Pruning ficus Benjamin at home

Ficus Benjamin is a very common plant. They love this species for its decorative qualities and unpretentiousness. Additionally, a beautiful composition can be created from a plant by intertwining trunks or forming a crown. Both the first and second options are impossible without correcting the growth and development of the aboveground part. Pruning Benjamin ficus at home is done in accordance with certain rules.

What is pruning for?

Many indoor plants go without "cleaning" for years, and some are not recommended to touch at all. But this does not concern Benjamin, such a procedure is simply necessary for him. There are several reasons why it is imperative to prune the ficus of this variety:

Pruning Ficus Benjamin

• periodically it is necessary to rid the plant of diseased leaves, shoots and branches. Infected parts of the root system can be sheared;
• rejuvenate the tree, leaving only small shoots along which the juice functions normally;
• pruning the branches and shoots of the flower is necessary to weave the trunk. The purpose of the decorative procedure is to form a neat crown.

Cropping Result

Trim time and tool preparation

The ideal time for a haircut is spring, namely March. You can also choose summer for the procedure. In autumn and winter, it is not recommended to carry out the procedure, only if urgently needed (in November).

To cut the ficus, you need to prepare the following tools:

• garden shears with different blade thicknesses;
• pruning shears;
• knife with a thin sharp blade.

Recommendations for work

The age of the ficus tree is not important for cutting, it all depends on the growth rate and development of the crown of the tree.

General rules for pruning ficus Benjamin

In order not to have problems with further decorating the aboveground part, you need to know a few secrets regarding haircuts. It is advisable to determine the correct algorithm of actions. How to prune Benjamin's ficus anyway:

1. Prepare tools.
2. Identify the branches and branches that need to be removed.
3. If you need the crown to grow in width, it is worth cutting off the top.
4. In order for the branches to grow back quickly, it is recommended to remove the branches growing from the buds.
5. The cut should be neat and precise at a 45 ° angle.
6. It is imperative to lubricate the cut sites with activated charcoal or antiseptic powder.
7. You cannot carry out the procedure if the plant was transplanted at least three weeks ago.
8. After removing the twig, it is worth wiping off the juice with a cloth until it ceases to stand out.

Crown preparation procedure

The general scheme is practically a step-by-step algorithm of actions.

Preparing ficus Benjamin for pruning

Exceptionally young specimens with a flexible trunk and fast growing branches are suitable for creating unique compositions.

• The flower should be examined so that it is healthy. Destroy all parasites.
• Select the elements to be deleted. It is preferable to mark them.
• Carry out top dressing of the soil 1 month before the procedure.
• Thoroughly water the plant with settled water a day before pruning.
• Before cutting off the branches, all the leaves must be moistened with a wet cloth.

In preparation for the procedure, you should sharpen the tool and find a place to set the flowerpot.

Pruning to rejuvenate the plant

Anti-aging pruning is done to give the house tree a neat look. In this case, shoots that are too long are subject to removal, on which the tip of the branch begins to dry out, and leaves are completely absent.

Plant rejuvenation

Old shoots must be cut off completely to the very trunk. The more often you carry out such a procedure and monitor the growth of branches, the more new shoots will appear. It is possible to carry out the procedure for rejuvenating a flower only during the period when it is not blooming.

Sanitary pruning

The rules of care include not only watering and feeding, but also sanitary pruning. In the process, the formation of the crown also occurs. How to properly sanitize pruning:

1. Remove dried, withered and yellowed leaves. Remove diseased and old branches from the trunk.
2. Cut off the damaged part of the flower as deep as possible. In this case, the risk of the disease affecting the entire plant is reduced.
3. If the processes from the root look painful, then they must be removed along with part of the root system. This option is relevant if it does not lead to the death of the flower.

Creation of a unique crown

Sanitary pruning is a very important process to help prolong the life of a flower. If such a procedure is not performed, then complex problems may arise in the development of the plant.

Crown formation and general appearance

Ficuses are very beautiful plants that do not require special care, and it is not necessary to cut off excess ones either. Additionally, you can work on the barrel. There are several ways to create a unique crown.

• Directional shaping will create a unique crown. A variant of this processing is used to make bonsai, arch, heart and much more.
• If you want to create a spherical crown, it is worth cutting off only the upper shoots, then the branches will grow vigorously to the sides.
• Each type of crown creation involves the removal of certain shoots. To accomplish this, it is advisable to use not only cutting tools, but also thread for bandaging.

Aboveground part education scheme

Each processing option has its own unique rules for removing branches. The appearance is created not only by decorating the aboveground part, but also by choosing the right pot and location for the plant.

Root pruning

It is recommended to remove not only the upper branches of the ficus, but also the roots. It is worth carrying out the procedure carefully, since the further development and growth of the flower depends on the state of the root system. The need for such an action arises when the flower is sick, a transplant is performed. How to properly prune Benjamin's ficus root without harming it:

1. Prepare sharp instruments for the procedure.
2. Remove the earthy clod from the root system. It is enough to crunch the soil from the roots a little.
3. Dip the roots into a solution with a special solution for antiseptic action.
4. Remove especially long branches.
5. Sprinkle the sections with activated carbon powder.

Next, the flower is transplanted into another flowerpot. The procedure is carried out according to the standard planting scheme. The main thing is to prepare the container, substrate and drainage. If everything is done correctly, then the ficus will grow and develop normally.

Creation of unusual shapes

There are several options for creating bizarre forms of the aerial part of the ficus.Each method is simple to create. You can decorate the trunk of a plant, or you can weave a pigtail, a fence, create a spiral, circular thread. To do this, you need to plant the shoots in a specific sequence.

Unique shape

Interesting shapes are also given to the crown. There are several options: bush, single or two-tiered bole, sculpture, bonsai. Each result is distinguished by its individual beauty and preparation scheme.

Post-pruning activities

It is not enough to treat the cut sites with antiseptic agents; it is recommended to carry out a number of additional measures. What to do with the plant:

• wipe off all the milk from the processing sites. This should be done with a paper towel until the “bleeding” stops;
• remove to a shaded place so that the flower does not fade after processing. In addition, ficuses do not like direct sunlight;
• establish a clear watering schedule and prepare drainage for the pot. So the soil will be constantly moistened, air will pass through;
• in order not to shock the plant, the first feeding is done a month after the shearing.

Uncomplicated forms of the crown of the ficus

Pruning is not difficult, but you should not forget about further care. It is recommended that you keep a close eye on the flower in order to immediately respond to problems.

Each cozy home should have a central exposition that will make the space unique and cozy. You can decorate your home with a ficus sculpture, which is easy to form yourself. It is enough to know a few simple rules regarding pruning and forming the aerial part of the flower.