Trimming
Pruning helps good growth And abundant flowering plants, it is necessary to obtain beautiful crown or the shape of plants, produce standard or bushy specimens.
Pruning is done in three cases:
If you want to rejuvenate the plant
- if they want to form a plant
- sanitary pruning
The best time for pruning is spring. Pruning is done after a dormant period. The cut is made above the outward-facing leaf, otherwise new shoots will grow inward. The cut should be made a few millimeters above the bud and go away from it, slightly obliquely.
Sanitary pruning. All yellowed, shriveled shoots and leaves that have lost their decorative properties must be cut off. Weakened old shoots often turn out to be easy prey for fungi and bacteria, a shelter and breeding ground for insect pests. In addition, an unhealthy looking shoot may not indicate old age, but rather illness or pest infestation. If it is not removed in time, the disease will spread to healthy parts of the plant, which once again proves the need for sanitary pruning. The basic rule is to remove all unhealthy or aged parts of the plant. You need to cut the shoot down to the healthy tissue (or, if the shoot starts underground, remove it to the very base).
Anti-aging pruning. It is especially suitable for those plants that may develop long shoots that eventually lose leaves or become bare from high temperature or dry air in winter. When rejuvenating pruning, shoots are removed almost to the very base. But at the same time, you need to ensure that 2-3 live buds remain on the “stumps”. It's okay if you remove up to 90% of the shoot length. After all, the more intense the pruning, the more active the subsequent growth of the remaining shoots. If you are sorry to part with all the shoots at once, you can rejuvenate the plant in stages, first cutting off half of the shoots, and when they grow up, trim the rest short. Anti-aging pruning is best done shortly before or at the very beginning of the growth period. Don't forget to feed the plant after rejuvenating pruning, because the plant will have to grow at a faster rate than usual. After rejuvenating pruning, many strong, healthy shoots grow. Therefore, sometimes such pruning is carried out in order to obtain many high-quality cuttings.
Formative pruning. This is the most difficult type of pruning to give the plant the desired shape. Formative pruning is a creative process that requires careful observation of the plant. Highest Achievement the art of formative pruning is 6onsai and the creation of living sculptures from plants. At home, it is useful to form tall and highly branched plants, which without this procedure give a thickened and unsightly crown, for example ficus, citrus, laurel, hibiscus, roses, fuchsia, etc. When formative pruning, it is important to choose right direction growth of future shoots. If you want to grow a horizontal branch, then the topmost bud left on it should be turned down or towards the outer part of the crown. If you plan vertical growth, then select a bud directed upward or to the center of the crown and make a cut slightly above it. Guides often recommend using wire to give branches the desired direction of growth. Keep in mind that plants are very willful creatures. Changing the direction of growth of branches using wire is quite difficult. But there are also those who willingly change their shape. Thus, from small-leaved ficuses it is possible to obtain “sculptures” of any given shape using wire frames. And one more note: the younger the branch, the easier it is to change its direction with the help of a wire. Shoots that are not yet lignified or semi-lignified are best suited for shaping with wire.
Formation of a standard tree. To form a standard tree, take a strong rooted cutting that grows vertically upward. Delete side shoots until the plant reaches the height you want. When this height is reached, cut off the top of the plant. Wait until 5 - 6 side shoots develop, which will be the top of the standard tree. Their tops are pinched several times. Remove all leaves at the base of the stem. The result will be a standard plant with a well-developed crown.
Dimensions of a standard tree.
Tabletop standard tree: 30 - 45 cm.
Low standard tree: 45 - 80 cm.
Standard standard tree: 80 - 105 cm.
Bush formation. In a young plant, at a height of 6 - 7 cm, pinch off the top of the main shoot. After reaching a height of 10 - 12 cm, side shoots are also pinched. When is it formed beautiful bush, you need to periodically pluck out or cut out shoots directed inward, preferably at the very beginning of their appearance.
Arc formation. Hanging and climbing plants form long shoots that can be sent along a wire arc. To do this, an arched support is carefully inserted into the pot. The shoots are distributed along the wire and loosely tied in some places.
Formation of a pyramid. Some plants can be used to form a beautiful pyramid. Plants such as fuchsia, ivy, and pelargonium grow well upward; you can make a screw support for them.
Pinching. In order for cuttings or young plants to branch well and not stretch upward, you need to slow down their growth in height by pinching off the tops of the shoots. The plant is usually pinched above the first pair of leaves.
Winter pruning. Potted plants that are kept in a dark basement in winter need to be trimmed properly in the fall and all remaining leaves removed. Remember: the root system should not dry out.
Ficus rubber has long been successfully grown by amateurs in room conditions, but many questions usually arise regarding the formation of the crown of an indoor tree. The formation of ficus has its own subtleties and nuances, which should be remembered when starting pruning. This article is all about how to prune a ficus correctly.
A chaotically overgrown plant must be pruned.
Pruning of an indoor tree is performed when the trunk and crown are accidentally damaged (for example, when a plant falls) or when forming the height and shape of the crown. Is it worth it to trim a tree indoors? Of course, because in nature, rubber-bearing ficuses can reach a height of up to 40 meters and above. In indoor conditions, a fast-growing ficus specimen may rest against the ceiling, which will prevent further formation of the crown. In the first years, a large tree grows only upward, so pruning can stimulate the development of lateral branches. But pruning is not always necessary to form a ficus crown.
Shaping the crown without trimming
The upper shoots are cut off until the crown takes on a rounded shape.
Unusual shape: interesting
Young ficus trees can be formed into an extraordinary plant. To do this, several cuttings of the same age are planted in one container, which can be easily braided. Of course, cuttings from old branches are not suitable for this purpose, because the branches must have a certain flexibility so as not to break during weaving.
Large leaves are removed from the bottom of the trunks - the trunks, which can easily grow together, will give the plant a special charm. When braiding, you can give the braid a certain shape - spectacular holes between the trunks, for which pieces of foam plastic, corks, stones or other materials are temporarily inserted into the braid. Once the shape of the holes is set, you can remove these inserts.
Ficuses braided into a braid spend a lot of effort creating the shape of the trunk, so they give very small increases in height. If you limit the growth of roots by planting the plant in a low bowl, you can maintain the intended shape of the ficus for a long time.
Crown formation by pruning
Use sharp scissors to cut off the top of the main trunk.
If you choose the classic option of shaping the crown rubber ficus– pruning, it is important to correctly perform all the techniques for forming an indoor tree.
Trimming times vary:
- Formative pruning can only be performed during the period of active tree growth, i.e. This operation is not performed in autumn and winter.
- Sanitary pruning is carried out as necessary when damage to the trunk or branches occurs on the plant.
To perform high-quality pruning, you need to prepare the following tools:
- Garden secateurs.
- Garden shears (large).
- Small scissors with sharp blades.
- Alcohol solution for processing instruments.
- Garden varnish for treating cut areas.
How to trim a ficus yourself, what should you pay close attention to?
- You must not start work without protecting your hands from the milky sap of ficus, which is very poisonous.
- It is not recommended to radically trim the plant at one time, removing more than 30% of the crown.
The florist, at his own discretion, chooses the shape of the crown, guided by common sense, based on the individual characteristics of the plant.
New shoots of ficus develop from apical or axillary buds, while the upper bud develops, the lateral ones are dormant. To stimulate the branching of the ficus crown, it is necessary to give impetus to the development of axillary buds, which is achieved by pinching the main trunk. You can remove the dominant bud in the spring, when the ficus enters a period of intensive growth.
Thin green branches can be trimmed leaving a straight area, old branches covered with mature bark are cut at an angle of 45 degrees.
Pruning the top shoot is carried out above the bud, from which new shoots will subsequently develop.
Caring for the plant during the formation of the crown comes down to watering with warm, settled water; a month after the operation, it is worth carrying out the first feeding of the plant.
Photos of a correctly trimmed ficus are very pleasing - the plant begins to grow a dense crown and an extensive network of skeletal branches. In nature, rubber ficus trees begin to branch naturally at a height of 4 meters.
After pruning, the plant is constantly turned towards the light source so that the crown can form evenly.
Shape indoor ficus can be done without pruning; to do this, you need to correctly direct the growth of young shoots, fixing individual branches if necessary. This operation will avoid injury to the young plant and will also reduce the risk of infections in the area where the cut was made.
Young trees whose branches have not yet become completely lignified best tolerate the application of fixing devices. This method is usually used for young people indoor trees growing into one trunk.
It is worth starting to form the crown when the growth young tree will reach 0.7 m. After this, the apical part of the shoot is pinched or cut off. Very often, pinching does not give the desired effect - a replacement shoot begins to develop from the side bud, as a result of which the plant grows into one trunk (see photo).
The method of bending the apical shoot, which is securely fixed, is often used. A replacement shoot develops from the lateral bud; as soon as it grows to 5 cm, the trunk is returned to its original state. The next operation is performed to stimulate the growth of lateral branches, for which a puncture is made with a darning needle to a depth of 1/3 of the trunk diameter. It is best to start at the top, gradually moving down the trunk, after the shoot grows at the site of the first puncture. The protruding juice is carefully removed with wet cotton wool or a rag. Work on pruning ficus should be done with rubber gloves - the sap of the plant is extremely poisonous.
Ficus can be formed into a beautiful bonsai-style tree, ball or lush bush. A large assortment of varieties and various prunings make this possible. capricious plant use in different styles.
About how to prune ficus correctly, as well as necessary care after the procedure, we will tell you in the article.
Ficus is one of the most flexible indoor plants. Among the representatives of this mulberry family there are about 1,000 various types. Only a few of this variety are grown at home or in greenhouses:
Lat. Ficus (photo)
Ficus rubber or Ficus elastica. IN natural conditions Existing in tropical rain forests, these evergreen trees grow to a height of about 25 meters.
In indoor conditions, only a few specimens reach more than one and a half meters. Branch bark brown. When young, its leaves are curled into a tube. Then they unfold into large dark green, leathery, shiny leaves up to 20 cm in length.
You can grow a large specimen if you place it in a bright place. The plant should be fully illuminated by sunlight for three hours a day. Watering is needed abundantly, but not frequently. The elastic should dry out a little before the next watering.
Ficus lyreformes. Homeland of this beautiful plant- West Africa. The tropical forests of the southern continent determined the nature of this ficus. When cultivated indoors, the flower does not grow small. It needs a lot of space.
It is better to grow this beauty in a greenhouse, winter garden or on a warm balcony. The main condition for growing this type of ficus is good lighting. Direct sunlight should not fall on the leaves of the plant. At midday it is better to shade it from the active sun. This could be a light organza curtain on the balcony windows.
Ficus dwarf, Ficus ivy or Ficus pumila. Many varieties with green or variegated leaves have been developed. This little ficus is completely different from its giant brothers.
It has rounded leaves and is a ground cover or hanging plant. Mini ficus can play the role of a soloist in a flowerpot or ground cover plant in a tub with larger neighbors. loves water and light.
Ficus carica. This plant is also known as fig tree, fig tree, fig tree. The species began to be grown as a houseplant recently. It turned out that keeping such exotic things in the house is not difficult. In summer, figs need to be provided with more warmth and light.
Ficus cuttings (photo)
In winter, you need to place the pot in the coolest place in the room. The plant is deciduous and in winter it does not need light at all.
It loves loose soil, abundant watering, fertilizing and spraying. But all this needs to be done in the summer. IN winter time figs need rest.
Ficus willow. Fast growing plant with narrow leaves capable of good care move other indoor flowers. Its dimensions must be taken into account when purchasing for small rooms.
This type of ficus is quite unpretentious and can tolerate irregular watering, dry air, and stagnant water. But you shouldn’t abuse these qualities.
Ficus bengal or banyan tree. It was this type of plant that laid the foundation. This was due to the plant’s remarkable ability to form aerial roots.
In tropical forests, thickets of such ficus trees serve as a refuge for animals. They make entire tents. Its leaves are velvety. The young tree is quite decorative. Over time, it loses integrity. Individual shoots and aerial roots require supports for development and growth.
Ficus benjamina. This is a plant for large rooms and winter gardens. With good care and proper crown formation, it quickly grows into a tree. Ficus does not like low temperatures. The lowest limit for it is 17 °C. Frequent watering have a bad effect on the condition of the roots. We will tell you further how to trim ficus benjamina at home.
Each type of ficus in its arsenal also has various varieties. This plant can appear in various forms from a huge tree to a baby or a vine.
There is another interesting variety of the described plant - ficus curly. The leaves of such a tree can curl both evenly and asymmetrically. If the foliage has uniform curves, then the color is also uniform, rich and dark green. The leaves are shiny and have a glossy sheen.
The main feature of caring for this species is good lighting, but without direct sunlight. Also, it is better to immediately choose a place for such a pet and disturb it as little as possible. The crop may begin to shed its leaves if the tree is moved.
Correct watering is important in care, as well as bathing and spraying on hot summer days. How to trim such a ficus? The rules are not particularly different from those that apply to other varieties. But, it is better to trim the branches of a curly plant regularly.
Types of pruning
Is it possible to prune ficus? All types of ficus respond well to pruning. It must be done with a clean, sharp instrument. To do this, it is wiped with an alcohol solution before and after trimming.
How to prune ficus correctly? Green stems are cut horizontally, and rough wooden stems are cut at an angle of 45°. Whenever pruning, do not leave long stumps. This can lead to infection at the cut site. Aesthetically, such pruning does not decorate the plant. How to trim a ficus so that it is fluffy, curly and beautiful?
Bansaya from ficus (photo)
Pruning is used for various purposes:
Correction of the crown shape. This procedure is carried out in March. Branches that have stretched over the winter are cut back to their previous level. The shape of the plant is put in order. For these works, manicure scissors or special miniature scissors for trimming the thin ends of branches are more suitable.
To create a bonsai style composition. In some types of ficus, the above-ground part is not so decorative. But the roots! Such plants are grown only for this dramatic picture. With age, the roots become very thick and bizarrely curved if they are placed above ground level when planting.
In this case, the ficus trunk is cut short, leaving a small stump. New branches quickly grow from it. Such exotic plants effective and undemanding. Thick roots can go without water for a long time. Minimal foliage does not require good lighting.
Sanitary pruning. This type of pruning can be done throughout the season, cutting out dead, broken or weak branches.
Plant formation. Ficus can be grown as a tree, in standard form, or as a bush with several shoots. All these shapes are achieved by pruning.
Some experimenters plant two to four plants at once in one spacious pot. If you plant ficus elastica in this way, then at a certain height these plants can be intertwined. allows you to do this without damaging the plant.
New sprouts after pruning (photo)
As they grow, they are adjusted to remain in this position. There are clamps for this. They can be purchased in bonsai departments. After some time, the intertwined trunks form a beautiful picture.
The standard form of the plant is also created by pruning. The lush crown in the shape of a ball is formed in three tiers. It is good to use ficus Benjamin or Elastica for such experiments.
Making a standard from an adult tree is not a pleasant task. A lot of effort and energy can be wasted.
It is better to use a young plant for growing. Its growth at a very early age is limited to one central shoot. All other laterals are removed. The crown should begin at a distance of about 50 cm from the soil surface.
The ratio of crown and trunk height of 1:1 is optimal from an aesthetic point of view. It stays firmly on the feet and proportionality plays into the hands of any style. In each specific case, the gardener chooses his own type of plant. It depends on the type of ficus and on the pot in which it lives.
The ficus bush can also be given almost any shape. The main thing is not to rush. Heavy pruning will not give good results. Everything must be in moderation, otherwise the plant will weaken.
Rejuvenating or restorative pruning. As a result of poor care or force majeure in the form of unforeseen frosts, the plant may suffer, dry out or freeze.
But don't give up. Ficus recovers quickly provided proper pruning and subsequent resuscitation. The plant is completely pruned. Only one stump remains.
Due to its powerful roots, with good care, it quickly produces shoots.
Place of trimming (photo)
Getting a lush crown. Ficus benjamina produces more dense crown with regular pruning or pinching of shoot tips. The buds below the cutting point should be towards the outside of the plant. After the procedure, side shoots will grow from them.
Reduction in leaf size. To make the whole plant proportional, sometimes the top is pinched or all the leaves are removed. After this procedure, smaller leaves grow. This decisive action it is necessary only with full confidence in the restoration of the plant and good care subsequently.
Not all types of ficus begin to branch after pruning the central shoot. Even after pruning, rubber ficus leaves only one shoot left. Having decided on the type of pruning that is required for the flower, you need to choose the right time of year for this.
Trimming time and tools
Performing formative pruning during the dormant period will weaken the plant. If there is insufficient light after pruning, the shape of the ficus may become one-sided. This deficiency is quite difficult to eliminate.
That is why it is necessary to observe the time frame within which the ficus can be pruned:
Ficus, which is ready for pruning (photo)
Formative pruning is carried out only during the period of active growth. This period begins indoors at the end of February and ends at last days July.
Sanitary pruning can be carried out throughout the year. Sometimes, in some types of ficus, the opportunity to see weak and diseased branches among the lush crown appears only after the leaves have been shed. Dry branches must be cut out.
For pruning you need:
- Secateurs
- Garden shears
- Miniature garden shears
- Garden var
- Alcohol solution
Before pruning, all tools should be checked for sharpness of blades. Sharpen if necessary. Then they are treated with an alcohol solution.
After pruning, the cut area should be covered with garden varnish to prevent germs and pests from getting on it.
When pruning, the gardener should be guided by plant safety measures and a sense of his own intuition. By combining these qualities, you can subsequently obtain excellent results.
We would like to note that all tools that were used to trim the described plant must be disinfected at the end of the procedures. If the tree shows signs of disease and sanitation is carried out, it is necessary to re-disinfect after removing all affected shoots before moving on to healthy branches.
In addition to alcohol, you can also use a strong solution of manganese or bleach. If the plant looks lethargic or has recently experienced a pest attack or disease, you should not correct the shape of the crown. At such a time, you can only do remedial pruning if necessary.
Caring for the plant after pruning
Depending on the type of pruning, it may vary.
If the plant is grown as a single stem, then after its formation begins, watering should be reduced slightly so that the water gradually reaches the entire height and the side shoots do not tend to grow.
When rejuvenating pruning or to restore a lost plant, watering should be plentiful and regular along with weekly fertilization.
When carrying out formative pruning during the period of active development, watering should fill the plant with strength. Therefore, once a week, water-soluble microfertilizer for indoor flowers should be present in the water for irrigation.
The next, second in a week, watering is done with clean, warm, settled water. room temperature. But it must be combined with foliar feeding drug HB-101.
Loosening the soil is an essential step in plant care. An alternative is to mulch the soil with moss or pebbles. They also serve as decoration for the entire composition.
We would like to note that shoots cannot be removed if there is another disease-affected flower next to the plant chosen for work. Even if it has dried leaves or a limp appearance, this may indicate an infection.
The fact is that after formation, any plant is vulnerable for some time, therefore, it is important to provide it comfortable conditions for recovery.
After the procedure, the plant needs a gentle regime. It is important that the crown is not exposed to direct sunlight. You can even put the tree in a slightly shaded place for a week.
Although after such work the flower needs to regain its strength, it cannot be fertilized in the next 3-4 weeks. This will only harm the plant. Also, for the first time after pruning, you should not apply products with a large amount of nitrogen. It is better to choose fertilizers with a predominance of potassium.
The crown of most varieties of ficus without pruning will grow in a chaotic manner, reaching sizes that are not suitable for the room. Timely removal of lateral and apical shoots allows you to make the plant decorative, reduce its length and width, and make it more compact.
Pruning and formation of rubber-bearing ficus is carried out depending on the age of the plant annually or once every 3 years. In addition to formative pruning, you can use the peculiarity of the plant’s shoots to create unique compositions - flexible stems and air layering are tied with a pigtail, a rope, intertwined and growth is directed in the opposite direction.
Is it possible to prune the rubber ficus?
Pruning rubber ficus is needed not only to make the tree decorative, but also to improve the health of the plant. It is necessary to remove excess shoots regularly so that it is healthy, lush, leaves and stems have enough space to grow, and all above-ground parts of the bush receive enough light and moisture from the air.
Removal of branches is also carried out for sanitary purposes - diseased, rotten, dry, broken branches draw out nutritional components, taking them away from healthy parts, and can also reduce immunity and cause diseases.
With the help of formative pruning, ficus can be forced to branch or grow compactly. The florist himself determines what crown diameter is suitable for growing indoors different areas.
How to form the crown of a rubber ficus
Ficus should be trimmed according to the following rules:
- The formation of the crown is carried out during the active development phase from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. If you remove shoots in winter, the plant will be deformed next season.
- If the ficus has recently been transplanted, healthy shoots should not be touched when creating the crown. Sanitary pruning can be done at any time.
- It will be bad if you cut off the apical shoot far from the second bud from the top. In this case, the exposed remaining part of the trunk dies. If you take away the apical shoot along with the buds too late, the ficus will not bloom. It is optimal to remove the apical shoot from the second bud from the top, without leaving “empty” parts of the trunk.
- Be sure to use sharp tools. If the cut is uneven, pathogenic bacteria may enter the tissue. You can take pruning shears, garden shears or sharp knife. It is advisable to treat all blades with alcohol or other disinfectants before cutting.
- The cut areas on the cutting also need treatment; garden varnish is suitable for this.
You can form a crown in the following way:
- Think about what shape you want to give the entire plant, and also indicate the approximate height and width. Young plants can be pruned annually, and if the ficus has already reached 3-4 years, carry out the procedure no more than once every 3 years.
- Make the cut exactly above the place where the apical bud will be. A fresh shoot grows from it, and if part of the cutting is exposed, the crown will not have a rounded appearance, since the exposed trunk gradually dies.
- Make the cut beveled at an angle of at least 45 degrees on old thick branches, and at an angle of 90 degrees on thin shoots.
- The crown can not only be trimmed, but also thinned. During the procedure, pay attention to the location of the upper kidney. Make sure it faces outward. If you leave the bud horizontally, the branches will grow in width, vertically - in height.
- The classic form for trimming the crown is tiered. The ficus will have the shape of a ball or oval. To do this, the top and bottom of the crown are cut equally, leaving the central branches longer. The lowest branches and the apical shoot are cut off at the root.
- Ficuses also grow in the form of a trunk. To form such a crown, cut off all shoots except five located in the upper part of the trunk. When the plant reaches the desired height, pinch the top bud from the crown, then as it grows, shorten the side trunks, forming a ball.
When growing a bonsai tree, you need to form not only the crown, but also root system. Roots that are too long are removed during annual replanting, the tops and side shoots are trimmed so that the height of the plant does not exceed 50-70 cm.
How to pinch ficus
In order to pinch a plant, you will need pruning shears or a knife, a disinfectant solution (peroxide, alcohol), a soft cloth and a container of water.
Then follow the instructions:
- It is best to perform the procedure in mid-spring. It is during this period that many new shoots are formed, and the wounds on the trunk that appear during pruning heal quickly.
- Once the plant has reached the height you want, you can begin pinching. Disinfect a knife or other tool or heat it over a fire.
- If the top shoot of the tree is thin, you can cut it below the bud by making a straight cut.
- If the length is longer than you need, determine required height, then find the leaf below such a point. Cut the shoot 5 cm above such a leaf, making an oblique cut. The lower level of the cut will be at the level of the kidney on the opposite side. The upper one is directly above the kidney.
- Then moisten a soft cloth and remove the milky juice that appears along the cut.
- After a month, fertilize the plant. It is not recommended to fertilize before this period, since the plant’s immunity is lost after transplantation and it may experience stress.
Pinching will allow the plant to produce new side shoots and stop growing at the height you want. Without this, the tree will hit the ceiling in 4-5 years.
Creating unusual shapes
The formation of the crown of rubber ficus can be done not only in the shape of an oval or ball. There are other pruning methods that can result in trees unique shapes for room design.
Standard tree
Formation of rubber ficus at home in the form of a trunk:
- The standard form can be created only from unformed ficus without lignification on the trunks.
- Side shoots must be removed regularly until 5 top branches remain.
- When the tree reaches the desired height, pinch the apical shoot, not forgetting to remove the lateral shoots.
- While the stems remain flexible and without bark, it is necessary to organize a support. Keep the trunk upright throughout the growing period.
The stamp can be multi-tiered. To form the crown in this way, divide it into 4-5 parts. From the odd ones, make crown tiers, and from the even ones, make spaces between the tiers, for which the shoots are cut 5-7 cm shorter than the rest.
Fence
A hedge from a rubber-bearing variety of ficus can be made as follows:
- select at least 5-7 seedlings and a long, low container for planting;
- place all seedlings in a tray in one row or in a circle, the distance between shoots should be at least 10 cm;
- the fence is formed from the crown - cut at the same height.
It is important to prune the ficus correctly for the growth of the “fence”. During the procedure, remove shoots from the same parts of the trunk so that the ficus crowns are equally dense and there are no gaps in the “fence.”
Spiral
To form a bonsai in the form of a spiral, it is not the crown that is cut, but the root aerial part and trunks:
- after planting the cutting, place a support - a wooden stick - in the center of the pot next to the stem;
- As it grows, braid the flexible stem around the support;
- trim side branches;
- When a good woodiness of the trunk appears, carefully remove the support.
You can create a spiral from one or more shoots. If you plant 2-4 seedlings at once, during the braiding of the supports it is necessary to place them parallel to each other so that the trunks of one of the trees do not become pinched.
Scythe
You can give the ficus a pigtail shape as follows:
- select seedlings up to 10 cm long (of the same height);
- the thickness of one should not exceed one and a half centimeters;
- plant the sprouts side by side in the pot so that you can later braid the stems;
- all small branches on the sides are removed and left apical cuttings;
- before you start weaving, moisten the soil so that the stems become flexible;
- periodically braid a braid from the stems, tie the end with wire so that the stems do not start growing in the other direction;
- it is necessary to regulate the strength of the weaving - weakly twisted stems will create gaps in the braid, and too tight weaving can lead to damage to the entire plant;
- To ensure that the holes in the braids are the same, you can place pencils or sticks of equal diameter between them.
To ensure that the shoots grow together into one large trunk and the braid has no gaps, you can remove the bark in small parts at the junctions of the stems. After about 6-8 months, the composition will grow together into one thick trunk.
Caring for the plant after pruning
After pruning, the ficus can be replanted, but the procedure can be performed no earlier than 2 weeks later. An adult plant does not need to be replanted at all; it will be enough to replace the top layer of soil with a new nutrient substrate. If the flower underwent the procedure successfully, after 2 weeks you can begin feeding.
Pruning can be done no earlier than from the beginning of March until the end of summer. When at rest, the plant is not pruned. Monitor the growth of new branches, as well as the height of the ficus, carrying out timely pinching so that it always has a lush, uniform crown.
Ficus is a rather unique flower, because unlike other indoor plants, it only grows upward. Not every gardener will be happy about 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 trim a ficus.
Features of the plant
One of the well-known representatives of the mulberry family is the rubber plant, which is usually classified as a member of the genus Ficus. The usual habitats of this plant are India, as well as southern part of Indonesia and western Africa. In countries with harsher climates, this flower received widespread as ornamental plant. However, it is valued not only because of its attractiveness, because large varieties This ficus tree serves as raw material for the production of rubber.
Specimens that grow in natural conditions have impressive sizes, which can be up to 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. More compact is the rubber-bearing ficus, grown at home, since most often it reaches a height of up to 10 m. After routine pruning, this variety begins to look even more miniature.
Useful properties
Ficus rubber is interesting for many not only because of its decorative properties, because when 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 such filtration, the output is air enriched with oxygen.
Many plant growers are attracted to the rubber ficus by the fact that it does not create problems in care. Instances grown at home do not form flowers, and at the same time they are demanding in terms of growing conditions. The main thing is to make sure that the plant is protected from direct sunlight, as well as carry out regular watering and periodically give it a warm shower.
Physiology of ficus growth
Ficus rubber can be given any shape. To do this, you just need to trim it correctly. As a result of this operation, from an inconspicuous-looking plant you can get unique home decoration. Moreover, even a novice gardener can master this task, but first he will have to familiarize himself with the pruning rules and adhere to them.
The change in the shape of Benjamin's ficus occurs due to new shoots, which usually appear from the buds. Ficus has only two of them:
- apical (located at the very top of the bush);
- lateral, or axillary (located in the axils of the leaves, where the petioles of the leaves are closely adjacent to the trunk).
The apical bud demonstrates the fastest growth, ahead of the lateral buds, which develop very slowly or show no signs of development at all. It is enough to remove the top bud so that the side buds can begin to develop well. Usually the shoots begin to grow in different directions. As a result of such manipulations, the plant begins to change its crown.
Before you start forming the crown, it doesn’t hurt to find out what time of year is best to do this.
Many people believe that It is best to hold this event in the spring, and they will be right. The formation of the crown planned for this time of year makes it possible to give the plant more splendor, since it is in the spring that the ficus is created best conditions for growth. Using a similar approach, a gardener can grow a Ficus Benjamina that will be well developed, with fully formed shoots in all directions.
It is not advisable to postpone pruning ficus benjamina to a later time, for example, autumn or winter, since in this case the shoots will develop within a specific area. This will cause the ficus to look lopsided. It must be borne in mind that at this time of year the ficus begins to use nutrients , which he accumulated in his escapes. As a result of pruning the shoots in the fall, you will leave the Benjamin ficus without these reserves, jeopardizing its survival.
During the formation of the crown, it is necessary not only to change the length of the shoots, but also to adjust the direction of their further growth. For this purpose, special tension devices are usually used.
Crown formation without pruning
There is no need to rush into pruning the rubber ficus. First, it’s worth thinking about whether there is an urgent need for this. There is a simpler 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 injuries to the plant, which can continue to grow, pleasing the owner beautiful view. After waiting some time so that the branches can take a new position, the fixing devices are removed.
During pruning it is necessary take into account the age of the plant. This operation causes the least harm to young bushes. You need to be more careful with mature plants: since their shoots are not very flexible, shortening them and other similar actions can seriously injure the plant.
Ficus rubber: how to form the crown correctly?
The rules below designed for single ficus bushes, forming into one trunk.
In general, pruning ficus rubber is a simple task. The main thing is that you need to strictly follow all the rules for conducting it. Yes, it is necessary to be very careful with milky juice, which is dangerous to humans due to its toxicity. To avoid undesirable consequences, this work must be carried out wearing protective gloves.
Formation of an unusual crown
If necessary, even a novice plant grower can give the ficus rubber plant quite original shape.
In the process of pruning ficus benjamina or rubber plant, care must be taken to so that the braid does not subsequently open. To do this, it is recommended to garter the trunks using soft threads. It's best if they are woolen. Typically, dressings are performed every two months.
In some cases, for the normal development of the ficus, the installation of a support is required. In this case, you can easily see how spectacular and original the rubber plant will be.
Conclusion
Ficus rubber, however, like other representatives of this family, is best known for its decorativeness. However, this does not mean that the grower will not have to take measures for this. If you know how to form the crown of a Benjamin ficus, then you can easily cope with the rubber-bearing species.
You should know that only those specimens that are subject to regular pruning. After all, the beauty of the ficus can be achieved through the formation of the crown. Beginning gardeners can also prune ficus benjamina beautifully at home, because ficus plants are very compact plants, so there are no particular difficulties in carrying out this operation.
How to properly form a ficus crown
