Bengal Ficus (Ficus benghalensis) - species of evergreen trees of the genus Ficus, mulberry family (Moraceae). Homeland type is moist monsoon forests and lower mountain slopes India, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma and other countries in Southeast Asia and Southern China.

A characteristic feature is a specific type of life form of its representatives - the so -called banyan tree when one looks like a forest of densely growing trees. Education banyan begins with the formation of thick aerial roots that appear on the horizontal branches of the ficus. Some of the roots dry up and some down to earth, take root, trees yaniyut and eventually take the form of bearing shafts, which, in turn, let the side shoots. Thus, ficus grows outwards, capturing an area of ​​several acres of woods and creating goals with their ecosystems.

Also ficus Bengali and other members of the genus are capable of forming banyan, but this type is one of the most powerful among his peers. The height of adult plants in the wild can reach 40 meters. Under a growth in size and it leaves about 25 cm long. Leaf shape plates simple, oval or ovate. The surface of the green, leathery, with strong light-green veins. In bloom this specific type of forming inflorescence - Sykoniyi in this kind of like a small orange ball-shaped fruit with a diameter of 2-3 cm.

In culture, especially popular variegated varieties and varieties of ficus Bengal.

Despite its vysokodekoratyvnyy appearance and ease of care, this plant can allow myself only one who has spacious rooms, as well as indoors this Ficus grows to a height of three meters at the appropriate width. But if, nevertheless, have a desire to buy the plant in your collection, you need to create it a number of conditions.

Lighting. By highlighting ficus Bengali is not very demanding, so it is normal to feel spacious bright rooms. The level of illumination for it to be within the 2600 - 3000 lux, corresponding to partial shade. May he grow in artificial light.

For uniform crown of ficus recommended to regularly rotate around its axis, so that all his party received the same amount of light.

Temperature. Throughout the year, ficus Bengali prefers moderate temperatures, from 18 to 26 °C. before for, especially at temperatures below 17 °C, placed very negative and may lose leaves.

Irrigation. Watering should be regular and abundant. Spend it as drying topsoil to a depth of 2-3 cm, and, as in the summer and in the winter, because the ficus is no pronounced dormancy.

Humidity. Given the size of the plant, spray it in order to increase humidity inappropriate. But we recommend to wipe the leaves with a damp soft cloth which not only refreshes the ficus, but also removes the dust accumulated on the leaves.

In winter, when working radiators, wood barrel should move back away from heat, without violating the mode of illumination.

Feeding. Feed ficus Bengali carefully once or twice a month using the half of the recommended dose on the package. As fertilizers are best suited universal, granular.

Soil. Ficus Bengali prefers tight, fertile, slabokyslye or neutral soil. For the growth can be bought ready ground for figs or cook their own soil mixture, taking one of the turf, leaf, peat of wooden earth and sand. When landing at the bottom of the pot must make a good drainage layer.

Transplantation. Young plants are transplanted each year in pots larger diameter. In adults, only replacing the top layer of soil on fresh.

In ficus Bengali very high growth rate - from 0.6 to 1 m per year. Deterrent to him will grow in tight pots and small pruning the roots when transplanting.

Crop. The plant forms a well to pruning, whereby a beautiful crown becomes more compact.

Reproduction. The simplest ficus Bengali propagated by cuttings, which are cut in the spring or summer shoot tips of two - three internodes. Rooting occurs in a mixture of peat and sand. You can vkorinyuvaty in water, but root formation will take a few more times.

Pests. Pest ficus Bengali rarely affected, but sometimes it settled thrips, quadraspidiotus perniciosus, spider mites. If possible, affected plants should be rinsed under a warm shower. Otherwise, it should be thoroughly washed with a sponge and then process chemicals.

Diseases of the developing world, mainly as a result of improper care:

- in yanut leaves of young plants - too low temperature;

- the plant is removed, leaves petty - lack of light;

- yellow spots on leaves - excessive watering;

- the leaves are pale, plant growth slows in - lack of fertilizers;

- brown spots on the edge - too dry air, high temperature or perekormka fertilizers.