The article pays attention to a number of current issues, each of which is directly related to ficus trees and rarely can be covered in such detail. It is recommended that you read the article about.
How to make ficus lush, thick and fluffy at home
What to do to make the ficus quickly take root, branch and give off lateral shoots, and be beautiful
In order for the plant to begin to branch as quickly as possible and produce lateral shoots, it is necessary to do regular pruning, as well. New branches will begin to appear on the sides, the flower will become beautiful.
How to make a ficus bonsai yourself, a short master class
In order for the roots to form a crown in accordance with the bonsai style that you have chosen, you need to prune the shoot several times, so growth in height will be stopped. Pruning is carried out until the desired volume of the trunk is obtained.
You can use a garter or use wire. The top is attached to the base of the tree. And with the help of wire you can give the required form branches. After a few weeks it will be possible to remove it.
How to form a ficus in the form of a standard
To make a ficus standard, you need to start removing the side shoots almost immediately after planting, only 5 shoots remain. As soon as the desired growth is achieved, you need to stimulate the growth of the side branches; for this, those on top are pinched.
Every gardener who grows trees wants to see beautiful branched trees, and even with intricately woven trunks.
But not everyone knows how to form a ficus at home.
Moreover, these plants only grow upward and will not develop a lush crown without human help. We will talk about the methods and rules for creating a thick green crown.
Did you know? The ancestors of ficuses are 30-meter trees typical of the Indian jungle with giant horizontal branches and rounded meter-long leaves. In their shadow they can hide up to 300 square meters land.
Description and characteristics of culture
At first glance, it seems that the process does not require additional skills and knowledge; in fact, all of the above also requires talent and patience. Let's take a closer look at how to make a ficus branch.
Regular
Any work aimed at developing the lateral branches of a plant using conventional technologies, should be carried out between February and July. If you ignore this rule, the plant may have enough strength to develop a single sprout; in this case, the ficus will grow in only one direction.
The method consists of pinching the apical shoots of a young ficus. Experiments on old specimens may end up killing them, since it is very difficult to awaken dormant buds. 
Thus, a bush can be created from a straight trunk. To ensure its uniform rounding, gardeners recommend exposing it to the sun on different sides, periodically turning the pot.
Some craftsmen resort to using cytokinins - hormones that slow down the aging process of the plant organism and without removing the apical bud, they stimulate the development of its lateral branches.
This method is very effective because during treatment, hormonal substances do not delay deciduous processes, due to which the lower zone of the flower remains covered with foliage.
You can do without additional funds by bending a thin trunk into an arc so that its top points down. Then growth hormones will accumulate in the upper part of the bend, and the lateral buds will sprout. The disadvantage of this method is that it slows down the development of stems.
Also influence the shape of the crown indoor tree possible by adjusting the lighting. This method is good for correcting malformed plants. Under straight lines sun rays they can get severe burns, but diffused light from the south side is just what you need.
Another effective way make a tree branch - trim the bark above the bud.
Botanists call the technology kerbovka and advise making deep and wide cuts at the bottom of the lignified trunk. 
Unusual (weaving, circular lattice, standard wood formation)
Sometimes the beautiful tangles of ficus stems created by flower growers take your breath away. It turns out that you can create such masterpieces at home.
In order to do ficus weave, the first thing you need to do is plant several equally developed shoots up to 15 cm long in one pot. Two shoots growing side by side will create a marvelous spiral, three will create a braid, four or more will create an unusual lattice. It is important to provide for places where thickenings will form in the future, and leave gaps, as well as pinch off the side shoots.
To obtain flat fence , plants are planted at a certain distance on the same line. And when the stems reach the desired height, they are connected with special clamps or ordinary thread or polyethylene tape. Moreover, as they grow, the compression is slightly loosened so that unaesthetic scars do not form on the bark.
To speed up the process, experts advise carefully cutting off the bark at the junction of the shoots to create a kind of grafting. 
Important! The foliage of the rubber ficus curls due to excess or lack of moisture.
A circular trellis can be created by planting young plants in a circle. To get a trunk in the shape of an extended spring, a peg is stuck into the center of the pot and flexible stems are wrapped around it, removing side branches as necessary.
The pinnacle of perfection can be called the shape of ficuses curled around a moss (coconut) column. Its moist base constantly nourishes the plant, stimulating the growth of aerial roots. This promotes intensive interweaving and merging of sprouts.
If these procedures seem too labor-intensive to you, you can experiment with creating a trunk shape. To do this, on a young flower it is necessary to pinch off the apical bud after it reaches the desired height. Usually for floor-standing specimens this is done at a level of 1 meter. The side branches are cut so that the cut passes over the bud facing away from the bark.
But this is not the limit of the fantasies of flower growers: a unique form can be created from tall ficus, forming a multi-tiered standard from it. To do this, the first step is to remove the upper growth point, conditionally divide the trunk into several parts and give them a rounded shape. The spaces between the tiers are cleared of all branches and foliage.
Did you know? The oldest rubber-bearing ficus, called the Homer tree, grows in Buenos Aires. He was imprisoned back in 1781. Over time, the branches of the green giant sagged greatly, so they were strengthened with concrete supports.
How to form a rubber-bearing ficus at home
Whatever technology you choose for your rubber ficus, in order not to destroy it, it is important to know how to correctly form the crown, which you can choose from a photo on the Internet or a magazine or book. In addition, you need to strictly follow the rules, which can be divided into several groups. Let's take a closer look at each.
No ficus pruning
If you stimulate the growth of lateral branches with the help of special preparations, lighting and other tricks, it is important to consider:
- The growth of ficus branches can be regulated by manipulating the pot and directly with the plant itself. The principle of all procedures comes down to giving the sprouts a vertical position.
- A bud that has frozen in growth will go up if the container with the flower is tilted so that the future shoot looks up.
- A horizontally inclined branch will grow branches in the upper zone.
- On a drooping stem, lateral branches will actively develop, and the trunk will also strengthen.
- One-sided specimens will sprout on the other side if they are turned with their bare trunk towards the sun.
- A multi-tiered ficus can be achieved much faster by planting sprouts of different heights in one container.
- Additional fluorescent lamps will speed up the appearance of a rounded ficus crown.
- In order for the woven trunks to evenly grow the green cap, the pot must be periodically turned to the sun on different sides.
- If there is sufficient humidity in the room, ficus plants are allowed aerial roots. They are under no circumstances removed, but sent to the soil.
- Among cytokinins, the drugs “Cartolin” (can be labeled 2 or 4), “Benzyladenine”, “Zeatin” have an impeccable reputation. It is important to use them strictly following the attached instructions.
Did you know? In India, the homeland of rubber-bearing ficus trees, local residents used them to create pedestrian bridges. The base and handrails were woven from the branches and aerial roots of plants growing on the banks of ponds. In some cases, the length of such structures reached more than 30 m.
With trim
There are nuances when forming ficus using tools:
- In cases of creating a bush-like crown, the cut of the apical bud should be at a level of 10-15 cm from the ground. You can leave no more than 4 sheets.
- Pinching of lateral buds is carried out only on samples turned away from the bark. Otherwise, young shoots will greatly thicken the crown.
- All slices in mandatory wipe with a damp cloth until the milky juice stops secreting. Then it is treated with charcoal ground into dust.
- If the crown density is increased, some of the branches directed inward towards the central trunk are cut off.
- Kerbovka is carried out with a sharp instrument (preferably a blade or scalpel).
- Properly made cuts to the bark look arched, roof-shaped or transverse. If you are removing part of the bark above a kidney, do this procedure by cutting out a rectangle, triangle, or crescent.
- If you are faced with the task of correcting irregular shape tree or form a certain conceived figure, then it is worth resorting to grafting. The method is carried out by transplanting one plant to another, it is very labor-intensive and not always effective. The reason is the milky juice secreted from the cuts of both parts, which prevents the ficus from growing together.
- There should be no stumps after the cuts - this favorable environment for the formation of fungi.
Many gardeners are interested in how to prune ficus to create a crown in the most unusual, curly shape. When pruning, you should adhere to certain rules and nuances, and then the flower will get an original, well-groomed and beautiful look. Ficus is great for those who prefer creativity to cultivation indoor plants.
Gardeners are debating whether it is possible to prune a ficus at home, and how to shape it so that the plant has normal growth. Many flower lovers successfully prune at home if there is a desire to give it some shape or if this is necessary for sanitary reasons.
For each type of pruning (lush small bush, branched crown) there is certain rule. Before you start pruning, you need to decide what the expected result will be. Not every variety of ficus (with a single shoot trimmed) will continue to grow well.
A rubber ficus that has been pruned can continue to grow with only one shoot. You can prune a plant that has short internodal distances. It is necessary to make a horizontal cut above the bud for an oblique shoot that has a thin or still green appearance. Whatever type of ficus is pruned, there is no need to leave large stumps. They can be sources of plant infection with fungal diseases.
Sanitary pruning of ficus is carried out at any time. This must be done in order to prevent poorly developed, broken and dried shoots from infecting the entire ficus.
A rejuvenating type of pruning is usually performed when a flower has dried shoots that have appeared as a result of a long lack of watering and drying out of the soil (this is especially true for dwarf plant species). When the trunk freezes in the upper part, you need to trim it “under the stump”. The ficus root shoots will quickly be able to resume their growth. After some time, you will need to take a stem to grow the plant in a standard or bush form. The main thing is that he has at least a few escapes. You can create a lush crown if the shoots are properly shortened or pinched.
Sanitary pruning and rejuvenation of ficus
Pruning a flower for sanitary purposes is not done to give the plant an attractive shape. This is necessary to get rid of unhealthy and weakened branches. This procedure can be performed at any time of the year. You should constantly monitor the ficus and eliminate all dry branches that were susceptible to attacks by harmful insects. This is necessary in order not to spread the infection to strong and healthy branches.
Anti-aging pruning will help if for some reason indoor ficus began to dry out, or the upper part was frostbitten when the plant was kept in unsuitable conditions.
You need to trim the branches, leaving only a stump. The ficus will recover thanks to growth from the roots. This method will work dwarf plants type of Carian ficus. Unpretentious plant no less in need of care and attention than a capricious one. Only then will it please everyone with its beautiful view.
Having formed the plant correctly, you can make it grow in an arc, in the form of a bush or trunk. Flower growers who have enough behind them great experience, are able to perform very complex species trimmings. This can be a form of sculpture; it is permissible to decorate the top in the form of an unusual composition. The physiology of the plant should be taken into account so that the crown is correctly formed and the flower continues to live and grow.
New shoots almost always arise from buds - axillary and apical. The second type of shoots is located above the place where the leaf petiole attaches to the stem part of the plant. The apical bud develops more quickly, but the lateral buds develop more slowly.
The ideal period for pruning is spring, when the plant begins to actively grow. Pruning in the fall or winter can cause the flower to continue growing, bending to its side. In this case, even the most advanced care will not help him.
When pruning a plant, the cut should be made above the bud. Moreover, on thicker branches it should have a beveled appearance, on thin branches - straight. When pruning lateral shoots, you should take into account the direction of growth of the bud over which the cut was made.
The outward-facing bud is left to create a shoot that will emerge from the crown. The cut areas should be wiped with a damp cloth until the juice is completely absorbed, then sprinkled with a small amount of charcoal.
To trim ficus trees at home, you need to prepare the following materials:
- some charcoal;
- medical alcohol;
- potassium permanganate.
You should start pruning ficus at home in last days Martha. To prevent the plant from growing too tall, it is necessary to trim its top.
Before you start working, you should disinfect all tools so as not to infect the plant or harm it. For good growth axillary buds and shoots must be trimmed every year. This procedure will help them stay healthy.
The crown must be trimmed from the inside and outside, if the crown is shaded inside and the shoots growing inside are too overgrown. You need to regularly get rid of flabby leaves and shoots that have shed all their leaves. The main shoot needs to be pruned once a year to a height of 15-25 cm. Removed shoots should be left with no more than 6 leaves.
Ficus growing at home is sometimes formed in a tiered form. But to implement this idea, only an adult flower that has a well-formed central trunk is suitable.
You must adhere to the following pruning sequence:
- 1 When the plant grows to the right size, you can trim the top.
- 2 If a trunk with 2 levels is planned, the ficus crown is divided into 3 parts: the 1st and 3rd parts are placed on top (levels with a spherical shape), the 2nd part is between the levels, at which all shoots are removed.
- 3 When forming the 3rd level, the crown is divided into 5 parts. 1st, 3rd, 5th parts are future upper levels(they are made spherical), the 2nd and 4th parts become spaces between the levels at which all shoots are removed.
- 4 Levels can be formed from top to bottom, but the top of the stem is not removed until the plant reaches the required size.
Ficus does not require much attention. You just need to get rid of all the overgrown shoots on the bare area of the trunk, cut off the shoots that grow inside the crown and choke it. Can be made from ficus large figures, resembling an animal, cube, pyramid or ball.
Ficus crown formation
Many people who have such a wonderful plant at home are interested in how to properly prune a ficus. Usually the crown is made of 2, 3, 5 standard tiers. You need to leave a lot of shoots (the distance between them should be about half a meter), and cut the rest shorter.
Any number of tiers can be formed. For a floor ficus, it is permissible to make several tiers; it can grow up to 3 m and higher. You can also cut it in a circle, semicircle or give it another shape.
Small ficus trees make excellent original sculptures. Creation simple shapes requires only timely pruning of the bush. To implement complex shape, you will need to use a wire frame. To do this, you need to plant at least 3 plants in one container and weave their trunks together.
Typically, ficus trees, which look like vines, grow in an arc. This is suitable for mountain, arrow-shaped and dwarf plant species. You need to place a fine mesh frame in the pot, forming an arc, and direct the shoots along it. Over time, the vines will entwine the entire frame of the base.
How to form a ficus crown with a standard? Ideal for this purpose young plant with a pronounced main trunk.
The formation of a ficus in the form of a trunk is carried out in this way:
- 1 On the main trunk of the plant, regularly trim all side shoots, leaving only a couple of pieces at the top of the trunk.
- 2 When the plant reaches the required size (25-35 cm in height if it is placed on a windowsill, and 55-90 cm if on the floor), trimming the shoots on the sides stops.
- 3 Next, pinching the top of the plant is done.
- 4 When the branches on the sides are very elongated, you need to remove them above the bud looking outward.
Some people encounter a problem when the standard is not very stable. To make it stronger, you need to tie it to a peg, which can then be easily removed. All sections should be wiped with a damp cloth and sprinkled with crushed coal.
How to pinch a ficus?
You can form a ficus using pinching, which is a very important procedure in terms of caring for the plant. You should know the rules so as not to harm the flower.
For pinching you need to prepare:
- a basin of water;
- a rag;
- any disinfectant;
- sharpened knife.
Spring will be the ideal period for pinching. It is at this time that shoots appear faster. The wounds that may be inflicted during this procedure will heal very easily in the spring, and the plant will be less likely to get sick.
You should wait until the ficus grows to the desired size. Before the procedure, you need to treat the instrument with alcohol or another disinfectant. For work, you need to choose a well-sharpened knife, since the trunk of this plant is very difficult to cut. You can pinch ficus using 2 methods. If the height of the plant suits you and the top shoot is not very thick, you need to trim it a little below the point where it grows.
If the plant is tall enough, you need to prune it in a different way. Define required height, find a branch that is located below this point, and cut 6-9 cm above this branch. in this case the cut will be oblique. Its bottom should be placed at the level of the bud, on the other side of the trunk, and its top should be located immediately above the bud.
Using a damp cloth, you need to wipe off the juice that has flowed on the trunk. After this, the rag must be removed without squeezing it onto the cut. The water itself will prevent further release of juice. This completes the treatment of ficus wounds; then the plant itself will heal them.
After 30 days you should feed the plant. After that it will resume fast growth. Some people transplant the ficus into a pot that has a larger diameter, which is not necessary. It will be enough just to change the soil the first year.
After the procedure is completed, the formation of the plant crown continues. It's done next spring by pinching the shoots that are located on the sides. When cut, ficus releases juice, which is quite poisonous. Gloves should be worn when cutting and pinching. The main thing is that the juice of the plant in no case gets on the mucous membrane of the mouth and nose. After pinching and pruning, the ficus trunk will not grow.
When forming the crown, you should know that not every variety of ficus will be able to tolerate this procedure normally. Most often, wounds heal quickly, but side shoots do not always grow quickly. Therefore, you should observe the plant before pinching other shoots.
The crown can be formed using another method, for example, by planting several cuttings in a container at once.
Happy pruning and a gorgeous ficus!
Ficus is a rather unique flower, because unlike other indoor plants, it only grows upward. Not every gardener will be happy about this fact. Indeed, in this case, you will have to regularly prune in order to give the ficus the necessary shape. However, not everyone can do this task, because only a few know how to trim a ficus.
Features of the plant
One of the well-known representatives of the mulberry family is the rubber plant, which is usually classified as a member of the genus Ficus. The usual habitats of this plant are India, as well as southern part of Indonesia and western Africa. In countries with harsher climates, this flower has become widespread as a ornamental plant. However, it is valued not only because of its attractiveness, because large varieties This ficus tree serves as raw material for the production of rubber.
Specimens that grow in natural conditions have impressive sizes, which can be up to 40 m in height. Moreover, they often form support roots. The latter are distinguished by the fact that they penetrate deep into the ground, where they take root. More compact is the rubber-bearing ficus, grown at home, since most often it reaches a height of up to 10 m. After routine pruning, this variety begins to look even more miniature.
Beneficial features
Ficus rubber is interesting for many not only because decorative properties, because when grown indoors you can maintain a healthy atmosphere. The cleansing effect is provided by the leaves, which filter the air like a pipe. As a result of such filtration, the output is air enriched with oxygen.
Many plant growers are attracted to the rubber ficus by the fact that it does not create problems in care. Instances grown at home do not form flowers, and at the same time they are demanding in terms of growing conditions. The main thing is to make sure that the plant is protected from direct sunlight, as well as to carry out regular watering and periodically give it a warm shower.
Physiology of ficus growth
Ficus rubber can be given any shape. To do this, you just need to trim it correctly. As a result of this operation, from an inconspicuous-looking plant you can get unique home decoration. Moreover, even a novice gardener can master this task, but first he will have to familiarize himself with the pruning rules and adhere to them.
The change in the shape of Ficus Benjamin occurs due to new shoots, which usually appear from the buds. Ficus has only two of them:
- apical (located at the very top of the bush);
- lateral, or axillary (located in the axils of the leaves, where the petioles of the leaves are closely adjacent to the trunk).
The apical bud demonstrates the fastest growth, ahead of the lateral buds, which develop very slowly or show no signs of development at all. It is enough to remove the top bud so that the side buds can begin to develop well. Usually the shoots begin to grow in different directions. As a result of such manipulations, the plant begins to change its crown.
Before you start forming the crown, it doesn’t hurt to find out what time of year is best to do this.
Many people believe that It is best to hold this event in the spring, and they will be right. The formation of the crown, planned for this time of year, makes it possible to give the plant more splendor, since it is in the spring that the ficus is created best conditions for growth. Using a similar approach, a gardener can grow a Ficus Benjamina that will be well developed, with fully formed shoots in all directions.
It is not advisable to postpone pruning ficus Benjamin to a later time, for example, autumn or winter, since in this case the shoots will develop within a specific area. This will cause the ficus to look lopsided. It must be borne in mind that at this time of year the ficus begins to use nutrients , which he accumulated in his escapes. As a result of pruning the shoots in the fall, you will leave the Benjamin ficus without these reserves, jeopardizing its survival.
During the formation of the crown, it is necessary not only to change the length of the shoots, but also to adjust the direction of their further growth. For this purpose, special tension devices are usually used.
Crown formation without pruning
There is no need to rush into pruning the rubber ficus. First, it’s worth thinking about whether there is an urgent need for this. There is a simpler way to form a crown, which involves changing direction and securing the necessary shoots. This approach to the formation of the crown allows you to minimize injuries to the plant, which can continue to grow, delighting the owner with a beautiful view. After waiting some time so that the branches can take a new position, the fixing devices are removed.
During pruning it is necessary take into account the age of the plant. This operation causes the least harm to young bushes. You need to be more careful with mature plants: since their shoots are not very flexible, shortening them and other similar actions can seriously injure the plant.
Ficus rubber: how to form the crown correctly?
The rules below designed for single ficus bushes, forming into one trunk.
In general, pruning ficus rubber is a simple task. The main thing is that you need to strictly follow all the rules for conducting it. Yes, it is necessary to be very careful with milky juice, which is dangerous to humans due to its toxicity. To avoid undesirable consequences, this work must be carried out wearing protective gloves.
Formation of an unusual crown
If necessary, even a novice plant grower can give the ficus rubber plant quite original shape.
In the process of pruning ficus benjamina or rubber plant, care must be taken to so that the braid does not subsequently open. To do this, it is recommended to garter the trunks using soft threads. It's best if they are woolen. Typically, dressings are performed every two months.
In some cases, for the normal development of the ficus, the installation of a support is required. In this case, you can easily see how spectacular and original the rubber plant will be.
Conclusion
Ficus rubber, however, like other representatives of this family, is best known for its decorativeness. However, this does not mean that the grower will not have to take measures for this. If you know how to form the crown of ficus Benjamin, then you can easily cope with the rubber-bearing species.
You should know that only those specimens that are subject to regular pruning. After all, the beauty of the ficus can be achieved through the formation of the crown. Beginning gardeners can also prune ficus benjamina beautifully at home, because ficus plants are very compact plants, so there are no particular difficulties in carrying out this operation.
How to properly form a ficus crown
The crown of most varieties of ficus without pruning will grow in a chaotic manner, reaching sizes that are not suitable for the room. Timely removal of lateral and apical shoots allows you to make the plant decorative, reduce its length and width, and make it more compact.
Trimming and shaping rubber ficus performed depending on the age of the plant annually or once every 3 years. In addition to formative pruning, you can use the peculiarities of plant shoots to create unique compositions - flexible stems and air layering tied with a pigtail, a tourniquet, intertwined and directed to grow in the opposite direction.
Is it possible to prune the rubber ficus?
Pruning rubber ficus is needed not only to make the tree decorative, but also to improve the health of the plant. It is necessary to remove excess shoots regularly so that it is healthy, lush, leaves and stems have enough space to grow, and all above-ground parts of the bush receive enough light and humidity from the air.
Removal of branches is also carried out for sanitary purposes - diseased, rotten, dry, broken branches draw out nutritional components, taking them away from healthy parts, and can also reduce immunity and cause diseases.
With the help of formative pruning, ficus can be forced to branch or grow compactly. The florist himself determines what crown diameter is suitable for growing in rooms of different sizes.
How to form the crown of a rubber ficus
Ficus should be trimmed according to the following rules:
- The formation of the crown is carried out during the active development phase from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. If you remove shoots in winter, the plant will be deformed next season.
- If the ficus has recently been transplanted, healthy shoots should not be touched when creating the crown. Sanitary pruning can be done at any time.
- It will be bad if you cut off the apical shoot far from the second bud from the top. In this case, the exposed remaining part of the trunk dies. If you take away the apical shoot along with the buds too late, the ficus will not bloom. It is optimal to remove the apical shoot from the second bud from the top, without leaving “empty” parts of the trunk.
- Be sure to use sharp tools. If the cut is uneven, pathogenic bacteria may enter the tissue. You can take pruning shears, garden shears or sharp knife. It is advisable to treat all blades with alcohol or other disinfectants before cutting.
- The cut areas on the cutting also need treatment; garden varnish is suitable for this.
You can form a crown in the following way:
- Think about what shape you want to give the entire plant, and also indicate the approximate height and width. Young plants can be pruned annually, and if the ficus has already reached 3-4 years, carry out the procedure no more than once every 3 years.
- Make the cut exactly above the place where the apical bud will be. A fresh shoot grows from it, and if part of the cutting is exposed, the crown will not have a rounded appearance, since the exposed trunk gradually dies.
- Make the cut beveled at an angle of at least 45 degrees on old thick branches, and at an angle of 90 degrees on thin shoots.
- The crown can not only be trimmed, but also thinned. During the procedure, pay attention to the location of the upper kidney. Make sure it faces outward. If you leave the bud horizontally, the branches will grow in width, vertically - in height.
- The classic form for trimming the crown is tiered. The ficus will have the shape of a ball or oval. To do this, the top and bottom of the crown are cut equally, leaving the central branches longer. The lowest branches and the apical shoot are cut off at the root.
- Ficuses also grow in the form of a trunk. To form such a crown, cut off all shoots except five located in the upper part of the trunk. When the plant reaches the desired height, pinch the top bud from the crown, then as it grows, shorten the side trunks, forming a ball.
When growing a bonsai tree, you need to form not only the crown, but also root system. Roots that are too long are removed during annual replanting, the tops and side shoots are trimmed so that the height of the plant does not exceed 50-70 cm.
How to pinch ficus
In order to pinch the plant, you will need pruning shears or a knife, disinfectant solution(peroxide, alcohol), a soft cloth and a container of water.
Then follow the instructions:
- It is best to perform the procedure in mid-spring. It is during this period that many new shoots are formed, and the wounds on the trunk that appear during pruning heal quickly.
- Once the plant has reached the height you want, you can begin pinching. Disinfect a knife or other tool or heat it over a fire.
- If the top shoot of the tree is thin, you can cut it below the bud by making a straight cut.
- If the length is longer than you need, determine the required height, then find a sheet below that point. Cut the shoot 5 cm above such a leaf, making an oblique cut. The lower level of the cut will be at the level of the kidney on the opposite side. The upper one is directly above the kidney.
- Then moisten a soft cloth and remove the milky juice that appears along the cut.
- After a month, fertilize the plant. It is not recommended to fertilize before this period, since the plant’s immunity is lost after transplantation and it may experience stress.
Pinching will allow the plant to produce new side shoots and stop growing at the height you want. Without this, the tree will hit the ceiling in 4-5 years.
Creating unusual shapes
The formation of the crown of rubber ficus can be done not only in the shape of an oval or ball. There are other pruning methods that can result in trees with unique shapes for indoor design.
Standard tree
Formation of rubber ficus at home in the form of a trunk:
- The standard form can only be created from unformed ficus without lignification on the trunks.
- Side shoots must be removed regularly until 5 top branches remain.
- When the tree reaches the desired height, pinch the apical shoot, not forgetting to remove the lateral shoots.
- While the stems remain flexible and without bark, it is necessary to organize a support. Keep the trunk upright throughout the growing period.
The stamp can be multi-tiered. To form the crown in this way, divide it into 4-5 parts. From the odd ones, make crown tiers, and from the even ones, make spaces between the tiers, for which the shoots are cut 5-7 cm shorter than the rest.
Fence
A hedge from a rubber-bearing variety of ficus can be made as follows:
- select at least 5-7 seedlings and a long, low container for planting;
- place all seedlings in a tray in one row or in a circle, the distance between shoots should be at least 10 cm;
- the fence is formed from the crown - cut at the same height.
It is important to prune the ficus correctly for the growth of the “fence”. During the procedure, remove shoots from the same parts of the trunk so that the ficus crowns are equally dense and there are no gaps in the “fence.”
Spiral
To form a bonsai in the form of a spiral, it is not the crown that is cut, but the root. aboveground part and trunks:
- after planting the cutting, place a support - a wooden stick - in the center of the pot next to the stem;
- As it grows, braid the flexible stem around the support;
- trim side branches;
- When a good woodiness of the trunk appears, carefully remove the support.
You can create a spiral from one or more shoots. If you plant 2-4 seedlings at once, during the braiding of the supports it is necessary to place them parallel to each other so that the trunks of one of the trees do not become pinched.
Scythe
You can give the ficus a pigtail shape as follows:
- select seedlings up to 10 cm long (of the same height);
- the thickness of one should not exceed one and a half centimeters;
- plant the sprouts side by side in the pot so that you can later braid the stems;
- all small branches on the sides are removed, leaving the apical cuttings;
- before you start weaving, moisten the soil so that the stems become flexible;
- periodically braid a braid from the stems, tie the end with wire so that the stems do not start growing in the other direction;
- it is necessary to regulate the strength of the weaving - weakly twisted stems will create gaps in the braid, and too tight weaving can lead to damage to the entire plant;
- To ensure that the holes in the braids are the same, you can place pencils or sticks of equal diameter between them.
To ensure that the shoots grow together into one large trunk and the braid has no gaps, you can remove the bark in small parts at the junctions of the stems. After about 6-8 months, the composition will grow together into one thick trunk.
Caring for the plant after pruning
After pruning, the ficus can be replanted, but the procedure can be performed no earlier than 2 weeks later. Mature plant there is no need to replant at all, it will be enough to change upper layer soil onto a new nutrient substrate. If the flower underwent the procedure successfully, after 2 weeks you can begin feeding.
Pruning can be done no earlier than from the beginning of March until the end of summer. When at rest, the plant is not pruned. Monitor the growth of new branches, as well as the height of the ficus, carrying out timely pinching so that it always has a lush, uniform crown.