Ficus is a rather unique flower, because unlike other indoor plants, it only grows upward. Not every grower will be happy with this fact. Indeed, in this case, you will have to regularly prune in order to give the ficus the necessary shape. However, not everyone can do this task, because only a few know how to cut a ficus.
Content
Plant features
One of the well-known representatives of the mulberry family is the rubber ficus, which is usually attributed to the genus ficus. The habitat of this plant is India, as well as southern part of Indonesia and western part of Africa... In countries with more severe climates, this flower is widely used as an ornamental plant. However, it is valued not only because of its attractiveness, because large varieties of this ficus are used as raw materials for the manufacture of rubber.
The specimens that grow naturally are impressive in size, which can reach 40 m in height. Moreover, they often form support roots. The latter are distinguished by the fact that they penetrate deep into the ground, where they take root. Home-grown rubber ficus is more compact, since most often it reaches a height of up to 10 m. After planned pruning, this variety begins to look even more miniature.
Beneficial features
Ficus rubbery for many is interesting not only because of its decorative properties, because when it is grown indoors, you can maintain a healthy atmosphere... The cleansing effect is provided by the leaves, which filter the air like a pipe. As a result of this filtration, oxygen-enriched air is obtained at the outlet.
Many breeders are attracted to the rubber plant and the fact that it does not create problems in care. House-grown specimens do not form flowers, and at the same time they are demanding on growing conditions. The main thing is to make sure that the plant is protected from direct sunlight, as well as to water regularly and periodically arrange a warm shower for it.
Ficus growth physiology
Rubber ficus can be given any shape. To do this, you just need to properly trim it. As a result of this operation, from a nondescript plant at first sight, you can get unique home decoration... Moreover, even a novice florist can master this task, but first you have to familiarize yourself with the rules of pruning and adhere to them.
Shape change ficus benjamin occurs due to new shoots that usually emerge from the buds. The ficus has only two of them:
- apical (located at the very top of the bush);
- lateral, or axillary (located in the leaf axils, where the leaf petioles are closely adjacent to the trunk).
The apical bud shows the fastest growth, outstripping the lateral buds in this regard, which develop very slowly or show no signs of development at all.It is enough to remove the upper kidney so that the lateral kidneys can begin to develop well. Shoots usually start to grow in different directions. As a result of such manipulations, the plant begins to change its crown.
How to properly prune ficus?
Before proceeding with the formation of the crown, it does not hurt to find out what time of the year it is better to do this.
Many believe that it is best to hold this event in springand they will be right. The formation of the crown planned for this time of the year makes it possible to give the plant more splendor, since it is in the spring that the best conditions for growth are created for the ficus. Using a similar approach, a grower can grow Benjamin's ficus, which will be well developed, with fully formed shoots in all directions.
It is undesirable to transfer pruning of Benjamin's ficus to a later time, for example, autumn or winter, since in this case the shoots will develop within a specific area. This will make the ficus look skewed. It should be borne in mind that at this time of the year the ficus begins use nutrientsthat he has accumulated in the shoots. As a result of pruning shoots in the fall, you will leave Benjamin's ficus without these stocks, endangering his survival.
During the formation of the crown, it is necessary not only to change the length of the shoots, but also to correct the direction of their further growth. For this purpose, special tensioning devices are usually used.
Crown formation without pruning
Do not rush to prune rubber ficus. First, it is worth considering whether there is an urgent need for this. There is also an easier way to form a crown, which involves changing direction and securing the necessary shoots. This approach to the formation of the crown allows you to minimize injury to the plant, which can grow further, delighting the owner with a beautiful view. After waiting some time so that the branches can take a new position, the fixing devices are removed.
During trimming it is necessary take into account the age of the plant... This operation brings the least harm to young bushes. You need to be more careful with adult plants: since their shoots are not very flexible, their shortening and other similar actions can seriously injure the plant.
Rubber ficus: how to form the crown correctly?
The rules below designed for single ficus bushesforming into one trunk.
It is necessary to prune only those plants whose height is 70 cm. When this moment comes, it is necessary to cut off the upper cutting. As a result, the mechanism for the formation of side shoots will be launched. In principle, a cut cut can be used useful if it is planted next to the mother plant. This combination will give a new, original shape to the bush.- Sometimes you have to deal with the formation of the crown of low-growing plants. In this case, you should not carry out pruning, you can limit yourself to the usual pinching of the crown. But it should be borne in mind that after this operation only one sprout will subsequently grow from this point.
- You can also start the process of forming new side shoots by bending the crown. After that, the crown must be fixed in a new position. After waiting for the moment when new shoots begin to form from the upper bud, the trunk is returned to its original position.
- To start the process of forming additional branches, you can proceed as follows: you need to take a thick needle and create a hole in the main trunk a third of the thickness. If you wish, you can make several punctures, but you need to remember that new shoots will develop only from the lowest one. For this reason, it is recommended to start this operation from the top.
- You can also remove a thin twig by making a straight cut.A little differently, you need to act in relation to thick shoots, which should be cut at an angle.
- Trimming can only be done with sterile instruments that must have a sharp blade. You can ensure that the instrument is sterilized before the procedure using such available tools as fire and rubbing alcohol.
- After pruning, plant sap often appears from the wound, it must be removed. This can be done with a damp cloth. There is no need to process the cut site with special preparations.
- A month later from the day of pruning, you should start feeding the ficus. You also need to take into account that after this procedure, the plant will need a more spacious pot.
In general, pruning the rubber plant is a simple undertaking. The main thing is to follow all the rules for its conduct. So it must be very careful with milky juice, which is dangerous to humans because of its toxicity. In order to avoid undesirable consequences, this work must be carried out with protective gloves.
Formation of an unusual crown
If necessary, even a novice grower can give the rubber plant pretty original shape.
this will require a pot in which you need to transplant several plants. It is recommended to use young specimens with well-developed stems, the height of which should not be more than 15 cm;- be sure to cut off all side shoots. Particular attention must be paid to the trunk, which must be periodically given the necessary shape;
- it is important not to forget that the branches must be weaved without strong tension to create free space between them, since in the future the trunks will become thicker. You can get a spiral from young ficus plants if they are planted in one common pot. If you want to get a pigtail, you will need at least three copies;
- branches can be weaved only on those plants that have reached the required height - 13-15 cm. To make the next turn, additional time may be required, since it is done as the ficus develops.
In the process of pruning ficus Benjamin or rubber, be sure to take care of so that the braid does not open later... For this, it is recommended to tie the trunks using soft threads. Best of all, if it is woolen. The dressing is usually done every two months.
In some cases, the installation of a support is required for the normal development of the ficus. In this case, you can easily see how spectacular and original appearance the rubber plant will acquire.
Conclusion
Rubber ficus, however, like other representatives of this family, are best known for their decorative effect. However, this does not mean that the grower will not have to take measures for this. If you know how to form a Benjamin ficus crown, then you can easily cope with the rubbery look.
You should know that only those specimens in respect of which regular pruning... After all, the beauty of the ficus can be ensured through the formation of the crown. Beginner growers can also beautifully cut Benjamin's ficus at home, because ficuses are very compact plants, so there are no special difficulties with this operation.
Catherine 
Tamara
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