The sacred ficus (Ficus religiosa) or the religious ficus is an evergreen tree of the mulberry family (Moraceae) from the genus of ficus, sometimes shedding part of its foliage. Found in India, southwest China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Indochina.
Description of sacred ficus
In its natural environment, this strong tree can grow up to thirty meters in height. It has strong, thick branches, a lush crown and large leathery leaves. The edge of the leaf plate is straight or slightly corrugated, and the length of the leaves can vary from 8 to 20 cm. Their distinctive feature is the presence of a thin elongated tail at the tip of the heart-shaped leaf. The bluish-green surface of the leaves is clearly lined with light veins with a yellow or cream tint. The length of the petioles can be equal to the length of the entire leaf.
The sacred ficus is able to bloom throughout the year. Spherical syconia - paired pseudo-fruits, ripening, become dark purple. Thanks to them, the tree is called the sacred fig, but these fruits are not suitable for people, bats, insects and birds feed on them.
The life cycle of a plant begins as an epiphyte, in a leaf litter in a hollow, in a crevice, on tree branches. From there, it begins to lower aerial roots that rush to the ground. Rooting, they become a fairly strong trunk, creating a strong frame for the plant and taking the shape of a banyan tree.
Ficus religious has an amazing quality. If it is contained in a very humid environment, then the tips of the leaves are covered with drops of water, it seems that the ficus "cried". This process is called guttation - the plant brings excess moisture to the surface.
The sacred ficus is also called the Bodhi Tree or simply Bo, as well as the tree of enlightenment, Pipal. In countries where Buddhism is professed, it is called sacred and worshiped. According to legend, Prince Siddhartha Gautama many years ago practiced meditation under such a tree and was able to achieve the highest enlightenment - he became a Buddha. Buddhists consider this tree as a symbol of good luck, it is tied with silk ribbons of different colors and is certainly planted near a Buddhist temple.
Caring for sacred ficus at home
Caring for sacred ficus at home does not require much effort. It is unpretentious, looks neat enough, is often found among amateur flower growers. To get a strong and healthy plant, you need to be guided by simple rules.
Location and lighting
In dire need of lighting, will grow well in intense but diffused light. Can grow well in slightly shaded areas. With a lack of light, the leaves become lethargic and capable of falling off. The best location for ficus will be a window that faces west or east. On warm days, you can apply it in direct sunlight.
Temperature
The plant is very thermophilic.In an apartment, if the air warms up to more than 15 degrees in winter and up to 25 degrees in summer, the ficus can feel comfortable. A sharp drop in temperature and drafts can be detrimental to the plant. In cold weather, do not leave it near heaters and batteries, protecting it from hot air currents.
Watering
It is necessary to water the ficus abundantly and systematically, as it rapidly consumes moisture. Waterlogging or stagnation of the liquid should not be allowed in order to prevent root rot. The soil should not dry out completely, only the top layer is slightly dried. Sufficiently soft water for irrigation (room temperature) is certainly defended. It is important for ficus leaves to regularly wipe with a dampened sponge or spray.
Humidity
It is desirable that the air humidity in the rooms is slightly higher than usual, but this is not at all necessary. Such conditions are best suited for the well-being of the sacred ficus. If the plant is large, then simple methods of increasing the air humidity will not work. In a room with excessively dry air, it is good to put a device like an "artificial fog generator". And in a house with an artificial reservoir, it is better to place the plant near the water. Foliage can also indicate unsatisfactory humidity - it will begin to fall off.
The soil
In a flower shop, you can easily find a ready-made soil mixture for these plants. If possible, it is not difficult to prepare it yourself. The soil should be loose, with the addition of nutrients with a pH of 6-6.5. For this, peat and coarse-grained sand, sod and leafy soil are mixed in the same amount. The pot should be chosen spacious, of course with a hole in the bottom, so that there is no stagnation of excess moisture. You can protect yourself from acidification with a reliable drainage layer.
Top dressing
For fertilization, the application of mineral and organic substances is alternated. The main criterion for choosing a top dressing is a large amount of nitrogen and potassium. Typically, the plant is fertilized twice a month. More often in spring, less often in winter. Universal fertilizers will help improve the visual appeal and accelerate the growth of ficus.
Transfer
The sacred ficus belongs to fast-growing plants; in just a year, a young seedling can grow into a two-meter tree. Therefore, young plants are often transplanted 1-2 times throughout the year, most often in May or June. If the tree has grown too large, then it is no longer transplanted, but only the upper layers of the soil mixture are replaced every year.
Pruning and shaping the crown
To form a neat plant crown, it is necessary to regularly and often prune. Ficus is cut off at the beginning of the growing season, until intensive growth begins. The tips of the young shoots are pinched.
There is another way to form an unusual original crown. Young ficuses have sufficient flexibility and elasticity. By installing a special frame, the shoots of the plant are set in the desired directions.
A well-known variant of the formation of trunks is the plexus of young shoots in a pigtail. For this purpose, several specimens are planted in one pot at once.
Breeding methods for sacred ficus
Religious ficus reproduces quite simply and successfully with the help of seeds. This method is most often used by flower growers. It is important to sow seeds strictly according to the instructions on the package. The first seedlings usually hatch after a week.
Propagation by cuttings is also suitable, but most often the cuttings cannot take root.
Diseases and pests
Often, the plant suffers from the appearance of scale insects, aphids, thrips, a common mealybug. As soon as the pests have been identified, the plant should be urgently treated with special chemicals. When carrying out processing, it is important to be extremely careful so as not to get poisoned.
Diseases in ficus appear due to improper care.If something was done wrong, then the plant can lose all foliage. It must be remembered that the ficus leaves will fall off on their own, upon reaching the age of three. This means that such loss of foliage can be considered a natural course of events.
