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TheFicus altissimacan be either an indoor or outdoor plant life , but due to the monolithic size of it that it grows outside , it ’s more unremarkably kept as a houseplant . With minimal fertilization and pruning demand , it ’s quite an sluttish industrial plant to keep .
In China around the Buddhist synagogue are forest ofFicus altissimathat are study sacred and no one may cut down them down . This also ensures that the frugivores have an ample source of food when other root become scarce .
This plant is a perennial evergreen plant that prefers bright , indirect sun and well - draining soil . It is easily propagated . Overall , it ’s a great plant for all stratum of plant growers to own and keep because of its benefits .
Plant Facts
How to Grow Ficus Altissima
TheFicus altissimacan be grown either as an indoor or outdoor plant . When spring up outdoors , it can become tremendous and will demand a large field to expand across as it grows . It will need meaning sunlight and well - drain soil .
If you do n’t accommodate for the antecedent enlargement , you will have a problem as your other outdoor plants will be impacted by their growing . They will easily travel far beyond the canopy of the tree . Additionally , the tree will shade out anything growing beneath it .
When you plant it inside , you could expend almost any container as it will reconcile even small container . You ’ll want to ensure that you have drain hole in the container so that extra piss does not become trapped in the soil .
Once you have the ideal container or pot , you ’ll want to get the soil , fill the bottom of the pot , and then place the flora inside . Next , mildly fill in around the flora with the filth so that it is slackly handle . You want to verify that there is still plenty of elbow room for airflow .
After you have successfully planted yourFicus altissima , you will need to find a spot where it suffer bright , indirect sunlight for the legal age of the day . You want to avoid any windows with a glaringly bright lighting that will fire the leaves of your plant .
Propagation
Ficus Altissima plants can be propagate by seed or vegetative multiplication , which can be done by taking stem or ascendent cut from an exist plant . To spread by semen , sow the seeds in a well - drained potting mix and keep them moist .
The seeds will germinate in one to three weeks . Once they have germinated , transplant them into single dope . To distribute vegetatively , take stem or root cuttings from an existing industrial plant .
Soil
This flora will produce well in most well - draining type of dirt . A common soil mix that growers use is George Sand , peat moss , and barque . you could also just use regular potting soil and be fine , just ensure you do n’t pick up a blade that has an acidic pH.
Coco coir and perlite are great additions to add to the drain capabilities of whatever soil you choose . Whatever soil option you prefer , it involve to be easy , fertile , and slightly introductory in pH.
When produce alfresco in pots , the potting spiritualist is often compose of 10 - 20 % coarse sand by volume to foreclose the pot from tiptoe in the wind . You will also have to see there is no excessive root growth beneath the container so that the plant is not shocked when moved .
Pruning
Pruning must be done at the appropriate time or you risk damage your plant or do further dieback . Do not dress in the winter as this will stimulate you to mislay the next year ’s crop . You will want to wait until the follow February or March at the out-and-out other .
For your indoorF. altissima , you ’ll need to trim as needed to keep it from take over the entireness of your base . You ’ll also want to ensure you ’re removing any discredited or stagnant leaf , looking for the origin lawsuit as you prune . Repeated pruning will make loss of crop .
At any point in fourth dimension during the pruning process , you should try not to take more than 10 % of the leaves in one academic session or you will risk sending the works into shock . If you do necessitate to remove more than this , remove some now and wait at least a week before slay more .
Repotting and Transplanting
When it comes to repotting , you will need to check the roots of your ficus tree to see if the roots seem like they are wad in the container . If they are , you will need to repot as they are potbound . If you need your flora to proceed grow , choose a larger container .
You will ask to water the flora and let it rest for one hour , then remove it from the pot , gently teasing the roots so they no longer gird the rootball . Fill the bottom of the container with potting mixture , add the industrial plant , and occupy in the remain space with potting mix .
You will need to plan to repot yourFicus altissimaonce a class to ensure it does not become rootbound . When it come to transplant , like all Ficus species , this plant life is very finicky and does not always respond well .
How to Care for Ficus Altissima
Caring forF. altissimais surprisingly easy . You will require to maintain the appropriate story of water and sunlight for optimum growth and wellness . Temperature and humidness will need to be kept at the appropriate point to keep the plant thriving .
Fertilizer is an choice to meliorate growth . Most importantly , you will have to watch for diseases and pests and immediately deal with them when you find them .
Water
The dirt should never be soggy as theF. altissimahates being in this condition . Keep the ground moist between watering and never become completely dry . It ’s satisfactory if the top few in dry out out as long as the lower level soil does not . Too much urine can harm the delicate root system of these plants .
It ’s also a great approximation to use a pot with drain holes so that any supernumerary water will not be trapped in the soil and return like root rot will be annul . When it ’s time to water , you ’ll need to add water just until it embark on to black market out of the drainage holes and no more .
annul overwatering and consider placing your plant on a pebble tray to ensure it begin the humidity it need without too much pee .
Sunlight
While in nature , theF. altissimathrives in full sun , when embed in spite of appearance , it will need to be acclimatize to reduced light intensity . Too much vivid direct light indoors can be detrimental for this plant . However , if you’re able to not provide bright collateral light , you will take to arrange for artificial lighting .
Consider an east - facing window that will allow for a effective number of dayspring Inner Light as well as hopeful light throughout the eternal rest of the day but not unmediated sunlight after the late first light .
you may also locate yourF. altissimanear a southward - facing window but the light must be filtered by a curtain . This will protect the leaves of the plant from burning or getting unsightly brown spots that will not fade . It can also give it the luminosity it need for new growth .
Temperature and Humidity
YourFicus altissimawill enjoy a temperature of 68 ℉ to 85 ℉ during the daytime . The humidity needs to be at least 25 % . Any cold and drafty temperature range from 40 ℉ to 50 ℉ will stunt the growing of your plant . Avoid tipple and ensure high humidity at all time , as you would for the standard houseplant .
That being said , you ’ll want to keep your plant away from air conditioner vents , warmer , and fireplaces to prevent freeze and scorching of its foliage . If you have trouble keep the humidity level up in your menage , you could choose to incline a humidifier near your plant . This is great for producing the humid environment your flora need .
Fertilizer
When grown indoors , aFicus altissimawill require petty to no fertilization . This is because indoor plants grow slower and expect less food . When you do ask to fertilize , any 20 - 20 - 20 organic fertilizer or constitutive issue will work to maintain growth . A slow - waiver fertiliser is best .
For outdoor growth , unconstipated fertilizing is typically only needed for pottedF. altissimaor those grown in sands . Too much atomic number 7 will cause the encouragement of social status growth at the disbursement of fruit growth . Any fruit that does mature will often develop improperly .
Typically you ’ll call for to fecundate the plant if its offshoot grew less than a metrical unit in the last class . It will ask a total software of ½ to 1 punt of nitrogen that is broken up over three to four applications that start in belated wintertime or other outflow and summertime .
Pest and diseases
Several major disease and pests will affect yourF. altissima . You will necessitate to periodically audit your plant for sign of these problems and insects to ensure that you beguile them cursorily to forbid serious impairment to the health of your ficus industrial plant .
This disease is easily agnize by the formation of gall resemble neoplasm on the surface of or internally within base . It commence as swelling and then turns into an irregular shape that turns calamitous or brown due to the dying of the plant cell on its aerofoil .
This version of leaf maculation forms angular lesions that are indiscriminately spaced on the folio and body of water - inebriate .
The first sign of contagion is pocket-size , angulate lesions that are water - plume on the leaves . These become bright yellow , eventually turning brownness . When the infection is severe , folio drop will come .
This disease causes the formation of necrotic spots on the control surface of the leaves . When it ’s humid , brown masses of spores form concentrical rings inside the spots . The necrotic spots finally turn dark brown , potentially causing the leave-taking to fall off .
With this disease , circular , dime - sized brown lesions physique on the dark gullible leaf . Within the lesion , concentric rings of sullen - black spore - comprise anatomical structure form . These structures control thousands of spores .
Young , supply ship shank become waterlogged and can no longer confirm the weight of the ficus altissima plant life with this disease . This is typically referred to as dampen off .
With this disease , mycelium spring up on the open of the plant and the filth , eventually take shape small , round , brown Sclerotium , which are seedlike structure that aid the fungus survive unfavorable condition . Sclerotia are impenetrable when it comes to antimycotic agent .
mealy bug look like blanched cottony increment on your plants but they ’re little bugs that are sucking the sap out of the leave of absence of yourF. altissima . They can even stunt the growth of your plant if leave unchecked .
Aphids also absorb the sap out of your industrial plant and in great numbers can do quite a chip of price . They can reproduce quickly so you ’ll require to deal with these soft - bodied bugs as presently as you see them .
Scale bugs feed on yourF. altissimamuch like mealybugs and aphids ; however , many also excrete glutinous honeydew which supports the development of jet-black mold . These bugs can be disastrous for your plant life if you do not find them tight enough . Spider mites are also common pests of the plant and can be eliminated in the same room .
Common Varieties and Cultivars
The most rough-cut cultivar of theFicus altissimais the icteric gemstone . alternatively of having just the traditional glossy green leafage , it features a lily-livered edge around its leaves . This is the most democratic edition of this plant and the one you will most in all probability find online or in a store .
interchangeable ficus trees related toF. altissimaincludeFicus elasticaandFicus audrey .
FAQs
Why is my Ficus Altissima dismiss all the leaves ?
Ficus altissima may expend leaves due to tenseness from change in environmental conditions like light , temperature , or watering . It could also be reacting to pests , disease , or ascendent progeny . Check its surroundings and care unremarkable to distinguish the crusade .
How tall do Ficus Altissima grow indoors ?
Indoors , Ficus altissima can mature anywhere from 3 to 6 feet tall , depend on factors like uncommitted space , pruning , and upkeep condition .
How much brightness does a Ficus altissima want ?
Ficus altissima prefers bright , indirect luminosity . It can stick out some verbatim sunlight but may suffer from leafage burn if endanger to intense sun for prolonged periods . Place it near a window with filtered sun or provide artificial grow light .
Is Ficus altissima a rubber tree ?
Yes , Ficus altissima is ordinarily known as the “ Council Tree ” or “ Council Rubber Tree . ” It belong to the Ficus genus , which includes gum elastic trees , but it is specifically referred to as Ficus altissima due to its trenchant characteristics .
Conclusion
In conclusion , ficus altissima care demand attention to its specific needs to control its health and vibrancy in indoor environments .
By following these ficus altissima flora care guideline , enthusiasts can cultivate thriving Ficus altissimaindoor plantsthat enhance the beauty and vitality of their indoor spaces .
- image by jukree / depositphotos
