What to Do When a Ginseng Ficus Drops Its Leaves? Detailed Guide to Care Methods and Precautions
Some people's ginseng ficus grows very luxuriantly and looks beautiful. The base of the ginseng ficus looks just like a human figure, which is why it got the name "ginseng ficus." What are the care methods and precautions for ginseng ficus? And what should you do if it drops leaves during cultivation?
Care Methods and Precautions for Ginseng Ficus:
1. Appropriate Lighting
This plant simply does not like too much sun; too much sun easily causes yellowing and withering of the leaves, so keeping it in a bright location is enough. An occasional bit of light is sufficient.
2. Temperature and Watering
It likes a warm environment but does not like excessive heat. When the temperature is above 35°C, cool it down appropriately and mist the surrounding area. When the temperature drops below 5°C in winter, move it indoors. Always wait until the soil is dry before watering; waterlogging easily causes root rot. Of course, if grown outdoors, it can be kept slightly moist! Neither waterlogging nor prolonged dryness is acceptable.
3. Potting Soil Selection
For potting soil, of course, use fertile, loose, sandy soil! Drainage must be good so that water does not accumulate.
The leaves can be frequently misted with a small amount of water (in a mist spray). In summer, you can water a bit more. During the growing period, it is better to keep it moist rather than dry, always keeping the potting soil slightly moist. During the period of budding and leafing out, control watering, mist more and water less.
What to Do When a Ginseng Ficus Drops Its Leaves?
A newly purchased ginseng ficus has not yet adapted to its new environment, so dropping leaves is normal. If bought from a flower shop, it was very likely planted by the seller not long ago, so it needs an adaptation period. First keep it in a bright location, do not expose it to sun, and once it has stabilized, give it a little light.
Do not move it around casually; just keep it in one spot and water it when dry. Ginseng ficus still likes well-ventilated places; placing it in a poorly ventilated spot will very easily cause the leaves to droop.
Basically there will not be any pests; at most it will be root rot and yellow leaves. Too much watering will cause root rot. Pull it up, and if only a small part is rotted, cut it off, soak it in carbendazim, let it dry a bit, and replant it. If it is severe, you can only discard it.
The care methods and some precautions for ginseng ficus have been introduced here. When you first buy it and bring it home, dropping leaves is fairly normal, as it may not have adapted yet. If a ginseng ficus you have kept for a long time drops leaves, check whether the light is sufficient, whether you have watered too much, and be sure to provide ventilation.
Care Methods and Precautions for Ginseng Ficus, and the Uses of Ginseng Ficus
Ginseng ficus is one of the most common feng shui plants. So, how do you care for a ginseng ficus? Below we will tell you the care methods and precautions for ginseng ficus, as well as its uses.
Care Methods for Ginseng Ficus:
1. Temperature: Ginseng ficus has the same requirements for light, heat, water and fertilizer as the common small-leaved ficus. It likes warm, humid and sunny environments, is not cold-tolerant, tolerates partial shade, and its optimal growing temperature is 20°C to 30°C. In winter, the greenhouse temperature should be maintained no lower than 5°C.
2. Soil: River sand or sandy soil is best for cultivation. To make the roots of the ginseng ficus large and fat, add a little fertilizer, and you can use a fertilizer with a higher proportion of phosphorus and potassium. When cultivating ginseng ficus, be sure to use seeds for sowing, as only then can you grow fat roots.
3. Repotting: For a ginseng ficus bonsai, repot once every 2 years, and the best time is before it is brought out in spring. First loosen the soil around the flower pot, then gently take out the large root-tuber plant, remove part of the old soil, cut off some lifeless aged roots, and replant it in fresh, fertile, loose, well-draining, nutrient-rich potting soil. As the plant grows, you can switch to a slightly larger pot to meet its normal growth needs. While repotting, also moderately prune and adjust the branches and leaves so that it can continue to maintain a good shape. Right after repotting, do not water too much; wait until the temperature rises above 20°C, then resume normal water and fertilizer management.
4. Soil for cultivating ginseng ficus bonsai: The ficus is robust by nature and not strict about soil selection. If conditions allow, use sandy soil mixed with coal cinder. If not, ordinary flower soil will also do. The finished product can also use coconut coir as a cultivation medium. The cultivation soil should be loose, fertile, well-draining, rich in organic matter, and acidic sandy loam; alkaline soil easily causes yellowing of the leaves and poor growth.
5. Watering: Water at the roots of the ginseng ficus bonsai. When the root medium (coconut coir or soil) is nearly dry, water thoroughly in one go. Then wait until it dries again before watering. Generally, watering once every three to five days is enough. In summer, the frequency of watering can be increased, depending on the situation. Watering the leaves of the ginseng ficus bonsai: The leaves can be frequently misted with a small amount of water (in a mist spray). During the growing period, sufficient water supply is required, and it is better to keep it moist rather than dry, always keeping the potting soil moist. During the period when it is budding and leafing out, appropriately control watering, or mist more and water less, which can promote shorter nodes and thicker leaves. At the same time, provide sufficient light so that the leaves are thick and glossy.
6. Fertilizing: Fertilizer management for ginseng ficus bonsai. The ficus does not like heavy fertilizer. You can also apply a small amount of compound fertilizer (slow-release fertilizer) once each season. The main components of the fertilizer are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Fertilize 3 to 4 times a year, and do not overdo it, otherwise it easily leads to excessive growth of branches and leaves, ruining the plant's composition and shape.
7. Pest and disease control: Its leaves are often susceptible to leaf spot disease, which can be sprayed with a 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder solution diluted 800 times. A small number of diseased leaves can also be removed and destroyed early to prevent the disease from spreading and causing harm.
8. Light: Note that during the growing period the potting soil must not be too wet, and even more so, there must not be insufficient light, otherwise it will cause a large number of leaves to drop, affecting its display and ornamental value.
Precautions for Ginseng Ficus Care:
1. If a newly purchased ginseng ficus drops leaves, do not panic or randomly look for solutions, because a newly purchased ginseng ficus is adapting to a new environment and may also have been newly planted by the seller, so dropping leaves at the beginning is normal. After buying it and bringing it home, first let it acclimate (the process of adapting to the new environment) and keep it in a spot with indirect light, do not expose it to sun. Only after it has acclimated should you consider sun exposure, fertilizing and other management methods.
2. Do not move its position casually. After choosing a good spot, aside from watering or occasionally tending to it, do not fuss over it three times a day.
3. Pay attention to ventilation. Because ginseng ficus tolerates partial shade, some flower lovers grow it indoors, which leads to poor indoor air circulation and causes the ginseng ficus to lose its vitality.
4. Pay attention to pruning. The reason ginseng ficus looks good is because of its good tree shape. If it is not pruned for a long time, it will grow wild and lose its ornamental value, so pruning is necessary and can be done every spring.
5. Repotting. Actually, ginseng ficus does not need frequent repotting; generally once every one or two years is enough.
Uses of Ginseng Ficus:
In terms of home applications, ginseng ficus can beautify the environment and is very popular among gardening enthusiasts. It can be placed in courtyards, halls, on balconies, and in corridors for viewing at any time, and can be moved at any time. It is the most sought-after collectible for ficus bonsai enthusiasts, collectors, and high-end hotels and museums. Ginseng ficus is also regarded as a symbol of longevity and good fortune. It implies prosperity and wealth. Therefore, it is the best gift for birthday congratulations.
In terms of medicinal use, it is often used to treat various diseases, and the medicinal parts include the root, bark, leaves and tree sap. Its important properties are slightly bitter, astringent, and cool. It mainly clears heat, releases the exterior, induces sweating, promotes eruption, and resolves dampness. It is used for influenza, malaria, bronchitis, acute enteritis, whooping cough, tonsillitis, rheumatic bone pain, and bruises and injuries.
Care Methods and Precautions for Ginseng Ficus
Although ginseng ficus is not difficult to care for, there are still many noteworthy points regarding its care methods and precautions. Although the care methods are easy, there are quite a few precautions.
I. Care Methods for Ginseng Ficus
Ginseng ficus has extremely strong vitality, so its care methods are actually quite simple. We will analyze the care methods for ginseng ficus one by one from different aspects such as the care environment and watering.
1) Care environment: Try to care for ginseng ficus in an environment with sufficient sunlight (because it is a potted plant and not tolerant of strong sun, it should be shaded when the light is intense). Of course, ginseng ficus also tolerates partial shade, so it can also be cared for under indirect light, but you should still give it some light occasionally.
2) Temperature: The best growing temperature for ginseng ficus is between 18-33°C, so in winter and summer you need to pay attention to sun protection and frost protection. Especially in winter, the temperature must not be too low, otherwise leaf drop is the least of your worries; it may even freeze to death.
3) Watering: It must be said that watering is the most difficult part. Ginseng ficus can be kept with slightly moist potting soil, but it absolutely must not be waterlogged. No flower or plant can tolerate waterlogging, so you should control the frequency of watering and water again when the potting soil is dry (dry does not mean very dry; do not go to extremes).
4) Pruning: Ginseng ficus is relatively tolerant of pruning, so do not be afraid. As long as you are creative, you can prune it however you like.
II. Precautions for Ginseng Ficus Care
Actually, the precautions all correspond to the care methods, so this is essentially repeating them once more. Patient readers can continue reading below.
1) If a newly purchased ginseng ficus drops leaves, do not panic or randomly look for solutions, because a newly purchased ginseng ficus is adapting to a new environment and may also have been newly planted by the seller, so dropping leaves at the beginning is normal. After buying it and bringing it home, first let it acclimate (the process of adapting to the new environment) and keep it in a spot with indirect light, do not expose it to sun. Only after it has acclimated should you consider sun exposure, fertilizing and other management methods.
2) Do not move its position casually. After choosing a good spot, aside from watering or occasionally tending to it, do not fuss over it three times a day.
3) Pay attention to ventilation. Because ginseng ficus tolerates partial shade, some flower lovers grow it indoors, which leads to poor indoor air circulation and causes the ginseng ficus to lose its vitality.
4) Pay attention to pruning. The reason ginseng ficus looks good is because of its good tree shape. If it is not pruned for a long time, it will grow wild and lose its ornamental value, so pruning is necessary and can be done every spring.
5) Repotting. Actually, ginseng ficus does not need frequent repotting; generally once every one or two years is enough.