Today we are going to tell you some things about the official tree of the capital of Thailand, Bangkok. Although it is native to South Asia, as well as some areas of northern Australia, in Spain or other countries we can also enjoy this magnificent tree. You just need to know how to get the most out of it and make it the star of our garden or orchard. Go for it.
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SOME COOL THINGS ABOUT FICUS BENJAMINA
The Ficus Benjamina belongs to the Moráceas family, a family that has the peculiarity of producing latex, like the fig tree , and to which more than 2,500 species belong, some of great economic importance.
It is a large tree, since in the best conditions it can reach more than 30 meters in height and generate shade for an entire square, such as can be found in some cities in Andalusia or Tenerife, since it is widely used as a tree. ornamental due to the shape and fall of its leaves and the structure of the tree.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF ITS CULTIVATION
At the Ficus benjamina in their early years you can be potted indoors , and in fact is one of the flowerpots star home, but given the rapid growth that has not we have there for life and we have to change containers or definitely plant it on the ground of our orchard or garden.
This procedure can be delayed if we periodically trim its roots (always the tips and without overdoing it), but it is not highly recommended , since in some way, we are limiting the potential of this tree that is used to growing in large spaces and quickly. .
The Ficus Benjamina is a tree that tolerates high temperatures (you know, being native to such hot countries …) and areas with a relatively dry environment.
The light is very important , because depending on the impact they have on the tree will determine their growth. It is better not to expose it directly to the sun’s rays in areas where the environment is dry, but it is convenient that it receives a lot of light.
It has a peculiar way of adapting to the climate and that is that the density of its foliage changes depending on the light and the weather. In areas exposed to the Sun, it tends to generate denser foliage, and in shady areas, the foliage tends downward with hanging branches.
SOIL CHARACTERISTICS
Either in potted substrate or in permanent ground, Ficus Benjamina does not require special soil conditions . For example, if you keep it at home, a good mix can be thirds of sand, substrate, and compost .
In definitive soil, the mixture of the earth with organic matter that we have on hand is good.
SUBSCRIBER AND IRRIGATION NEEDS OF FICUS BENJAMINA
It depends especially if we are in winter or summer and if we have it planted outside or inside the house.
As a general rule, in summer it is usually watered 2 or 3 times a week (you already know the rule of inserting the pencil into the substrate to see if it is still wet, even if we see the dry surface layer).
In winter it can be watered once a week, without being abundant.
In one way or another, it is important to be constant with irrigation and not accustom it to times of drought and times of excess irrigation that causes puddles and periodically checking that the drainage of the soil or substrate is good, since they do not tolerate excess moisture. .
As for the subscriber , in spring and summer it requests the maximum nutrient needs. Once every 15 or 20 days we can add, if we are at home, some liquid fertilizer that we can find in stores or supermarkets.
Outdoors, some solid mineral fertilizer is usually applied, or ecological mixtures of organic matter that you will surely already know. 😉
TRANSPLANT CONDITIONS
You will see Ficus Benjamina grow almost every day. That is why periodically you have to change the pot or container.
The transplant is usually carried out in spring, preparing again the substrate mixture that we have commented before. You will see when you need to change the container by rolling its roots or if you see that some superficial ones appear.