Detailed Guide to Ficus benjamina Cutting Propagation Methods and Steps

Livestock Farming Jan 1, 1970 0 views

Ficus benjamina is now often placed in lobbies, office buildings, hotels and other places with frequent foot traffic, where it not only beautifies the indoor environment but also purifies the air. Some plant enthusiasts also keep Ficus benjamina at home, in offices and similar places, where it can also raise indoor humidity

Ficus benjamina

Ficus benjamina can be propagated in two ways, by cuttings and by air layering, and the former is more common. Cutting propagation is generally best done in late spring and early summer (April to June). Choose healthy, mature branches and cut 10-15cm of young top growth as cuttings, leaving 2-3 leaves on top and removing the lower leaves. If sap flows from the cut, it can be washed off with warm water or the cut can be dipped in plant ash, or it can be treated over a flame to seal the cut. Insert the Ficus benjamina cuttings into a rooting bed of river sand or vermiculite, place it in a semi-shaded spot, keep the temperature at 24-26°C, and increase humidity. After one month they will root; then pot them up and place them in a cool spot. Once the Ficus benjamina grows to 20-30cm, it can be placed in a spot with plenty of sunlight or grown outdoors.

How to Take Cuttings of Ficus benjamina

How to Grow Ficus benjamina

Basic Growing Requirements for Ficus benjamina

Light Conditions

Ficus benjamina likes a spot with plenty of sunlight, so place it somewhere bright, but avoid direct sunlight. Bathed in sunlight, the leaf tissue becomes very glossy, but insufficient light makes the leaves soft and drooping, looking sickly.

Water Conditions

Ficus benjamina likes high humidity and is afraid of drying out. During its vigorous growth stage, water it frequently and also mist the leaves and the surrounding area often to keep the soil and the plant moist; this way the leaves will be glossy and the plant will grow better. In winter, wait until the potting soil is completely dry before watering, and it should not be too wet.

Temperature Requirements

Ficus benjamina likes warm conditions, and the most suitable temperature for growth is 15°C-30°C. It is fairly cold-tolerant, but in winter it is best not to let it go below 5°C to prevent cold damage.

Soil Requirements

Ficus benjamina likes fertile, well-drained soil and is suitable for growing in a mixed soil rich in humus. This can be a mix of compost and peat soil in equal proportions, with a little base fertilizer added as a bottom dressing.

Care Tips for Ficus benjamina

Choosing and Changing Pots

The size of the pot should be chosen according to the size of the plant. To give it a handsome shape, 3 seedlings can be planted per pot. Generally, large potted plants can be repotted once every 2 to 3 years, while small ones may need repotting once every April.

Reasonable Fertilizing

During the growing season, apply a liquid fertilizer based mainly on nitrogen with potassium as a supplement once every two weeks to supply the nutrients needed for growth.

Key Points for Pruning

Ficus benjamina is not at all afraid of pruning, can be trained into all sorts of shapes, and is also very easy to keep alive.

Propagation Methods

Ficus benjamina is generally propagated by cuttings or air layering. For cuttings, in spring and summer, cut 10-15cm of healthy branches, leaving only 1-2 leaves at the top, and insert them into river sand, keeping them moist. For air layering, in summer, choose a well-shaped, thick side branch, make a ring of bark removed around the stem 0.5-1cm wide, then wrap it with moist sphagnum moss, and it will root in less than a month.

That is all the editor has to share about how to grow Ficus benjamina, and I hope it is helpful to everyone.