When growing in rooms for ficus, it is necessary to create conditions close to those in which it grows in nature. This applies to temperature, humidity, light and soil composition. We will tell you what needs to be done so that this decorative-deciduous plant will gladden a healthy look for a long time.

Features of growing and caring for ficus

Ficus is a native of the tropics. The plant needs warmth, good lighting, high humidity and fresh air.

Recommended conditions for its cultivation and care measures are collected in the table:

Lighting	Good, absent-minded, requires illumination in winter
Location	Western, eastern windowsill. Change of location does not tolerate well
Air temperature	In summer +25 ... + 30 ° С, in winter +16 ... + 20 ° С
Air humidity	50–70%
Ventilation	Regular access to fresh air and draft protection required
Watering	In summer, moderate (2-3 times a week), scarce in winter (1 time per week), warm, settled, filtered, rainwater, as the upper soil layer dries
Spraying	In summer, regular, warm, settling or boiled water
Top dressing	In spring and summer, 2 times a month with nitrogen-containing fertilizers (nettle, mullein, infusion of wood ash, fertilizers "Ideal", "Gumisol", "Ficus", "Palma"); autumn-winter not required
Transfer	If necessary, by transshipment, annually - updating the upper soil layer
Pruning	Sanitary and formative, from the beginning of spring to the first decade of summer

Soil requirements

Great influence on the decorativeness, growth and development of ficus has the soil in which it is planted.

The following requirements are put forward to the soil for this flower:

• nutritional value;
• good conductivity of moisture and oxygen;
• humidity;
• slightly acidic or neutral pH reaction;
• high layer of drainage.

Did you know? Residents of the tropics from the aerial roots of ficus trees build bridges. Such "live" crossings have the strength and durability.

Essential soil composition

In order for the flower to be healthy, have large leaves saturated in color, a lush crown, it must be grown in the soil, which consists of certain components. The composition of the soil should differ depending on the age of the plant. For young specimens to be more loose, for adults - denser.

Young plants need to be planted in a substrate, which consists of:

• turf land;
• humus;
• sand;
• peat.

Sod is extracted from areas where perennial grasses grow. When humus is added to it, nutritious soil is obtained. Sand and peat are needed as baking powder to improve water and air conductivity of the soil. Expanded clay, coarse sand, charcoal are also used as baking powder. These components prevent stagnation of moisture and decay of the roots.

Mature ficuses will require soil consisting of:

• sheet land;
• humus;
• sand.

Important! Soil with a clay structure is not suitable for growing ficus. It provokes stagnation of moisture, which is detrimental to the plant. In terms of acidity, the soil should be within the range of 6.5–7 pH. Reducing acidity is done by adding dolomite flour and lime to the soil. Rise - by mixing peat.

Finished soil selection

For planting ficuses, a substrate is usually chosen, on the packaging of which there is an inscription "Ficus", "Palm".

Almost every soil producer produces such a product. Their compositions are different. As a rule, they contain vermicompost, peat, sand, expanded clay, lime, dolomite flour, other inert fillers that improve the composition of the substrate, mineral additives.

Such soil does not need preliminary treatment, but is already ready for use.

Well-known manufacturers are: “Ceramis”, “Flower happiness”, “Seliger-agro”, “Vermion”, “Garden of miracles”.

How to make soil for ficus with your own hands?

Many flower growers prefer to make a substrate for planting their flowers with their own hands. Thus, it is possible to control its composition and saturate with precisely those substances that are necessary for a particular species at a certain stage of development. The disadvantage of self-preparation of the soil mixture is the complexity of the process. Some ingredients are not always and not everywhere can be found on sale.

Important! Self-prepared soil is subject to mandatory disinfection. It must be poured with a solution of potassium permanganate or calcined in the oven (microwave) at a temperature of +90 ... + 100 ° С. The composition of the soil will vary depending on the type and age of the ficus. We give recipes for popular indoor species.

For rubber bearing and microcarp:

1. Connect equal parts of leafy soil, turf.
2. Add half of the river sand.
3. For drainage, put broken brick, small pebbles.
4. Top with a layer of sand.
   

For benjamin:

1. Mix in equal proportions leafy soil, humus, peat.
2. Add river sand and pebbles.
3. Mix everything well.
4. At the bottom of the pot lay drainage from a layer of expanded clay and a layer of sand.

Read also about home care for ficus cumila, Bengali and Abidjan.

For palmer and petiole:

1. Mix 1 part of turf, 2 parts of leaf soil, 2 parts of sand, 1 part of impurities.
2. Add gravel, pebbles or brick chips.
3. At the bottom lay expanded clay, charcoal.

Video: do-it-yourself soil mixture for ficus

Signs of improperly selected land

With improper care or an inappropriate microclimate, the plant will change in appearance.

If the soil does not suit him, then it will be possible to find out by the following signs:

• discoloration of leaves;
• falling of foliage;
• defeat by mushroom mosquitoes.

If such problems occur, the flower needs to be transplanted into a new soil made up of the right ingredients. Mushroom mosquitoes are destroyed by insecticides: Decis, Actellic, Agravertin, Actara, Intavir.

Did you know? The oldest ficus grows in Buenos Aires. It was planted in 1781. He was given the name Homer Tree.

If you are one of those who like to contain indoor plants, and decided to plant ficus, you must provide him with the soil that nature intended for him. Ficus doesn't need a lot of attention. The one who grows the flower for the first time will also cope with its planting and care.