Today, science knows about 1000 species of ficus, but only some varieties are adapted to house breeding. Individual varieties of ficus with photos and names will be presented in this article - they are most often used for home maintenance. This evergreen representative of the mulberry family is liked by many growers. It is easy to look after decorative and deciduous ficuses, it is only necessary to observe certain conventions relating to a single species. Due to the low requirements for care, along with external attractiveness, ficus decorates the interior of the living room, the atmosphere of any office, shopping center or cafe.
All members of this family have a well-developed root system, leaves have a dense structure, bright green color (in some varieties there may be spots, fringes), different shapes.
The plant can be designed as a houseplant, falling ampel form or miniature bonsai. The natural growth environment allows them to reach enormous size, to become full-fledged trees. Domesticated representatives of the ficus family have acceptable dimensions for the premises, they grow slowly.
Ficus - where does it grow and where is its homeland? He prefers tropical countries, the coasts of the Pacific, Indian oceans, the Mediterranean, South Africa. It is also common in the Crimea, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, China, and India. Humid tropical forests of Malaysia, the Philippines, where they grow, bear ficus - the birthplace of the plant.
Ficus - types, photos and names
We often grow representatives of the ficus family at home, moreover, they are one of the most beloved. Bushes of different varieties are not always similar, but they are united by almost the same cultivation methods and care requirements.
One of the most popular varieties - ficus Benjamin, has universal dimensions, resembles a small tree.
This variety has several sub-varieties that differ in leaf shape. The egg-shaped leaf of Benjamin has a slightly pointed tip. They can be a saturated green shade, have white blotches, edging (variegated varieties). Frequent pruning is recommended to give the crown a beautiful shape. Trunks are amenable to weaving: gardeners often use this technique to achieve an unusual decorative effect. For this, several seedlings are planted together or the species of ficus Benjamin is used to create bonsai.
Ficus is rubbery, it is also elastic (elastic) - the most common variety for pot growing. Buddhists revere it, consider it sacred. In its homeland (northeast of India, south of Indonesia), it can reach 30 meters in height. This variety forms branches as it grows, and also forms aerial roots, especially with high humidity. Due to this structure of the root system, the elastic ficus is also called the “snake tree”.
At home, it does not give color, the leaves are rather large, oval in shape with a sharp tip. Melanie got its name thanks to the milky white juice, which sometimes stands out on the surface of the leaf. The juice contains latex, which is why not so long ago this variety was used to produce rubber on an industrial scale.
Ficus elastic can not be over-moistened, especially with the onset of winter.
Very interesting of the dwarf varieties - creeping ficus. It has curly creeping shoots, roots with suction cups that can cling to any surface.
It grows well in places lit by the sun, very fond of moisture. Creeping ficus has small leathery leaves of an oval shape (2-2.5 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide - macrophylla) or even smaller ones (0.5-0.7 cm - minima). The stems of this ground cover variety are prone to lignification. In bright light (but not in direct sunlight), the colorful pattern of leaves becomes even brighter, and if it is lacking, it can become simply green.
Its other name is pumila ficus (ficus pumila), the most popular varieties for home breeding are varieties: Sunny (with an uneven white border on the edges of the sheet),
White Sunny (with continuous white or cream border), Dorte (with white spots on the sheet). A dwarf creeping feels equally comfortable in hanging pots (like an ampel plant) and ordinary pots.
Dwarf ficus can be wrapped around special decorative poles, setting the desired direction for the shoots.
Ficus goblet-leaf (Ficus Cyathistipula). He also has one name - Tsiatistipula. This is perhaps one of the most unpretentious plants from the ficus family. One of the distinguishing features is a strong branching and closely spaced leaves. Hence the admirable view - he always looks magnificent.
The goblet of the leaf is large, leathery, elongated: length up to 20 cm, width no more than 7-8 cm. The top of the sheet is rounded, and the tip is pointed. The leaf is dark green on the front side and light on the back. The reverse side of the sheet looks interesting and unusual: in the form of a mesh.
Photo of the reverse side of the sheet of Tsiatispula:
And one more sign: brown scales. In the photo above it is clearly visible. Scales always appear at the ends of branches. They play the role of protecting young leaves from external factors. Over time, they fall off, but stay on branches for a long time.
The name Ficus Lyriform is obtained precisely because of its leaves, which reach 50 cm in length (25 cm in width), have wavy edges. This variety boasts the largest wavy leaves. A rather large tree grows from it, which does not like the neighborhood, preferring to stand separately from others. It does not apply to banyan trees (plants with aerial roots). It has an upright trunk, characteristic leaves with green veins on a dark green background. In their shape, the leaves expanding to the top resemble a violin.
Ficus with a female name Natasha refers to Benjamin's sub-sorts.
This is an evergreen perennial shrub that can grow up to 2 meters in room conditions. The bush has many thin shoots with densely growing small leaves, which are the smallest among the other varieties of Benjamin. The leaves themselves have a leathery structure, an ellipsoidal shape with a pointed tip. The color of the leaves can vary from a white-green range to a saturated green hue.
Ficus Natasha does not like drafts, direct sunlight, frequent movements, prefers to grow in one permanent place. He likes irrigation (twice daily), regular shaking of the crown (for airing lush foliage).
Microcarp variety looks very similar to one of the varieties of Benjamin. It is characterized by accelerated growth of the root system, so it is often used to create bonsai. Microcarp leaves can be of different shapes: elongated, elongated, oval. On the shelves of our flower shops you can often see this variety, grown in a special way, in which the roots resembling ginseng rhizomes become visible. On the label that is attached to the pot is written - Ficus microcarpa Ginseng (Ficus microcarpa ginseng).
To achieve this form of roots, you need to do complex agrotechnical work with the use of hormonal additives, appropriate fertilizers. Under natural conditions, this plant reaches 25 meters in height, it is also called a "strangler" because of the tendency to wrap around the trunks next to growing trees, to prevent their further growth and development. Ficus ginseng is used as a pre-fabrication material for the subsequent formation of the plant in order to obtain a bonsai style.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the formation of bonsai - miniature trees, which, in their appearance, repeat large brothers (roots and crown). Translated from Chinese, "bonsai" is "grown in a tray." For harvesting, varieties of ordinary trees or bushes are used, but with the use of cunning technologies of cutting, dragging the stems with wire, a special watering technique, amazing mini-gardens are created. Ficus is the best choice for growing bonsai with your own hands - it has all the required characteristics that are important for this area.
Ficus bonsai is made from varieties:
• Bengali;
• blunted;
• dark leaved;
• microcarp;
• caric;
Variety Robusta refers to rubbery ficuses.
Under natural conditions, it can grow up to 50-60 meters (but more often 30-40 m), it is the highest representative of this family.
This is one of the most unpretentious species. Not very experienced gardeners, lovers of ficus, are recommended to start their activities with him. Ficus Robusta has fleshy large leaves (approximately 30 cm long), which can be either monochrome (dark green), or with white or yellow patterns.
It looks great in outdoor containers, likes frequent, but moderate watering, and is not too picky about light.
Another representative of the Benjamin variety is Kinki.
This is a dwarf ficus with small narrow leaves of light green color and a cream fringing at the edges. The photophilous Kinki, who prefers diffuse lighting, does not like hot air (do not put near batteries or heaters), as well as drafts. It is extremely undesirable to move it from one place to another (it can drop foliage). He will feel comfortable with moderate regular watering, irrigation.
In the natural environment, a characteristic feature of Bengal ficus is banyan tree - a special form of the root system, in which one plant from the side looks like a forest of many trees growing nearby.
Bengal ficus has large (up to 20 cm long), slightly velvety leaves, at home it grows up to 2 meters in a few years. He loves good lighting, sunlight, although it needs to be shaded to avoid burns on the leaves.
Light is the main component of the harmonious development of this flower. If natural lighting is scarce, then installing an additional artificial light source becomes relevant. Not too active watering is recommended.
Melani variety belongs to the family of rubber-bearing ficus, once it was also used to produce rubber, but now it is a full-fledged decorative plant.
Ficus Melanie are neat bushes with a voluminous crown, they look equally harmonious in cabinets, home interior. This variety is unpretentious in care, likes frequent spraying, but prefers moderate watering, from too bright lighting it starts to hurt. It has glossy leaves of a leathery structure (12-15 cm long), an elegant trunk, a crown that lends itself well to shaping. Allergy sufferers should take a closer look at this variety before institution, as its milky juice is toxic, and can cause allergies.
Ficus Moklame is a tall bush with a neat compact crown.
The shoots of this plant are directed upward, oval leaves of saturated green color have a very dense structure - they slightly resemble plastic ones. This flower loves diffused lighting. With a lack of light, the leaves of Moklame turn pale, and with sufficient lighting, they acquire a rich shade. This variety requires moderate watering and irrigation (especially in the summer).
Ficus in the house - signs
Ficuses are living plants, like all creatures, they carry an energy charge. What it is: positive or negative - it's worth finding out. Sometimes on the appropriate forums you can read the fears of the owners, discussions about whether it is worth keeping ficuses at home.
If we consider the signs, then it is worth highlighting several basic, most often mentioned:
- If you are experiencing a sudden urge to purchase this plant, then it is likely that replenishment in the family is waiting for you soon. However, for this sign to begin to “work,” the ficus must be given to you by a positive, pleasant person.
- If a girl or woman wants to get married, then she should grow her own ficus from a small petiole. Only she should take care of the plant, direct communication with the flower is also recommended, that is, layering of favorable energy on it.
- If you place a flower pot in the kitchen, then the financial situation of the family will improve, and income will grow. If you sleep poorly or are under stress, then put it in your bedroom.
- This plant attracts luck, sets the atmosphere in a favorable mood, optimizes energy in general.
According to biological studies, it was proved that the presence of ficus purifies the air in the room, saturates it with oxygen (releases phytoncides). This plant is able to absorb a variety of compounds harmful to humans (phenol, formaldehyde, benzene, trichlorethylene, others). Special enzymes that contain plant leaves can transform certain toxic elements into sugar and amino acids.
There is information about the use of ficus in folk medicine in eastern countries: with its help, skin, oncological, and intestinal diseases are healed. However, you should not try on little-known methods of treatment, but it is better to consult a competent doctor.
A plant can only be harmful if a person is allergic to it. Certain types of ficus, the same rubbery ones, secrete juice, which can have a detrimental effect on the well-being of people with asthma. This juice can not be tasted, its contact with the skin is also undesirable.
Be doubly careful if you have small children, curious pets - contact with this plant may not have the best effect on their health.
As we can see, the positive qualities of the ficus are much greater than the possible prohibitions on its maintenance at home.
This is a beautiful evergreen plant, the care of which does not require you a lot of time or some kind of sophisticated conditions. Any representative of this family can decorate your home with its decorative effect. We hope that the varieties of ficus described here with photos and names will help you make the right choice and settle a new green friend in your home.
Below are varieties of ficuses - photos and names of varieties: