How to properly transplant Benjamin's ficus at home

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Transplanting ficus Benjamin requires the florist to maximize concentration and clarity of the actions performed. This flower is unique for its amazing genetics, so it adapts to new climate and soil conditions in a minimum amount of time. If the florist sets himself the goal of achieving good results in growing a plant at home, then it is important for him to follow certain instructions, which suggests some points regarding care: the timely transplantation of an ornamental plant into a new convenient pot and soil (substrate).

Ficus Benjamin transplant at home

Observing these simple conditions, a person will be able to observe how Benjamin's ficus will grow and change, achieving the expected results over several years.

Preliminary preparation of the plant

Most inexperienced florists or just housewives are not able to understand how to transplant Benjamin's ficus correctly. This procedure is performed annually. During this time period, the root system of the plant increases significantly in size, so the pot in which it is planted will already be too small, in addition to this, the substrate loses all useful components (in professional terminology, this process is called "depletion"), and this only slows down the growth process deciduous mass. If the flower develops more than 3-4 years, then a transplant at home can be done every few years, and not as before, annually.

Ficus is in an inert state (dormancy) in autumn and winter, therefore, the end of spring (May) - the beginning of the summer period (June) competent florists call the ideal time to transplant a plant into a new soil and a new container.

In fact, this time can be called the most favorable, because the metabolic processes of the flower are accelerated, so it will much faster overcome all the difficulties that arise after the ficus is transplanted (transshipment) into a new convenient and much larger pot. In addition to this, due to the maximum activity of the sun's rays, the duration of daylight hours is much longer, and therefore the strengthening of the plant in the new soil is much faster.

Another important point in the whole process is which pot to transplant into. The root system should be well established before the plant enters the resting phase. This nuance determines the correct, and most importantly - full nutrition of the tree in the "inert" period, when the metabolic process simply slows down.

Basic conditions for choosing a container for ficus

1. For transplanting Benjamin's ficus, a good pot bought in a florist or other specialized store is suitable.
2. The diameter and high capacity should be slightly larger than that of its predecessor (by a few sentiments) so that Benjamin's flower does not feel discomfort in the new developmental conditions.
3. At the bottom there should be cracks that will perform several specific functions: removal (drainage) of excess water, aeration of the soil (substrate).
4. The pot must be thoroughly disinfected with a disinfectant before transplanting. Hot boiled water or formalin solution perfectly copes with this task.
5. The first layer of soil is called drainage, and it consists of crushed bricks. Experienced flower growers know that this ball makes up 10-20% of the total volume.

The substrate for the flower must also be prepared in advance. A video on how you really need to create soil for this plant can be found freely available on the Internet. The earth (substrate) consists of:

• sand;
• soil.

The ratio of these components is 2: 4. If the soil is represented by several types (turf and leaf), then the proportion does not change, but only 1/4 is added. After all the balls have been laid and the soil mixture can be called ready, it is best to additionally treat it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or just boiled hot water. This condition is really necessary, because in this way all nascent harmful organisms are killed, plus the activity of viruses is suppressed, and this indicates that the grower does not have to fear a sick plant. Another good result of this procedure is that the soil is saturated with water, clearly structured, and at the time of transplanting the tree at home, the soil will serve as an aid for the sooner completion of the adaptation period of the flower.

Transplanting Benjamin's decorative ficus is not difficult if you follow the instructions step by step. If, after buying a small sprout, you transplant it into the ground, then you need to know the level of acidity of the soil.

It may not correspond to the optimal indicator, and this is fraught with the fact that the tree will not normally absorb all the nutrients it needs that are in the substrate. This greatly affects not only the general condition of the plant, but also its subsequent development. It has been established that the acceptable level of pH fluctuates around 5-6, it is this indicator that must be adhered to whenever the substrate changes.

Highlights of the ficus transplant process

In order to produce the front end of plants with a well-developed root system, the “transhipment” method is used. The flower is transferred as carefully as possible from one pot to another, but with all this, the earthen lump that forms around the root does not collapse. Everyone can transplant at home in this way, even those who do not have in-depth knowledge of the topic. The method itself has several advantages:

1. Minimal stress for ficus.
2. Modification or addition of new components.

Before starting the execution, you need to watch the training video. So a person will see which rules require full compliance, and which can still be neglected.

Transplant stages:

1. Preparation of tools: wooden spatulas, sticks. It is likely that the flower is too large, in this situation one florist will not cope with the situation, then one more person is needed. So that the earth does not crumble, thereby injuring the root system - the day before the start of transshipment, the ficus is well poured with water.
2. The first step during the procedure is to carefully remove the wood from the old container. If in the process a clod of earth does not move away from the walls of the pot, then you need to knock on the back with your hand. If this does not help, the earth is pushed through the drainage slots using a wooden stick.
3. Diagnostics and full examination of the roots. If the grower does not notice the rotten areas, the roots look healthy and have a normal shade, there are no obstacles to the procedure. If there are foci of the disease, then they are washed from the ground and removed.
4. The soil itself is supplemented and modified.The drainage material is being cleaned, but the top layer is removed first.
5. Next comes the measurement of the capacity, this is done in order to check how well the new ficus pot fits. Measurements are performed with a small tape measure or ruler. If the height of the pot does not fit the ficus, this problematic situation is solved by filling in a new drainage layer. It is necessary to look at the situation: if there is a lot, then reduce, if not enough, then add to replenish the required volume. The main thing is to make sure that the root neck of the flower is located 2.5-3.5 cm below the side of the container. After the drainage layer, ready-made soil is often poured with some useful additives and all this is lightly compacted.
6. If there are voids left in the pot on top, then they can be supplemented with soil mixture. If the earth ball is very dry, then it must be watered. The planning of subsequent transshipments is made based on the state of the substrate and the flower itself. There are several correctly signaling indicators that indicate that it is time to transplant - compaction (the appearance of lumps) and the subsequent acidification of the soil, the lack of development in the ornamental tree, and if the roots are clearly visible through the soil or lower (drainage) cracks. In order to guarantee the Benjamin ficus in good condition, between transshipments, you can change the very first layer of the substrate or additionally feed it with useful substances and microelements.

General points of tree care

If the florist has a dilemma of how to transplant Benjamin's ficus, there is only one solution: to look for additional information. It should be noted that after performing the necessary maneuvers, this plant needs well-organized care. Initially, he is placed in a replaced room for a couple of days. This is necessary for the root system to complete the adaptation faster. After the specified time has elapsed, the ficus is returned to where it was taken from.

Watering for the first time is allowed after 2-3 days. But in the future, it is not necessary to create an accurate schedule for irrigating the flower, if it is clear that the earth is sufficiently dry. This indicates that it is time to add moisture to the soil.

One more point regarding care: the ficus does not like low temperatures, so you should make sure that the soil does not overcool or vice versa. Acceptable minimum - 15-16 ° С, maximum - 27-30 ° С. If the environment changes and exceeds the values, the plant will die.

A flower with a variegated color of leaves requires an increased level of illumination, monotonous species need more partial shade and some scattering of light. In summer, the crown is sprayed with boiled or purified water several times a week. This type of water does not leave white streaks on the plant, since it does not contain heavy chemical compounds and salts.

Preventive measures to preserve the plant

When a plant grows and develops, there are situations when a grower must provide him with quick help. The reason for this condition may be the development of the disease. The main types of diseases to which the ficus is exposed:

1. Cercosporosis. The characteristic symptoms of this condition are as follows: dark dots appear on the back of the leaves, therefore yellowing begins and after a certain amount of time the leaf completely fades.
2. Botrytis. If a white bloom appears on the foliage, then the ficus is exposed to this disease. The main reason is over-watering.
3. Anthracnose suggests the appearance of brownish spots and dry leaves.

All diseases have one thing in common: not good enough care. This may be a lack of moisture, poor-quality or improperly created lighting, a violation of the general temperature background.

Treatment involves cutting off the affected parts, after which the flower is transferred to another room separately from the rest. The flower grower must watch the foliage.It will be the main indicator of a normal, healthy state when growing a plant in a comfortable environment.

The foliage falls off or dries up, then the flower needs additional irrigation, the air in the room is too dry, and this negatively affects the general condition. Spraying the leaves saves from such a situation.

If only the lower leaves from the tree disappear, then this is normal and indicates that the flower is developing.

If they are grafted and twisted, then this indicates that the plant is very cold and freezes over. The solution to this problem is as follows: you need to remove Benjamin's ficus away from large windows and walls and, if possible, try to increase the ambient temperature.

Conclusion

If young plants have very small leaves, the flower needs to be fertilized. To do this, the florist visits the store, where he will be told what additives can be used for this purpose.

Periodically inspect the ficus for pests. Insects can completely destroy the plant in a short time. It is impossible to eliminate them on your own; the solution to the problem will be the use of insecticidal preparations.