Rubbery Ficus Robusta
Ficus robusta is a tropical plant that represents the mulberry family. His homeland is the countries of southeast Asia and the southern islands of Indonesia. The plant is unpretentious, care and breeding can be done even by beginners. Experienced florists recommend starting with him to start your collection of indoor flowers.
Ficus Robusta
Description of the plant
Ficus Elastica Robusta is found in Malaysia, Burma, Nepal, on the Indonesian islands, in China. Under natural conditions, it grows up to 40-60 m. The thickness of the trunk reaches 2 m. The plant takes root, but does not form a real crown of a banyan tree.
The leaves are hard, thick, oval in shape, with pointed tips and a smooth edge. The length of one plate can be up to 45 cm, and the width - up to 25 cm. The color of the leaves is dark green, the same on both sides. In the middle there is a plump central vein. It can be red, yellow-orange, or dark green. Young leaves that develop at the top are red. The flowers form small yellow-green inflorescences, almost inconspicuous against the background of lush foliage. The berries are small, up to 1 cm in diameter.
At home, the ficus Robusta or El Robusta (abbreviated name) grows up to 2 m. The diameter of the trunk is 5-10 cm. The leaves are 15-20 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. The indoor flower is often called simply rubbery. This is not entirely true, as Robusta is just one of the varieties of this plant.
Care features
Normal care for ficus Robusta at home does not cause difficulties. The rules are quite simple, even a beginner can follow them.
Lighting
All ficuses are light-requiring. The peculiarity of the Robusta variety is that it tolerates shade well and does not have to be placed on a windowsill. However, it reacts to too much lack of light by shedding leaves. Windows are suitable for the plant, deployed to the west and east, but the north side will not be destructive for it.
Temperature
Like all tropical species, rubber ficus loves warmth. In summer, the temperature in the room should be 25-30 ° C. In winter, it is undesirable for it to fall below 15 ° С, the optimal indicator is 16-18 ° С. If a tree is frozen, its leaves fall off.
Humidity
Often in an apartment, especially in winter, the humidity drops to 35-40%. This is destructive for a plant, it is correct for it to maintain a humidity indicator at a level of 60-70%, therefore ficus leaves must be periodically sprayed with water or a special humidifier should be placed in the room. It is recommended to bathe ficus once a month under the shower. Leaves should be wiped with a cloth, as they accumulate dust.
Watering
An indoor flower must be watered regularly and abundantly, otherwise it turns yellow and sheds foliage. At the same time, rotting of the root system must not be allowed. Between watering, the soil should dry out to a depth of 2-3 cm. In summer, the bush is watered 2-3 times a week, in winter - once every 7-10 days. The water should be settled or boiled.
Top dressing
Fertilizers should be applied when the plant is developing intensively, from March to October. Choosing top dressing for ficuses or those that contain a large amount of nitrogen: this element stimulates the growth of deciduous mass. Fertilizer should be applied twice a week, well moistened the soil before this, so as not to burn the roots. With a visible lack of mineral elements, it is recommended to feed the flower in winter, but not more often than once a month.
Transplanting and pruning ficus
In the process of growth, any plant requires correct crown formation and periodic transplantation. If such care is ignored, the bush grows to an exorbitant height, becomes ugly. In a cramped pot, growth stops altogether and the bush can dry out.
Transfer
When Ficus Robusta is young, it should be transferred from pot to pot annually. After 4 years, the procedure is repeated every two years, but the top layer of the earth is periodically changed. The transplant is carried out in early spring, before the beginning of the growing season. For this, a new flowerpot is prepared, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm larger than that of the old one. If you transplant a bush into a pot that is too voluminous, it will stop growing. To make it easier to pull the tree out of the old vessel, it is first watered well.
You can buy soil for transplanting; special soil for ficuses is sold in flower shops. If this is not possible, a mixture of leafy soil, sand and peat in equal parts is suitable. You can add a little humus there. Drainage from expanded clay is placed at the bottom of the pot. Then a third of the soil is poured, a ficus plant with an old earthen clod is placed and sprinkled with new soil. The transplant is completed, it remains only to tamp the earth, water and fertilize a little.
Pruning
It is very important to prune the Elastica ficus at least once a year so that it does not grow rapidly upward. Crown formation can be difficult, as the rubbery species may not allow lateral shoots after cutting off the top. But the height of the crop allows you to control.
By its type, pruning is:
- standard;
- sanitary;
- anti-aging.
Any kind is carried out using a sterile sharp knife. When milky juice appears on the cut, it is lightly soaked and sprinkled with crushed coal. With the standard method, the top is cut off and the side shoots are shortened if necessary. Sanitary pruning involves removing dry or diseased shoots.
Rejuvenating pruning is done when the flower has frozen, dropped leaves or withered. The crown and trunk are almost completely cut off, leaving only 3-4 cm above the ground. After a couple of months, the plant will grow back and will be like new. In the summer, instead of pruning, pinching is carried out. Carefully, with sharp scissors, cut off the top by 1-1.5 cm. Pinching stimulates the growth of the bush in width.
Reproduction of ficus
We told you what proper home care looks like for the Elastica ficus. Now let's talk about how to breed this species. There are two ways to get a new plant:
- cuttings;
- layering.
Cuttings
It is easiest to propagate ficus Robusta by cuttings. Cuttings are carried out at the beginning of spring in the following way:
- choose a healthy apical shoot;
- cut a stalk 10-15 cm long with 3-4 nodes;
- wash off the milky juice in water;
- dipped into a substrate of equal parts of sand and peat or into water;
- cover with a glass cap.
The container with cuttings is placed in a warm and bright place. Rooting takes place within 2-3 weeks. Reproduction can be carried out with a small cuttings with a leaf. To do this, cut off a section of a branch, 2-3 cm long, with one knot and a green leaf. The further rooting process is the same as in the first case. This method is not very reliable, it is used when there is a lack of branch material. It is better to propagate the rubber-bearing ficus with full-length long cuttings.
Reproduction by layering
Reproduction by layering is carried out on old bushes to rejuvenate them. Take the lower branch, remove all the leaves from it.Then a circular incision is made in the bark. Apply damp cotton wool or moss on top and wrap with foil. After 2-3 weeks, aerial roots are formed in this place. You can also dig in the escape. After rooting, the branch is cut off and placed in the substrate. After 2-3 weeks, it can be transplanted into a permanent pot.
Ficus diseases
Improper care and maintenance can make the rubbery ficus Robusta Elastica sick. Most often, the tree begins to shed its leaves. Sometimes it can be seen that the bush has dropped the leaves, they have become lethargic, dried up and turned yellow. The reasons for this condition are as follows:
- sunburn, when direct rays fall on the plant, manifests itself as brown or yellow spots;
- lack of light;
- dry air;
- too high a temperature;
- drafts;
- insufficient watering.
Also, errors in care can cause fungal diseases. In this case, the leaves are covered with a gray bloom, black dots, the roots begin to rot. The main reason for the appearance of a fungal disease is dampness and overflow. Fight the fungus with fungicides.
Poor care is not the only cause of illness. Often the ficus Robusta is attacked by pests. Most often, the bush affects aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites. Parasites can be collected manually, sprayed with infusion of tobacco, calendula, insecticides.
Signs and beliefs
Ficuses in different countries were credited with magical properties. Often this plant is used for home improvement in Feng Shui. Folk omens attribute to the plant the properties of a muzhegon. But for a married couple, it is useful, it helps to acquire offspring and remain faithful to each other.
Ficus Robusta is recommended to be installed in the house for those who do not know how to save money. A flower can make any spender prudent, teach you how to plan a budget. He also brings good luck in business. No wonder many businessmen like to put this tree in their office.
Has a rubbery ficus and a more practical application. Its huge leaves freshen the air in the apartment. They release a lot of oxygen during photosynthesis. In addition, the plant is able to absorb unpleasant odors, harmful substances, primarily benzenes and phenols. In urban environments, air pollution is a big problem. Therefore, in any home, a flower will be of great benefit. Since reproduction and caring for it are simple, it is suitable even for those who do not understand anything about houseplants.