How to replant a ficus at home - in which pot, step-by-step replanting instructions

When is a transplant needed?

The best time for a plant to adapt to new conditions is early spring, when the natural growth cycle is most pronounced. Winter is a less favorable time. It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of when to replant a ficus; the gardener must understand that the reasons can be planned or sudden.

Ficus benjamina

Planned replanting usually occurs when the volume of the pot becomes insufficient. An emergency transplant is needed under unfavorable conditions. Such situations include diseases, pests, changes in the root system, and deterioration of the soil.

For your information! The need for transplantation is determined visually. If there are problems, the leaves of the plant begin to dry out or wither; in case of disease, yellowness and blackening may appear. It should be borne in mind that flowers do not tolerate a change of place, so replanting must be justified.

So, you need to perform a transplant when:

signs of illness are visible;
The plant has grown and the current pot is no longer enough for it. A characteristic sign of this situation is when the roots come to the surface;
the soil has unfavorable properties and needs to be replaced.

Flower and dog

Features of transplantation

The ficus must be replanted after purchase. Since there are no conditions for long-term storage in stores, the plants are placed in special substrates to preserve their beautiful appearance, but the pot is chosen too small, the roots begin to entwine the bottom and climb out of the drainage hole.

The wrong type of watering, a sunny or, conversely, dark place can lead to deformation of the leaves and loss of a beautiful, healthy appearance.

The second reason for replanting is the depletion of the soil from which the roots absorb nutrients and moisture. Ficus stops growing. In addition, you should pay attention to the water for irrigation. The usual liquid from the tap is used, which contains many different impurities and salts that negatively affect the condition of the root system.

The third reason is forced transplantation:

The pot broke.
The earth began to rot from excess moisture; the appearance of bacteria on the surface.
There were suspicions of root rot and the appearance of pests.

Don’t think that a transplant is an instant matter. Gardeners note that when pulling a plant out of a pot, the root system may be damaged; the ficus simply will not be able to take root in the new conditions.

If the pot is plastic, then you can carefully cut the container and gradually pull out the plant. Before this, the soil must be watered so that the roots are protected from dryness in the room. It is imperative to pull the bottom out of the earthen clod so that the base of the plant has access to new nourished and healthy soil. You can help yourself with a wooden, but not sharp, stick. Use it to tap the lumps of earth and carefully remove the roots.

If the plant was watered frequently, then some roots may have died; they must be cut off and the cut area treated with a protective substance. To see these roots, you need to wash the base of the plant. Without pruning, the ficus will not be able to develop in a new pot with soil due to the inadequate functioning of the root system.

After treatment, the ficus is placed in a new pot, covered with soil, compacted and watered.

The right time

The optimal period for transplantation is early spring. During the winter, the plant goes into hibernation, remaining in a period of calm. This is marked by a cessation of growth and a slowdown in vegetation processes. At the beginning of spring, the root system begins to feed more actively, and the growth process awakens. The ficus must be replanted before this point.

In summer, it is better not to touch the pot, since the roots are sensitive at this time and will not take root in the new soil. Ficus transplantation in the fall is possible in case of urgent need. Over the summer, the plant can stretch so much that the roots will break through the drainage hole. For transplantation, a warm and sunny day must be chosen; the process itself must be carried out outside. Injured elements of the root system will be able to regenerate before the onset of cold weather.

In winter, replanting is not recommended.

The frequency of replanting ficus trees depends on several factors:

Height . Young seedlings grow quickly, so they require annual replanting, following the basic rules of changing the soil and choosing a larger pot.
The period of growing up . When the ficus has already passed the active growth phase, it needs to be replanted less frequently, approximately once every 2-3 years. The root system will not actively develop, so the pot can be selected the same size, but additional nutrients must be added to the soil so that the plant receives the necessary elements.
Formation conditions . If the temperature, climate and location are suitable, then the ficus will develop quite quickly and replanting in this case will be done more often. If the conditions are not suitable, then the periods of calm will become long and there will be no need for frequent transplants.

Experts advise not to touch the ficus soil so as not to disrupt the periodicity of growth. If it is transplanted into a large pot, then it is not necessary to take it out of there, just change the top layer of soil. Do not forget about regular watering; the rate of absorption of useful elements from the soil by the root system depends on this.

Preparatory stage

It is important not just to transplant, but also to select all the components for active growth. The main role is played by the pot, or rather the material from which it is made. Since ficus is a tropical plant, the roots should be kept warm. In autumn and winter, glass or ceramic pots will be cold for the plant, so plastic remains the best option. Of course, the view will suffer from this, but you can come up with an interesting flowerpot and decorate it in accordance with the design of the apartment.

Pots with automatic watering have become popular, which allows you to simply control the level of moisture in the soil by adding a glass of water into a special hole every two weeks.

The preparation process includes the following steps:

Water thoroughly before removing. This will allow you to quickly and without damaging the root system remove the plant from the old pot. After this, the roots are thoroughly cleaned of the previous soil.
Preparing new dishes. Be sure to lay a layer of drainage on the bottom, followed by a ball of soil. The ficus is placed in the center of the pot, then gradually the space between the roots and the walls of the container is filled with the prepared substrate. If there is fertilizer for the roots, then it should be poured into the soil and mixed, only then the ficus should be covered with it. If you add liquid to water and simply water the plant, there will be little effect.
The level of soil filling should be the same as in the previous dish. If you throw the ficus higher, the plant may get sick. There is no need to crush the earth ball by ball, just tapping on the walls of the pot is enough. This will allow air to get to the roots.
The first watering should be done with boiled water at room temperature. You can soften the liquid by pre-freezing. Gardeners advise first leaving the liquid for several days or filtering it using silicon. This will free her from lime.
For irrigation, you can use melt or rain water; it is soft and penetrates the roots faster.

Some time after watering, the liquid from the saucer must be drained so as not to over-soak the roots. The next watering is carried out when the soil is completely dry. You can find out about this by sticking your finger into the ground.

It is not recommended to shift the watering schedule; it is advisable to carry it out in the morning or before lunch, when the plant needs feeding and its roots are in the active phase.

Reproduction by shoots

It is best to propagate the plant using this method during spring pruning. Thanks to the process, two tasks are accomplished: giving shape to the mother plant and obtaining planting material.

Cuttings cut in the spring have a better chance of taking root and taking root. The shoot is chosen from the top of the plant, since all metabolic processes go faster there. The presence of semi-lignified shoots indicates that the selected element is completely healthy and develops normally.

A sprout of 12-15 centimeters with two internodes is suitable for planting. The cut must be made with a sharp knife so as not to damage the surface of the plant. After cutting, the wound must be sprinkled with crushed coal or rubbed with soil.

Be sure to rinse the cuttings under running water to rid the base of milk juice. If this is not done, a film will form on the cut surface, which will interfere with the normal development of the root system.

As for the leaves, they can also be cut off or, if the plant is large-leaved, left.

Rooting options:

In water. The cuttings are placed in liquid, the leaves must remain on the surface so that the process of rotting does not begin; as the water decreases, it must be topped up. To control moisture evaporation, you can use a regular plastic bag by placing it over the plant. After some time, roots will appear. After this, the plant can be planted in a separate pot.
In the ground. To do this, it is first disinfected with potassium permanganate, then a mixture is made of 1 part peat, part sand and half a share of vermiculite. Mix everything and let it brew for several hours. Gardeners advise doing this procedure a few days before planting so that the soil has time to become saturated with useful substances. In this case, it is necessary to make a greenhouse for the ficus to activate the process of rapid growth.

To obtain the necessary temperature conditions, be sure to open the greenhouse several times a day and let in fresh air. You can buy a special heated mat and place the plant in a bright and warm part of the house. These are optimal conditions for normal development of the appendix.

How often to replant ficus

How to transplant Begonia to a new place

Young plants have a special regime; due to the rapid growth stage, they need more frequent replanting. This procedure must be carried out every year, preferably in the spring.

Important! For mature flowers, one transplant every 3-4 years is sufficient.

In order not to risk the health of the plant once again, add new soil to the pot in a layer of up to 3 cm, after first removing some of the old soil. This method is recommended only for mature ficus. Young specimens need new, larger pots. In addition, this method of soil renewal cannot completely replace a full change of soil.

Choosing a pot for planting

Plastic or ceramic products are chosen for transplantation. Experienced gardeners advise using plastic containers for ficus. The roots of tropical plants do not tolerate cooling well, and the walls of ceramic vessels can become very cold in winter. For aesthetic appeal, a plastic container with a flower can be placed in any pot suitable for the interior.

Adult forms of rubber-bearing ficus, about 2 meters high, are often grown in wooden barrels with a volume of up to 20 liters. For optimal development of young plants, each subsequent pot is chosen 3 cm wider and the same amount deeper than the previous one. The height and diameter of the pot should be approximately the same, taking into account the need to lay drainage in a layer of up to 1/3 of the container.

How to choose a pot and soil

Ficus microcarpa - care and propagation at home

First of all, you need to choose the size of the container. A good new pot should be 3 cm larger in diameter and the same in height. This volume will be enough for full growth until the next transplant.

Note! It is best to choose a pot with drainage, or make a drainage system yourself so that the water at the bottom does not stagnate if there is an excess.

Flower owners are wondering what material is best to choose? Ficus is a heat-loving plant, so it is better to buy plastic pots. Plastic does not cool down in winter, unlike glass and ceramics. Therefore, if the flower is on the windowsill, it is better to give preference to a plastic pot.

Blue pot

The natural habitat of ficus is sandy soil. This means that the soil in the vessel should be loose with the addition of small stones and sand.

There are different types of flower, each has its own needs for the composition of the soil.

Ficus benjamina (small-leaved) grows well when the pot contains equal amounts of leaf soil, humus and peat. For Benjamin, you need to make drainage and pour sand on top;
Ficus microcarpa is the most unpretentious of the species. The soil must be neutral or slightly acidic. The base can be made from deciduous soil and sand;
Ficus rubbery loves river sand. It will require half of the total volume, the remaining half should be filled with deciduous and turf soil equally. It is best to place stones and crushed bricks at the bottom, since flowers need drainage.

Note! Each species has its own preferences for soil composition. Studying the natural needs of a flower will tell you how to replant a ficus at home.

Soil disinfection

To prevent the plant from being exposed to diseases, the soil is disinfected. This procedure is performed in three ways:

heat the soil in the oven at a temperature of 110 °C;
freeze in the freezer for 24 hours;
watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Soil composition requirements

When preparing for replanting, special attention is paid to the quality of the soil. Ficus prefer light, permeable compounds with neutral acidity. Clay soil and black soil are not suitable for this crop; the roots tend to rot in such conditions. The younger the plant, the looser the substrate should be.

Options for the composition of the soil mixture for ficus:

for a young flower - leaf humus, peat and sand in equal parts;
for an adult plant - humus, peat, turf soil, sand in equal proportions;
The second version of the soil mixture for ficus over 3 years old - humus and turf are taken in equal quantities, sand is added no more than 20%.

A self-composed substrate must be disinfected to destroy infections, pests, and pathogens.

Basic methods of disinfection at home:

Calcination: in the oven at a temperature not lower than 100 °C for 30 minutes.
Freezing: naturally in winter or in the freezer for 24 hours.
Treatment with potassium permanganate: pour a strong hot solution onto the substrate and leave under the film for about 1 hour. The soil can be used for planting after 10–12 hours.

Ready-made soil mixtures for ficus purchased in the store usually meet all requirements, but it is better to additionally check them for acidity. If it is necessary to lighten the composition, add sand.

In addition to the soil, you need to prepare drainage materials for laying on the bottom of the pot. Small stones, expanded clay, river and sea shells, broken brick, charcoal, and polystyrene are used as drainage. For large plants with a developed crown, choose heavy materials that ensure the stability of the container.

Preparing for transplant

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to transplant a ficus yourself. Stones, small brick fragments or other material that will serve as drainage are placed in advance in the new pot. You need to pour a third of the soil on top of the stone. After this, you can remove the plant from the old pot. The flower is not watered the day before, this makes it easier to pull the root system out of the container; the soil fits tightly to the root and does not fall off.

Ficus bonsai - care and cultivation at home

The pulled out ficus is placed in the center in a new pot and filled with soil, starting from the edges. The added soil is compacted a little so that the flower does not droop and the soil holds its shape when watered. It is best to use settled water at room temperature.

Note! You cannot flood the flower. After the first watering, you need to let the plant take root in the new conditions and dry well.

Two flowers

Choosing the right time

From late October to early spring, ficus trees are in a state of relative dormancy. Even under normal temperature conditions, plants react to shortening daylight hours and their vegetation slows down noticeably. At this time, transplantation is most traumatic. A long recovery may follow, the bushes begin to hurt.

Early spring is the best time to carry out the procedure. Ficuses transplanted before the active growth phase easily adapt and quickly master the fresh substrate. This gives them an impetus to develop and grow young greenery.

If urgently necessary, you can replant the flower in the fall. In this case, you should be in time before a significant reduction in sunny days, which will give the plant the necessary time to recover before the calm winter phase.

Several techniques that can help a flower easily endure a traumatic procedure in the fall:

ficus roots are sensitive to temperature: the soil, drainage, pot and water for irrigation should not be cold;
It is useful to remove sluggish, dry, elongated and immature shoots, which will reduce the load on the root system;
Any draft is harmful to a plant in a new pot. If you have to keep it on the windowsill, it is better to use a special heating pad for it.

When planting, you can place several tea bags, pre-brewed in boiling water, on the drainage layer. This technique not only additionally nourishes the roots in winter, but also prevents soil from being washed away.

Transplant methods

In addition to the usual transplantation, you can perform a propagation procedure. The easiest way is to plant a ficus shoot. In order for the transplant to be completed successfully, the lignified shoot must be separated from the ficus. The cut shoot is placed in water to allow roots to appear. When they germinate, the young ficus can be transplanted into its own pot.

Another way to propagate ficus is by layering. The largest shoot is selected, an incision is made on it, and then it is wrapped in moss. After a while, the flower will begin to take root at the site of the cut. The grown sprout is cut and planted. The latter method is more complex and time-consuming, but everyone determines for themselves how to replant the ficus.

Transplanting from a shipping pot after purchase

It is also recommended to replant when purchasing a plant in a store. In this case, the transport substrate and pot are replaced. This is done 2-4 weeks after purchase so that Benjamin’s ficus has time to adapt to the new place.

A new flower must be replanted after purchase.

Transplant algorithm:

Place a layer of expanded clay 1.5 cm thick on the bottom of the pot.
Sprinkle it with earth on top.
Remove Ficus benjamina from the shipping container.
Remove some soil from the roots.
Place the plant in the center of the new pot, without deepening the root collar.
Cover the roots with soil and fill the voids.
Water the plant generously.

After the procedure, it is necessary to care for the plant in the standard manner.

Important! Often, with a purchased ficus, you can find a small plastic pot in the center of the roots; it must be removed so that the plant can fully develop.

Typical mistakes during transplantation

Inexperienced flower growers often do the wrong thing with their flowers. Typical mistakes include:

ignored the laying of the drainage layer;
the soil is not selected correctly. Ficuses are divided into several types, each of which requires a special soil composition and acidity;
planting is done at a time of year when flowers grow extremely poorly and tolerate changing pots and soil;
Some people choose a huge pot for a small flower to avoid frequent replanting. This threatens the death of the plant.

If you follow the basic rules, replanting a ficus will be easy. The flower itself is not very whimsical; it adapts quite well to new conditions. Proper care will avoid growth inhibition, and ficus trees, as you know, have great potential in size.

Care

In the first few weeks after transplantation, the plant needs special and gentle care. Ficus should be kept away from drafts, strong temperature changes and direct sunlight. The optimal air temperature is +19-22°C.

In order for the plant to quickly adapt to the new pot, it is recommended to temporarily replace watering with spraying the leaves.

This procedure should be carried out with water at room temperature 2 times a day. The soil is moistened only after drying. After the ficus is completely restored, you can switch to a simple mode.

Watering should be moderate and regular. Excess moisture leads to rotting of the roots. It is recommended to use distilled water. In summer, the plant is watered no more than 2 times a week, in winter - once every 7-10 days.

Air exchange occurs on the leaves. Dust slows down this process, so the plant needs to be wiped regularly with a damp sponge. The first fertilizing after transplantation is applied no earlier than a month later.

In summer it is recommended to fertilize. Several times a month you need to add a special liquid fertilizer for flowers to the water. In winter, tea leaves can be used as top dressing.

Correct and timely replanting is an important part of ficus care. You should choose a pot that is a few centimeters larger than the previous one. If this procedure is not carried out, the plant may stop healing and begin to hurt.

A few words about the soil

How to transplant a ficus? Slightly acidic or neutral - this is how the soil for the plant should be. It should allow air and moisture to pass through well. It is strictly not recommended to use clay soil. In this case, stagnation of moisture is inevitable, followed by rotting of the roots.

The composition of the soil should depend on the age of the ficus. For adult plants, a mixture of humus, sand, peat and turf soil in equal proportions is suitable. For young specimens, you need to mix leaf humus, sand and peat in equal parts. You can prepare the soil yourself or purchase a ready-made substrate.

Preparation

Is it possible to transplant a ficus without preparation? No, it is strictly not recommended to do this. The day before the procedure, it is necessary to water the plant thoroughly. This will prevent the soil from falling apart and protect the roots from damage.

Next, you should prepare a container for the ficus. A drainage layer (two to three centimeters) is placed at the bottom, and a small amount of earthen mixture is poured onto it. If desired, vermiculite or perlite can be added: this will ensure better air and moisture permeability.

Ficus: pests and diseases

Cleanliness of leaves is the main protection of ficus plants from diseases and pests. Therefore, you need to wipe the ficus leaves with a damp cloth (ideally with microfiber). Most often they are affected by spider mites. Therefore, as a preventative measure, it is necessary to spray with water. And have a shower every two weeks.

Ficuses are rarely affected by diseases and pests, but it happens that they are attacked by scale insects and thrips. Then wipe the trunks with garlic infusion. You can add tobacco.

ficus diseases dry leaf tips leaf burns mealybug spots on leaves excessive watering

As you can see, the variety of ficus species is quite wide, you can choose a plant to your liking. And although caring for a ficus at home and replanting it requires some skills, gradually you will be able to understand its difficult nature.

Timing for transplanting Ficus Benjamin

With the lengthening of daylight hours, around the end of February - beginning of March , Benjamin's ficus begins to grow actively. Young leaves appear on it, they are distinguished by size and appearance. New leaves are small and shiny, glossy, while older leaves are dull. This applies to both variegated and green-leaved varieties.

Photo: young and old leaves

Is it possible to replant ficus in winter?

Sometimes, in rare cases, you can replant ficus trees in winter.

If you have a plant, you have created comfortable conditions for it: temperature, watering, lighting, there are no pests on it, but after a month the ficus continues to shed leaves, or the leaves turn black and fall off, then most likely the problem is in the roots. An urgent transplant is required to save him.

In this case, replanting in winter is acceptable and even necessary!

What size pot to take for ficus

Despite the impressive volume of the above-ground part, the root system of all ficuses is very small. Therefore, you should not transplant the plant into a huge tub. With such planting, the roots will not be able to absorb the entire volume of soil. It will quickly sour, begin to become covered with plaque and smell bad.

You should be guided by the plus 2 principle. That is, the new pot should be no more than 2 cm in diameter larger than the previous one.

The exception is adult specimens with a height of more than 2 m. They will have to be transplanted into containers with a volume of at least 20 liters. Again, just so that the flower does not turn over. But at the same time, it is necessary to replace part of the soil with a new one once a year, because replanting such large plants is quite problematic.

Is a transplant necessary?

How to transplant a ficus? First you need to figure out when this needs to be done.

The plant no longer fits in the old pot. Its roots peek out from the drainage holes.
The soil is deprived of nutrients that ensure the growth and development of the plant.
A ficus that has just been purchased from a store should definitely be replanted.
It's time to replace the old drainage with a new one.
Ficus is multiplying.

If the transplant is not carried out in a timely manner, the growth of the plant will stop. Its leaves will also begin to crumble and turn yellow. A weakened ficus is less resistant to diseases and pest attacks.

How to transplant Ficus Benjamin: step-by-step instructions

The step-by-step instructions below will make the task easier for beginners. The process can be considered using the example of ficus Benjamin. How to replant this plant?

The ficus should be carefully removed from the old tub. Its roots are carefully freed from the old soil. A small amount of water will help soften the clods of earth. The roots can be held under the tap or dipped in a bowl of water. It is important that after cleaning there are no knocked down lumps left.
The cleaned plant is placed in a tub and sprinkled with earth. It is necessary to add soil in small portions, compacting it around the roots with your fingers.
It is important to ensure that the ficus trunk does not sink too low into the pot.
Excessive watering after transplantation is not recommended; a small amount of water is sufficient.
Repeated watering is carried out a week later, by which time the soil will have time to dry completely.