The main differences between the plant, the place of growth, recommendations for growing banyan ficus in indoor conditions, advice on reproduction, the fight against diseases and pests, facts to note, species.
Tips for breeding ficus banyan at home
It is possible to get a new plant by sowing seeds, cutting or rooting cuttings.
Seeds should be sown between late spring and June. They do not need to be prepared for sowing. Planting is carried out in a light peat-sandy substrate. It is better to wrap the container in plastic wrap or put a piece of glass on top - this will contribute to the creation of conditions for a mini-greenhouse (high humidity and constant heat are needed for germination). Care is watering the soil, if it is a little dry and daily airing for 10-15 minutes. After the first shoots appear, the shelter is removed and the young banyan ficuses are accustomed to indoor conditions. When a couple of leaves unfold on the seedlings, you can transplant into separate pots. This plant is easily propagated by cuttings. Slicing is carried out from the tops of the branches. The length of the cutting should be 8 cm, and it is desirable to have at least a couple of leaves on it. However, here it will be necessary to process the cuttings with root formation stimulants, since the workpieces take root poorly. Stimulants can be heteroauxinic acid or the drug "Kornevin". Cuttings are planted in a peat-perlite or peat-sandy substrate. Then the pot should be covered with a plastic bag or the cuttings should be placed under a glass vessel (cut off plastic bottle). The rooting temperature is maintained in the range of 24-28 degrees. Here you will also need to control the soil so that it is moistened and daily ventilated. When signs of rooting appear, young banyan ficuses will need to be transplanted into separate pots.
When the plant is old enough and its shoots are strongly stretched, then propagation can be performed using layering. Usually, a shallow incision is made on the stem slightly below the leaf blade using a sharpened knife. A pebble is inserted into this incision, and a powder is sprinkled with a hormonal preparation. Then you need to wrap the incised area with moistened sphagnum moss and fasten it with a rope on top. Then this "structure" is wrapped in a plastic bag. At the same time, it is important that the moss always remains moist; for this, the polyethylene is slightly unwrapped and sprayed. When the root shoots become visible through the film, it is recommended to cut the shoot slightly below the wrapped area and this layering is planted in a separate pre-prepared pot. It is recommended to lubricate the cut on the lower part with petroleum jelly, there, in a short time, side branches may form.
Pests and diseases of ficus banyan in indoor cultivation
If the owner often violates the rules of keeping this plant, then it weakens and becomes a target for "attacks" of harmful insects. Among the pests, there are: scale insects, spider mites, thrips and mealybugs. If such "guests" are found, it is recommended to treat with a wide spectrum of insecticides.
If the specimen is quite old and leaves began to fall off in the lower part, then you should not be afraid, since this is a natural process.
The following problems can be identified that arise in the process of growing banyan ficus:
- wilting of leaf plates and the formation of brown spots on their surface occurs at a low temperature;
- if watering is insufficient, then the plant's leaves wither and sag to the soil;
- when the amount of dressings is insufficient, then, as a result, the color of the foliage turns pale, its size becomes smaller;
- also smaller leaves are formed, and the shoots are too elongated in low light levels.
Facts to note about the ficus banyan tree, photo of the tree
Ficus banyan is intended for cultivation by people born under the sign of Sagittarius. Since this constellation is ruled by Jupiter, the plants corresponding to it help the development of abilities that make it possible to establish communication in a team and increase communication skills. Also, a representative of the flora can contribute to peace of mind and inner spiritual growth.
As mentioned earlier, the banyan ficus has the ability to grow strongly and occupy large areas, turning into a tree of enormous size. There is information about specimens, the crown of which reached 610 meters in circumference.
Both types of ficuses (Bengali and sacred) have an excellent effect on the overall microclimate in the room. A variety of banyan ficus - sacred ficus is revered by Buddhists, since they have the belief that the plant is a sign of Buddha Shakyamuni's enlightenment. There is a legend according to which Prince Siddhartha Gautama sat under such a tree and, having reached the moment of enlightenment, reincarnated into Buddha. It is for this reason that this ficus is called the Bodhi Tree. The name is rooted in the Sinhalese language to the word "bodi".
A feature of this variety is that when the ambient humidity is too high, moisture droplets form on the tops of the sheet plates. This property is called guttation. People say at the same time that the tree "weeps".
Types of ficus banyan
- Bengal ficus (Ficus benghalensis). This representative of the Mulberry native growing areas may call the lands of Bangladesh, India or the vastness of Sri Lanka. In nature, the height reaches 40 meters. The trunk is surrounded by root shoots, which, descending from the horizontal branches, grow into the ground and turn over time into young trunks. The color of the bark of the trunk is grayish-brown, but the root processes are lighter, with a greater admixture of gray color. The foliage is dark green in color and takes on a simple or oval shape. On the surface of the leaf, lighter veins are clearly visible, which give a greater decorative effect to the plant. The fruits are orange-colored berries, which are carried over long distances by birds, which contributes to distribution.
- Sacred ficus (Ficus religiosa) often found under synonymous names Sacred Fig, Religious Ficus, Bodhi Tree. The most widespread variety is in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, this also includes areas of southwestern China and countries located on the Indochina peninsula. The branches have a grayish bark, with heart-shaped leaves. Their dimensions are 8–12 cm in length. The surface is straight or wavy, the edge of the sheet is smooth, and at the top the sharpening is distinguished by a droplet shape, converging into a refined tail. Also, against a green background, the foliage of the plate shows well veins due to the light green color. The arrangement on the branches is in the next order, long petioles firmly attach the leaf to the shoot. The length of the petiole is commensurate with the parameters of the leaf plate. During flowering, the inflorescences formed in the leaf axils (they are called syconia), take the contours of a pot or a small ball, after pollination of flowers, incomplete fruits that are not suitable for food ripen. When fully ripe, the fruits of this variety have a purple or dark purple color. In nature, such a powerful tree can be measured in height by 30 meters. It has a crown with wide outlines, made up of strong branches and large leaf plates growing on them with a leathery surface. Some leaves can grow up to 20 cm in length.
