2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
A tropical handsome man in his native element grows into a huge tree with a dense and powerful crown of leaves of particular beauty. In the Royal Botanic Garden of the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), there is one specimen that, in a century and a half of its life, has grown a crown that covers 2500 square meters of land with its shadow. Do not be alarmed! Under indoor conditions, it does not grow so quickly and powerfully
Curiosities of Ceylon
Of course, the island is dominated by the sacred Ficus (Ficus religiosa), which is called the "Sacred Bodhi tree." Meditating under this particular ficus, Prince Gautama achieved enlightenment, becoming a Buddha and for many centuries by his own example puzzled people with the search for themselves.
But, walking through the Royal Botanic Gardens of the island, it is impossible not to notice the mighty crown of Ficus benjamina, who has seen a lot during his 150-year life. Small beautiful leaves are densely intertwined, constructing a natural roof, under which you can hide from the hot rays of the sun or rain streams.
The Benjamin's ficus growing at home is inferior in size to its Ceylon ancestor, although, as a houseplant, it also requires a large area for living.
Habit
Ficus Benjamin is a shrub or small tree with drooping thin shoots. Oval small leaves with a pointed end in a young plant are colored light green. As the plant grows, the color becomes denser, turning into a dark green. Tireless breeders have developed varieties with grassy green and variegated foliage.
Over the past three to four decades, Benjamin's ficus has gained great popularity, becoming one of the most popular tropical plants used for landscaping. In milder climates, Benjamin's ficus is grown outdoors.
Popular varieties
• Ficus Benjamin
"Exotic" - is distinguished by a particularly bright gloss of the leaves.
• Ficus Benjamin
"Naked" - the leaves are narrower and shorter than those of the Exotica variety, with a slightly wavy edge.
• Ficus Benjamin
Folollet - a derivative plant from the variety "Naked", which has smaller leaves with less gloss (more matte).
• Ficus Benjamin
"Israel" - drooping gray shoots with larger leaves than the Exotic variety, but with a similar leaf shape.
• Ficus Benjamin
"The Golden King" - a king, as they say, and a king in the tropics. Whitish or ivory edging and gray-green spots give the leaves a royal look.
• Ficus Benjamin
"Star Light" - a white border on the dark green leaves of the falling branches creates the illusion of a mysterious starlight.
• Ficus Benjamin
"Dwarf gold" - very small dwarf leaves with a white border are painted in the color of young peas, which later acquire a gray tint.
• Ficus Benjamin
"Dwarf Star" - similar to the previous view, but with smaller leaves with a wider white edge.
• Ficus Benjamin
Hawaii - especially decorative, thanks to its variegated leaves with snow-white spots on the surface.
Growing
Light shade is allowed for the ficus only in summer, and in winter, the plant should be provided with a well-lit place.
The soil needs fertile, rich in organic matter, light, well-drained.
Allowable temperature peaks are from 13 to 28 degrees.
Watering as needed, so as not to create strong waterlogging, but also not to dry out the soil. Periodically, watering with soft (rain) water is combined with mineral dressings.
To maintain the appearance, you should often wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or sponge, saving their beauty from annoying dust.
Delicate ficus must be protected from waterlogging, which can cause fungal diseases; from gluttonous pests; from sudden changes in air temperature.
Reproduction and transplantation
Propagated by apical cuttings.
Every spring, young plants are transplanted into a container that is a couple of sizes larger than the previous pot. When the ficus grows to a meter in height, the transplant is carried out less often, once every 2-3 years. In the spring, the plant, along with a lump of earth, is transferred into a new container, adding new soil.
The best time to buy ficus in stores is spring.
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