Ficus lyrata is a perennial tree-like plant of the mulberry family that grows in West Africa. Representatives of this species are found both on the edges and in the depths of the forest, where they develop in the form of epiphytes on the crowns of other trees.
Plants growing separately can reach 12-15 m in height. At home, for the lyre ficus, this indicator is more modest - no more than 3 m, but the growth per year with proper care is 25 cm. The unusual shape of the leaves, reminiscent of the contours of a lyre or a violin, gives the ficus decorativeness. The foliage of the plant is large, tough, with a slightly wavy edge. Its glossy dark surface has yellow-green streaks and folds. The underside of the leaves has a light green tint.
Ficus lyrata can be used for landscaping residential premises and offices. It is undesirable to place it close to other plants - this tree requires a lot of space.
Brief rules for growing lyre ficus
The table shows brief rules for caring for lyre ficus at home.
| Lighting level | Bright, diffused light is preferred, without direct sunlight. |
| Content temperature | Not less than 18 degrees in winter and up to 28 degrees in summer. |
| Watering mode | Abundant watering in the summer months and minimal in the winter. |
| Air humidity | A high level of humidity is required. |
| The soil | The optimal soil is considered to be slightly acidic soil. |
| Top dressing | Liquid and granular mineral fertilizers for indoor plants. |
| Transfer | Young plants are transplanted every year, adult plants are transplanted once every 2 years. |
| Pruning | Pruning is only necessary for crown formation. |
| Bloom | It cannot bloom at home. |
| Dormant period | The dormant period begins in winter. |
| Reproduction | Cuttings, air layers. |
| Pests | Scabbard, spider mite, mealybug, orange aphid. |
| Diseases | Improper care leads to various diseases. |
Caring for ficus lyre at home
Even a beginner can take care of lyre ficus at home. It is only important to provide the necessary conditions for this. The plant is regularly fed and transplanted. In the process of leaving, it is necessary to monitor the formation of the crown and use supporting supports. Particular attention is paid to young leaves, which fold easily to form footprints.
Lighting
The lyre-shaped ficus will be comfortable in a well-lit window, loggia or garden area, where there is protection from direct sunlight. It is often placed on east or west facing windows.
Additional lighting will be required in winter to keep the tree growing.In order for the crown to develop symmetrically, it is necessary to turn the tree once a week.
Temperature
Lyre ficus is a tropical plant that prefers a hot climate. In summer, the room should be at least 22-28 degrees, in winter the temperature is considered optimal in the range from 18 to 20 degrees, and the permissible threshold should not fall below 12 degrees.
The plant needs fresh air, but you cannot place the pot on a cold floor or windowsill. It is also recommended to avoid temperature extremes that can cause brown spots on the leaves.
Watering mode
The need for watering the ficus is determined by the condition of the soil - it should dry out slightly. In summer, it is recommended to water ficus lyre 3 times a week, in winter you can limit yourself to watering once a week. The water should cover the entire surface of the potting soil. 30 minutes after watering, the water drained into the pan must be drained.
Humidity level
Ficus lyrata needs a high level of humidity. To maintain the required humidity level, regular spraying with settled soft water and a warm shower in summer are suitable. You can also put a container of water next to the ficus.
When spraying, it is important to ensure that water droplets do not fall into the sinuses of the plant, which contributes to decay. Using hard water will cause white streaks on the leaves.
The soil
As a soil for lyre ficus, a ready-made substrate with a neutral pH level is suitable. To prepare the potting mix yourself, you will need:
- 2 pieces of leafy land;
- 1 part sand (perlite);
- 2 parts of garden soil.
The soil for an adult plant should additionally include turf and humus. Before use, the prepared soil is calcined in order to remove pathogenic microbes. The drainage layer 3 cm deep is made of expanded clay or charcoal fragments. In the absence of diseases in a perennial, only the upper layers of the soil are replaced.
Top dressing
The active growth of lyre ficus is facilitated by liquid and granular mineral fertilizers for indoor plants - "Rainbow", vermicompost, "Bona Forte". For top dressing, it is recommended to use a dose half as much as prescribed by the instructions.
Fertilizer can be prepared by yourself. This will require:
- potassium salt - 0.1 g;
- ammonium nitrate - 5 g;
- superphosphate - 9.5 g;
- water - 1 l.
Top dressing of ficus lyre is used during watering during the period of active growth once every 2 weeks. After transplanting into new soil, the tree cannot be fed for 2-3 weeks.
Transfer
For the annual spring transplantation of young plants of ficus lyre, containers are chosen that correspond to the size of the root system. Adult plants over 4 years old must be transplanted into a heavy, tipping-resistant ceramic pot - this procedure is performed once every two years.
In order not to damage the roots when transplanting into a more spacious container, lyre ficus is transplanted by the transshipment method, adding fresh earth. The new pot should be slightly larger in volume than the old one.
Pruning and shaping the crown
Pruning ficus lyre is necessary only in cases where it is necessary to maintain the optimal length of the plant or to give the crown a neat appearance. In the first case, it is better to remove the shoots 30-40 cm from the earthen coma - then the side branches will begin to form lower.
For branching, a minimum of 6 internodes are cut, leaving 4-5 leaves. If the oblique cut is under the kidney, you need to wait until the milky juice drains. Then this place is washed with cold water and covered with ash.
Pruning ficus lyre is best done with gloves, since the sap of the plant irritates the skin.
Bloom
Wild trees bloom and form fruits - large green syconia. At home, it is impossible to achieve flowering of lyre ficus.
Dormant period
Due to the dry air and reduced illumination, tree development slows down in winter. During the dormant period, lyre ficus should be located at a distance from heating appliances, but with additional lighting.
Reproduction methods of ficus lyre
Propagation by cuttings
Ficus propagation by cuttings is performed in spring or early summer. Cuttings no more than 15 cm long, cut during crown formation, are used as planting material. The branch is placed in water, disinfected with activated carbon, and after the appearance of the first roots, it is planted in a nutrient substrate. If you intend to plant a branch directly into the ground, it is necessary to provide the sprout with greenhouse conditions with daily ventilation.
Propagation by air layers
For reproduction in this way, you will need to cut the trunk 5 cm below the sheet and insert a chip treated with a growth stimulator into the slot. From above, the joint is masked with a layer of moist moss and wrapped in foil. It will take about 3 months to wait for the appearance of roots with this method of reproduction.
Diseases and pests of ficus lyre
Diseases
Improper care of lyre ficus leads to various plant diseases.
- Yellowing and falling leaves - due to insufficient humidity in the room or temperature changes. To remedy the situation, you will need to spray or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and put a damp towel on the battery.
- Brown spots on the leaves - the reason lies in the frequent overflows.
- Plant growth slows down - due to lack of light and nutrients. Top dressing is performed at the root and foliage.
- Blackening of the leaves - associated with fungal diseases. A fungicide is used for treatment.
Pests
When growing ficus lirata, you also have to deal with pests, such as:
- Shield. Insect larvae are destroyed by spraying with fungicides. Adults are removed only by hand.
- Spider mite. You can get rid of it with the help of a decoction of cyclamen roots, with which the affected areas are wiped for 5 days - this procedure must be repeated several times a day. As an alternative, ready-made products "Mavrik" and "Vertimek" are used.
- Mealybug. The surface of the leaves on which the pest is seen is wiped with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. After that, the plant is washed with a soapy shower and wiped dry.
- Orange aphid. Dies from soapy water with the addition of tobacco decoction. The procedure is performed every 7 days until the insect disappears.
Ficus lyrata affected by pests must be isolated from other plants.
Useful properties of ficus lirat
Lyre ficus is used not only for home decoration. It harmonizes the energy space of the room, cleans the air from toxic fumes and saturates it with oxygen. Parts of the plant are found in many medicines.
