One of the most colorful and unique members of the Tutov family is a ficus called ginseng. The peculiarity of this plant lies in the unusual shape of its root system, resembling in appearance the ginseng root. What else differs the ficus microcarp from other members of the family and how to grow such an unusual bonsai on your windowsill, we will consider in the article.

Botanical description of the plant

Ficus ginseng, also called microcarp or blunt, is an evergreen inhabitant of the subtropical forests of Australia, the People's Republic of China, and the Philippines. Under natural conditions, the tree has an impressive size and is capable of reaching 25 m in height.

Decorative representatives grown in the apartment as a bonsai reach no more than 1.5 m.

Ginseng is characterized by the presence of a small thick trunk and a strong, strong rhizome that looks like a ginseng root. The trunk is covered with a smooth thin bark of gray or reddish color, which is extremely sensitive to damage.

On the stem of the plant are arranged in order of priority small leathery petiole leaves, which are oval in shape and have a dark green color, with a shiny glossy surface.In the process of flowering, small-sized flowers are formed on the bush, connected into spherical inflorescences - siconia. At the first stages of flowering, the syconia have a yellow-green hue, but become purple as they ripen.

At home, the plant never blooms and does not bear fruit, since for its pollination small wasps Parapristina verticillata, living only in the homeland of the culture, are necessary.

The main feature of the microcarp is its bizarre rhizome, consisting of several aerial roots strongly protruding from the ground. However, such a root does not occur in nature.

Did you know? The unique shape of the roots of homemade ficus is not the result of natural processes — This is the laborious work of breeders who, thanks to a specially developed secret agricultural technique, create a plant with an unconventional rhizome.

Benefit and harm

• Ficus ginseng is not only a beautiful ornamental plant, it has many useful properties:
• relieves the air in the apartment from harmful substances - phenol, benzene, formaldehyde fumes;
• saturates air with oxygen;
• favorably affects the energy of the room.

In addition, it is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of diseases such as mastopathy, fibroids and other neoplasms. Tinctures based on the plant’s milky juice are used in the complex treatment of arthrosis, radiculitis, osteochondrosis.

Lotions from hematomas, bruises, warts and papillomas are prepared from the frozen milky ficus juice. Medicines, for example, candles for hemorrhoids, are also made on its basis.In most cases, ginseng is safe for people, but experts do not recommend growing the plant for those who are prone to allergic reactions. Milky sap secreted by a tree can provoke the development of rhinitis, fever, headaches.

Did you know? In the list of the most powerful home allergens, ficus is in third place, behind first place in domestic animals and dust mites.

Conditions for successful growing at home

Ficus ginseng does not need special growing conditions, however, in order for the plant to please with an attractive appearance, it is necessary to control lighting, temperature and humidity in the room where the flower is located.

Accommodation

The ideal location of the ficus is considered partial shade, not far from the window. He does not like too bright lighting, but also negatively refers to his absence. Particularly dangerous for the plant are direct rays of the sun, large streams of hot air, drafts.

A place for a flower is recommended to be selected away from heating appliances, batteries. In winter, when the daylight hours are reduced, the culture needs to organize artificial diffused lighting by installing fluorescent lamps near the pot. In the summer, ficus requires access to fresh air.

Temperature mode

The most acceptable temperature for a microcarp is considered to be +20 ... + 23 ° C. In winter, the indicators should not fall below + 15 ° С. Too high temperature in the room can provoke premature yellowing of leaves and their falling. Low temperature indicators can cause rotting of the root system and death of the bush.It should be noted that periodically the ficus itself discards leaves, and this is considered normal, since in this way the plant gets rid of old foliage and gives young strength.

Air humidity

Ginseng refers to hygrophilous plants: 65–75% are considered optimal moisture indicators. In summer, the culture needs regular spraying, which is recommended to be carried out twice a day: in the morning and in the evening.

For spraying, it is necessary to use boiled water at room temperature so that after the procedure there are no white spots on the leaves. During it, you should make sure that as little moisture as possible gets on the trunk.

Once a month, experts advise organizing a ginseng full bath in the shower. Also, the plant responds favorably to systematic wiping of leaves with a damp cloth.

Home Care

Ginseng care in apartment conditions is not difficult and is based on the implementation of basic rules - this is watering, pruning, fertilizing, processing from parasites.

Watering

The ficus of this variety prefers regular abundant watering with control of soil drying. In the summer, the plant should be moistened 2-3 times a week, focusing on the state of the soil - a signal for irrigation is the drying of the upper layer by 2-3 cm.

It is important not to allow two points:

• stagnation of moisture in the pallet, which can provoke rotting of the root processes;
• drying out of the soil, which can lead to yellowing of the foliage and its subsidence.

In the winter season, the frequency of watering is recommended to be reduced to once every 7-10 days.

To moisten the crop, it is best to practice lower watering in pallets. You can also moisten the flower by adding water directly under the root, but maximally protecting the trunk from moisture. Irrigation water should not be cold, a little warmer than the temperature in the room, settled, ideally filtered.

Important! Ginseng reacts sensitively to moving and transportation, so immediately after purchase he needs to determine his permanent place of residence.

Top dressing

Together with watering ficus, experts recommend feeding it. In the phase of active growth, from March to November, fertilizers must be applied every two weeks. Mineral, organic products, as well as special complexes designed for bonsai are allowed to be used as top dressing material.

Fertilizers are diluted in irrigation water and moisturize the plant.

In the cold period, the frequency of top dressing is reduced to one per month.

Pruning

As the ginseng branches grow, they actively grow, which gives the flower a groomed, sloppy appearance. Due to the fact that the shoots of ficus have high ductility, it is easy to give it the desired shape through regular pruning.

To form a more branched crown, it is necessary to trim only the top of the bush, leaving no more than 5 cm of shoot length. The formation of the crown in the direction of growth of the largest shoot is allowed. Often the desired shape is given to the plant using wire, which makes it possible to independently determine the direction of crown growth.

To get a strong, strong and powerful trunk, it should be completely cut several times.

Cutting branches is also recommended to reduce the volume of the sheet formation. To do this, after each formation of 6-10 new leaves, remove 2-3 old ones.It should be noted that the event of trimming branches and shoots can be performed at any time of the year, but experts advise combining it with a transplant.

Important! Trimming is not a mandatory procedure for ginseng: it is able to grow and develop perfectly without it. Its main goal is to form an aesthetically attractive plant original form with a magnificent and dense crown.

Transfer

Caring for ficus implies carrying out regular plant transplants. Young flowers, up to 5 years old, need annual transplantation; adults, over 5 years old, should be replanted once every 3-4 years. In this case, the replanting of young ficuses should be carried out with a complete replacement of the soil, but more mature bushes are transplanted by transshipment.

The ficus transplant process is based on the following algorithm:

1. Pot selection. As a new container for ficus, it is better to choose ceramic or plastic pots, 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. It is not recommended to select too large containers, as this will lead to inhibition of foliage growth.
2. Soil mix selection. Ginseng prefers nutritious loose soil with an acidity of pH 5.5–7.5. Experts recommend purchasing soil in specialized stores, choosing the substrates intended for ficus or bonsai. The primer mixture can be prepared independently using turf, leafy soil, peat and river sand mixed in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1. In a homemade soil, you must add a little crushed charcoal.
3. Plant transplant. At the bottom of the tank, it is necessary to line the drainage layer of expanded clay or pebbles, sprinkle with a small layer of prepared soil on top. Put the plant on the ground, distribute the root processes well, cover the rest of the earth and tamp a little.

After the transplant, the ficus is recommended to be placed in a warm place where diffused lighting prevails.

Did you know? Ficus microcarp, which grows in nature, is called a "strangler." In the process of active growth, the tree seeks support — because of this, its aerial roots entwine around plants growing near it, thereby preventing them from developing and growing.

Breeding

For cultivation, three methods are used: cuttings, using aerial roots and seeds.

Air layering

The most popular method of breeding ficus is the use of air layers.

For this:

1. In an adult healthy bush, part of the bark up to 3 cm wide is cut out in a circle from the trunk.
2. The place of the cut is covered with a damp moss or rag, a plastic film. When using moss, it must always be kept moist.
3. After a while, young shoots appear on the cut part, which should be cut and transplanted together with a small area of ​​the bark into a separate pot.

Caring for young seedlings is similar to caring for adult plants. The main thing is to monitor the quality of irrigation and prevent excessive soil moisture.

Cuttings

Cuttings are considered the most simple and affordable method of propagation.It involves the following steps:

1. From a healthy strong plant, several woody processes 15 cm long with 2-3 leaves on them are cut with a sharp knife.
2. Cuttings are placed in a jar of water to clear them of milky juice.
3. The processes are dried and planted in a specially prepared substrate consisting of peat, river sand and vermiculite.
4. The container with cuttings is covered with plastic wrap and placed in a warm, lit place. Provide seedlings with regular hydration and ventilation.
5. After 2 months, when the cuttings take root, they are planted in separate containers.

Cultivation measures by cuttings are carried out in early spring.

Seeds

Breeding ficus seeds is considered the most complex and time-consuming method. For it, only purchased seeds are used, since it is impossible to obtain seed material at home.

The breeding event includes the following steps:

1. Seeds are planted in a soil mixture, which includes peat and sphagnum in equal parts. The material is not compacted, sprinkled on top with a small layer of soil.
2. The seed surface is moistened with a spray bottle.
3. A container with seedlings is covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect.
4. In the process of seed germination, make sure that the soil is always wet.
5. After the appearance of 2-3 leaves on the sprouts, they are transplanted into pots.

Seeds sprout with a similar method for quite a long time, up to several months.

Important! Any home breeding method involves obtaining ficus with the usual trunk and rhizome. To form a root characteristic of ginseng, a special growing technique is needed.

Possible growing difficulties

A high percentage of diseases in ficus is caused by non-compliance with the rules for caring for it.The need to adjust the growing conditions arises with the following factors:

1. Leaves fall - says that the ficus ginseng has undergone excessive moisture, has been exposed to drafts or grows in low light conditions.
2. Yellowing foliage with a further fall - is the result of insufficient watering or low humidity.
3. Yellowing of the lower tier leaves - the reason for this may be a lack of nutrients.
4. The formation of dark spots on the leaves, rotting of the roots - indicate excessive moisture and stagnation of water in the pan.

With proper observance of the basic rules of care, the ficus is able to quickly recover and form many young shoots.

Among pests, the most dangerous for the tree are spider mites and mealybugs. The presence of the former is indicated by a white web from the bottom of the leaf plate, and the latter is indicated by the presence of white sticky spots resembling cotton wool in consistency.

Modern insecticides, which need to be sprayed on the foliage of the bush, will help get rid of parasites. To prevent infection with pests, it is recommended to wipe the leaves with a soap solution or tincture of garlic.

To grow at home an original ficus of a microcarp under the power of everyone, even a beginner grower. The plant is unpretentious in care, does not need special conditions of maintenance, however, like any decorative flower, it requires due attention and care.