What to do to make the ficus lush. How to make an old ficus grow new branches from below? How to make ficus lush, thick and fluffy at home

A ficus plant initially produces only one stem. But over time, the flower begins to awaken, grow, branch, and here your competent intervention will already be needed. Rubber ficus can be an exquisite decoration for your home or work office. The main thing is to know how to make the ficus give lateral shoots, how to pinch it so that the branched lush crown you need is formed. Study this side of the issue so that the indoor flower eventually turns into an original interior detail that will attract the eyes of your guests.

Before figuring out how to pinch a ficus correctly, every grower wants to make sure that such a procedure is necessary and find out what results it gives. At first, homemade ficus grows only upwards and does not require crown formation. However, the older the plant gets, the more important it is for you to learn the basic principles of pruning.

If nothing is done in advance, your young green specimen will bush randomly. You can not pull with this anti-aging procedure. Otherwise, the ficus will grow incorrectly, branch in the wrong direction, or give not quite the density that you expected. It is quite possible to make a branched crown of a ficus, for this you just need to learn how to properly pinch a home plant.

Choosing the time for the procedure

How to make a ficus branch and how complicated is such a set of measures? The result will certainly satisfy you if you not only study the forced principles of the procedure, but also determine what time of the year is best to carry it out. You can get a branched crown from a ficus, but it is better to start pruning in the spring. With the onset of spring, the plant wakes up, all vital processes are activated. If you start pinching the flower at this favorable time, the pruning procedure will not be too stressful for the plant: all the "wounds" will heal instantly. In addition, it is in the spring that young buds form on the stem of the plant and side shoots develop.

That is why there is no more suitable time for the formation of a ficus crown than the spring period, or rather the end of winter - the beginning of spring. Remember, it is unforgivable to delay this procedure. If you start pruning homemade ficus in the middle of spring, the result may not be of very high quality. The thing is that when sap flow is active, shortening the branches can wake up the flower and stimulate its growth as a whole, but the new side shoots will be too thin.

Pinching instructions

How to pinch a ficus and how to learn to do it right? To give side branches, start the grafting procedure when the flower grows a little. Preparatory moments are also of great importance. For example, be sure to disinfect the knife with which you are going to shorten the branches. If desired, use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. The sharper the knife, the easier it is to cut the branches, and in indoor ficus they are usually thick. Whatever method of pruning you prefer, you first need to pay attention to the condition of the plant.

Let's say you like the height of a ficus, but its top shoot has grown too thin. In this case, take a knife and make a straight cut, simply removing the fragile shoot. But the first method is effective if we are dealing with a young houseplant. When a similar procedure needs to be carried out with a mature home flower, it is worth resorting to a slightly different technique. Follow all the necessary steps in stages, and the result will be more than satisfactory. What exactly does the process of crown formation in an adult ficus consist of:

• first, determine for yourself which point on the stem, in your opinion, should be the top. After that, make an incision at a distance of 8 cm from the sheet. It is desirable that it be oblique, and its upper point should be directly above the kidney;
• for proper pinching of a ficus plant, you need to take a small cloth, moisten it in water and gently wipe the trunk from milk, which spreads along the stems after pruning. In no case do not wring it out and do not use it again - the matter must certainly be thrown away. Some flower growers believe that it is recommended to lubricate the cut points with the compositions made, but ordinary water will actually be enough. With its help, you will stop the further secretion of vegetable juice, and the wounds of the ficus will soon heal;
• what to do to get the pinching of the ficus, and the side shoots take on a new shape? It is very important at the end of the procedure to ensure proper care of the plant. If all the steps are done correctly by you, with the onset of next spring, pinching can be continued. This time, you will give a stimulus for the growth of side shoots.

Every grower can force a ficus to branch. Pinching will give the plant an incentive to actively grow and form new and new shoots. Over time, the flower will begin to bush, if everything is done correctly and at the right time.

Further care

How to make the ficus actively bush, beginner flower growers ask.

After pinching the crown, it is very important to provide proper care for the plant.

First of all, it will be needed about a month after the removal of the branches. It doesn’t hurt either - this is another effective way to get side shoots to develop. For those whose home ficus has already acquired an impressive size, such a need can be a real problem.

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Ficus can be formed into a beautiful bonsai tree, a ball or a lush bush. A large assortment of varieties and various prunings allow this not capricious plant to be used in different styles.

We will talk about how to properly trim a ficus, as well as the necessary care after the procedure, in the article.

Ficus is one of the most plastic houseplants. Among the representatives of this family of mulberries, there are about 1,000 different species. At home or in greenhouses, only some of this variety is grown:

Lat. Ficus (photo)

Ficus rubber or Ficus elastica. Under natural conditions of existence in tropical rainforests, these evergreen trees grow to a height of about 25 meters.

In room conditions, only a few specimens reach more than one and a half meters. The bark of the branches is brown. Leaves at a young age are twisted into a tube. Then they unfold into large, up to 20 cm long, dark green, leathery, shiny leaves.

You can grow a large specimen if you place it in a bright place. Three hours a day, the plant should be fully illuminated by sunlight. Watering needs plentiful, but not frequent. elastic should dry out a little before the next watering.

Ficus lyre. This beautiful plant is native to West Africa. The tropical forests of the southern continent determined the nature of this ficus. The flower, when cultivated in room conditions, does not grow small. It needs a lot of space.

It is better to grow this handsome man 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. It can 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 bred. This little ficus is completely different from its giant counterparts.

It has rounded leaves and is a groundcover or ampelous plant. A mini ficus can play the role of a soloist in a pot or a groundcover in a tub with larger neighbors. loves water and light.

Ficus carica. This plant is also known as fig tree, fig tree. The species has recently been grown as a houseplant. It turned out that it is not difficult to keep such exotics in the house. In summer, figs need to provide more heat and light.

Ficus stalk (photo)

In winter, you need to put 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 should be done in the summer. In winter, figs need rest.

Ficus willow. A fast-growing plant with narrow leaves, with good care, can 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 these qualities should not be abused.

Ficus bengal or banyan. It was this type of plant that laid the foundation. This was the remarkable quality of the plant to form aerial roots.

In tropical forests, thickets of such ficuses serve as a refuge for animals. They make whole tents. Its leaves are velvety. The young tree is quite decorative. Over time, it loses its integrity. Separate shoots and aerial roots require supports for development and growth.

Ficus Benjamin. This is a plant for large rooms and winter gardens. With good care and proper crown formation, it quickly grows in a tree. Ficus does not like temperature drops. The lowest limit for it is 17 °C. Frequent watering is bad for the condition of the roots. How is the haircut of ficus benjamin at home we will tell further.

Each type of ficus in its arsenal also has different varieties. This plant can appear in various forms from a huge tree to a baby or creeper.

There is another interesting variety of the described plant - curly ficus. The leaves of such a tree can curl both evenly and asymmetrically. If the foliage has uniform bends, 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 him as little as possible. The culture may begin to drop leaves if the tree is rearranged.

Correct watering is important in care, as well as bathing and spraying on hot summer days. How to cut such a ficus? The rules are not particularly different from those that apply to other varieties. But, the branches of a curly plant are best trimmed regularly.

Trimming types

Can ficus be cut? All types of ficuses respond well to pruning. It must be done with a clean, sharp tool. To do this, it is wiped with an alcohol solution before and after trimming.

How to prune a ficus? Green stems are cut horizontally, and hardened wood stems are cut at an angle of 45 °. With any 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 cut a ficus so that it is fluffy, curly and beautiful?

Bansai from ficus (photo)

Pruning is used for various purposes:

Correction of the shape of the crown. This procedure is carried out in March. Branches stretched out over the winter are cut back to the previous level. The form of the plant is put in order. For these works, manicure or special miniature scissors for trimming the thin tips of branches are more suitable.

To create a composition in the style of "bonsai". In some types of ficus, the aerial part is not so decorative. But roots! Such plants are grown only for the sake of this dramatic picture. With age, the roots become strongly thickened, intricately curved, if they are placed above ground level when planting.

In this case, the ficus trunk is cut short, leaving a small stump. From it quickly grow new branches. Such exotic plants are spectacular and undemanding. Thick roots can go without water for a long time. A minimum of 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 a standard form, or as a shrub with several shoots. All of these shapes are achieved by pruning.

Some lovers of experiments are planted in one capacious pot from two to four plants at once. If you plant ficus elastica in this way, then at a certain height these plants can be intertwined. allows you to do this without harming the plant.

New sprouts after pruning (photo)

As they grow, they are corrected so that they remain in this position. For this, there are clamps. They can be purchased in departments for "bonsai". After a while, the woven trunks form a beautiful picture.

The standard form of the plant is also created using pruning. A lush crown in the form of a ball is formed in three tiers. It is good to use ficus Benjamin or Elastika for such experiments.

Making a trunk from an adult tree is not a pleasant occupation. A lot of effort and energy can be wasted.

For growing, it is better to use a young plant. Its growth at a very early age is limited to one central shoot. All other side panels are removed. At a distance of about 50 cm from the soil surface, the crown should begin.

The ratio of the crown and the height of the trunk 1:1 is optimal, from the point of view of aesthetics. It keeps firmly on its feet and proportionality plays into the hands of any style. In each case, the grower chooses his own type of plant. It depends on the type of ficus and the pot in which it lives.

A ficus bush can also be given almost any shape. The main thing is not to rush. Strong pruning will not give good results. Everything should 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 with proper pruning and subsequent resuscitation. The plant is cut off completely. Only one stump remains.
Due to the powerful roots with good care, it quickly gives growth.

Place of trimming (photo)

Getting a lush crown. Ficus Benjamin forms a denser crown with regular pruning or pinching the tops of the shoots. The buds below the cut point should be on the outside of the plant. Of these, after the procedure, side shoots will grow.

Decrease in leaf size. For the proportionality of the whole plant, sometimes the top is pinched or all the leaves are removed. After this procedure, smaller leaves grow. Such a decisive action is necessary only with full confidence in the restoration of the plant and good care afterwards.

Not all types of ficuses begin to branch after pruning the central shoot. The rubber-bearing ficus even after pruning has 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 while dormant will weaken the plant. With a lack of light after pruning, the shape of the ficus can become one-sided. It is quite difficult to eliminate such a shortcoming.

That is why it is necessary to observe the time frame within which ficus can be pruned:

Ficus, which is ready for pruning (photo)

Formative pruning is done only during the period of active growth. This period begins at room conditions at the end of February and ends in the last days of July.

Sanitary pruning can be carried out throughout the year. Sometimes, in some types of ficuses, the opportunity to see weak and diseased branches among the lush crown appears only after the leaves are shed. Dry branches must be cut.

For trimming you need:

• Secateurs
• Gardening scissors
• Miniature garden shears
• garden var
• alcohol solution

Before cutting, all tools must be checked for sharpness of the blades. Sharpen if necessary. Then they are treated with an alcohol solution.

After pruning, the cut point must be covered with garden pitch so that microbes and pests do not get on it.

When pruning, the grower should be guided by plant safety measures and a sense of his own intuition. With a combination of these qualities, you can subsequently get an excellent result.

We would like to note that all the 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 sanitization is being 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 and disease, do not correct the shape of the crown. At such a time, you can only make rehabilitation pruning if necessary.

Plant care after pruning

Depending on the type of pruning, it may be different.

If the plant is grown in one stem, then after the beginning of its formation, watering should be slightly reduced so that the water gradually gets to 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 toppings.

When carrying out formative pruning during the period of active development, watering should fill the plant with strength. Therefore, once a week, a 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 at room temperature. But it must be combined with foliar top dressing with HB-101.

Loosening the soil is an essential step in caring for a plant. An alternative would be to mulch the soil with moss or pebbles. They also serve as decoration of the whole composition.

We would like to note that it is impossible to carry out the removal of shoots if there is another flower affected by the disease next to the plant chosen for work. Even if it has dried leaves or a sluggish 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 with comfortable conditions for recovery.

After the procedure, the plant needs a gentle regimen. It is important that direct sunlight does not fall on the crown. You can even put the tree in a slightly shaded place for a week.

Although, after such work, the flower needs to regain strength, it is impossible to fertilize it in the next 3-4 weeks. It will only harm the plant. Also, for the first time after pruning, you should not make products with a lot of nitrogen. It is better to choose top dressing with a predominance of potassium.

The article focuses on a number of issues that are relevant today, each of which is directly related to ficuses and rarely where can be consecrated in such detail. It is recommended to read the article about.

How to make ficus lush, thick and fluffy at home

What to do to make the ficus take root faster, branch and give side shoots, be beautiful

In order for the plant to begin branching as quickly as possible and give side shoots, it is necessary to regularly prune, as well. New branches will begin to appear on the sides, the flower will become beautiful.

How to make ficus bonsai yourself a short master class

In order for the roots to form a crown according to the style of bonsai that you have chosen, you need to cut the shoot several times, so the growth in height will be stopped. Trimming is carried out until the desired volume of the trunk is obtained.

You can use a garter or use a wire. The top is attached to the base of the tree. And with the help of wire, you can give the desired shape to the branches. After a few weeks, you can remove it.

How to form a ficus in the form of a stem

To make a ficus trunk, you need to start removing side shoots almost immediately after planting, only 5 shoots remain. As soon as the desired growth is achieved, it is necessary to stimulate the growth of side branches, for this, those on top are pinched.

Ficus is a rather unique flower, because unlike other indoor plants, it only grows upwards. Not every grower will be happy with this fact. Indeed, in this case, you will have to regularly trim to give the ficus the necessary shape. However, not everyone can do this task, because only a few know how to cut a ficus.

Plant features

One of the well-known representatives of the mulberry family is the rubber-bearing ficus, which is usually attributed to the ficus genus. The habitual habitats of this plant are India, as well as southern part of Indonesia and western part of Africa. In countries with a more severe climate, this flower is widely used as an ornamental plant. However, it is valued not only because of its attractiveness, because large varieties of this ficus serve as a raw material for the manufacture of rubber.

Instances that grow in natural conditions have impressive dimensions, which can be 40 m in height. Moreover, they often form supporting roots. The latter are distinguished by the fact that they penetrate deep into the ground, where they take root. Home-grown rubber ficus is more compact, since most often it reaches a height of up to 10 m. After planned pruning, this variety begins to look even more miniature.

Beneficial features

Ficus rubbery is interesting for many not only because of its decorative properties, because when it is grown indoors, you can maintain a healthy environment. The cleansing effect is provided by the leaves, which filter the air, like a pipe. As a result of such filtration, oxygen-enriched air is obtained at the outlet.

Many growers are attracted to rubber ficus and 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 on growing conditions. The main thing is to make sure that the plant is protected from direct sunlight, as well as to conduct regular watering and periodically arrange a warm shower for it.

Ficus Growth Physiology

Ficus rubber can be given any shape. To do this, you just need to properly trim it. As a result of this operation, from a nondescript plant, you can get unique home decoration. Moreover, even a novice florist can master this task, but first you will have to familiarize yourself with the rules of pruning and adhere to them.

The change in the shape of ficus Benjamin occurs due to new shoots that usually appear from the kidneys. 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 leaf petioles are closely adjacent to the trunk).

The apical bud shows 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 upper kidney so that the lateral kidneys can begin to develop well. Usually shoots begin to grow in different directions. As a result of such manipulations, the plant begins to change its crown.

Before proceeding with the formation of the crown, it does not hurt to find out what time of the year is best to do this.

Many people think that The best time to do this is in the spring and they will be right. The crown formation planned for this time of the year makes it possible to give the plant more splendor, since it is in the spring that the best conditions for growth are created for the ficus. Using a similar approach, the grower can grow a Benjamin ficus that is well developed, with fully formed shoots in all directions.

It is undesirable to transfer pruning of Benjamin's ficus 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 skewed. It should be borne in mind that at this time of the year the ficus begins use nutrients, which he accumulated in the shoots. As a result of pruning shoots in the fall, you will leave Benjamin's ficus without these supplies, endangering 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 tensioning devices are usually used.

Crown formation without pruning

Do not rush to pruning rubber ficus. First, it is worth considering whether there is an urgent need for this. There is also an easier 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, delighting the owner with a beautiful view. After waiting some time for the branches to take a new position, the fixing devices are removed.

During cutting, take into account the age of the plant. This operation brings the least harm to young bushes. You need to be more careful with older plants: since their shoots are not very flexible, shortening them and other similar actions can seriously injure the plant.

Ficus rubbery: how to form a crown correctly?

The rules below designed for single ficus bushes, forming in one trunk.

In general, pruning rubber ficus is a simple undertaking. The main thing is that you must strictly follow all the rules for its implementation. Yes, it must 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 with protective gloves.

Formation of an unusual crown

If necessary, even a novice grower can give a rubbery ficus quite original form.

In the process of pruning ficus Benjamin or rubber, be sure to take care of so that the braid does not subsequently open. To do this, it is recommended to tie the trunks using soft threads. It is best if it is woolen. Usually dressing is carried out every two months.

In some cases, for the normal development of ficus, the installation of a support is required. In this case, you can easily see how effective and original the appearance of rubber ficus plants will be.

Conclusion

Ficus rubber, however, like other representatives of this family, are best known for their decorative effect. However, this does not mean that the grower will not have to take measures for this. If you know how to form a crown of ficus Benjamin, then you can easily handle the rubber-bearing look.

You should know that only those specimens in respect of which it is carried out look most striking. regular pruning. After all, the beauty of the ficus can be ensured by the formation of the crown. Novice flower growers can beautifully trim Benjamin's ficus at home, because ficuses are very compact plants, so there are no particular difficulties with this operation.

How to properly form a ficus crown

My ficus has grown - already 1.80 cm high.

I want to pin him so that he shoots to the sides. How to do it right?

Larisa, Ukraine, Makeevka

Judging by the photo, you ficus rubbery(Ficus elastica) Robusta. A really very tall ficus variety, it will grow as long as the ceilings of the room allow or either until you start pinching and cutting the shoots. In nature (in the tropics), this ficus grows into huge tall trees up to 50 meters in height.

Before pinching or pruning, it is important to know that ficuses secrete poisonous milky juice, so you need to take care of your safety - “milk” should not get on the skin, and even more so on the mucous membranes.

Now the ficus is not the time to pinch, you need to do this in the spring. In the spring, the ficus is actively growing, and it will be able to heal wounds faster. In addition, it is in the spring that dormant buds wake up, new shoots form, and you can quickly get the result of formative pruning. And if you cut the ficus in the spring, then it can and will branch, but the new shoots will be thin and ugly, they will grow slowly.

Pruning can begin as early as late February or early March.

If you are tired of the height of the plant, then you only need to pinch the top of the central shoot - the growth point. If you want to cut your ficus shorter, then you need to cut the plant 5-7 centimeters above the desired leaf (branch). But be careful - after pruning and pinching the central shoot, the trunk itself will never grow again, so think in advance about its optimal height.

On thin branches, the cut can be made in a straight line, if you cut the trunk, then the cut must be made oblique (the top of the cut is above the bud, the bottom is on the opposite side at the level of the bud).

All manipulations must be carried out with a disinfected sharp knife or secateurs. Scissors are only suitable for very narrow branches, if you cut the trunk with them, then you injure the plant. Disinfecting pruning tools can be done by roasting them over a fire or by wiping them with alcohol.

After cutting, you need remove milky juice with a cloth soaked in water (do not wring the cloth, the water will stop the further secretion of “milk”). It is not necessary to cover up and sprinkle the wounds of the rubber-bearing ficus.

After 3-4 weeks, the ficus needs to be fed- it is necessary to stimulate growth. It may be worth transplanting into a larger pot (2-3 cm larger in diameter), this also stimulates branching. However, if you do not plan to greatly reduce the height of your plant, such a transplant will be difficult - then simply update the topsoil. Transplantation and renewal of the land should be done no earlier than 2 weeks after pruning, which in itself is stressful for the plant.

If everything goes well and side branches appear, then they can also be pinched to make the crown dense and compact. If the branches are too strongly directed upwards, or asymmetrically to the sides, then at the growth stage their direction can be corrected with a wire.

You can also try to root several plants in one wide pot (for this, your ficus can be propagated by cuttings).

Unfortunately, the rubbery ficus is not too prone to the formation of side shoots. It is impossible to predict in advance how the crown will grow. Some specimens are very successful in releasing side branches, and some continue to release branches again and again at the top. In such cases, these branches can be cut off or also pinched, until you finally get the result you expect. This can be expected for years, or it can happen the first time.

Your plant is in good shape, judging by the photo, we hope that you will be able to form a beautiful crown for your ficus. We wish you good luck!

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And this is how rubber-bearing ficus grows in nature in its homeland. 🙂