Indoor plants are not only decoration of the house or office, but also have a beneficial effect on the creation of a microclimate indoors.
One of the popular plants is ficus benjamin starlight.
It is suitable for any interior and is quite simple to maintain.
Description
Ficus belongs to the family of the Mulberry, the genus Ficus. A variety of Benjamin originated from tropical Asia.
Refers to the decorative foliage indoor plants.
Feature of the variety Starlight are motley leaves.
Large white or cream spots are located over the entire surface of the leaf, and some leaf blades are almost completely bright.
This variety grows slowly, adding about 5-10 cm
This feature is used by those who do not want to have fast-growing and large specimens.
Leaf blades about 5 cm long elongated lanceolate form with narrow tip.
The edge of the sheet is slightly wavy.
Ficus Benjamin Starlight at a young age resembles a small bush.
From it is convenient to form plants of various shapes, including growing bonsai.
Home care
For any plant, moving to other environmental conditions is a stress.
At first, a slight fall of the leaves is possible.because the ficus goes through a period of adaptation.
It should be put in a bright place, it is better where it will be permanently.
Some sellers recommend transplanting plants from purchased soil, but this is an additional stress.
Usually the store earth is a peat mixture, poor in fertilizer, but it is better not to touch the ficus for the first two weeks.
If there is a desire to transplant, then use the methods of transshipment, when the roots are slightly cleaned from the old soil, without destroying the root ball.
Watering
The soil should be moderately wet.
The ficus does not like excessive watering, but a strong overdrying of the earth can affect its appearance negatively.
Water taken at room temperature, it is desirable to pre-defend it.
Important: Strong waterlogging will lead to rotting of the roots, the first sign of this is shedding of the leaves and loss of their color.
Crown formation
To rejuvenate the plant and give it the desired shape using pruning.
Sharp scissors remove old and weak branches, as well as those that grow in the wrong direction.
Pruned plants should not be pruned immediately after purchase or during transplantation.
Best time - early spring, when the period of active growth begins.
The soil
The earth must be nutritious and loose. Take a mixture of sheet and sod land with the addition of sand and peat.
Important: It is unacceptable to take the land out of the garden without first disinfecting it from pests and diseases.
Transfer
Ficus Starlight, like many indoor flowers, it is recommended to replant in spring or autumn.
This should be done before the beginning of the period of active growth.
Young specimens are transplanted annually; in adults, only the old upper layer of the earth can be renewed or Replace every 3 years.
Sometimes they use the method of transshipment without destroying the main earthen coma, moving the plant into a container a little more than the former and adding fresh soil.
A photo
In the photo ficus Benjamin "Starlight":
Breeding
For reproduction using stem cuttings, but the formation of roots takes a certain amount of time.
It is possible to speed up root formation handle Rootomy.
Cuttings cut with a sharp knife and put in a glass of water.
After the formation of the roots are planted in loose soil.
There is also a method of propagation by layering..
Temperature
Preferably moderate temperature 20-25 degrees, in winter - 16-18.
Lowering allowed up to 10 degrees.
In hot weather, frequent and uniform watering and spraying of leaves is required.
Attention: the lower the ambient temperature, the less watering should be.
Benefit and harm
The plant highlights the milky saptherefore, contact with it is not recommended for people who are allergic to latex.
It is advisable to keep away from children and pets.
Despite this, the ficus has a beneficial effect on the ecology in the room.
It cleans the air of such dangerous substances.like formaldehyde, phenol and benzene.
Contemplation of a beautiful tree has a beneficial effect on the emotional state.
It can be placed in meditation rooms, living room and bedroom.
Diseases and pests
Resistant to pests, but sometimes it is attacked by a scythe, aphid, and a spider mite.
Periodic spraying and washing the plants with soapy water will help protect against many problems.
Draft can cause leaves to fall. Also, a large loss of foliage causes root rot.
The plant can be saved by transplanting and removing diseased roots, or by growing a new specimen from the cutting.
Lack of lighting reduces the amount of light spots, a bad effect on growth and lush development of the crown.
In this way, ficus benjamina starlight It is a medium-sized plant in home care, fits perfectly into any interior and helps clean indoor air.
