Growing rubber-bearing ficus robusta at home

Keeping ficus Robusta at home

Ficus Robusta is one of the most unpretentious varieties. Nevertheless, there are a number of necessary rules for caring for and maintaining a flower at home.

• Temperature: desired values ​​18-25 degrees. In winter it does not show signs of discomfort at temperatures up to 12-13 degrees.
• Lighting: bright, but diffused. Feels good even in partial shade. The main thing for him is not to be exposed to direct sunlight.
• Watering: depends on the development phase. During the period of rapid growth (March-August) - every 3 days. In the autumn-winter months, the frequency of watering is reduced to 1-2 times a week. Spraying - 1 time per week. The main requirement is to prevent, on the one hand, drying out of the top soil layer, and, on the other hand, preventing waterlogging or stagnation of water.

• Feeding with fertilizers: carried out only in the spring and summer, once every 10-15 days. Phytotechnologists do not advise experimenting and recommend buying ready-made products in specialized stores. If you prepare the fertilizer yourself, do not exceed the dosage of ingredients. Overfeeding can lead to irreversible processes and even the death of the plant. Among home remedies, a mixture of ammonium nitrate (0.5 g), superphosphate (0.5 g), potassium salt (0.1 g), diluted in 1 liter of well-settled water at room temperature, has worked well.
• Reproduction. Ficus elastica Robusta reproduces well by cuttings cut from the top and placed in water. The only condition is frequent changes of water. Planting the cuttings in well-moistened sand gives good results. Before planting, be sure to soak the sprout in water for 7-8 hours to completely free the trunk from the milky juice. As an additional measure, you can add a phytosporin tablet to a container of water - this will strengthen the shoot and protect it from disease.
• The soil. The required composition must include peat, sand and turf soil, taken in equal proportions. Additives in the form of humus, deciduous soil, and vermiculite are possible.

Agricultural technology.

Rose "Robusta" is relatively drought-resistant and undemanding to soil conditions. But the best development, and therefore the highest decorative effect, like any other rose, is achieved in a favorable agricultural background.

Landing place. The soil. Open sun or light temporary partial shade. The soil is light or medium loamy, deeply cultivated. Pit size when planting: depth = 50-60cm, diameter = 60-70cm.

Soil mixture options:

Turf soil, humus, sand 2:1:1 or 2:2:1

Turf soil, leaf soil, humus, sand 1:1:1:1

Care. Fertilizer. Watering. The tree trunk circle (within a radius of 60-90 cm) is kept free from weeds. Weeding is best done with a hoe or flat cutter, combining it with shallow loosening.

It is responsive to fertilizer. It is advisable to apply the main fertilizer (humus or compost) once in the first half of summer using the mulching method, with gradual incorporation into the soil during loosening.

During the season it is useful to carry out 1-2 liquid feedings. To do this, two buckets of mullein (or 2-3 tightly packed buckets of cut grass) are sealed in a 200-liter barrel and left to ferment for 12-15 days. It is advisable to carry out the first feeding in early May, and the second in July-August. For an adult bush, 15-20 liters of infusion are consumed.

Regular watering is a necessary condition for the normal development and abundant flowering of roses. It is recommended to keep the root ball in a constant, moderately moist state. Watering is indicated at the root, without irrigating the crown, moistening the soil within a radius of 25-40 cm from the center of tillering. A particularly important period is July-August, the time of laying new flower buds responsible for the future “harvest”. In years with normal precipitation, it is enough to water Robusta once every 10 days, but generously - about two buckets per adult bush. 6-7 days after watering, it is useful to disturb the soil crust by loosening.

Trimming. The most dramatic is anti-aging pruning. The need for it usually arises only at 6-8 years of age. It comes down to the systematic removal “at the root” of old (over 5-6 years old) trunks. It is advisable to carry it out in the fall in September - early October.

After harsh winters, young growths may be damaged. The dead parts are shortened to healthy wood. It is recommended to do this after the young foliage has fully expanded, in mid-to-late May. The task of formative pruning is to give the crown of the bush density and compactness. To do this, shoots that are actively leaving the contour you have outlined are systematically blinded and shortened.

Reproduction. Since “Robusta” is grown only in its own root form, it is propagated by green cuttings. Cuttings are cut at the beginning of lignification, from late June to mid-July.

Growing conditions

Neoregelia: species with photos, cultivation and care at home
Let's find out what conditions ficus robusta prefers.

Temperature

The best temperature for ficus is room temperature - too much heat, as well as excessive coolness, are not suitable. That is why in our country the plant is cultivated exclusively as an indoor plant. If the temperature reaches +25 degrees and goes higher, the leaves begin to turn pale, sag and fall off.

Drafts

The pot must be installed in a place in the apartment where there is no access to drafts. Ficus does not tolerate drafts and reacts sharply negatively to them.

Air humidity

The plant needs moderately humid air - at least 50%. The optimal option is humidity from 60% to 70%. You should not place the pot near working heating radiators, as the latter greatly dry out the air. In winter, when the batteries are working hard, it is recommended to spray the ficus leaves with a spray bottle to moisten them.

Lighting

Ficus robusta is undemanding to lighting and can feel quite good both in a sunny room and in a shaded one. If the place is completely dark, an artificial light source will easily solve the problem.

Do not expose the ficus to direct sunlight - this can lead to burns on its leaves.

Possible difficulties and disease prevention

Torenia: growing from seeds at home, planting and care

It’s worth noting right away that ficus Robusta is practically not susceptible to diseases and pests. However, if the rules of watering and care are not followed, spider mites may appear on the leaves.

However, getting rid of it is quite simple - just wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, paying special attention to the underside of the leaf

The main problems encountered when growing ficus:

1. 1 Yellowing and falling leaves. This can be caused by a sudden change in the location of the flower, the appearance of drafts, or lack or excess of lighting.
2. 2 Due to lack of water, the leaves quickly begin to dry out.
3. 3 But due to excessive watering, brown wet spots appear on the leaves. Only transplantation into new soil can save the flower.
4. 4 The appearance of a putrid odor indicates a disease of the root system.

Basically, a sudden drop of leaves indicates stress that the tree is experiencing. It should be noted that any deviation from the care rules is unpleasant for the flower, and therefore it is advisable to monitor its behavior.

• Carry out a thorough inspection of the tree once a month;
• follow all rules for caring for the plant;
• Wipe the sheets with soapy water once a week;
• It is advisable to take a warm shower once a month.

In general, with proper care, ficus Robusta is distinguished by its enviable unpretentiousness and pleases owners with lush green leaves all year round.

Ficus robusta is a type of rubber plant, suitable for growing at home.

With proper care, it will decorate a residential or public space.

A special feature is the ability to purify indoor air

from toxic substances.

Prevention of diseases and pests

More often, spider mites appear on ficus Robusta. Spraying the leaves with a spray bottle helps in the fight against this pest.

Most flower diseases develop due to non-compliance with care rules. Falling or curling leaves indicate improper watering. The first is also typical for plants growing in a room with dry air. Yellowing leaves indicate iron deficiency, while black spots indicate sunburn. In the first case, a specialized product helps, in the second, cutting off the affected parts of the plant and transferring the flower to another place.

The last common problem is also related to non-compliance with watering rules. Due to frequent application of water, the roots and trunk begin to rot. In this case, replanting and changing the watering regime help correct the situation. If traces of a fungal infection appear (white plaque or something else), then the ficus needs to be treated with fungicides.

Home care

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The rules for caring for ficus Robusta are elementary. You will need minimal effort to ensure that the bush maintains its decorative and healthy appearance.

Features of the microclimate

It is best to keep the rubber-bearing ficus at normal room temperature, the optimal range being +18-25 degrees. However, do not place the pot next to heating devices - hot dry air provokes rapid evaporation of moisture from the leaf plates. Low temperatures are also dangerous for the tropical flower, which sheds its leaves in the cold.

In the warm season, you can take the pot out to the loggia, balcony or garden - in such conditions the ficus will grow healthy and strong leaves. Do not leave it in direct sunlight for a long time, otherwise you will get ugly burns.

As for lighting, a minimum amount of light is sufficient for this type of ficus. The plant will feel great both on the north window and at a short distance from the windowsill. Of course, you shouldn’t leave the bush without any light at all - if there is no way to provide natural lighting, organize artificial supplementary lighting.

The level of humidity in the room directly affects the health of ficus Robusta leaves. It is best to maintain this indicator at a level of at least 50-60%, especially during the hot season or heating season. Place a special humidifier in the room or regularly spray the bush with a spray bottle. It is also advisable to periodically “bathe” the ficus and wipe the leaves with a damp cotton pad to remove dirt and dust.

Proper watering and fertilization

Watering is the most sensitive topic for novice gardeners who do not know in what proportions to properly “water” the ficus Robusta. To avoid mistakes in care, follow simple rules:

• Use settled water (at least 1 day) at room temperature;
• Do not flood the soil, but moisten it as the top layer dries;
• If there is any water left in the pan, drain it 10 minutes after watering;
• In winter, the frequency of watering should be reduced, and in summer, on the contrary, increased.

Be sure to focus on the condition of the substrate - if it has dried out by 2-3 cm, then it’s time to water the ficus. In other cases, it is better to wait, since excessive soil moisture negatively affects the condition of the root system.

Fertilizing helps maintain bright color and healthy foliage. Choose universal complexes for decorative foliage indoor flowers or special ones for ficus plants. The composition must contain nitrogen - an important component responsible for the active growth of green mass.

Fertilizers should be used only during the active growing season - from early spring to September. Fertilizers are applied only to moist soil, so it is best to dilute them in water for irrigation, observing the dosage.

What you need to know about pruning and replanting

Usually, at home, ficus Robusta is not pruned, allowing it to grow in height. However, some gardeners practice pruning the top to stimulate the growth of side shoots. It is worth noting that in this case it is impossible to predict the final result, since the number of new branches varies from one instance to another. Further experimentation with pruning will be required to achieve the desired crown shape.

If you decide to prune your ficus Robusta, follow this simple pattern:

• For plants that have not reached the required height, only pinching the apical shoot should be done;
• Cut thin branches at right angles, and the trunk part - obliquely;
• The cut location should always be above the level of the leaf bud.

Use only a sharp and disinfected tool - in this case, tissue damage will be minimal, and the ficus will tolerate pruning with less stress.

The frequency of transplantation depends on the growth rate of the particular ficus Robusta. On average, for young plants it is required annually, and for adult bushes - once every 3 years. For specimens whose considerable height does not allow for a full transplant, they are limited to replacing the top layer of the substrate with further feeding.

Be sure to ensure there is good drainage, which is most often used from store-bought expanded clay. Drainage holes at the bottom of the pot are also necessary - through them, excess moisture will flow into the pan. Choose a flowerpot 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.

A special soil for ficus plants or a self-prepared mixture of leaf humus, peat and sand mixed in equal proportions is suitable as a substrate.

Pests and diseases

Rubber-bearing ficus is extremely rarely infected with diseases or pests if properly cared for. The most common infection is spider mites; in order to get rid of them, it is enough to wipe the leaves with a soapy solution for a week. You can treat the crown with alcohol, just wipe the leaves on the back side and near the junction of the leaf with the trunk.

Diseases in ficus Robusta develop for several reasons, and all of them are associated with improper care:

• lack of light;
• leaf burn from direct sunlight;
• increased air temperature;
• lack of moisture;
• draft;
• waterlogging of the soil and the occurrence of mold;
• Frequently moving the plant from place to place.

Ficus reacts to any shock and can shed its leaves.

Why do the leaves dry out?

Ficus Robusta is considered an unpretentious plant, but if its maintenance conditions are not followed, the leaves will begin to dry out and fall off. There may be several reasons for this:

• too high temperature and dry air in the room;
• insufficient watering;
• depleted soil;
• diseases or pests.

For a natural reason - sometimes over time the ficus sheds old leaves in order for new ones to grow.

Why do the leaves turn yellow?

Many gardeners often encounter this problem; the main reason is iron deficiency in the soil. To eliminate the problem, you need to feed the plant:

• Ferrovite or iron chelate is used as fertilizer;
• the substrate must be saturated with water; the immersion method can be used;
• fertilizing is carried out a day after intensive moistening.

Other causes of yellowing leaves may include the following factors:

• insufficient lighting in winter;
• waterlogging;
• lack of moisture;
• draft;
• mold in the pot;
• pest damage.

It is very important to prevent the plant from overcooling and not to place the flower pot close to the window glass in winter. In order to notice pests or disease symptoms in time, it is necessary to periodically, at least twice a month, inspect the plant to assess its condition.

For preventive purposes, you can wipe the trunk and leaves with soapy water once a month.

These precautions will help the plant avoid many diseases.

Plant care

Rose Sophia Loren - description of the varietal bush

Despite the unpretentiousness of Robusta, for its proper growth it is necessary to follow basic rules for caring for it. The rose should be watered rarely, but abundantly. About once every 10 days she needs 2 buckets of water.

Watering

Watering should be carried out at the root within a radius of 20 cm from the bush. You should not allow the earthen clod to dry out, so after 5 days the soil must be loosened.

Fertilizing and soil quality

Almost any soil is suitable for growing roses, but it will feel better in a nutritious substrate. After planting next to the bush, it is necessary to weed to remove weeds.

Robusta is an unpretentious plant, but fertilizing will always benefit it. For this, compost and humus are most often used. You need to feed the bush once at the beginning of summer, combining it with the mulching procedure.

Twice a year, the rose can be fertilized with liquid products, for example, mullein infusion. One bush requires about 10 liters of solution.

Pruning and replanting

The shrub should be trimmed in May, when the first young leaves appear. All frozen, dried and diseased areas are removed. Anti-aging pruning is carried out no more often than once every 5 years. To do this, at the beginning of autumn it is necessary to remove all old shoots at the root.

Additional Information. Before wintering begins, it is necessary to remove all dried and diseased branches.

If there is a need to transplant a rose, then this should be done in early spring or late autumn. If you have to perform the procedure at another time, you will need to help the bush take root in a new place.

Preparing for winter

To prepare for winter, the bush is pruned, but not too short, as this can weaken the rose. Robusta also needs to provide shelter. It can be made from polyethylene or other non-woven material.

How to reproduce?

The plant is usually propagated using cuttings, which are formed, as a rule, from the stems remaining after the crown has formed. For this purpose, be sure to take those parts of the ficus on which at least 3 leaves have already grown. Before planting the cutting in a pot, it will have to stand in water for a sufficient time until the release of toxic juice stops. The liquid is then drained and replaced with a new one, enriched with a growth stimulator. The cutting remains in it until roots appear. Once in fertile soil, the shoot will be forced to “live” in the greenhouse.

This item is either purchased in a specialized store, or is created from scrap materials, for example, cut plastic bottles, glass jars or other material that can transmit light rays.

For information about the characteristics of ficus robusta, see below.

Features of home care

Despite its unpretentiousness, ficus, like all plants, requires compliance with certain rules of location, lighting, temperature and watering.

Selecting a location

Robusta is an unpretentious plant, however, it is a tropical plant and it is not recommended to place it in cold rooms. In winter it should be kept warm. In spring and autumn, ficus feels great on the veranda, in the summer and even in the fresh air. When determining the location, it is necessary to take into account that the ficus should be able to grow up to 2 meters upward and slightly to the sides.

The ideal place could be the eastern or western part of the house (apartment). The juicy and moisture-loving ficus does not tolerate dry air; the recommended air humidity is at least 50%.

Watering and fertilizing

The only thing that ficus Robusta requires constantly is watering. Among ficus trees, its leaves stand out clearly in their thickness and juiciness. Year-round watering will ensure your pet's growth and good health. At the same time, you should not over-moisten the soil in the pot. This can lead to rotting and death of the roots. In winter, if the air in the room is not very dry, less moisture may be required for irrigation.

The top layer of soil should be dry. You can check the soil moisture by simply digging it to a depth of 5 - 6 cm. If the soil is dry, it needs watering, if it sticks to your hands, wait. Water for flowers must be left to stand for at least twelve hours, or even better for 24 hours.

Caring for the soil under the ficus involves regular loosening. In spring, Robusta begins to actively grow. At this time it is necessary to start feeding it. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in liquid form approximately once every two weeks. If the plant is growing quickly and looks healthy, fertilizing can be done less often. They finish fertilizing the ficus at the end of autumn, with the end of the active growing season.

Young plants need watering and fertilizing more often. Watering may be needed every day, fertilizing once a week.

Lighting

Robusta does not have any special requirements for lighting. The main thing is to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. In the summer, in the fresh air, these can be shaded places under trees. In other seasons, it is better to place ficuses away from southern windows. Daylight is enough for him. It will grow well and maintain a green, natural leaf color in a shaded area with artificial light.

Room temperature

The room temperature that is familiar to the owner, ranging from 18 to 25 ° C, will be ideal for the rubber plant. The air around it should be the same temperature. Therefore, pots should not be placed close to radiators or other heaters. The window sills on which ficus plants are located should be wide so that warm air does not fall directly on the leaves of the plants. Under the influence of warm or hot air currents, leaves quickly release water and can dry out. Do not point at ficuses or devices that emit infrared and ultraviolet rays. Infrared radiation and ultraviolet light burn the leaves and stems, and the plant may die. When there is a sharp cold snap, the plant sheds its leaves.

Robusta tolerates smooth increases or decreases in temperature well. This happens if ficus grows on a balcony or veranda. The plant tolerates a gradual decrease from 25 to 18 °C, caused by cold weather outdoors in the fall. The same thing happens in the spring, but with warming. Therefore, if the ficus is outdoors in the summer, even before the cold snap, it needs to be moved to a closed veranda. And from the veranda, in the middle or end of autumn, into a heated room. In the spring you need to do everything in reverse order.

Is a transplant necessary after purchase?

The plant requires constant replanting as it grows quickly. If after watering the leaves drop and the roots are visible on the top of the soil, it needs to be replanted.

The best method is transshipment. This is a transplant into another flowerpot using the same earthen clod. This causes less damage to the plant.

Transplanting to another pot is carried out as follows:

• Water, making the entire lump of earth wet.
• Remove the plant from the previous pot along with the earthen lump.
• Place drainage in a new pot, place the ficus on it, and add new soil.
• Water. Determine the place for the plant and try not to move it again.
• It is advisable that the pot be made of clay and a couple of centimeters wider than before.

After purchasing a ficus, you need to think about how to form the crown and be sure to replant it. You will need a slightly larger pot and fresh soil.

What to do after purchase

So, you bought a ficus Robusta. Congratulations, this is a great purchase! Now you need to replant your pet. It needs a quality permanent pot and new soil.

Important! It is best to transplant a few days after purchase. Let the flower recover a little from the stress associated with transportation and change of habitat.

Basic rules for transplantation:

• choose a new pot that is slightly larger than the old one;
• purchase special soil for ficus plants. It's better than a generic flower mix;
• place expanded clay at the bottom of the container as drainage;
• replant the plant using the transshipment method - move the ficus together with the earthen lump;
• It is best to cover the tree with soil up to the first leaf and feed it with fertilizer for ficus.

It is right to choose fresh bushes that have recently been brought into stores and have not stood there for too long. It is worth shaking the ficus - if many leaves leave it, then you should not take such a plant. Ideally, not a single leaf should fly off. An alternative to shaking is to stroke the plant against the leaves. In addition to a general inspection, you should check your robusta for mealybugs. When taking the ficus home, it must be carefully packaged so as not to freeze.

Experts do not recommend taking large mature specimens. The fact is that the older the plant, the more difficult it will be for it to adapt to the new environment. A healthy plant's roots should not be black or dark brown. It is worth mentioning that often in stores, ficus leaves are rubbed with polish to achieve a beautiful shine that attracts customers.

How to care at home?

Ficuses are whimsical plants. They require proper care. If something is done wrong, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off. This will also negatively affect the tree’s immunity and significantly increase the likelihood of flower disease.

In order for the plant to feel good and develop normally, you need to know how to properly care for it. It is worth considering this issue in more detail.

What soil is suitable?

These plants require loose soil. If it is dense enough, then the roots will not be able to develop normally and receive the necessary microelements.

Therefore, it is necessary that the pot contains the following contents:

• expanded clay as drainage;
• loose soil;
• coarse sand.

Important

It is necessary to loosen the soil after each watering, but this must be done carefully. The tree has a developed root system, so there is a risk of damage.

The tree has a developed root system, so there is a risk of damage.

Watering

There are special watering rules that should not be neglected:

1. You can water only with warm water, which must settle. If the water is cold or there is a large amount of bleach in it, the ficus can quickly die.
2. 30 minutes after watering, excess water must be removed.
3. Watering is carried out 2-3 times a week, when the soil dries 2-3 cm.
4. Once a month you need a warm shower in the bathroom.
5. You need to spray the ficus with a spray bottle twice a day. The procedure is carried out in the morning and evening. It is forbidden to do this during the day, as the leaves can get burned.

Important. Untimely and excessive watering provokes yellowing of the leaves, so you need to pour a little water.

Fertilizer

Ficus plants should be fed from March to August, when they have a period of intensive growth. In this case, it is necessary to use mineral fertilizers that contain the following elements:

• potassium;
• phosphate;
• manganese.

They are necessary for the rapid formation of green leaves and rapid growth.

Important. Fertilizers must be used as indicated in the instructions.

But the first time you use it, you need to greatly reduce the recommended dose in order to study how suitable the selected fertilizer is for a particular plant.

You can also add organic fertilizers, but in small quantities. They contain large amounts of ammonia, which can cause root burn. They must be added exclusively in liquid form.

Is it necessary to loosen the soil?

Yes, this needs to be done every time after watering. In this case, loosening occurs as follows:

1. First check how dry the soil is.
2. Then add water for irrigation.
3. Next, using a blunt object, you need to slightly loosen the soil so as not to damage the roots.

If this is not done, the ground can become very hard. Then the roots will be pinched and will not be able to take nutrients from the soil. As a result, the tree will begin to die from a lack of essential microelements.

Trimming

Ficuses must be pruned, forming a crown and stimulating growth in the necessary parts. There are several rules to follow:

1. All lower branches that appeared for some reason must be deleted.
2. Skeletal branches are cut to 2/3 of their growth (per season).
3. All dry and diseased shoots must be cut off.

Important. Branches must not be broken; they are cut with pruners or a knife.

The tool must first be treated in an alcohol-containing solution, and after completion of the work, all cut areas must be treated with activated carbon.

Transfer

The tree must be replanted every year, and after it turns 5 years old, every 3-4 years. In this case, you need to buy a pot 3–4 cm larger in diameter. You don't need to buy a big one right away.

Here's how the transplant happens:

1. Expanded clay is placed at the bottom of the pot.
2. Earth and sand are poured on top.
3. The ficus is removed from the pot and cleaned of soil by tapping, but without using water.
4. Carefully examine the root system for the presence of rot (if there is any, it needs to be removed).
5. The plant is replanted, soil is added and it is compacted a little.

Important. Watering should only be done a couple of days after transplanting.

Yellowing of leaves and their falling off are natural processes at first, as the ficus has experienced stress.

Growing Robusta roses yourself

Rose Weasley - description of varietal scrub

In addition to the scarlet park Rose Robusta, there is also Pink Robusta, which has minor differences. The larger buds are pink and the size of the bush is slightly lower than that of the scarlet beauty. Although the differences are not significant, beginning gardeners still have a question about whether there is a difference in the agricultural technology used when planting different Robusta shrubs. The process of growing and planting is not significantly different.

Robusta Pink

Rose Robusta is relatively resistant to arid climates and is not picky about the soil. But for better decorativeness, you should choose a place with enough light and partial shade. It is also necessary to pay attention to the agricultural background of the soil. The soil should be medium loamy. You can use the following mixtures:

• humus, turf and sand – 2:2:1;
• turf, humus, sand and deciduous soil - 1:1:1:1.

As a rule, planting is done in the spring.

It is important to know! Rose Robusta is a native root species of the plant. This means that planting measures are carried out only with those seedlings that already have their own root system.

Standard agricultural technology:

1. A few hours before planting, the Robusta rose is placed in a root growth stimulator solution.
2. A hole is dug approximately 60 cm deep and approximately 70 cm in diameter.
3. A drainage layer is laid on the bottom. This could be expanded clay or other small stones.
4. The seedling is carefully placed in the hole so that all the roots are facing down, after which it is gradually covered with earth.

The last stage of planting is to mulch the soil in a circle and overwater.

About pests and diseases

Signs that your ficus is not doing well:

• leaves turn yellow and fall off;
• the appearance of spots of different colors on the foliage;
• wilting of leaves.

If the ficus suddenly turns yellow and crumbles, a possible reason is excessive dry air.

, or low room temperature, or drafts.

Brown spots indicate that the flower has been flooded

. How to help - carry out transshipment with inspection of the roots without watering. Among the pests, ficus is often attacked by spider mites, and less commonly by scale insects.

Signs of defeat

:

• leaves become covered with a sticky transparent coating
• a web enveloping the plant is visible
• with scale insects - red spots on the leaf.

Pests can be controlled using special means

, and traditional methods. One of them is washing the leaves on both sides with a soap solution (preferably laundry soap). For prevention, this can be done once a week, using a weak solution. To destroy scale insects and mites, use a more saturated opaque solution.

There are other problems that can be encountered when breeding Ficus Robusta.

Ficus Robusta does not require enormous cultivation efforts from its owners. But if you treat it with care, the plant will thank you with its well-groomed appearance. In addition, according to signs, this flower brings positivity to the house

, family happiness and helps couples have offspring.

The rubber-bearing ficus Robusta is one of the most unpretentious flowers from the Ficus family. This is the type that beginner flower growers are advised to purchase. Ficus elastica Robusta comes from the countries of Indonesia and China. The plant can reach a height of 60 cm, which makes it different from other representatives of its species.

The rubber-bearing ficus is known for its ability to purify the air from various toxic substances. This property is provided by large thick leaves. Interestingly, in the teachings of Feng Shui, ficus is credited with the ability to protect a room from evil spirits.

Ficus Robusta, which does not require much effort to care for, must be planted in nutritious soil. At the same time, it should easily allow air and water to pass through. A thick drainage layer should be placed at the bottom of the pot, since the flower may rot due to excessive watering.

When choosing a location, keep in mind that the plant does not like direct sunlight. Therefore, ficus needs to be provided with partial shade. The pot can be placed on the east, north or west window. In case of lack of light, artificial lighting can be used. However, as experts note, this is rarely necessary, since the flower easily adapts to its surrounding conditions

It is important to know that exposure to direct sunlight can lead to burns and leaf fall.

When caring for ficus Robusta, you should follow a number of rules:

1 The air temperature should be within +18…+25°С, no higher and no lower. At the same time, in winter, a flower pot should not be placed near heating radiators. This may cause leaves to fall off. In spring and summer, the flower can be placed on the balcony. 2 Air humidity should be above 50%. In this case, the ficus does not need additional spraying. However, in the cold season, humidity rarely reaches even 40%, and therefore the plant must be frequently sprayed, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, and even give it a water shower. If you follow this rule, the leaves of the flower will always be bright green and healthy. 3 An important condition when growing a tree is proper watering with settled water. Ficus Robusta needs regular and abundant moisture. In hot weather, the amount of watering can be increased, and in cold weather - reduced.

It is important not to overdo it with soil moisture, as this can lead to rotting of the roots. It is worth watering only when the top layer of soil dries out.

In case of excessive moisture, it is recommended to replant the plant.

Gardeners advise pruning the top to stimulate the growth of side shoots.

It is important to know that during pruning the ficus secretes poisonous juice, and therefore it is necessary to use rubber gloves when carrying out this procedure. The top should be removed in early March.

In this case, the scissors must be disinfected, and all the juice must be removed from the cut itself using a wet sponge.

Possible problems in cultivation and diseases

Ficus Robusta is quite resistant to diseases and pests, but sometimes it can react to negative environmental conditions. For example, a plant experiences stress during the beginning of the heating season: leaves may turn yellow, become stained, or fall off. This indicates that the air is dry and needs to be additionally moistened. Other reasons for this phenomenon may be drafts and low room temperatures. The appearance of brown spots indicates waterlogging of the soil - the plant has been flooded.

For your information! A common disease for ficus Robusta is a fungus that causes a gray coating to appear on the leaves, rotting of the roots and the appearance of black spots on the trunk. To get rid of the fungus, you will need to use fungicides.

Pests rarely damage this type of ficus. The most likely ones are scale insects and spider mites. To combat them, you need to spray with a solution of calendula tincture, tobacco or appropriate fungicides. To prevent the appearance of pests, it is necessary to periodically wipe the trunk and leaves of the flower with a soap solution.

Ficus Robusta does not bring any particular difficulties in care. With minimal care and attention, it will delight you with its thick green crown all year round and will fit into the interior of any room.

Rubber tree care

Some novice gardeners believe that elastica robusta is too capricious a houseplant. This misconception arises because the evergreen tree looks so expensive and impressive. But in fact, this is a modest flower, accustomed to being content with little. Put it in a dark corner of the room - it will survive. If you forget to water, it will remind you in a couple of days with the help of a yellowed leaf. But the tree itself always remains as viable as possible.

Don't hesitate to choose Ficus Robusta and it will delight you with its impressive dark green color and a sense of power and strength.

Caring for it is simple and includes the following basic elements:

• weekly watering;
• pruning;
• fertilization;
• annual transplant.

Watering and fertilizing

Ficus Robusta loves water, but without excess. Excess moisture will definitely harm it - the root system may rot. Therefore, carefully monitor whether the soil in the pot is too wet?

Otherwise, the watering rules are standard, corresponding to the recommendations for most other flowers:

• in summer, moisten the soil 2 times a week;
• In winter, one watering every 7 days is enough;
• the water should not be cold;
• The leaves should be wiped a couple of times a month.

The ideal option for irrigation is to use clean, soft water:

If you want your ficus to grow well, feed it from spring to autumn. From March to October, fertilize the plant a couple of times a month, but not more often. The principle applies here: it is better to “harden” the plant and not feed it, than to overdo it and spoil the soil. It is better to dilute concentrated fertilizers more strongly than indicated on the label. During the cold season, the tree rests and does not require fertilizing.

Soil and lighting

The best lighting for our dark green beauty is diffused light. To do this, the ficus should be placed in a well-lit room, not far from the window, but not on the windowsill itself. If your apartment doesn’t have such a place for a ficus, don’t worry! This tree can grow even in the back of a room. However, in this case, he will need an additional light source. Direct rays are much more dangerous for the tree. Therefore, in winter you can place the flower on a south-facing window, but in summer it is necessary to protect the leaves from the aggressive sun.

Basic rules for flower placement:

• do not place in direct sunlight in summer;
• when placing a tree in the back of the room, add a source of artificial light;
• In summer you can take it out into the garden or onto the balcony, but be sure to give the tree partial shade.

The soil for ficus Robusta should be light, ideally with neutral acidity. It's great if you add a little sand to the soil. This will make it lighter and more breathable.

How to form a crown?

The most beautiful form of a tree is a spreading, powerful crown. To do this, the plant requires pruning. Without it, your tree will grow upward uncontrollably until it hits the ceiling. Therefore, do not worry about the health of the ficus; pruning will only benefit it. Pick up the garden shears and get to work.

Basic rules for pruning:

• the best time for crown formation is spring;
• It is better not to touch the plant in autumn and winter;
• During the summer season, the tree needs not only formative, but also sanitary pruning.

Forming a crown is actually not difficult. Try it - you will succeed! The plant is difficult to destroy, it is strong and hardy.

• trim the top;
• bend it and attach it to the trunk;
• untie only after a shoot appears from the upper bud (the future lush crown). This way you will help the plant create several growth points.

Features of caring for ficus Robusta at home

Caring for ficus Robusta at home will not cause much trouble. It is with the care of this plant that beginning gardeners are advised to begin their journey. Undemanding and not capricious, it pleases with good annual growth. Caring for this ficus is a pleasure.

Ficus rubbery - description and care rules

The flower adapts well to apartment conditions. The optimal temperature is 25 °C. A higher rate can cause the foliage to begin to turn yellow, and a drop in temperature below 15 ° C will cause the leaves to fall off.

Lighting requirements are minimal. Ficus gets used to both well-lit and semi-shaded conditions. The only nuance that needs to be taken into account is limiting exposure to direct sunlight. They cause leaf blade burns and yellow spots.

The flower needs regular watering. Its frequency is selected depending on environmental conditions: in summer - 2 times a week, in winter - 1 time is enough.

Important! Excessive watering should be avoided; water should not accumulate in the pan. Overwatering leads to rotting of the roots and death of the plant.

Care should be taken to maintain humidity. Since it is a plant of tropical latitudes, it loves a high concentration of moisture in the air, 60-70%, but not lower than 50%. To do this, you need to regularly spray the flower with a spray bottle, and also periodically wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.

The flower is undemanding to lighting

It is better to choose a pot for growing ficus that is spacious, deep, and the soil is light and nutritious, with neutral acidity. A universal soil for deciduous plants or a special mixture for ficus plants is perfect.

During the period of active growth (from March to November) and during transplants, the flower requires mandatory feeding. It is better to fertilize with nitrogen-rich solutions no more than 3 times a month. An excess of nutrients can lead to negative consequences and death of the ficus.

Landing

Let's get acquainted with the main features of planting and rooting ficus.

Soil preparation

Ficus robusta will thrive in light soil with low acidity. You can buy ficus soil, which is sold in all flower shops - the simplest and best option. It is necessary to lay a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot - expanded clay or sand will do just fine.

Features of reproduction

Ficus robusta can be propagated in several ways:

• leaf shoots;
• cuttings;
• seeds;
• layering.

The cuttings are placed in water, and when the roots grow, they are transplanted into prepared soil. As a rule, the plant takes root without problems, and soon begins to actively grow.

Benefits and harms

The branches of the plant secrete milky sap. It is excellent for extracting rubber.

Drops of snow-white, dense juice flow out when cutting the stems and leaves of the plant.

A curved cut is made on one of the branches under the bark. A container is placed at the wound site. To prevent the juice from coagulating, the incision is covered with a bandage pre-moistened with alcohol. Vinegar is added to the container and the resulting mixture is mixed well. The concentrate produces flakes, which are washed under running water and rolled into elongated strips.

Rubber is subjected to various tests, since it does not dissolve in water and does not swell during precipitation. Such rubber can be easily processed into rubber or glue. More than 60% natural rubber is used to make tires. Rubber production is practiced on a large scale in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Reproduction methods

Cuttings

Propagation of rubber ficus by cuttings is one of the most effective and simplest methods. Cut the apical or stem cuttings obliquely, the height of which should be from 10 to 15 centimeters. All leaf plates are cut off, leaving only 1-2 top leaves. Wash off the milky juice from it; to do this, keep the cutting under running water until its secretion stops. Root it in a container with water. Those sheet plates that remain are rolled into a tube to reduce the area of ​​moisture evaporation, and rubber bands are put on them to prevent them from unfolding. However, cuttings produce roots best when rooted in soil mixture, but in this case they need to be covered with a transparent plastic bag on top.

As a rule, cuttings taken from the green-leaved variety of rubber plant produce roots very quickly, and there are no problems with them. If you took a cutting from a variegated variety of ficus, then before planting for rooting, the cut site must be anointed with heteroauxin or root. They are planted in mini-greenhouses with bottom heating. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that such cuttings will not take root.

REPRODUCTION OF FICUS AT HOME! FULL CYCLE FROM A TO Z!

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Reproduction by air layering

Variegated forms of ficus are best propagated by air layering. Make a cut on the trunk, the depth of which should be equal to 1/3 of its thickness. To prevent the edges of the cut from closing, place a match in it. This place on the trunk should be wrapped in moistened sphagnum moss, which is wrapped on top with polyethylene; ordinary tape is used to fix it. After roots form at the cut site (you can see this through a transparent film), the shoot is cut below the layer with roots and planted in a separate pot.

Leaf propagation

This method of propagation is used extremely rarely, and besides, it is untested (that is, there is no evidence that this method is truly effective). If you place a cut leaf blade for rooting in a container of water, then after some time it will grow roots. And after it is planted in the substrate, after a month, a year, two years, this leaf plate will still show off in your pot, because it is not able to produce shoots.

Description

The plant is also called Elastica Robusta or rubber ficus. This is an unpretentious ornamental plant that can be grown by a novice gardener. Caring for it is not troublesome, and the handsome ficus is undemanding in terms of living conditions.

The color of the leaves is interesting - the general background is dark green, but in the middle there is a vein that has a contrasting lighter or red color. Young leaves at the top of the plant are usually red at first, and only then turn green. All leaves are arranged along the trunk in strict sequence.

The trunk, by the way, also has a green color. The length of one leaf is 20-25 cm, and their width reaches 15 cm. There are also large specimens, with leaves of enormous sizes - about 45x20 cm. Photo of the flower on our website.

Robusta is still blooming. However, the flowers and subsequent fruits do not have any special decorative value, and their size is small (1 cm in diameter).

Such a ficus, even at home, can reach a height of two meters. Therefore, it is often used for landscaping institutions, offices, and spacious shops.

Characteristics of Ficus elastica Robusta

Like the entire mulberry family, to which ficus plants belong, Robusta (lat. Ficus robusta) is an evergreen perennial plant. It is noteworthy that some scientists distinguish it as an independent species, while others classify it as only one of the varieties of elastic ficus, the main characteristics of which include massiveness. The same word can describe the plant itself, because despite its small dimensions, Robusta looks quite powerful .

External characteristics of home ficus:

1. The leaves of the plant are sinewy, large and strong. The shape is oval, with smooth edges and a necessarily pointed tip, the color is dark green. A feature of the Ficus Robusta is the colored stripe of the central vein, which can differ significantly from the color of the leaf itself, acquiring shades from yellow to rich red.
2. New leaves appear exclusively at the top of the shoot. The length of “adults” varies from 20 to 25 cm, rarely exceeding 15 cm in width.
3. Despite the fact that Ficus Robusta is considered an ornamental foliage plant, it is capable of blooming. But the inflorescences of small yellow-green flowers on a tree are rarely noticeable and in no way affect the overall appearance of the ficus.
4. The fruits that ripen in place of the inflorescences, syconia, are inedible.
5. Ficus grows aerial roots.

how – Body book

When a person has to say what, when he wants to show off what he is doing, he deepens the tattoo-inscription. The inscriptions are generally perceived by tattoo artists and fine connoisseurs of tattoo art with hostility: this plot is too different and not just original. Thousands of inscriptions from people “Love”, “Peace”, “Veni, vidi, However” go around the world.

vici, inscriptions can be justified if they are lines from a favorite song that deeply touched the heart, or a poem of one’s own composition. Placed deeply under clothing, close to intimate places, these lines acquire special frankness.