Ficus Mohlame: Growing and Care

There are more than 800 species of ficuses in nature. Many of them are grown as indoor plants. Their popularity is explained very simply. Plants are quite unpretentious. They do not need to create any special conditions for development, and they do not require frequent watering. It is characterized by such qualities and one of the most interesting and original varieties - the ficus of Miccarp Moclame.

general description

The motherland of this ficus is East Asia. From other varieties it is distinguished by the presence of powerful air roots, which form bizarre intertwining. Thanks to this unusual form of "trunk" from the foci of Moklama it is very easy to grow spectacular bonsai. Actually the very name "microcarp" in Latin means "small fruit". In addition to aerial roots, the decorative value of this plant is represented by rounded dark green glossy leaves.

In the wild, the ficus of Moklama, whose photo can be seen on this page, grows very high and spread out. In an apartment too large, it usually does not happen. Above a meter and a half, this ficus in the room conditions never grows.

How to choose a place

In relation to the microclimate, the ficus of Microcarp, as already mentioned, is relatively unpretentious. You can place it almost anywhere in the room. In this case, it is important to observe only two conditions. First, the plant should not be exposed to direct sunlight. But at the same time and in the darkest corner it should not be put. A fairly bright, diffused light is what is best suited to the ficus of Microcarp.

The second condition for the good development of this plant is the lack of a draft. Put it on a purged place is not worth it. Otherwise it will be constantly ill. The ficus bought in the store should be immediately placed on a permanent place. Changing the situation, this species is extremely disliked (can discard leaflets).

Preparing for a transplant

Of course, you do not need to transplant the acquired plant into a new pot. Perform this procedure usually only after 3-4 months. Soil ficus Moklame loves nutritious and easy. In the pot, a good drainage is required. Stagnant water this plant does not tolerate. As a drain, it is best to use expanded clay. If you do not find this material, you can replace it with a broken red brick. Clay, like clay, absorbs excess moisture well.

What is the soil suitable for?

Over the drainage into the pot under this plant is best to pour the store purchased in the store, designed specifically for the ficus. You can also buy a universal soil mixture for indoor ornamental plants. Sometimes the soil for the ficus of Microcarp is made independently. For this, take in equal parts:

• Sod land;

• peat;

• sand;

• Leaf ground.

For young ficuses usually use more loose soil. In this case, the mixture is also made up of peat, sand and leaf earth. Dense sod soil is not added to it.

How to transplant

Young ficuses are supposed to be transferred to new pots annually. Grow and develop, they are usually pretty fast. The new container for the ficus must each be 4-5 cm in diameter larger than the old one. Adult plants are transplanted approximately once every two to three years. Actually, the procedure is carried out in the usual way: pour a third of the soil into a pot, establish a plant and cover the roots with the remaining soil. The only thing, in the case of a Micros carp transplant, it is necessary to make sure that most of its aerial roots remain on the surface.

How to moisten the soil in a pot and spray

Carrying out for such a plant as ficus Microcarp Moclame, care at home, it is important to adhere to the correct irrigation technique. Too often, soil should not be moistened under it. At overflow at the ficus roots start to rot, and on the bark and leaves there appear black spots.

As a result, the leaves are showered and the plant dies. On the first day after the purchase in the store, the ficus of Microcarp is not watered at all. On the second day the finger is checked for the condition of the earth. If it dried out deeper than 1.5-2 cm, ficus should be watered. In the future you need to do the same. That is, just make sure that the soil in the pot does not dry out more than 2 cm. For an adult ficus, this figure is 3-4 cm.

Of course, watering this plant with water from the tap is not worth it. Otherwise, bleach can simply ruin the ficus of Moklama. Care at home for this plant involves the use of water for exclusively water at room temperature. Humidify the soil under the ficus is usually just a method under the root. But every 2-3 weeks you can arrange a warm shower for the plant. Water, drained into the pallet after watering, must be drained off.

Too dry air this ficus does not like. Therefore, it is desirable to spray it from time to time. In any case, in the winter, the battery next to this plant should be covered with a damp cloth.

How to feed

Applying fertilizers to the ficus of Moclame in the warm season should be quite often. Usually this plant is fed once in 10 days. In summer it is recommended to use nitrogenous fertilizers. Spring and autumn usually use self-prepared top dressing, which is a mixture of nettle broth and ash. Some fans of indoor plants believe that it is useful to fertilize the figs with broth or milk. However, the opinion is, of course, erroneous. In fact, such feeding will simply lead to soil decay.

Temperature conditions

Ficus Microcarp Moclame, care for which must be done correctly, - the plant is southern and thermophilic. Since his homeland is hot Asia, he does not tolerate cold at all. In the room where the pot is located with this plant, it should be warm enough. The optimum temperature for the ficus of Moclame in summer is 26 ^о С, in winter - 18 ^о С. At the same time in a warm season in the room should not be too hot (not more than +28 ... +30 ^о С), and from October to April - colder +16 ^о .

How to make a bonsai

The ficus of Moklama is valued, as already mentioned, including for the unusual shape of the "trunk". This plant is one of the few, of which it is very easy to make bonsai. To do this, the ficus is first grown to the required size of the "trunk", periodically transplanting it into new containers. Then its crown is cut completely. The remaining aerial roots are transferred to a small bowl. After a while, the plant will release new branches. In the future, the ficus should be periodically cut. The simplest form of "trunk" is most easily given by the garter method.

Obtained bonsai, unlike the usual ficus, can not be transplanted into a larger container. In this case, they do it a little differently. Ficus is pulled out from the plate in which it grows, together with a clod of earth and cut the last perimeter by 1 cm. The plant is then placed in the same container. Formed empty space is filled with new soil.

Ficus Moeclame: growing from the handle

Propagation of this plant, if desired, will be completely uncomplicated. Most often, a simple method of propagation is used to breed the ficus of Moklama. In order to get a few new ones from the mother plant, you need:

• Cut off the sprouts with a sharp knife and place them in a glass with spilled water;

• In 2-3 weeks (when the roots will appear) to transfer the petioles to pots with soil.

For reproduction, it is best to take strong shoots with fully developed fibers.

How to treat diseases

To various kinds of infections, the ficus of Moclame is relatively stable. However, sometimes this plant, of course, still gets sick. Most often the ficus of Microcarp is infected with powdery mildew. At the same time, a characteristic white coating appears on its leaves. When you try to clean it, it easily leaves and crumbles. In order to cure the plant from powdery mildew, it must be treated with some kind of fungicide. Also, all infected leaves should be removed from it.

From time to time, the foci of Moklama become infected with root rot. This bacterial infection is most often the result of excessive watering. In order to help the plant, you need to cut off all the affected roots and replace the ground in the pot.

Very often lovers of indoor flowers, growing ficus moclam, are faced with such problems as dumping leaves. This kind of trouble usually happens because of stress. Typically, if the plant was moved to another location. If the leaves turn yellow before falling off, then the ficus lacks water. The fall of the green plates, on the contrary, speaks of its overabundance.

Pests

Of course, like any other indoor plant, the ficus of Microcarp can suffer from attacks of various kinds of insects and arthropods. Most often, its owners have to deal with a spider mites or aphids. Also sometimes this plant is affected by a scab. In the latter case, you need to use a purchased insecticide for indoor flowers, acting according to the instructions. Tlja and the tick or mite can be expelled and with application of national agents. For example, a normal soap solution is good for these two pests. You can also simply sprinkle the ficus with diluted dichlorvos (in a small concentration). Very good against these pests helps and Bordeaux fluid.

Conclusion

As you can see, the ficus of Moklama, care for which is simple, - the plant is really quite unpretentious. No wonder it is called a flower for the lazy. But, of course, watering and fertilizing this ficus is not to be forgotten in any case. In order to get a beautiful bonsai from Moslame, the plant should be simply transferred to a small bowl and cut off from time to time.