Ficus Benjamina: how to propagate cuttings correctly.

If you want to have a house tree, Ficus Benjamina is one of the best options. And you don't have to buy a plant at all. You can easily grow it from a cutting for yourself or as a gift.

OBOZ.UA found out how to do it right. What branch to choose for a cutting and how to root it well so that it takes root and grows.

How to choose a branch for a cutting

Look at the crown of the ficus. Choose a branch that is 10-15 centimeters long and shows no signs of damage or disease. Before placing it for rooting, be sure to remove the lower leaves from it. They can rot in the process and then all efforts will be in vain.

How to root Ficus Benjamina

The plant roots well if you simply place it in water. It usually takes about a month, but in winter this period can last longer. To root Ficus Benjamina, it is better to choose a vessel with a narrow neck so that the branch does not fall out of it and does not sink into the water. You can also choose a jar with a lid and make a hole in the lid to support the cutting in an upright position. This way, you can root several cuttings at once.

The water for rooting should be settled or filtered. But you still have to monitor its condition and change it from time to time when it starts to become cloudy. You can also add 1-2 tablets of activated carbon to the water to increase the period between water changes.

To speed up the process, you can dissolve a little bit of any rooting agent in the water. If you don't know how to dose it correctly, moisten the cutting before putting it in the vessel and dip it in a jar of the substance or sprinkle it on a twig. Whatever sticks will be enough.

It is also advisable to make sure that the cutting does not freeze. At low temperatures, rooting will take much longer. To keep the water warm, place the vessel with the ficus twig on an insulating substrate, such as a piece of styrofoam. Keep the cutting in a well-lit place, but make sure it is not exposed to direct sunlight.

When and how to plant a rooted cutting

Ficus Benjamina cuttings are ready to be potted when their roots are 2-3 cm long. But you can keep it in water a little longer to be sure.

It is better to plant the plant in loose soil. The mixture can be either universal or decorative foliage species. To improve its structure, mix it in a pot with a small amount of perlite, vermiculite, or coconut fiber.

Choose a small pot. If it is too spacious, the ficus will spend a lot of time growing a proportionate root system and will slowly stretch upward.

Be sure to take care of drainage. Pour expanded clay, and sterilize small pebbles or chipped bricks on the bottom. A layer of 1-2 cm is usually enough. It will protect the plant from stagnant water in the soil. If desired, add a little hydrogel to the soil. It will help keep the soil moisture level optimal.

Before planting, treat the roots of the ficus with a rooting agent again. Dig the plant into the substrate so that it is well upright. Do not compact the soil too much. It should remain permeable to air and water. Water the cutting well and add a little more soil on top if necessary. Place the pot with the young plant in a place where it will receive a lot of diffused sunlight and watch your ficus grow.

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