Amstel gold plant care at home. Description of the stylish and hardy ficus ali plant

Ficus Ali (cv. ‘Alii’ or Ficus Binnendijkii), ficus Binnendijka hides under its name a whole group of plants similar to each other.

In the 19th century they were discovered and described by the Dutch botanist Simon Binnendijk.

Ficus leaves are dark green and long, similar to willow leaves.

Therefore, it has another name - ficus willow.

Information! Scientific name of the plant Ficus binnendijkii, but due to difficulty in pronunciation or for other reasons, it is rarely used. Commonly referred to as Ficus Alii

Ficus Alii- fast-growing and evergreen tree, in the wild can reach up to 20 m in height.

At home, ficus Ali grows up to 2 m.

This plant came from the tropics of Southeast Asia and spread to the territory that covers the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, the islands of Java, Borneo, Sumatra.

This ficus can successfully grow both indoors and in the winter garden.

Among flower growers, different varieties of ficus are used.

But the varieties differ only in the width of the leaves.

Home care

If you comply with certain conditions, then Ali's ficuses will delight you with their appearance.

Here are the conditions:

• illumination;
• temperature;
• watering;
• humidity;
• the soil.

illumination

Ali- strong and not whimsical plants.

But they have their preferences.

One of the most important is light.

Plants prefer bright rooms, but so that direct sunlight does not fall on it.

Ficuses with variegated leaves need bright diffused light, plants with green leaves feel good in partial shade.

Lighting is required in winter.

Ali does not like being moved, turned around, he is a “homebody”, so you need to look for a place for him indoors, given his future growth.

Temperature

Room temperature is comfortable enough for ficuses.

In summer it is optimal 20-25°C, winter – 16-20°C.

Interesting! if the room is warm, then the plant needs more light, and vice versa, the cooler the room, the shorter the daylight hours. In nature, it is connected with the seasons.

Watering

This flower does not like both drought and excessive moisture.

It requires regular and moderate watering, avoiding stagnant water and waterlogging of the soil.

Experts advise watering the ficus when the topsoil dries out. by 1-2 cm.

Reference! In the spring, the plants wake up and until the autumn the ficus is watered more often, since at this time it is actively growing.

In autumn, the plant begins a dormant period and watering is somewhat limited for the autumn-winter period.

Air humidity

For Ficus Alii humidity is important, so they will be grateful for regular spraying.

If the plant is not large, you can rinse it in the shower.

The soil

Advice: The soil for the plant can be bought at the store: special soil for ficuses or use soil for palm trees.

If you do it yourself, then for young plants you need to use the following mixture: turf, sand and peat in equal parts, adult ficuses love loose and nutritious soil

Important! Alkaline and acidic soils will not suit Ficus Ali!

Ficuses need to be fed sometimes, it is optimal to do this once a 10-14 days, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers.

Ficuses need to be fed only in the spring and summer.

Landing and transplant

It is better to transplant and propagate (plant) ficuses in early spring, when the plant is just waking up.

Young plants are transplanted annually, completely changing the soil.

Adults are transplanted using the transshipment method, once at 3 years old.

Large plants are not transplanted. They are fed and the topsoil is renewed once a year.

A photo

In the photo ficus "Ali":

reproduction

Ficus Ali is propagated with a stem cutting: in May-July, a cutting of at least 15-20 cm from 3-4 leaves on it, put it in a container with water at room temperature and place it in a warm (22-25°C) a bright place until the roots appear.

After a couple of weeks, roots begin to sprout.

The plant is planted in the ground when the roots reach 1.5-2.5 cm.

Diseases and pests

Ficus Ali is good because it is almost not susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. But it happens sometimes.

Signs of the disease:

• leaves droop, look lethargic and fall: the reason is waterlogging of the soil, it is necessary to moderate watering
• the growth of the plant slows down, the leaves lose color and fall: usually the problem is a lack of light.

The issue is solved by rearranging the plant in a more lit place or connecting artificial lighting.

• the leaves of the plant dry and wrinkle: bright sunlight is to blame, shading and spraying will solve the problem
• brown spots on the tips of the leaves: the cause is high temperature or low humidity, overfeeding the plant. The issue is solved by spraying ficus and airing the room, reducing the amount of fertilizer.

Poor plant care can lead to pests.

As a result, ficus may appear:

• mealybugs;
• shields and false shields;
• spider mites.

Mealybug appears due to low humidity, fight it by wiping the plants with a soft cloth dipped in alcohol.

This happens more often in winter when the batteries get hot.

Alternatively, you can hang batteries with wet towels or place a humidifier under the plant.

When attacked by scale insects and false shields ficus leaves lose their color and fall.

The insects themselves look like plaques - black or flesh-colored.

You can remove them by wiping the plant with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water.

In case of serious damage, actellik is used (20 drops per liter of water).

About spider mites gossamer will tell you, white and thin. The spider mite does not like moisture, so it is worth rinsing the ficus in the shower with warm water several times in a row.

Benefit and harm

Given that Ficus Ali not rubbery, it does almost no harm.

It is worth being careful with the juice of the leaves of the plant, upon contact with the skin, they can cause dermatological and allergic reactions, but the leaves of ficus Ali are not as fleshy as those of other species, and therefore the harm is minimal here.

The plant has useful properties characteristic of all ficuses.

It has a good effect on the microclimate of the room in which it is located.

According to popular belief, in a house where ficus grows well, people do not get sick.

And if a disease suddenly occurs, then it passes easily and without consequences.

According to an old belief, if a childless woman starts growing ficus, she will soon become pregnant.

We think that this is due to the positive energy emanating from the ficus.

An infusion of alcohol from the leaves of the plant treats arthritis, arthrosis and rheumatism.

The plant is used in the treatment of vascular, pulmonary, skin diseases. Infusions and tinctures, compresses, extracts are made from it.

Ficus Ali is stylish, hardy and not demanding.

It can be formed in the form of a bush or a tree on a trunk, or you can do nothing, allowing Ali's ficus to simply grow.

The choice is yours. With proper care, it will decorate your home and bring you a lot of joy.

Video

Useful home care video for ficus "Ali":

Appearance of ficus "Ali":

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

mulberry family. Ficus binnendiyka comes from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the extent of its distribution from the foothills of the Himalayas, through Nepal, Burma, Thailand, and to Vietnam, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Philippines. It has spread in other parts of the world in countries with a tropical climate, it is also popular in the USA, it is grown on the streets in parks and gardens. Grows in all but the wettest and driest habitats of all major islands, best in rocky and rocky open areas.

These are evergreen trees or shrubs that grow in nature about 20 m in height, at home about 1.5 m. It has a powerful root system, very aggressive in favorable conditions. The leaves are shiny, dark green, about 25-30 cm long and 6-7 wide. As with all ficuses, when cut or broken, sticky white milky juice is released from any part of the plant.

Description Vitaly Alenkin (Vitaly): Ficus binnendijkii Miquel- the bark of young shoots is light green. Young shoots quickly become woody. On the trunks and lateral shoots of middle-aged plants, the bark is dark brown, rough, with white strokes, partially exfoliates in the form of small gray pieces (ribbons). In mature plants, the bark is light gray with white strokes.

Young leaves on the tops of the shoots are tubular twisted, in light green stipules. The latter, after opening the leaf, dry up and fall off. Fully formed leaves are lanceolate (outwardly reminiscent of oleander leaves), slightly concave along the midrib (in the form of a “boat”), smooth to the touch, hard, glossy with a pointed apex and a triangular base, from 25 to 30 cm long and up to 4-4.5 cm wide. The leaf blade is dark green above, dull green below, with a pronounced powerful yellow-green central vein. Petiole 3-4 cm.

Ficus binnendiyka Ali "Alii"
Its leaves are much wider than those of the original type of ficus binnendiyka; the rest of the features are the same. This variety is more often used than the species in landscaping apartments, offices, winter gardens.

Ficus binnendiyka Amstel King "Amstel King"
The leaf blade is wider and reaches 7 cm. In fact, Amstel King and Amstel Queen cultivars are very difficult to distinguish.

Ficus Binnendiyka Amstel Queen "Amstel Queen"
A variety (more correctly a cultivar) with an intermediate blade width between Amstel King and Ali.

Ficus binnendiyka Amstel Gold "Amstel Gold"
The leaves are very showy coloring; on a light yellow-green background, patches of green of different shades are scattered, from dark green to light green.

Among flower growers, you can hear the names "ficus willow" related to the binnendiyka ficus. The leaves of this ficus do indeed resemble willow in shape, but this is a folk name, not a botanical one.

Ficus binnendey care

Temperature: moderate, optimal in the range of 20-25°C, in winter it is possible to keep at lower temperatures of about 16-18°C, with limited watering, a limit of 13°C with a dry content. With sudden changes in temperature, it can drop leaves.

Lighting: bright diffused light, light partial shade. With a lack of light, the shoots stretch out, the leaves thin out. From direct sunlight in the hot afternoon can get burns. Variegated varieties like Amstel Gold needs more intense light, with some sunlight in the morning or evening.

In general, ficus binnendiyka (Ficus Ali) is very undemanding to light, for example, on the northern windowsill of a window, even shaded from the street by houses or a balcony, it will grow without losing leaves, but only very slowly, growing by about 2-3 cm per year. height, while on a bright window it can grow by 10-15 cm per year.

Watering: moderate in summer, the topsoil should dry out completely. In winter, when light and temperature decrease, watering is limited to such an extent that the soil dries out completely. Ficus Ali and other Binnendiyka varieties tolerate severe dryness, but die from waterlogging.

Air humidity: leaves can be sprayed, especially in hot, dry weather in summer and in winter when central heating is on. If the size of the pot allows, then you can wear the ficus binnendiyka in the shower once every two weeks, while covering the ground from water.

Fertilizing: from March to August, once every two to three weeks, they are fed with fertilizers for decorative and deciduous plants.

Reproduction: cuttings that easily root in water in good light, as well as air layering. Cut the cuttings about 15 to 25 cm long. Just put them in a jar of water, it takes from a month to three to form roots. But it is much faster than rooting in a greenhouse in the ground. To prevent the water in the jar from blooming, change it every 2 days.

Shaping appearance: ficus binnendiyka - a large plant, with good care, an adult plant requires periodic pruning to maintain a compact shape. You can grow a ficus in the form of a stem, or by braiding the trunks of several cuttings planted in one pot. Even if you don’t form Ali’s ficus in any way, it will still grow into a beautiful lush empty.

How to transplant ficus Ali

Young ficuses are transplanted annually in the spring, into fresh soil. But if it turns out that the roots have not grown too much, there is a lot of free land, plant it in the same pot, only replacing the ground with fresh one.

Old binnendiyka ficuses are transplanted every 2-3 years, but you can add fresh fertile soil every year by removing the top 2-3 cm of old soil.

The soil for ficuses should be loose and nutritious. Such a mixture is suitable: turf land 2 parts, sheet or greenhouse 1 part, you can add chopped pine bark, vermiculite and charcoal. An important condition is good drainage to the bottom of the pot, and the acidity of the soil should be slightly acidic, or close to neutral (pH 5.5-6.5). Ficus does not tolerate alkaline and too acidic substrates. The pot should be fairly stable, and not too spacious. The volume of the pot is increased when the roots fill almost the entire volume.

By the way

The most common variety of Ficus binnendika Ali. Very often the name of the species is skipped and shortened to ficus Ali.

About air humidity

Ficus bennendica is very tolerant of dry air in apartments. Spraying and showering have purely hygienic purposes, and also serve as a preventive measure against spider mites.

Here is how Vitaly answers the question why a few new leaves of a purchased ficus are very fragile and, as it were, wavy:

At first, Ali will develop curled leaves due to lack of air humidity, but this does not mean that you need to rush around him with a spray bottle. Over time, the plant will get used to the humidity that you have and will grow beautiful straight leaves.

Growing problems

Growing ficus binnendika for 8 years along with ficus benjamin, I would like to note some features of its content, without claiming authority:

In ficus binnendik, unlike benjamin, cuttings take root more reluctantly. In order for the cutting to give roots for sure, you need to cut a branch of at least 15-20cm and leave 3-4 leaves on it. And you need to cut the cuttings in May-July. Root in water or moist vermiculite, in a bright place. It improves rooting by heating the cutting so that the water temperature is around 24-25°C.

Unlike ficus benjamin, binnendika is more likely to be affected by a tick, especially in winter during the heating season or in summer, exposed on a balcony in hot weather. At the same time, the tips of the leaves may begin to dry in the ficus. The only salvation is hanging the batteries with wet towels, or installing a humidifier directly under the ficus.

Excessive watering is detrimental to ficus Ali, as well as to all other ficuses, the plant easily rots, sheds leaves. Ficus also suffers from sudden fluctuations in temperature, for example, if it stands in the garden and on the balcony in summer, and it gets colder at night. Also, the plant reacts painfully to drafts. In winter, opening the window, rearrange the ficus from cold air currents, otherwise the branches dry out, twist, the leaves fly around.

Ficus Ali is very light tolerant, but it is not a small plant and grows quickly under good conditions. After a while, it is no longer cleaned on the windowsill and you have to look for a place for it in the room. I would like to warn against placing the pot on the floor, near the balcony door (it can be dark there if the leaves are not at the level of the glass, and cold - drafts).

The temptation is great to put a pot of ficus against the wall of the room, for example, next to the sofa. The large Ficus Ali tree looks really impressively beautiful, but only as long as it has enough light. Then a beautiful tree can begin to "bald". To prevent this from happening, it needs to be illuminated with lamps.

But you can use lamps with conventional E27 or E14 sockets, put a fluorescent or LED light bulb with a wide or narrow base. For a ficus up to 50 cm high, a 20 W fluorescent lamp or an LED lamp with a power of 5-7 W is sufficient.

Ficuses are one of the most commonly found plants living in houses, apartments and offices. Their diversity is unimaginably great. Different types of ficuses differ from each other in the size and structure of the bushes, as well as the shape and color of the leaves. These plants are valued all over the world for their very spectacular appearance and unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention.

Ficus Ali(lat. Ficus Binnendijkii cv. "Alii") is one of the most sought-after and prominent representatives of its kind. Seeing this plant for the first time, every grower wants to buy it for himself, but at the same time he may not even guess that it is a ficus.

Two types of these green beauties grow in my house - Ficus rubber and Ficus Ali. In this article I will tell you what should be the correct care for the last plant.

General information about ficus Ali.

For landscaping a room, that is, a house, apartment or office, of all types of ficuses, Ali is often found. The leaves of this plant are similar to willow, so they were given the popular name - "willow ficus". The trunk and branches of this plant are densely bordered with dark green long leaves. In good conditions, ficus Ali can grow up to 2m in height.

In fact, Ali's ficuses are a whole group of varieties of plants similar to each other, which were discovered and described by the botanist Simon Bennendijka in the 19th century. Hence the second name - Ficus Binnendijkii (lat. Ficus binnendijkii). In the wild, these evergreens reach 20m in height and are found in the subtropical forests of India. In young ficuses, the bark is dark brown, while in adults it is light gray with light strokes.

Ficus Ali- narrow-leaved plants, the branches of which, under their weight, fall down. The leaves of these plants are variegated or monochromatic. Their length is up to 30 cm, and their width is up to 7 cm. In their shape, the leaves of ficus Ali resemble well-opened pea pods, that is, they are also bent in the middle along the entire length.

Varieties of ficus Ali.

There are quite a few varieties of ficus Ali. In this article, I will list only those that are most often found in flower growers.

1. Ficus "Alii". The leaves of this plant are slightly wider than other Bennendijk varieties. For landscaping the premises, this plant is used more often than its counterparts.
2. Ficus "Amstel Gold" has very beautiful leaves of an unusual color: a yellow-green background, on which areas of different shapes and different shades of green are located in a chaotic manner.
3. Ficus "Amstel Queen". The leaves of this plant are slightly wider than those of 'Amstel King' but narrower than those of 'Alii'.
4. Ficus "Amstel King" has wider leaves (up to 7cm). In all respects, this plant is very similar to the ficus "Amstel Queen".

Ficus Ali care.

As I said, Ali's ficuses are very strong and not whimsical plants. And yet, for normal growth, they need to create the right conditions.

Lighting for ficus Ali.
All ficuses love bright rooms, but without direct sunlight. Green plants feel fine in partial shade, but for variegated ones, so that they do not lose their color, bright diffused light is needed.

If on summer days the sun's rays fall on the plant, then it must be shaded. At the same time, it is not worth putting the plant deep into the room, as its leaves will turn pale.

Ficus Ali do not like to be moved or even turned, therefore, when choosing a place for your green pet, in addition to lighting, count on the fact that it will grow.

Temperature for ficus Ali.
This plant thrives at normal room temperature. In summer it should be from 20 0 С to 25 0 С, and in winter it should be a little lower - 16-20 0 С.

If the room is very warm in winter, then put the ficus as close to the window as possible. It's cooler there anyway.

When growing ficus, you need to know this pattern: if the ambient temperature is warm, then the plant needs more light, and vice versa, the cooler the room, the shorter the daylight hours can be. In nature, these parameters are associated with the seasons.

Watering ficus Ali.
Ficuses do not tolerate prolonged drought, so they need to be watered regularly and moderately, avoiding stagnant water. When waterlogged, the soil turns sour, the roots begin to rot and the plant dies.

From spring (after waking up) to autumn (before the plant goes to rest), the ficus is watered more often, because due to active growth it needs more moisture. In winter, watering is slightly limited.

I water my ficus Ali when the top layer of soil (1-2cm) dries out.

Spraying ficus Ali.
This beautiful plant is very fond of water and high humidity, so you need to spray the plant regularly. This is best done with a spray bottle or, if the plant is not large, under the shower. The water should be at room temperature. In addition to moisturizing, spraying is useful in that it helps to remove dust from ficus leaves. The frequency of this procedure depends on air humidity and ambient temperature. In summer, at a temperature of 20-22 0 C, they are sprayed 1-2 times a week, and if the temperature is higher, then this can be done daily.

Soil for ficus Ali.
Ficuses need special soil. It can be purchased at a flower shop, and there it is called "Ficus Soil" or "Palm Soil". If desired, such a mixture can be made independently. For adult plants, it should be nutritious and loose enough, consisting of:

1. Greenhouse or leaf land (2 parts);
2. Sod land (2 parts);
3. Sand (1 part);
4. Some charcoal;
5. A little fine red brick crumb as a baking powder.

For young ficus Ali can be mixed:

1. Sod land (1 part);
2. Sand (1 part);
3. Peat (1 part).

These plants do not tolerate acidic and alkaline soils.

Top dressing for ficus Ali.
From the beginning of spring to the end of summer, the plant develops rapidly, therefore, it requires regular top dressing. During this period, I fertilize my ficus Ali once every 2-3 weeks and use store-bought complex top dressing for deciduous houseplants. I usually do both root dressing and foliar dressing (spraying the leaves with a weak solution of liquid fertilizer), alternating between them.

From autumn to spring, ficuses can not be fertilized, since at this time the plant has a dormant period.

Ficus transplant Ali.
Ali's ficus transplants are done in early spring, when he is just waking up. Young plants, due to their rapid growth, require an annual transplant with a complete replacement of the soil, and adults - by transshipment about 1 time in 3 years. Very large specimens are not transplanted. They are simply fed and the topsoil is renewed once a year.

For transplanting, take a new pot, the diameter of which is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.

At its bottom, be sure to make good drainage from expanded clay and / or stones. Then, regardless of whether you transplant the ficus by transshipment or remove all the soil, put it on the drain and evenly cover it with soil mixture on all sides. At the same time, make sure that he does not bend over, but stands straight. Then water the plant abundantly and put it in its original habitat. The next watering occurs as the soil dries up.

Reproduction of ficus Ali.
Reproduction, as well as transplantation, is done in early spring. Basically, ficus Ali is propagated by stem cuttings, as they take root very well. This is done as follows: in the mother plant, a stalk is cut off with a sharp knife, secateurs or scissors. Then it is placed in a container with water at room temperature and placed in a warm (22-25 0 C) bright place. In this form, the plant is until the roots appear. In this case, it is necessary to periodically add water. The roots themselves begin to sprout after about 2 weeks. When they reach a size of 1.5-2.5 cm, the plant can be planted in the ground.

Formation of ficus Ali.
Ficus Ali can be grown like a regular shrub, pruning it periodically to keep it from overgrowing. In this case, the plant will maintain a compact size and become very fluffy.

You can also plant several cuttings of ficus Ali in one pot and grow it as an ornamental pigtail plant, twisting them together and removing excess shoots and leaves.

Diseases of ficus Ali.

Ficus Ali, like all other species of this plant, is very rarely exposed to diseases and pest attacks. But sometimes under adverse conditions it happens.

Ficus leaves wilt, become lethargic and fall off.
Most often this is due to waterlogging of the soil and, consequently, rotting of the roots. It also happens if you move the plant to a new location.

The growth of the ficus has slowed down, and its leaves are losing color and falling off.
This may be due to lack of lighting. If it is not enough for a long time, then the ficus will lose its immunity and may catch a more serious disease, which will be difficult to cure. To correct this situation, it is necessary to increase the lighting.

Ficus leaves shrivel and dry.
Most often this happens due to direct sunlight on the plant. To correct this situation at the peak of solar activity, it is necessary to shade the plant and spray it.

Brown spots appeared on the tips of the ficus leaves.
This may be due to high ambient temperatures, overfeeding or low air humidity. To increase humidity, spray the ficus more often or place a tray with wet expanded clay under the pot. It is also necessary to increase the frequency of ventilation of the room, but do not allow drafts. Also check if you are applying fertilizer correctly. The recipe and dosage should be written on the package.

Ali ficus pests.

With poor care, ficuses are affected by mealybugs, scale insects and false scale insects, as well as spider mites.

Mealybug on ficus.
At low air humidity, mealybugs can attack ficuses. With a small amount of them, wipe the lesions with a soft cloth dipped in alcohol.

Shield and false shield on ficus.
When the plant is affected by this pest, the leaves lose their color and fall off. The insects themselves look like plaques (the adults are black and the young are flesh-colored) stuck to the plant. At the initial stage (as soon as the first insects appear), they can be removed by wiping the plant with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water. With a stronger lesion, you will have to use Actellik at the rate of 20 drops per 1 liter of water. Be careful when using it as it is toxic. Ventilate the room constantly.

Puatin tick.
As soon as you notice a very thin white cobweb between and under the leaves on the ficus, then immediately proceed to treat the plant. Spider mites do not tolerate moisture, so rinse the plant well under a room temperature shower several times in a row with a frequency of 5-7 days. If the plant is still small, then you can put a "greenhouse" on it from, for example, a transparent plastic bag. Then put the plant in a warm, bright place. Thus, you will increase the humidity of the air, which is very harmful to the spider mite. If this does not help, then use actellik in the same way as for fighting the scale insect.

P.S.
As for me, all types of ficuses are excellent indoor plants that constantly delight their owners and their guests with their beauty. Therefore, if you have not yet put a ficus in your house, then do it as soon as possible.

Interesting on YouTube:

DIY miniature Simpsons house

For more than a year, my mother-in-law thought that I was growing some special variety of Russian willow in the apartment. And when she finally realized that it was a ficus, she began to demand to throw it away: they say that all ficuses are “husbands”, moreover, disputes, gossip and scandals must reign in a house with such a plant.

Yes, no plant has ever been so difficult for me! Ali, I still won. But here's what I'll say about the superstitions associated with the flowerpot: the scandals around the ficus really hover! But only in one case - if a scandalous person who believes in any prejudices is taken for a plant ...

Ficus binnendiyka (or loose-leaved; less commonly, the plant is called Benedict's ficus, although this name is incorrect, as it refers to a completely different type of ficus) - a native of Southeast Asia. "In the wild" is a twenty-meter tree with drooping branches.

The leaves of such a ficus can be confused with willow or cherry. Depending on the species, their width and shade may vary slightly. In any case, in the center of each leaf there is a deep vein, turning the leaf into a small half-opened "book".

Ficus Ali is an ornamental plant, not capricious at all. It grows quickly, in a couple of years of good care it can rest against the ceiling.

And by the way! In vain, superstitious people “run into” him like that. In narrow circles, ficus is known not as bad, but as an energetically good plant. In particular, he helps his mistress to quickly become pregnant.

You can hear more about it here:

Are there many varieties of ficus Ali

In the wild, and there are many varieties of Ali on sale. But really popular - only four.

• Ali. Also known as Aliya. The most popular. Its leaves are the widest among its "brothers".
• Amstel King. Recognizable ficus Ali, but with lighter and wider leaves.
• Amstel Gold. It has light green, yellowish leaves. Green spots scattered over the leaf blades make the crown even more interesting.
• Amstel Queen. It is the leaves of the "Queen" that are a bit like cherry - wider than other varieties, rich green.

Basic care for this plant

• Light. He must be present in the room, and in large numbers. But beware of direct contact with the rays on the plant - they can burn sensitive ficus leaves.
• Temperature. In summer, such a ficus needs about 22 degrees, in winter - not lower than 16. Ficus will feel bad if the air in the room stagnates all the time - but do not open the window on which this plant stands for ventilation. Also, do not hang the air conditioner over the ficus itself - for it it will be akin to constant drafts.
• Air humidity. It may be moderate. But if the summer turned out to be hot, or in winter you do not save on heating, spray your ficus more often. And do not forget: defend the water for these purposes, while allowing it to warm up to room temperature.
• Watering. It is remembered when the top of the soil in the pot begins to dry out by about 2 cm. Use settled water. Drain away everything that runs into the pan - if such a liquid is not removed in time, the soil will pull it back, but the flower will not have time to use it, and the roots in such wet soil may begin to rot.
• Nutrition. In spring and summer, "delicacies" buy ficus. They give them twice a month. It can be both mineral fertilizer and organic, or a combination of these top dressings (once a “mineral water” is given, the second time, two weeks later, organic). Important: nutrition is applied only when watering, ficus cannot be fed from a spray bottle.
• Diseases. If you take care of it correctly, Ali practically does not get sick. True, sometimes he still suffers from ailments. If its leaves wither and turn yellow, this may indicate an excess or lack of light (see the situation). Black, dry leaves scream that the plant has frozen, and the temperature has dropped sharply. And if dark (black or reddish) spots go from the bottom of the leaves, this is a fungus. Urgently treat the ficus with a fungicide, and cut off the diseased leaves and twigs.
• Pests. Sometimes scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids start up on the leaves. In order to drive them away, insecticides are bought. But before processing, wipe both the leaves and the stem with a piece of cotton dipped in soapy water, scraping the insects into the sink.
• Special conditions. Like other ficuses, Ali does not tolerate permutations. Having got used to one window sill, he can react painfully to relocation to another place (up to “scandals” with indicative leaf fall). Therefore, bringing the plant into the house, immediately select the window sill where the ficus will stand all its life. Great if it is southeast (for light or spotty leaves) or east (for strictly green leaves). And no drafts!

Transfer

The reasons for transplanting may be a suspicion of root rot (in this case, all roots are examined, all suspicious parts are cut off) or the banal growth of a ficus, in which its root system ceases to fit in a pot.

In the first case, an old pot is used, only before that it is sterilized (with a solution of potassium permanganate, boiling water). In the second pot, they buy a couple of centimeters larger than the old one.

Young ficuses (up to 4 years old) are transplanted every year. Older ones - once every 2-3 years.

If you have a real giant growing up to the ceiling, you don’t need to replant it (and how to cross an almost full-fledged tree?), Just feed Ali more often and change his top soil.

Soil selection. If your store does not have ready-made soil for ficus and / or palm trees, create the right soil yourself.

I can recommend several good recipes at once.

1. Turf, leaf land, peat, sand (in equal proportions).
2. Two shares of leaf and sod land, one share of humus, peat, sand.
3. Sand, peat, turf land (in equal quantities).

In the case of a healthy plant, use transshipment when transplanting. In a new pot, install the ficus together with the adhering soil, and fill the gap between it and the walls with fresh soil.

reproduction

The most popular and running method is cuttings.

Everything is done like this:

1. Cut off a healthy stem cutting in spring or summer.
2. Put it in a glass of water.
3. Root this branch in partial shade, at 20-24 degrees. If the room is hot, spray the cutting occasionally.
4. This baby should start rooting after 20 days.
5. As soon as the roots get stronger (as in the photo above), the ficus can be planted in the ground and considered small, but a tree.

And ficuses can be propagated by seeds. We sell such seeds (say, they are offered by the well-known company Gavrish). This is not the most popular method as it requires a lot of time and patience.

But if you are interested, I suggest you watch this video. It has everything: unpacking a bag of seeds, and germination, and what sprouts look like. Very informative:

By the way! Do you know what wild ficuses look like? It is in our apartments that Benjamin, Ali and other green brothers peacefully turn green in pots. On the outside, these guys behave much more cheeky. For example, they can capture the whole house!

Don't believe? See:

Ficus Ali is a popular houseplant, often referred to as Binnendijka ficus, after the explorer Simon Benedict, who first discovered the unusual tree. It is remarkable in that it is very similar to a small willow, so it has another name: willow-leaved ficus. Care at home for him is simple, but following a few rules is mandatory.

Description of ficus Ali

Ficus binnendiyka Ali in natural conditions can grow from fifteen to twenty meters in height. It has a smooth and long trunk, covered with strong dark-colored bark. It is the same in indoor varieties, which, with good care, grow up to one and a half to two meters. The leaves are narrow, like tight straps, pointed at both ends, the branches droop beautifully, like a real willow.

The maximum length of the leaves is up to thirty centimeters, and the width is from 5 to 7. The leaf has a characteristic bright vein, and its color depends on the variety: both monophonic and variegated specimens are found.

Varieties of ficus Ali

Ficus willow has several varieties, each of which can become a worthy decoration of any room:

• Amstel King - if a lover of indoor floriculture wants to buy a willow tree with wider leaves, this is ideal. It has a high trunk, and the crown arbitrarily acquires a spherical shape. From time to time it needs to be adjusted a little;
• Amstel Gold is a beautiful bicolor ficus. It contains leaves of both classic green and light green color;
• Amstel Queen - almost no different from Ali, but its leaves are much smaller. The most elegant among the small-leaved.

If you buy ficus Ali as a home plant, care for it will be minimal, since the tree is unpretentious. But some "wishes" from the willow to the owner, nevertheless, are available. Many beginner flower growers often make typical mistakes when caring for a green pet. To prevent this from happening, it is important to take into account some of the subtleties that will have to be faced after he finds himself in a new house.

Lighting and temperature conditions

One of the keys to the success of growing any ficus is a sufficient amount of sunlight, but without exposure to direct radiation. It is better that the lighting is soft and diffused. In principle, if a grower has acquired a plant with monophonic foliage, it can feel fine even in partial shade, but the variegated plant will definitely not tolerate such an attitude towards itself and will begin to declare this with a total loss of leaves. The best place is a window with access to the east or southeast, without drafts.

Ali, like other ficus trees, welcomes warmly. In summer, the best temperature for it is from 22 to 25 ° C, and in winter it is not recommended to leave it indoors if the thermometer drops below +16 ° C. If the temperature in the room drops sharply, the plant may die, especially if the pot or tub are on the floor. However, you can not put it near heaters or steam radiators, as this will also bring him no less harm. It is best to move it from cold to warm.

Humidity and watering

Since the tree does not impose special requirements on air humidity, its moderate indicators - 50-70% - will be quite enough for it. In the hot season, foliage spraying should be added to watering activities. It is advisable to either get humidifiers, or put an aquarium or a large container of water next to the pot. Get effective moisturizing, which does not require serious financial costs.

By the state of the top layer of soil in a pot, you can always determine whether ficus Ali needs water treatments. When the layer dries up two to three centimeters deep, and the soil becomes crumbly, it's time to water. The scheme is one to two times a week. Neither "overfill" nor "underfill" is possible.

Many novice flower growers, having read that a tree loves moisture, often make a total mistake by starting to water it too much. This leads to rotting of the roots, and it can be difficult to reanimate the plant after it. Therefore, the amount of liquid should always be monitored, as well as regularly check the condition of the pan in the pot or tub so that there is no excess water left. They merge in a timely manner, in order to avoid stagnation of water and the reproduction of dangerous fungal spores in it, which can be detrimental to any home culture.

Water for irrigation must be settled, at room temperature. Water that flows from the tap cannot be used immediately. It contains lime, and it greatly spoils the appearance of the foliage: whitish stains appear on it, and removing them can be very problematic.

Spraying activities, as already mentioned, are carried out in the heat. But do not neglect them in winter, when heaters and batteries are running. It is recommended to purchase a fine spray gun for this purpose. Spraying itself is carried out once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Dust from the leaves is carefully removed with a soft and damp cloth. In the hot summer, it is quite possible to arrange a shower for the plant, with the help of a slightly warm, moderate jet of water.

Soil Requirements

Ficus Binnendijka grows well and develops in a special soil designed for it. However, if you prepare the earth yourself, the effect will be even better. It consists of peat, sod, fine sand, charcoal and red brick chips, mixed in equal proportions. It is important not to forget about the drainage holes in the pot. For a young ficus, three components will be enough: peat, sand and sod.

Top dressing with fertilizers

Ficus Benedict needs to be fed periodically. Typically, fertilization starts in March and ends in August. At the same time, it is recommended to alternate root and foliar top dressing, making them every two to three weeks.

crown formation

This tree is very well formed, the formation of its crown can be done in different ways, among which there are both simple and more complex ones. The easiest way is to arrange the culture in the form of a simple trunk. First, the side branches are pruned, leaving only five of them in the center. After that, the top of the longest and strongest branch is pinched, and the entire lateral growth is given a spherical shape. After such trimming, it is necessary to briefly equip the support for the trunk.

A stem consisting of two tiers is already more difficult to make. To do this, the tree must be divided into three levels, shaping both the upper and lower parts into a ball, and removing all side branches in the middle.

Crown formation is carried out only in spring and summer, when the plant is in the active phase of growth and development. The time from October to February should be excluded. The pruning process itself should be carried out with a sharp pruner, avoiding cuts in the form of stumps. Slices are processed with garden pitch and sprinkled with crushed charcoal, and the secateurs must be treated with alcohol.

Transplantation and propagation of ficus Ali

How to propagate ficus Ali - reproduction is usually carried out during its transplantation: by layering, by cuttings (cuttings, which are most often cut from the top). Branches suitable for propagation can also be used those that remain after pruning, however, it is most convenient to combine the transplant process with dividing the tree into several parts.

Until the plant reaches the age of three or four, it is advisable to transplant annually, and in the future it will be needed no more than once every five years. If the tree is already very large, it is not necessary to replant it: it is enough to change the top layer of soil to a fresh and nutritious one every year.

Ficus Ali should be transplanted into a container that is two to three centimeters larger than the previous one. Before removing the ficus from the pot, the soil is watered so that you can get it quickly, without severely injuring the root system. All roots should be well inspected and washed. If some part of them is rotten, which is sometimes found in adult plants, the damaged areas are immediately excised and treated with an antifungal agent. Next, the tree is placed in a new container and gradually covered with earth. After transplanting, it should be watered.

In order for the new planting material separated from the “mother” plant to be able to root well, there should be several rooting processes. Thus, there is a chance to grow different specimens, which in the future may differ from each other in growth rate and crown splendor. The beginning of spring is the best time for this. After the cutting is carefully cut from the main body of the tree, it is placed in a separate container with water at room temperature. The secreted milky juice is quickly removed, and the water in the container is changed as often as possible. If the place for the growth of the material is warm and bright, the first roots will appear after 14 days. Periodically change and add water, and when the roots grow two centimeters, the cutting can be planted in a permanent pot.

Diseases and pests of ficus Ali

Ficus Binnendi Ali is rarely affected by pests and diseases, however, if mistakes are made in care, they can still appear. If the tree slows down growth and loses foliage, it may not have enough lighting, and you need to choose another place for it, in accordance with the known rules of care. When the leaf begins to dry and curl, the reason may be both a lack of sun and the appearance of pests and diseases.

It happens that spots of different colors appear on the foliage - from gray to brown. It is most likely a fungal infection. Gray bloom is a manifestation of powdery mildew, and black or brown spots are black spotting. All such diseases are treated by applying effective fungicides and adjusting care measures - stopping too much watering and adjusting fertilizer application.

Sometimes, after a week, re-treatment may be required, and when the soap is ineffective - unfortunately, there is no way out, except for insecticides. One of the strong drugs is Aktellik. It is diluted in the following ratio: 20 drops per liter of water, and the treatment itself is carried out only on the street or with open windows, using gloves.

In simple ways, you can deal with spider mites. A characteristic sign of its appearance is a white sticky web that entangles a diseased plant. At first, you should not rush to use “chemistry”: this type of tick does not tolerate moisture, so the ficus should be washed under a plentiful shower, and then wrapped in an impromptu greenhouse made of plastic wrap. Due to the high humidity, the remaining pests and their eggs will be destroyed, but if suddenly this method did not help, any insecticide like Aktellik will be the only way out.

If Ali's homemade ficus is regularly looked after, then it becomes quite possible to avoid damage by pests and fungi. It is best to familiarize yourself with the rules of simple care in advance so that you do not have any problems in the future.

We offer you to watch a video describing ficus Ali: