The weeping fig (ficus tree), also referred to as Ficus Benjamini, belongs to the mulberry family. The home of the plant is in India, Bali, and Java.
The weeping fig usually develops a main trunk with a broad crown and can grow up to 2 meters in the wild.
The appearance of the numerous pointed, oval leaves is similar to that of the birch, the bark is light gray to slightly brownish.
Can you propagate a ficus tree? Yes, a Ficus tree can be propagated by cutting. Cut shoots can first be placed in a water glass, or planted directly in the ground. The best way to cut ficus is through the hedge or indoor tree. Propagate a stem that’s healthy and firm with greenish mature leaves. The cuttings need to have a node; from where the new stem will bud.
In this article, we would discuss how to propagate Ficus trees, and the methods involved.
Propagation by Cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is an easy way to grow new plants. The most widespread is the propagation by so-called head cuttings, they consist of a shoot tip with a stem and a few leaves.
Most plants (e.g. ficus species, poinsettia , money trees, rubber trees) can be propagated in this way. Cut shoots can first be placed in a water glass or planted directly in the ground.
After about 2 -3 weeks, the cutting will form new roots. One possibility is to cut off a 10 centimeter long, non-woody shoot from the mother plant and place it in a glass of water.
Remove any flowers, buds and some of the leaves. Place the glass in a bright place at normal room temperature.
New roots form within about two to three weeks. If the cutting remains in the water glass for too long, the fine roots will form a ball – this should be avoided so that the new plant can grow well.
The cutting is then planted in the substrate recommended for its species and watered lightly.
Place the Cutting Directly in the Ground
Cuttings should first be placed in nutrient-poor soil. Alternatively, it is possible to stick the cut shoots directly into moistened soil. This should be low in nutrients so that strong fertilizer cannot attack the tender roots. An admixture of perlite (volcanic glass) or sand is ideal.
Place the pot in a light, warm place, but not expose it to direct sunlight. Put a plastic bag over the cutting or the whole pot so that the water does not evaporate too quickly. If new shoots form, the bag can be removed. If the young plants are strong enough, they can be repotted in a substrate that is suitable for them.
There is also the possibility of propagating plants by leaf cuttings. This works great with African violets, for example.
Simply cut off a leaf and stick the stem in the ground. The new plants are best grown in a mini greenhouse. The high humidity gives them ideal growth conditions.
Offshoots, also known as Suckers, arise from the main shoot of the mother plant and are optically its miniature version. Often they already have their own roots.
In particular, pineapple plants such as bromeliads or succulents , but also the popular green lily, for example, form such offshoots.
There are a few things to consider so that you can enjoy your Ficus Benjamini for a long time. The houseplant does not forgive even small mistakes.
What to Do if the Ficus Loses Leaves
Most of the causes can be easily eliminated or even avoided:
i). Leave your ficus in the same place. Turning the pot can also lead to leaf loss. If you still want to move the plant to another location, you need a little patience. After several weeks, the weeping fig has got used to the new light conditions
ii). If the weeping fig is in a cool room – For example in the hallway or staircase – the pot can cool down too much in the cold season. That damages the roots. Protect your ficus by wrapping fleece around the pot and placing it on a felt mat. This way the roots don’t cool down too quickly.
iii). Ventilation is important and good, but if the ficus is in a draft it can shed its leaves. When opening the window, make sure that the ficus is not in a draft.
iv). Very few plants suffer from waterlogging. Only water your ficus in moderation. He needs less water, especially in winter.
v). Many plants do not benefit from a location directly above or next to a heater – including the weeping fig. Move the pot a little further away from the heat source.
What Must be Considered When Choosing a Location?
The weeping fig is very sensitive to changes in location: even slight changes can cause it to shed a lot of leaves. The plant also does not get cold drafts and temperature fluctuations.
The best location for the ficus is bright, but without exposing it to direct sunlight.
In addition to regular care, it needs a uniformly warm temperature, so cultivation in the apartment is suitable. Even in winter, the temperature of the area should not be less than fifteen degrees.
The offshoots of the green lily look like miniature versions of the mother plant. Once the cuttings have developed some well-developed leaves, they are large enough to be severed.
To do this, cut as close as possible to the mother plant with a sharp knife disinfected with alcohol, without damaging it.
Put the offshoot in a pot with potting soil , press it down carefully and water only lightly. During the entire growth phase, the plant should only be watered moderately so that the roots do not rot.
The room temperature should not be below 19 degrees and the young plant should not get direct sunlight at first.
In the case of succulents, wait a few days after separating the children until the cut surface has dried. Then simply place the offshoot in a suitable substrate.
Propagate ficus – it works with these methods
Indoor plants have a hard time in a well-heated living room and office. How good that there are exotic pieces of jewelry, such as the weeping fig with its multifaceted species .
Once you have got to know its advantages, you will want more copies. You can safely leave your wallet in your pocket, because that’s how easy it is to multiply your Benjamini.
There are many different species of Ficus, but all of them are very easy to propagate. Whether it is a Ficus Benjamini or the Ficus pumila, also known as the climbing fig – the following method of propagation works for all species.
Spring is the best time to propagate a Ficus benjamina using cuttings. This choice of dates gives the offshoots enough time to root before the tricky winter time. How to proceed properly:
#1. Cut off young shoots.
The cuttings should be 10 to 15 centimeters in length. It is best to cut the shoot directly under a pair of leaves with a sharp knife. A sturdy box cutter is suitable for this – but take good care of your hands.
#2. Remove the lower leaves of the shoot. Four or five leaves should be left at the top.
#3. Now place the cuttings in pots with a looser soil. A mixture of peat earth and sand is best suited for the ficus . You can safely put four or five pieces per pot.
#4. Pour the ficus offshoots well. Then put a clear plastic bag over the pots. Put a few wooden sticks in the pot. These should be a little longer than the cuttings themselves. This will prevent the film from clinging to the plants.
#5. The cuttings now need a warm and partially shaded location. Keep the soil constantly moist. In any case, you have to avoid waterlogging. Check from time to time to see if there is water under the pot. Pour this off if necessary.
#6. As soon as the first fresh leaves have formed on the plant, you can remove the foil.
#7. If the cuttings are completely rooted in the pot, you can place the small plants individually in larger pots with normal soil from your garden. Tip: If you mix perlite under the soil, it will become looser, which helps the ficus grow.
#8. If you want the ficus plant to grow nice and bushy, cut off about a third of the shoot tips after repotting.
The propagation of Ficus Benjamini using cuttings works best
Put a plastic bag over each pot. Wooden sticks act as spacers so that there are no points of contact between plastic and offshoots.
In the warm, partially shaded window seat, spray cuttings and substrate regularly without waterlogging. The emergence of fresh leaves signals that the hood can be removed.
Once the cuttings have rooted in their pot, they are repotted in potted plant soil, enriched with perlite, sand or lava granules.
You promote bushy, compact growth by pitting the cuttings of a weeping fig after repotting. To do this, cut back the shoot tips by about a third.
Conclusion
Ficus trees would make for a good addition to your garden.
The need to propagate this plant is always paramount. In this article, we have discussed how to propagate Ficus Benjamini successfully.