How to care for Ficus lyrata
For most women, how to care for Ficus lyrata and the introduction of green plant and flower cultivation methods related to Ficus lyrata, the specific details are as follows:
Ficus lyrata is actually the滴水观音 (滴水观音 means "dripping观音", which translates to "Dropping观音" or "Dripping Goddess of Mercy"), mainly cultivated indoors. Its leaves are large, and placing it at home has very high ornamental value. However, there are still many things to pay attention to when cultivating Ficus lyrata, and any mistake may lead to poor growth of the entire plant. Next, we will specifically introduce the cultivation methods of Ficus lyrata.
1. Soil Preparation
Use a mixture of decomposed leaf soil, peat soil, and river sand, and it is best to add some cake fertilizer to effectively improve the nutrient content of the soil, providing sufficient nutrition for the plant's growth to promote the health of the roots.
2. Fertilization
Ficus lyrata grows very fast, so its demand for fertilizer is relatively high. Except for winter, apply nitrogen fertilizer every two weeks, preferably liquid fertilizer. If conditions allow, you can also add some ferrous sulfate to better promote leaf growth. In winter, as the temperature gradually decreases, the plant enters a dormant period, and if fertilizer is applied, it may cause root rot.
3. Water Management
Ficus lyrata has large leaves, so the evaporation of water will be relatively fast. Therefore, when caring for Ficus lyrata, it is necessary to keep the water充足. In summer, high temperatures will further accelerate water evaporation, so it is best to water it every day to maintain moisture, and you can also spray water on the leaves to control the surrounding temperature and humidity. In winter, it is necessary to control water, spraying water once a week to maintain the color of the leaves.
4. Light Control
Ficus lyrata is best cared for in a cool and well-ventilated place with scattered sunlight. In summer, be sure to shade it to avoid leaf burns. The optimal growth temperature for Ficus lyrata is between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature must not be below 5 degrees Celsius, or frost damage will occur.
5. Pruning
When the seedlings grow to about one foot tall, pruning can be done, removing the long and weak branches to avoid wasting nutrients. The overall shape of Ficus lyrata pruning mainly depends on the personal preferences of the caregiver, which can be trimmed into a satisfactory shape as long as the stems and leaves are not too dense.
6. Potting Method
It is best to change the pot once a year. A few days before changing the pot, reduce watering to make it easier to remove from the pot. When changing the pot, first remove the dead leaves and old roots, leaving one-third of the soil around the roots. The amount of soil should cover the plant's roots, and after changing the pot, water thoroughly but do not fertilize immediately. Increase the amount of spraying for three days after potting and reduce it after three days.
7. Disease and Pest Control
The common diseases of Ficus lyrata include leaf spot disease, anthracnose, and wilt. For example, if leaf spot disease is found, it can be solved by using a diluted carbendazim solution on the leaves, spraying once a week for 2 to 3 times. The common pest is the red spider mite, which should be treated immediately with miticides or pyrethroids upon discovery.
8. Planting Methods
There are mainly three methods of propagation and cultivation of Ficus lyrata:播种 (seeding), 扦插 (cutting), and 分株 (division). Seeding is best done in spring, directly sowing the soaked seeds on the soil surface and covering them with 1 centimeter of loose soil. For cuttings, the freshly cut branches with buds can be slightly dried before planting. Division involves cutting off the small plants growing from the rootstock of Ficus lyrata and transplanting them.
The above is the detailed content on how to care for Ficus lyrata and the introduction of its cultivation methods, hoping it can be helpful to you!