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| plant details |
Ficus benjamina Natasja clump
| latin name: |
Ficus benjamina Natasja clump |
| common name: |
Natasja clump Weeping fig |
| family: |
Moraceae (z) |
| group: |
Other green plants |
| origin: |
South and East Asia |
| climate: |
tropical, subtropical |
| minimal winter temperature: |
7°C |
| ideal temperature: |
18°-24°C |
| light: |
shade |
| soil: |
humus-peat-loosely |
| rarity: |
yes |
| month |
1 |
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12 |
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| description: |
There are over 600 species of Ficus, most of them tropical and evergreen, although some, most notably F. carica, the common fig, are deciduous. Ficus produces a unique %22fruit%22 which is actually an inverted flower. Not all Ficus produce edible fruit.
These plants are sold in wide range of sizes, including tissue-cultured cuttings and plugs, air layers, small liners (plugs) from standard cuttings, and container-grown plants up to 200-gallon (900 l) capacity.
Ficus benjamina is commonly known as the weeping fig and can originally be found in India, northern Australia, and Southeast Asia.
The Ficus benjamina can get very large and is found growing both in full sun all the way down to the heavy shaded dense forest. The Ficus is a very versatile plant as far as light goes. In the full sun it will have a thick canopy of leaves. But, in the dense forest it will grow very open with fewer leaves and thin weeping branches. This explains some of the leaf loss going from a higher light level to a lower light level. This is why every time you move that ficus from one room to another or turn it around you lose leaves.
Natasja is a popular small leafed plant, which is very suitable for the smaller pot sizes or bonsai.
Indoor Ficus appreciate being brought outdooors during summer. Does not like draughts.
Watering moderate, increasing in summer and decreasing in winter. Many Ficus are very tolerant of being over or under watered, which makes them ideal for beginners. Ficus likes a daily misting to maintain humidity.
Ficus are suitable for most styles of bonsai, but are especially suitable for styles which make use of their property of extensive rooting, such as air-root and root-over-rock styles. Ficus can be used for all sizes of bonsai, although, obviously, the small-leaved species make the best miniature bonsai. Leaf pruning can be used to reduce leaf size.
Ficus is one of the easiest plant to root from cuttings%3B; although the specifics for maximum success vary with species, it%27s always worth sticking them into soil for the heck of it, unless you%27re already overrun with baby Ficus! Very large diameter cuttings of Ficus can be successfully rooted. Air-layering is also quite easy. Ficus can be grown from seed, but require heat and humidity, and easily succumb to mold.
Repotting them every 2-3 years, although some will grow rapidly enough that yearly repotting may be necessary. Ficus can be repotted any time of year if reasonable after-care is given. Roots can easily be pruned by half.
Some ficus will lose leaves if overwatered or given too little light.
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