. It is only necessary to replace the soil in order to renew it. During this procedure, it is recommended to inspect the roots that are in the underground space. It is better to transplant in the spring.

If there is not enough moisture, and the temperature in the room is elevated, then this will contribute to the appearance of a spider mite, due to which the plant can die in a short period of time. To get rid of it, it is enough to arrange a shower for young plants with a water temperature of 40-45 degrees. For adult plants, insecticides can be used with which to treat.

Ficus can be attacked by aphids, thyroid, whitefly and thrips. To get rid of them, it is better to choose drugs specially designed for this, which can be found in stores in huge quantities.

Leaf shedding can occur if watering is insufficient, poor lighting, drafts, or improper fertilization. Also, transfer from one place to another or replanting can lead to loss of foliage. To speed up the adaptation process, you should use the Epin solution.

Ficus microcarpa is an evergreen mulberry tree.

Initially, it grew naturally only on the island of Borneo, located in Southeast Asia.

Later he began to move to Bermuda and to some tropical regions of the United States of America. In wild nature given view ficus is a very strong and hardy plant. It is sometimes called ficus microcarpa moklamé.

Description

Ficus microcarpa in natural habitat is a large epiphytic plant... Settling in large trees, it grows rapidly, forming a lush crown and long, but powerless roots. Hanging from the branches of trees, they are a very interesting sight (see photo).

The height of the plant growing in rainforest, can reach 20 meters. Instances living in indoor conditions, reach 1.5 meters, but most often they are grown in the form of small original bonsai, gradually exposing the roots and carrying out regular pruning of shoots.

The trunk of this ficus is characterized by a gray bark, it has a very smooth, thin and delicate structure, therefore, when grown indoors, you need to handle it carefully so as not to damage it. The shoots of the plant are covered with small foliage, which can be elliptical, oval or rounded.

During flowering, the ficus microcarpa is covered with flowers of an unusual shape, reminiscent of berries (syconia). In the future, in their place, very small fruits are formed no more than 1 centimeter in diameter. That is why this type of ficus got its name, the translation of which sounds like "small-fruited".

Often on a pot purchased plant also write Ficus microcarpa Ginseng, or Ficus ginseng i.e. "ginseng". These ficuses are grown in a special way.... After planting the ficus, it very quickly forms a root, the growth of which is stimulated by special agents and hormones.

When the root reaches a significant size, the ficus is dug up, the trunk is cut off, cleaned and planted in pots, leaving the root above the surface of the soil, only slightly digging.

Over time, the skin of the roots coarsens and turns into bark.

The growth of a new shoot is also stimulated with chemicals or the branches of other plants are grafted.

At this stage, in the form of a small tree with a large root, the plants reach the store shelves.

To grow bonsai, means that slow down the growth of ficus are used in the future.

Care in the first days after purchase

Currently, ficus microcarpa bonsai with original roots that come out strongly to the surface can be easily purchased in specialized stores.

Caring for it in the first days after purchase will determine its further condition and correct development.

Important! Bringing the plant home from the store it must not be transplanted immediately, it must go through a period of adaptation and get out of the stressful situation caused by moving to a new place of residence.

The ficus pot should be placed separately from others indoor plants for two weeks. At this time, you should monitor its condition and check for signs of diseases and pests, which may have been invisible when buying. If they are found, appropriate treatment should be carried out immediately.

During this period, the plant can shed some of the foliage.... Do not be intimidated by this, the loss of leaves is his natural reaction to a change of scenery. You just need to water it regularly and spray it daily, you can add a growth stimulant to the water, and very soon it will begin to release new, young leaves.

At the end of the quarantine, it is necessary to transplant the microcarp ficus into a new pot with the appropriate soil. Plants in shops, as a rule, are kept in containers with transport soil, which contains practically no nutrients.

Important! Immediately after planting, place the pot with ficus in a permanent place of growth, since this species does not react well to rearrangement. The exception is the summer period, when it is recommended to place it on a balcony or veranda, where it develops well.

Ficus microcarp: home care

Despite its exotic appearance, ficus microcarpa does not require any special conditions, as well as complex care... It is enough just to study some rules for its content and follow them in the process of growing this unusual plant.

Lighting

Ficus macrocarpa does not like abundant lighting... But, and a strong shadow is contraindicated for him. In this case, it will begin to shed its foliage, stretch out, and then slow down its growth and lose its decorative effect.

Therefore, you need to find a place for it in the western or eastern part of the room, preferably at some distance from the window.

Temperature

This type of ficus refers to heat-loving plants... Therefore, in the spring and summer period, he needs to provide an air temperature of 25 to 30 degrees. In autumn and winter, it is reduced, but not lower than 16 degrees.

In this case, the temperature should be constant, the plant reacts negatively to its drops, as well as to drafts.

Watering

Watering the ficus microcarp should be as needed after it dries. upper layer substrate. Frequent overflow threatens with rotting of the root system, and long-term shortage of leaf fall. Water for irrigation must be purified or settled and have room temperature.

Humidity

For normal life, ficus microcarp is not required high level humidity, 70 percent will be enough. If it is lower, then you need to increase the number of sprays of the plant and the space around it.

You can place the plant pot in a tray filled with pebbles or sphagnum moss, which must be moistened daily.

Soil and fertilizers

For this type of ficus light is required, nutrient soil with low acidity... To compile it, you can use the following proportions:

• Sod land - 2 parts;
• Leafy land - 1 part;
• Humus earth - 1 part;
• Coarse sand - 1 part.

In the spring and summer, plant feeding is carried out every 2 weeks using complex mineral fertilizers... Starting in the fall, it is reduced to 1 time per month.

Before applying top dressing, the ficus microcarp must be watered to prevent scalding of the root system.

Pruning and shaping the crown

To maintain the beautiful shape of the crown of the plant, it is necessary to regularly prune the newly regrown branches.

They are usually allowed to form up to 10 pairs of leaves and then shortened to 3.

If a small enough specimen was purchased and it is supposed to be grown in the form of a bonsai, then when it reaches a height of 15 centimeters you need to cut off the top to stimulate the active development of lateral shoots, as they grow, in the future, lead the formation of a crown of the selected shape.

A few more tips for caring for the microcarp ficus and forming its crown in this video:

Ficus microcarpa - transplant

Since the trunk and root system ficus microcarp grow rather slowly, then one transplant in two years is enough for the plant. This should be done at the beginning of spring, so that it easily takes root and begins to rapidly develop further.

It is necessary to transplant this type of ficus into a pot no more than 5 centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one.

A good drainage layer and new nutrient soil need to be poured into it.

The ficus must be carefully pulled out of the container, the roots must be cleaned of soil residues and cut off by 10 centimeters.

After that, you need to place it in a new pot, compact the soil and slightly moisten it.

The plant must be placed in a shaded area before rooting.

Reproduction

This plant can be propagated using air layers and seeds. But, these are quite laborious methods, while sometimes ending in unsuccessful ways. Most often, for reproduction of ficus, microcarp is produced by cuttings using apical cuttings about 10 centimeters long.

You can take those that are left after trimming. To plant them, you need to prepare boxes with a drainage layer and a mixture of peat and sand. Planting material it is recommended to put it in a container with a growth stimulant solution for several hours, and then plant it. The boxes should be placed in a warm, shaded area.

Within a month, the cuttings should develop roots. After this time, the seedlings need to cut off all the foliage, leaving only the topmost pair.

After half a month, it is necessary to carry out the first feeding of young plants. After a few months, when they are well established, they can be planted in separate pots, no more than 10 centimeters in diameter.

Potential diseases and pests

At improper care ficus microcarpa can infest spider mites, at the appearance of which, the leaves are entangled in cobwebs, and then fall off.

If the foliage of the plant has become sticky, it means that a scale insect has settled on the plant.

In these cases, immediately rinse all parts of the ficus with a solution of green or laundry soap and then spray with an insecticide solution.

Of the diseases for this type of ficus, the most dangerous root rot that occur during excessive watering. In this case, you need to transplant the plant into a new soil, after removing the affected areas of the root system, and the rest should be treated with a fungicide.

Types of ficus microcarp

Ficus microcarpa has many names. It is called Indian laurel, green island, Chinese star anise, ficus ginseng or ginseng, blunt or retusa ficus. They are all one and the same plant. Currently, breeders have bred its varietal varieties, which differ in the size and shape of the leaves.

Ficus microcarpa is a very original plant, which deservedly enjoys the love of both many flower growers and those who are far from plant growing. It does not require complex and time-consuming maintenance. At the same time, it can become a wonderful decoration for a room made in any style.