One of the most important activities in the cultivation of ficuses is the correct timely transplantation of plants. Below we will talk about the need for a transplant, and we will also consider a detailed briefing on this procedure.
Why do I need a transplant?
Under natural conditions, the area of nutrition of the root system of the ficus is much larger than that of plants grown in closed ground, so the primary task of transplantation is to increase the area of nutrition for the rhizome. This allows you to accelerate the growth of the terrestrial part of the plant and provide it with the necessary trace elements.
Also, a planned transplant allows you to identify possible diseases of the root system in time and quickly adjust the conditions of care. Change of capacity can serve as an adjustment of plant growth. For example, if the ficus has gained sufficient height, its growth is stopped by the procedure under consideration, combined with shortening the root system and trimming the ground part.
How to transplant ficus in another pot
Before the procedure, you must decide which pot to transplant ficus into. In addition, you should select the optimal transplant timing, taking into account the life cycles of plants.
Season and frequency
The optimal time when you can transplant ficus without harming the plant is the end of February - the beginning of March. During this period, the flowers gradually begin to emerge from a state of rest. Ficuses under the age of 3-5 years are transplanted once a year, over 5 years - once every 2-3 years. In autumn and winter, the procedure is not recommended, while there are situations when a transplant is allowed, regardless of the schedule.
Transplant dates also depend on:
- color conditions - in the presence of diseases of the root system, an urgent procedure is performed;
- growing conditions - if ficuses are kept in warm rooms in winter and do not go into the resting phase, then the procedure is acceptable at any time of the year;
- root development rate - if the root system of an adult plant has braided the entire earthen lump, then it is transplanted not once every 2-3 years, but if necessary.
Pot
The size and shape of the pot depends on the purpose of cultivation. In standard ficus cultivation, a pot with the same diameter and height parameters is selected. When cultivating ficus bonsai, use flat containers with a height of at least 10 cm.
Another factor to consider when choosing a pot is the size of the root system. The capacity should not be too spacious: the distance from the bottom of the pot to the end of the main root should vary between 3-5 cm.Did you know? In 1781, in Buenos Aires, one of the oldest ficus planted under the name "Homer's tree" was planted.
Regarding the material from which the containers are made, there are no special requirements. The main thing is that it is strong enough and does not retain moisture.The soil
In order for the ficus to develop a beautiful crown with an attractive green mass, it will need fertile soil that passes air well and does not retain moisture in the lower layers. The acidity of the soil should vary between 5–6 pH.
For ficuses, which in the wild grow on rocky terrain, brick crumb is added to the ground. Also, the composition of the soil will vary depending on the age of the seedlings. Young specimens need a looser substrate. This is achieved by increasing the percentage of sand and activated carbon.
For young seedlings, the soil is mixed in the proportions 1: 1: 1, combining:
- peat;
- sand;
- leaf-sod substrate.
For adult specimens, the substrate is mixed in a ratio of 2: 2: 1, combining:- compost;
- leaf-sod substrate;
- sand.
To improve the quality and aeration of the soil, as well as preventing the development of fungus and the spread of pests, various micronutrients are added to the soil:
- charcoal - 20% of the total mass for enriching the soil with potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen;
- Activated carbon - 20%, if necessary, disinfect the root system and enrich the soil with potassium, phosphorus;
- expanded clay - 10%, laid out on the bottom of the pot to ensure drainage of the soil;
- dolomite flour - 5% of the total soil mass, if necessary, reduce acidity and enrich the composition with calcium.
You can use universal soil for ficus, adding 20% vermiculite to it. Any composition must first be disinfected. There are several ways to do this:- roasting in an oven at a temperature of 50 ° C;
- replacing the application of charcoal by spilling the soil with a hot solution of wood ash - for 5 l of water you need to add 200 g of powder, boil for 5 minutes and pour hot into the soil.
Important! When growing ficuses, do not use lime to leach the soil - this can lead to a burn of the root system.
Step-by-step instruction
Ficus Transplant Instructions:
- Water the plant 24 hours before transplanting.
- Disinfect the new container with 1% solution of copper sulfate and dry it.
- Place 3-5 cm of drainage in a new container.
- Lay sand on top of a drainage layer of approximately 2 cm.
- Push the walls of the pot with the plant with your hands, lightly tap on the bottom.
- Bending the pot to the side, carefully dump the ficus along with an earthen lump.
- Move the flower to a new container.
- Level the plant so that the root neck rises 5 cm above the surface of the soil.
- Fill the voids with nutritious soil.
- Water the plant with settled water at room temperature (+ 20–25 ° C).
Video: Ficus transplant
How to care after transplantation
After the procedure, the intensity of soil moisture is reduced, abandoning watering for 1-2 weeks. Humidify only the air around the flower and leaves - by spraying. The temperature regime is maintained within + 20–25 ° С. It is better to make the light in the room dim or use special phytolamps.
After 2 weeks, you can gradually increase the degree of lighting and resume watering. The first fertilizer after the procedure is better to apply after 6 weeks, clearly observing the dosage.
Important! The adaptation period of the ficus to the new tank lasts 1–2 weeks. During this time, the plant can lose several leaves - this is a natural process, so nothing needs to be done.
Do I need a transplant after purchase
Copies sold in stores are grown in soil, which in composition is designed to maintain the marketable appearance of green mass for a short time, so plants need replanting with a complete replacement of an earthen coma.
When to transfer ficus after purchase - depends on the condition of the plant. As a standard, a ficus should spend a month in a new place before a transplant: it will take him so much time to adapt to the microclimate of the room. But if there are signs of root system disease or the spread of pests, the transplant is carried out urgently.
Ficus purchased at the end of August can be transplanted in the fall. At the same time, care must be taken to ensure a full microclimate after a transplant close to summer so that the tree can develop during the cold season:
- diffuse lighting - at least 12 hours;
- air temperature - about + 25 ° C;
- soil moisture — 50%;
- air humidity — 70%.
Did you know? Wild ficus growing in South Africa has roots about 120 m long.
Frequent errors during transplantation
The most common mistakes that growers make when transplanting ficuses:
- plant transplantation immediately after purchase;
- the use of shop soil without prior disinfection;
- watering with cold water;
- fertilizing immediately after transplantation;
- placement of containers with transplanted plants in a brightly lit room.
The most difficult agrotechnical event in the home cultivation of ficuses is a transplant. Compliance with all the rules regarding the timing and microclimatic regime will help to avoid the difficulties associated with the adaptation of the plant to new soil.
