Sacred ficus: rules for indoor care and reproduction. Rules for growing sacred ficus at home Description and characteristics

A very interesting representative of a large genus of ficuses of the Mulberry family is the Sacred Ficus, or religious (Ficusreligiosa). It is also called the Bodhi Tree or simply Bo, as well as Pipal. The tree is native to India, and its natural range extends from the foothills of the Himalayas to the east, southwest of China, northern Thailand and Vietnam. This tree is worshiped and worshiped by followers of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

According to legend, thousands of years ago, a prince from North India, Siddhartha Guatauma, sat under a fig tree and meditated. When Siddhartha fully understood the meaning of life, he attained the highest and perfect enlightenment of Bodhi and became the Supreme Buddha, or the Awakened One. According to legend, not only Buddha, but also Vishnu was born in the shade of the Bo tree. In Buddhism, this tree is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Silk threads of red, yellow and white are tied around it and pray for rewarding parents with offspring. In India, the Bodhi tree is commonly planted around temples.

The tree, considered historically associated with the Buddha, grew on Bodh Gaya in the northern Indian state of Bihar, but in the 2nd century BC. it was destroyed by King Pushpiamitra, but it was renewed later in the same place with a new plant received from him. In the 7th century A.D. it was destroyed again by the king of Sassanka. And the Bodhi tree, which is now on Bodh Gaya, was planted in 1881.

A descendant of the plant in whose shade Buddha received enlightenment, Sri Madha Bodhi, was planted in 288 BC. in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and is considered the oldest tree among flowering plants.

The sacred ficus grows as an evergreen or semi-deciduous tree, reaching a height of 30 m. Growing in a climate where there is never frost, it sheds only part of its old leaves during the dry season. The leaves are arranged in a spiral on smooth poyeg. Petioles are long, reaching 13 cm. The leaf blade is broadly ovoid, 7-25 cm long and 4-13 cm wide, thinly leathery, with whole, sometimes corrugated edges. Their distinctive feature is the presence of a thin drawn tip in the form of a tail. The central vein is clearly visible, the lateral veins are clearly visible. Stipules are oval and reach 5 cm. Like all ficuses, pipal has milky juice. Pseudo-fruits (syconia) are spherical, located in pairs in the leaf axils, reach 1.5 cm in diameter, when ripe they turn purple. For them, the plant received another name - the Sacred Fig. It is a monoecious plant. The sacred ficus blooms throughout the year. The flowers are pollinated by a wasp of a certain species. Birds, monkeys, bats, pigs feed on fruits, which carry seeds.

The plant often begins life as an epiphyte, settling in the leaf litter in the hollows of other trees. From there, the pipal descends aerial roots, which later serve as a support for it, forming a banyan tree. Aerial roots from lateral branches, like other ficuses, are not formed in this species. It grows as a single-stemmed tree, the diameter of the trunk with a smooth, light gray bark, can reach 3 meters or more.

As befits a divine plant, it heals ailments. In medicine, all parts of the Bo tree are widely used. The leaves are the most valuable. Juice is squeezed out of them or a powder is made, used to relieve fever, with dysentery, constipation, boils. Fruits are used to normalize digestion, are used for dehydration and heart disease, as well as for poisoning. The roots help to cope with inflammation. The extract from the roots lowers the level of uric acid in the body, thereby helping with gout. The bark from the roots helps with any inflammation in the mouth and throat area, in the treatment of back pain and ulcers. Milky juice, as one of the components, is used in the treatment of many fungal skin diseases. The bark is used to heal wounds, the seeds help in diseases of the bladder.

Currently, the sacred ficus grows in tropical gardens around the world. He is appreciated for its external aesthetics and religious veneration associated with the name of Buddha. In countries where there is no pollinator wasp, it is propagated vegetatively (cuttings).

The Bo tree prefers a hot, humid climate, can grow indoors, but prefers full direct sun. It is unpretentious to soils, but light loams with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction are optimal.

Maintenance and care in room conditions

Sacred ficus is quite common among our amateur flower growers. Pipal is grown as a potted plant and is decorated by Buddhists on Bodhi Day (December 8). The main thing to consider for its successful cultivation is great need for light.

Soil composition. In the purchased soil, it is necessary to add sod land and sand (3 parts of peat land, 1 part of sod land, 1 part of sand). The transplant should be carried out in the spring-summer as the volume of the pot is filled with roots.

Watering moderate, as the soil dries up. Prefers light drying over abundant watering.

Top dressing universal fertilizer in the spring-summer period.

Pruning tolerates well, and often just needs it to maintain the shape of the crown. It is held in late winter and early spring.

In winter it is advisable to place the plant in bright light, lower the temperature to +18 0 С, reduce watering, spray often.

Summer it is advisable to provide the ficus with a place outdoors in direct sunlight (carefully monitoring the level of moisture in the substrate). On hot days it is necessary to spray frequently.

Pests... At home, sacred ficus is very susceptible to damage by spider mites, so you need to humidify the air more often. It can also be affected by the scale insect, mealybug.

On measures to combat these insects- in article Houseplant pests and control measures.

Reproduction... Easily propagated by cuttings. Rooting lasts 2 to 4 weeks.

A useful plant used in folk medicine and purifying the air, it has a high decorative crown. Sacred ficus is an unpretentious indoor flower that grows and develops quickly at home. Creating a favorable microclimate for a tree is required to maintain a beautiful appearance and increase immunity.

Description and characteristics

Ficus religiosa is an evergreen, semi-leafy, monoecious plant of the Mulberry family with grayish branches. Leaves with parameters 10-17 by 8-12 cm, heart-shaped, have a long tip at the end and a petiole, approximately equal to the size of the leaf plate. Veins are light green, pronounced.

The religious ficus grows up to 30 m in its natural environment, the trunk diameter is 3 m. At home, it is much smaller, but it grows quickly, reaching 2 m in height in a year. The species belongs to banyans, forms many aerial roots, which, reaching the ground, take root and eventually become a trunk. When grown in a room, you can get a bonsai with a height of 50 cm, a standard tree or interior decoration, intertwining the flexible shoots of several young plants with each other.

Bloom lasts from April to June. Green inflorescences are in the shape of a pot, subsequently give berries of purple or reddish color, filled with many small seeds. Vaguely similar to figs, but inedible.

Due to the shape of the fruit, the ficus is also called sacred fig. The wood is porous, soft, sticky milky juice is released on the cuts.

How to grow a tree of enlightenment at home

Eden is unpretentious to care, but picky about the environment. When exposed to unfavorable factors, it sheds foliage, becomes susceptible to infectious diseases, changes the color of the leaf plates. It is not necessary to arrange a dormant period, but if desired, you can transfer it to a cooler room.

Caring for sacred ficus at home includes:

watering;
spraying;
top dressing;
transplant;
formative and sanitary pruning;
protection from drafts, diseases and pests;
maintaining an optimal microclimate.

Soil and dishes

For the sacred ficus Eden, it is recommended to use a special soil that allows water and air to flow well, with a neutral pH reaction. It is allowed to collect it yourself from turf, leaf and peat land, river sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1. The substrate for growing seedlings from seed should consist of 70% peat, 20% a mixture of vermiculite and perlite, 10% coarse sand.

The capacity should be selected taking into account the size of the root system. Ficus does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so you need to take care of the presence of drainage holes. Clay pots without a cover remove excess moisture well, allow air to pass through, and a large weight makes a specimen with a developed aerial part more stable.

Lighting and temperature

The sacred ficus requires a sufficient supply of light, otherwise the tree will begin to shed its foliage. With gradual accustoming to direct sunlight, the plant tolerates them well. Placement in partial shade is possible, but this will affect the decorativeness of the indoor flower. In winter, it is advisable to place it next to the most lighted window, but drafts should not be allowed. The culture is thermophilic; in the spring-summer period, the temperature should be maintained within + 22-30 ° C.

If there is a desire to create conditions for a state of dormancy, it is enough to reduce this indicator to +15 ° C, but not to allow +12 ° C or less - the leaf plates will become covered with spots, fall off, the sacred ficus may die.

Air humidity and watering

In nature, the variety grows in conditions of high humidity, so you need to install a humidifier at home or often spray the flower with settled soft water from a spray bottle. When placed next to heating devices in winter, the operation is also necessary. The peculiarity of the species lies in the fact that with increased air humidity, water droplets are formed at the pointed ends of the sheet plates. The wood responds well to washing from the shower.

Water the sacred ficus Eden as needed with settled water at room temperature. From March to September, moisturize abundantly after the topsoil dries out. When the autumn cold snap begins, it is necessary to sharply reduce watering. Otherwise, foliage may be dumped, root decay. The plant tolerates slight overdrying of the soil more easily than waterlogging.

Top dressing

Solutions of complex universal fertilizers and growth stimulants are used in spring and summer. With their help, the sacred ficus develops rapidly, grows, strengthens the root system. The procedure must be combined with watering so that the funds do not burn the roots. The frequency of feeding is 1-2 times a month. Nutritional mixes should be high in nitrogen and potassium.

Pruning and replanting

The formation of the crown will provide the plant with a decorative look. Cutting is necessary for the sacred ficus also to restrain growth. In just a year, the tree can grow up to 2 m, if the upper shoots are not pinched. Removal of the crown promotes the formation of a denser aerial portion. The operation should be done in early spring before the beginning of the active growing season. The culture is suitable for creating bonsai - young shoots are bent in different directions with the help of a wire.

It is necessary to transplant a sacred ficus seedling 1-2 times a year, then once in 1-1.5 years is enough. You should focus on filling the flower pot with the root system. The diameter of the container must first be increased by 2 cm, then by 6 cm. Place the root collar at the same level. When the plant reaches a large size, it is enough to replace the topsoil with a new one.

Reproduction

The main methods of cultivation of the sacred ficus Eden are sowing seeds and cuttings. The seed is small and does not need to be soaked. If you want to get many high-quality specimens, you can pre-mix it with coarse sand. Use a common container, lay the drainage on the bottom, the prepared soil mixture, water abundantly. Try to distribute the seeds evenly over the entire surface, sprinkle with 0.5 cm of sand. Cover with foil or bag until germination appears.

Periodically ventilate, moisturize as the soil dries out, maintain good lighting, temperature regime at + 25-30 ° C. Installation of bottom heating may be required.

When growing ficus Eden from seeds, it should be borne in mind that they germinate unevenly, some are able to sprout only after 2 months.

Seedlings should be thinned out every 3-4 days, removing weak specimens. It is necessary to regularly spray the seedlings with settled water from a spray bottle, but do not fill it. It is recommended to plant in individual containers only after 2-3 months.

Reproduction of plants by cuttings is more common, since an adult specimen will be obtained earlier. However, it must be remembered that the survival rate and rooting of shoots in this case are much worse. Unlike seeds, it is best to root cuttings in spring or summer, you can use the plant material left after cutting. To remove excess milky juice, put the twig in warm water for several hours. After that, slightly dry the cut site, sprinkle with crushed activated carbon.

The cutting should be planted in a moist nutritious substrate, after having cleaned the lower part of the leaves. It is enough to deepen it by 2-3 cm. Put a glass jar or a transparent plastic bottle on top (after removing the tapering part) to create a mini-greenhouse. Rooting occurs in 2-3 weeks. All this time, the stalk must be kept in the greenhouse, periodically moisten the soil. Having transplanted to a permanent place, it is necessary to keep the shelter for another week, gradually accustoming the seedling to the environment.

Pests and diseases

Subject to agrotechnical recommendations for planting and care, sacred ficus has good immunity, but when cultivated in an unfavorable environment, problems are possible. Of the pests of indoor plants, thrips, spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs are dangerous. Insects must be washed off the branches, spray the plant with chemicals while observing safety rules. Transplantation with concomitant treatment with permitted means will help get rid of soil pests.

Ficus can get sick from excessive watering. The danger of root rot is that the symptoms are not immediately noticeable. If you delay transferring to a new pot and creating an optimal microclimate, the plant will die. The best defense is prevention. When used for planting garden soil and sand, it is necessary to calcine, watering with hot water, a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.

Sacred ficus is highly decorative, suitable for creating unusual compositions when weaving the trunks of several seedlings. From this culture, beautiful bonsai trees are obtained. Does not require complex maintenance, but is sensitive to environmental conditions.

Either the religious ficus (Ficus religiosa) is a semi-leafy or deciduous tree belonging to the genus Ficus and the mulberry family (Moraceae). In nature, it is found in the southwestern part of China, in Sri Lanka, Burma, India, Nepal, as well as in the regions of Indochina.

This tree is quite powerful and in the wild it can reach a height of 30 meters. It has strong branches, a wide crown and impressive leathery leaves of a fairly large size. Simple leaves can be up to 20 centimeters long, their edges are straight and slightly wavy. Their base is wide-heart-shaped, and the apex is very long, elongated into a thin "tail". Green smooth leaves have a bluish tint and pronounced pale veins. The alternate leaves have petioles, the length of which is equal to the length of the leaf plate itself.

The inflorescences are axillary and have the form of small, smooth, spherical syconia, which are also paired. They are colored green, which changes over time to dark purple. You cannot eat them.

Most often, the sacred ficus begins to grow like an epiphyte. He can settle on the crevice of the building or on the branches of trees. Then it takes out long aerial roots that rush to the surface of the earth. Having reached it, they take root and turn into a fairly strong trunk, which becomes a support for the plant. It happens that as it grows, the trunk takes on the shape of a banyan tree.

Also, this type is distinguished by its interesting feature. If the air humidity is very high, then small droplets of water form at the ends of the leaves. This phenomenon is called guttation. One might get the impression that the ficus is "crying".

This plant received its specific name due to the fact that Buddhists consider it sacred. There is a legend that says that sitting under this plant Siddhartha Gautama was able to achieve enlightenment and become a Buddha. For many hundreds of years, such a ficus plant has been necessarily planted near Buddhist temples, and pilgrims still tie colorful ribbons to its branches.

The sacred ficus is quite easy to grow indoors, as it is not very whimsical and not capricious. However, in order for the plant to be strong and healthy, you should know a few simple rules of care.

Illumination

It grows well in bright, but with this diffused lighting, but it feels quite comfortable in a slightly shaded place. Suitable illumination level 2600-3000 lux. Ficus is recommended to be placed near a window of either western or eastern orientation.

If there is not enough light for the plant, then the leaves may fall off.

Temperature regime

Loves warmth very much. So, in the warm season, it is recommended to grow it at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. In winter, make sure that the room is not colder than 15 degrees. A dormant period is not necessary for such a plant; it can grow and develop normally in a warm room in winter. But it should be borne in mind that it must be removed away from heating appliances.

Does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature, drafts. With a sharp change in conditions of detention, foliage can fly around.

How to water

We need a systematic and fairly abundant watering. However, make sure that no water stagnates in the soil. As a rule, the plant is watered only after the top layer of the substrate has dried a little. Water for irrigation must be kept at room temperature.

Humidity

Increased humidity is not necessary at all, but in these conditions the plant feels best. For large ficuses, the usual methods of increasing moisture are not suitable. If the air in the room is too dry, then you can use the "artificial fog generator". And even if there is an artificial reservoir, you can place a ficus near it.

If the humidity is too low, then all the leaves of the plant may fall off.

Earth mixture

Suitable soil should be loose, nutrient-rich with a pH of 6–6.5. You can buy ready-made soil mixture for ficuses. And if you wish, you can cook it with your own hands. To do this, it is necessary to combine peat, sod and leafy soil, as well as coarse sand, taken in equal proportions. Don't forget to have a good drainage layer to help prevent soil acidification.

Fertilizer

Top dressing is carried out 2 times a month. For this, mineral and organic fertilizers are used, which should be alternated. Fertilizers should contain a lot of potassium and nitrogen.

Transplant features

It is a fast growing plant. So, as a rule, in 12 months a small seedling can become a two-meter tree. In this regard, young specimens need frequent replanting (1 or 2 times a year). In this case, the transplant, as a rule, is carried out after the root system ceases to fit into the pot. Too large ficuses are not transplanted, but only replace the upper layer of the substrate with them.

Pruning

You need to regularly cut off young stems in order to restrain the growth of the plant and form a neat crown. Pruning is carried out before the start of the period of intensive growth, and later it will be possible to pinch the tips of young branches.

Formation features

In addition to pruning branches, there is another equally effective way to form a spectacular crown. The shoots of the sacred ficus are highly elastic. With the help of a special wire frame, you can set any direction for young stems.

A very popular way to form young plants is to braid their trunks into a pigtail. But for this, 3-4 ficus should be planted in one container at once.

You can propagate sacred ficus quite quickly and simply with the help of seeds. This method is most popular with flower growers. Sowing seeds must be done exactly according to the instructions on the package. As a rule, seedlings appear after a week.

This plant can also be propagated by cuttings, but very often cuttings do not take root.

Pests and diseases

The tree can settle, either. If you notice pests, then the ficus will need to be treated with special chemicals as soon as possible. Processing must be carried out very carefully so as not to poison yourself.

Most often, the plant is sick due to the fact that it is not properly looked after. So, due to any change in care, all the foliage can fall off.

However, it must be remembered that the leaves of the ficus fall off themselves, reaching two or three years of age. In this regard, the fall of foliage can be a completely natural process.

Characteristics of the plant, tips for growing sacred ficus at home, how to reproduce, pest and disease control, facts for the curious.

The content of the article:

Sacred ficus (Ficus religiosa) can be referred to under the following synonymous names: Sacred Fig, Religious Ficus, Bodhi tree. This evergreen representative of the flora belongs to the genus of the same name Ficus, which is part of the Mulberry family (Moraceae). It seems possible to meet such a plant in India and Nepal, in the vastness of Sri Lanka and in the southwestern regions of China and countries located on the Indochina peninsula. It prefers to settle in mixed and evergreen forests growing on the plains, but it can "climb" into the mountains to a height of one and a half thousand meters above sea level.

This species of ficus bears its specific name due to the fact that most often such giant trees have been grown for a long time near Buddhist temples, and the sacred fig is considered by the adherents of this religion to be a symbol of the enlightenment of Buddha Shakyamuni, who is the spiritual mentor and founder-legend of Buddhism. This is how they began to call Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who attained enlightenment and became a Buddha after sitting under a similar tree. In the Sinhalese dialect, the ficus is sacred and began to be called the Bodhi tree (bodi), the Bo or Pipal tree.

The religious ficus differs from its "counterparts" by its genus in rather large sizes, so in nature there are specimens whose height approaches 30 m, but even when grown in rooms, its parameters reach 3 meters or more. Therefore, the plant is not often used for joining in small rooms, but is suitable for decorating large halls, conservatories or greenhouses. The crown in nature is quite spreading and its dimensions are almost 10 meters in width. When the sacred ficus is still young, then it has a small number of aerial roots, but since the plant often begins its life as an epiphyte, located on the trunks or branches of large trees, such roots eventually grow and can turn into a banyan tree. Or it can grow as a lithophyte - finding a place for itself in the crevices of buildings (some photos show that the tree seems to grow into a temple), over time, braiding it with its roots.

In this case, the root processes go down to the soil and begin to root and thicken in it. After a few years, they resemble the trunks of thin trees and can represent numerous "woods", supporting a wide crown. The bark covering the young shoots of the plant is light brown in color, with a slight redhead, which resembles the color of the branches of the racemose ficus, but the bark of the trunk and branches of adult specimens is gray.

On the shoots, there are smooth leaf plates of the original shape with a thin-skinned surface. Their length can reach 8–12 and even 20 cm, while their width is 4–13 cm. The edges of the leaf are smooth, straight or with slight waviness. At the apex, the sharpening takes on a droplet shape resembling a "tail", and at the base, the contour of the leaf is heart-shaped. When the leaves of the religious ficus are still young, then they cast a reddish tint, which eventually gives way to a light greenish (if the level of illumination is moderate), if the foliage is in direct sunlight, then it acquires a bluish-green color or the color becomes dark green , with a bluish tint. All veins of a lighter color than the main background are clearly visible on the surface. The shape of the stipules is oval and their length is 5 cm, when the leaf is fully opened, they disappear.

The leaf plates are located on the branches in the next sequence, and the length of the petiole is commensurate with the length of the leaf, and sometimes it can grow large. If the areas in which the sacred ficus grows are distinguished by dry air, then twice a year the plant loses its foliage for a short time.

During flowering, a kind of inflorescence is formed, taking the form of a hollow pot - it is called a syconium (pseudo-fruit). The flowers are found in such a formation and look like brown moss on its walls. Siconias are located in the leaf sinuses mainly in pairs. The surface of the inflorescences is smooth. Pollinators are special ficus wasps - blastophages (Blastophaga quadraticeps). After the pollination of the flowers, the seed fruits are ripening, unsuitable for food, which, when ripe, will change their color from green to violet or dark purple.

Despite its growth rate and impressive size, the sacred fig can be recommended for growing to novice lovers of home flora. The plant can often be cultivated using the bonsai technique.

Rules for caring for sacred ficus at home

Lighting and location selection. The plant is a lover of bright light, but it can suffer from direct rays of the sun, therefore it is recommended to grow a religious ficus in rooms with an east and west orientation, a southern location is also suitable, but then it is necessary to put a pot of ficus at a distance of at least 2 meters from the window, or else hang thin curtains that diffuse light. If the light level is low, then the sacred fig will respond by dumping the hardwood. Since for the normal growth of this variety of ficus, illumination of 2600-3000 lux is required, then additional lighting will be required in winter. The same approach is recommended if there is no way out and the pot of Ficus religiosa is in the north facing room.
Content temperature. Like any representative of the genus of ficus, this plant is also distinguished by its love of warmth, therefore, in the spring-summer months, temperature indicators should be maintained within the range of 20-25 degrees, and with the arrival of autumn and throughout the winter, they can be reduced, but so that the thermometer does not fall below 15 units, but the lighting then rises. However, according to many opinions, it is possible not to create a sacred ficus of such a period of "rest" with a decrease in heat, it feels great year-round at room temperature. But it is worth mentioning that the plant should be protected from hot air, which will be pumped by heating devices and radiators during the winter season. When ventilating, it is worth removing the ficus from the path of the draft, since a quick release of foliage can occur. The Bodhi tree also reacts to the effect of temperature changes or a change in location.
Air humidity when growing sacred ficus, it can be medium, although the plant adapts to the conditions of dry air in the apartment, but it will be grateful for daily spraying of the deciduous mass with warm and soft water. It is good to place household appliances nearby that create "artificial fog" (humidifiers or steam generators). And also religious ficus will feel good next to a decorative pond, a large aquarium or a swimming pool. But if this is not possible, then you can put the pot with the plant in a deep tray, at the bottom of which expanded clay or pebbles are poured and pour some water into it. The main thing is that the bottom of the flowerpot does not touch the edge of the liquid, as this can cause root rot. It is possible, while the plant is not large, to regularly wash its crown in the shower, covering the soil with a plastic bag in front of it. Regular wiping of the leaves with a soft, damp cloth is required to remove dust from them and increase moisture and thus. If the air in the room where Ficus religiosa is kept for a long time is dry, then leaves will begin to fly around it.
Watering ficus sacred at home. Since the leaf plates of the sacred ficus are large, the evaporation of moisture from them proceeds quite quickly. Therefore, irrigation due to such "water consumption" should be regular and abundant, but acidification of the soil should not be allowed. The best guideline in this case is the condition of the topsoil - as soon as it dries up, moistening can be performed. If the substrate is in a waterlogged state, the plant will react by dumping foliage. Only well-settled and warm water (temperature about 20-24 degrees) is used for watering the Bo tree. You can use distilled, rain or river.
Fertilizers for religious ficus, it is required to bring in from the beginning of the activation of the growing process. Although the plant does not have a pronounced dormant period, it is better to start feeding pipal with the arrival of spring until September. The frequency of such dressings will be once every 14 days. It is recommended to use preparations intended for ficuses or complex mineral fertilizers, which contain a lot of nitrogen or potassium. It is better to choose funds in liquid form in order to dissolve them in water for irrigation, but if the preparation is granular, then it is distributed on the surface of the substrate. The Bodhi tree also responds well to organic matter (mullein infusion), which is alternated with mineral supplements.
Transplant and advice on soil selection. Since the plant has a rather high growth rate, transplants, especially at a young age, will have to be carried out once every 1-2 years. There is information that in just a year the growth of a seedling is up to 2 meters. But in this case, one should focus on the state of the root system of the sacred ficus - if it has become too cramped in the container, then it’s time to transplant. It is advised to take a new pot 4–5 cm larger than the previous one, but you should not increase it too much, since the soil will not dry out when watering, and this will entail its acidification and subsequently rotting of the root system. When the Bo tree reaches such dimensions that it will be difficult to transplant it on its own, and the diameter of the pot becomes 30 cm, then transplants are no longer performed, but only the soil layer 3-4 cm from above is changed. Before pouring soil into a new container, it is always recommended to first place a drainage material of about 4 cm. The medium fraction is expanded clay or pebbles, on top of which coarse sand is placed.

The sacred ficus does not have any special requirements for the composition of the soil. It is only important that it is loose and fertile, with an acidity of pH 6–6.5. You can use a ready-made store-bought composition for ficuses or prepare the substrate yourself, choosing from the following options:

Sod (rich in nutrients, which includes many mineral trace elements, as well as such a mixture is light and friable) and leafy soil, taken in equal shares with half of river sand, and a little crushed charcoal is added there.
Leafy land (it should be collected in forest park areas from under deciduous trees, taking a little rotted foliage), sod soil and peat, which are taken in equal proportions.
Sod substrate, peat and coarse sand in a ratio of 1: 3: 1.

After transplanting, you should not immediately put the plant in a brightly lit place, you need to give the religious ficus a couple of days for adaptation, and watering at this time should not be abundant, the moisture that was carried out during the transplant is enough.

Since the sacred ficus is characterized by an increased growth rate, it should be regularly limited. In this case, it is necessary to shorten too elongated shoots. It is recommended to engage in such an operation before the start of growth activation, when the plant juices are not yet spreading too quickly. However, as the young branches grow, they will need to pinch the tops.

There is another method of shaping the crown of the sacred fig with the necessary outlines. Since the young branches of the plant are distinguished by increased flexibility, when using a wire frame, they are given any contours conceived. Also among florists, the shaping of Ficus religiosa trunks is also common - they are also quite flexible and elastic, then they can be woven into a pigtail or plait. But for this it is necessary during reproduction to place 3-4 pieces of young Bo trees in one container.

Propagation of sacred ficus by seeds and cuttings

It is easy to get new ficus by sowing seeds or rooting cuttings.

The simplest method of seed propagation is considered when fully ripe syconium or acquired seed material is used. Usually, sowing is carried out in a peat-sandy substrate, pre-moistened. Then the container with the crops is covered with a plastic transparent film and placed in a warm place (temperature about 25 degrees), with sufficiently bright lighting, but without direct sunlight. It is recommended to ventilate every day and if the soil begins to dry out, then it is sprayed from a spray bottle with warm and soft water.

After about 7 days, you can see the first shoots, then the shelter must be removed and the seedlings must be accustomed to indoor conditions. When a pair of real leaves unfold on young sacred ficuses, then transplant is performed in a separate pot (diameter about 7 cm), but if you take a container with a diameter of 10 cm, then 3-4 plants can be placed in it. As they grow, transplanting and pinching of the tops of the shoots should be carried out.

If you try to root cuttings, then there is information that they sometimes give roots very reluctantly. The workpieces are cut in the spring, they should be 8–10 cm, the cut is dried from milky juice and sprinkled with a root formation stimulator. Landing is carried out in peat-sandy soil. Also, the cuttings are covered with transparent polyethylene. You will need daily ventilation and, if necessary, watering. In 14–20 days, the cuttings take root and are planted.

Diseases and pests of the sacred ficus

With reduced dryness, the plant suffers from scale insects, spider mites or mealybugs. Spraying with insecticides is recommended. If decay of the root system has begun due to waterlogging of the soil, then transplantation into a sterile pot and soil is necessary, followed by treatment with fungicides.

With any change in the regime or the rules of keeping, the religious ficus begins to throw off its foliage. If the direct rays of the sun are constantly shining on the leaves, then it will begin to dry out at the edges and brown spots will appear in the center. With a lack of light, the shoots are strongly stretched, and the size of the leaves becomes smaller.

Facts about the sacred ficus for the curious, photo

It is interesting that the foliage of the sacred ficus has the property of constantly shaking, moving, and because of such continuous movement (even if the weather is calm) rustle is heard. But this is due to the fact that the leaf petiole is rather long, and the leaf plate is too large for it. But in ancient times it was believed that mythical creatures "devas" or "gods" live on the trees, which contribute to the movement of leaves.

Religious ficus has the property of guttation - that is, if the humidity level of the environment increases, then drops of moisture begin to collect on the tips of the leaves, as if the tree begins to "cry".

Pilgrims from all over the world on the branches of sacred ficus trees growing near temples at all times tied colorful ribbons, and the local population at their base put their offerings.

They know about the properties of the sacred fig since ancient times, since with its help it was possible to cure up to 50 types of diseases, including: diabetes mellitus and asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, epilepsy and some inflammatory and infectious ailments.

Probably everyone knows the legend of how the Indian prince Gautama meditated while sitting under a tree and attained enlightenment, after which he began to be called Buddha. But for many it will be a discovery that the tree of enlightenment mentioned in the legend really exists!

It grows throughout India and Nepal, in southwestern China, on the island of Sri Lanka, and is also cultivated as a houseplant. Its name is sacred ficus.

Legendary, but not fictional Bodhi tree: a description of the biological species sacred ficus

Sacred ficus (Latin name Ficus religiosa is also translated literally as religious ficus) is often called the Bodhi tree, the tree of enlightenment or pipal. The plant, which is revered in Buddhist countries, is a species representative of the genus Ficus, which belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae). The religious ficus has a number of distinctive features.

The homeland of a perennial evergreen or semi-leafy tree plant is Central and Southwest Asia.
The height of the sacred ficus in nature is up to 30 m, at home - 1.5-2 m.
The Bodhi tree has a wide, lush crown, which is formed by thick branches and fairly large leaves.
The length of the leaf plate of the sacred ficus is from 8 cm to 25 cm. Its surface is leathery. The edges of the plate are straight or edged. The leaves are heart-shaped in shape with a pronounced sharpening at the top, from which tails hang. On the greenish-gray surface, yellowish or creamy streaks are clearly visible. The petioles of the leaves are long, sometimes their length is about the same as the length of the plate itself.
The plant blooms all year round. From the axillary paired pseudo-fruits of syconia, purple fruits are formed, which are inedible for humans. They feed on insects, birds, bats and livestock.
If you keep the plant in a humid environment, water will begin to drip from the tips of its leaves.

Today, sacred ficuses are grown near Buddhist temples, where pilgrims perform various rituals with them. Usually the Bodhi tree is asked for good luck and prosperity, cure for ailments. According to the belief of a childless couple who will tie colorful threads around the trunk of the sacred ficus, the Buddha will soon give babies.

It is also interesting that the pipal is the Buddhist analogue of the New Year tree. Pictured above, you can see him dressed up on Bodhi Day, December 8th.

How to grow a tree of enlightenment at home

The sacred ficus in a pot looks very neat. It doesn't take a lot of effort to take care of it at home. The only caveat is that the plant is in dire need of light.