Ficus "Kinki": features and care

Ficuses are considered the most popular indoor plants, as they are characterized by simple care and a spectacular appearance, which allows them to be used as the main decorative element in the interior of any room. Despite the fact that this type of flowers is represented by a huge variety, the ficus "Kinki" is in special demand among gardeners. It is distinguished by its compact size and unusual foliage color.

Ficus "Green Kinki" is a beautiful ornamental plant, which, unlike other species of its "brothers", has one interesting feature - its crown can be given any shape if desired. This flower is often also called Benjamin's ficus, as it is named after the famous British botanist Benjamin Dayton Jackson, who was engaged in plant breeding. Translated into Russian, "kinky" means "curly".

This ficus is a tree-like evergreen shrub covered with small elongated leaves, the length of which does not exceed 4 cm. Their color can be either light green or yellow-beige. Foliage often turns white with age. Ficus branches are falling, they are located on a lignified trunk. The flower is small, its maximum height reaches only 40 cm.

The main decoration of the plant is a lush crown, which outwardly resembles the shape of a ball. If the ficus is not cut off, then in the process of growth it begins to scatter branches in different directions. The trunks of the plant are covered with gray bark with numerous veins, they can communicate with each other. Due to the above characteristics, the ficus "Kinki" is considered one of the most beautiful ornamental plants.

Despite the fact that this type of ficus is most adapted to the climatic conditions of India, Northern Australia and Africa (where it reaches a height of 30 m), it can also be successfully grown at home. In addition to decorative qualities, the flower is widely used in folk medicine, with its help they treat:

• benign formations;
• radiculitis;
• hematomas;
• osteochondrosis.

Ficus Benjamin is easy to grow at home, the only thing that needs to be properly looked after. It is recommended to buy the flower in specialized stores, this will help to avoid problems in subsequent care, since a sick and weak plant may not adapt to new conditions and die.

It should be noted that experts recommend purchasing not an adult, but a small plant. It will more easily tolerate transportation and changing growing conditions. As a rule, these flowers get used to the new "home" after a few months.As for the conditions of care, the ficus "Kinki" requires the following content.

Ficus "Kinky" refers to light-loving plants that require a sufficient level of diffused light to maintain the green color of the foliage. If the flower does not receive enough light, then the process of photosynthesis will slow down, and the development of the plant will stop. Despite the fact that these indoor flowers tolerate exposure to sunlight well, they should still be shaded in the hot season.

Suitable for this type of ficus air temperature in the range from +20 to +25 C. In winter, these indicators can be lowered by a few degrees, but the limiting temperature level is +12 C. A houseplant does not tolerate hot air flows well, so it should not be placed next to heating appliances. Since the flower is native to the tropics, too dry air is also not recommended for it.

In the summer, it is recommended to maintain the humidity level in the room where the flower is located, within the range of 50 to 70%. In this case, the leaf mass of the plant must be periodically sprayed using settled and soft water for this. If tap water is used immediately for water procedures, then white bloom may remain on the sheet plates.

Ficuses are very painful to tolerate a change of scenery. If the florist decides to keep them at home, he must decide in advance on the permanent place of their placement.

The flower should be watered regularly and the soil in the pot should not be allowed to dry out. Otherwise, due to a lack of moisture, the root system will begin to ache, the leaves lose their color, turn yellow, and the plant dies. Do not overfill the ficus, especially for plants grown in small pots, where excessive moisture evaporates very slowly. Stagnant water can cause the development of various fungal infections and rotting processes in the roots.

This will allow the ficus to form a beautiful crown and help prevent foliage from shedding. This variety of ficus is usually planted in two stems in one vessel, since this allows not only to create a chic crown for a low shrub, but also to emphasize the beauty of the trunk formed from several lignified and intertwined stems. If only one plant is transplanted into a new pot, then it will look inconspicuous and miniature, losing its decorative qualities.

As for pruning, no matter how many shrubs are placed in the pot, they need to be pruned in a timely manner (leaves and extra shoots), giving the correct shape.

In order for the crown of the flower to become lush, the ornamental shrub must be planted in a special substrate that would be water and airtight, loose. You can prepare fertile soil on your own by taking and mixing turf, sand and peat in equal proportions. If these components are not available at home, then you will have to purchase ready-made soil in the store, which is intended for planting ficuses.

As a rule, feeding is done in autumn and spring.Ficus Benjamin, like all its other species, needs periodic feeding, since the soil in the pot is depleted over time, and the culture begins to lack nutrients. At the same time, you cannot overdo it with fertilizing, and if you do not adhere to a clear scheme, then the flower will shed its leaves.

It is best to start the first feeding in the spring, when the plant "wakes up". Then it must be continued until the beginning of autumn, bringing in balanced components at least once a month. At the end of autumn, the plant does not need to be fertilized, since the ornamental shrub does not need feeding.

After the purchase, the ficus must be transplanted immediately, since the plant sold in stores is usually planted in a "temporary" substrate that is not suitable for permanent cultivation. If this is not taken into account and the flower is left in the purchased container, then after a while it will begin to fade and die. Before starting the transplant, you need to purchase in advance a roomy pot in which the flower can grow for at least the first two years.

Experts recommend planting ficuses in a ceramic or plastic pot; special soil is poured into it, designed for this type of plant. The volume of the planting container should correspond to the size of the ficus, if it is small or, conversely, too large, the plant will begin to shed its leaves. The frequency of transplants is determined depending on the intensity of the growth of the root system.

The choice of soil also plays a huge role in replanting; it should be with a neutral pH level. It should be noted here that slightly acidic soil is also not particularly like, the flower in it will feel "uncomfortable".

To do this, it is enough to take peat, coarse river sand, humus and sod soil in equal proportions. All of the above components are thoroughly mixed and poured into the pot. To avoid decay of the roots, a drainage layer should be placed on the bottom of the vessel. The transplanting process itself is as follows:

• first of all, a container is prepared for planting, it is recommended to rinse it and treat it with a solution of potassium permanganate;
• after that, you need to water the ficus well and, together with the earthen lump, carefully transfer it to a new vessel (it must be covered with a drainage layer in advance, consisting of small pebbles or expanded clay);
• then the voids formed in the pot are covered with fertile soil, and the flower is watered abundantly.

The transplanted ficus "Kinki" will take root in a few weeks, for this it needs to be properly cared for and not exposed to the sun. The subsequent transplant will be performed as needed. It depends on the intensity of root growth. If they are visible through the drainage holes, then this is a signal that the plant needs to be moved to a more spacious container.

Ficus "Kinki" can be bred in several ways: cuttings and seeds. For home growing plants, the first method is most often used, since it is considered more effective. For reproduction, use cut stalk up to 15 cm long (it can be cut both from the top and from the lignified shoot). It is left for a couple of hours, letting the milky juice dry on the cut. Then the cutting is placed in a vessel with settled water and wait until roots appear on it, after which the plant is planted in a temporary pot with nutritious and loose soil.

Plant propagation is best done during the period of its active growth. After planting the ficus, the container must be covered with a plastic bag or glass flask, this will maintain the optimal level of humidity and temperature.It is advisable to place the pots in a warm room, in places accessible to lighting. In this case, do not forget the flower ventilate by periodically opening a bag or flask. After 2 weeks, the roots of the ficus will get stronger, then it can be transplanted into permanent pots, caring for young shoots in the same way as for adult flowers.

Despite the fact that the ficus "Kinki" is a plant resistant to diseases and pests, you can still encounter some problems when growing it. For example, in case of excessive humidity, insufficient lighting, low temperature in the room, improper watering and in the presence of drafts, the flower sheds its leaves. In addition, leaves often fall due to an unsuitable pot (its size does not suit the plant). If the plant dries up, it should be transplanted into a large container immediately. After that, it will begin to grow, form a crown and acquire a healthy appearance.

In addition to falling foliage, ficuses can develop and grow poorly. This usually happens when parasitic insects appear on the plant, for which dry indoor air is excellent for reproduction. To save a flower from "uninvited guests", it should first of all be thoroughly rinsed with warm water, then treated with special preparations.

As for diseases, the ficus "Kinki" can be affected by powdery mildew, which is accompanied by a white bloom on the leaves. A diseased plant must be treated with a fungicidal preparation, and the affected areas must be removed. Sometimes the root system of flowers also suffers, with improper watering, a putrefactive pathogen develops on it, which provokes the appearance of root rot. In this case, the ornamental shrub just needs to be transplanted into a pot with new soil, after pretreating the roots with appropriate preparations.

In conclusion, we can add that if the ficus "Kinki" is grown in proper conditions (with an optimal level of humidity, temperature and good lighting), then it will not be afraid of any diseases and pests. In addition, to get a beautiful flower, the gardener will also have to do timely pruning. This will not only allow the plant to form a gorgeous crown, but will also be the prevention of many diseases for it.

For planting and caring for the "Kinki" ficus, see the next video.