Cultivation methods and precautions of alpine banyan

The mountain banyan has broad and thick leaves, which are very similar to the rubber tree. Its variant, Ficus microcarpa, and the rubber tree's variant, Ficus microcarpa, are also very similar. However, compared to the darker colors of most rubber trees, the mountain banyan is brighter and fresher. Let's talk about the cultivation methods and precautions of the mountain banyan.

1. Adequate lighting

The mountain banyan tree loves sunlight very much. Adequate light will make its leaves extra broad and thick, and the color will be fresher and brighter green. However, if it is kept in a lightless environment for a long time, its newly grown leaves will become smaller and smaller. Therefore, it is recommended that if you grow a mountain banyan indoors, it is best to place it in a location with the most light. If the light is really lacking, you can use a full-spectrum fill light to supplement it, or move it out to get some sun every once in a while. Please note that if it has been cloudy indoors for a long time, do not expose the mountain banyan that has just been moved out to the sun immediately, otherwise it will easily get sun spots. You must take a step-by-step approach.

2. Ensure temperature

The mountain banyan is a tropical plant that likes warmth and is afraid of cold. It will grow rapidly when the ambient temperature is above 20 degrees. When the temperature is below 15 degrees, the growth will become slow. When the temperature is below 10 degrees, water must be strictly controlled and warming measures must be taken. It should be noted that in the winter in the north, if there is central heating indoors, you must stay away from heat sources such as radiators. If there is floor heating, it is best to use a flower stand or a tray with wheels to separate the flower pots from the floor. Never place the flower pots directly on the floor. In addition, if the indoor environment is too dry, it is recommended to spray water on the leaves frequently, or prepare a humidifier to humidify the air and create a warm and humid environment for the banyan tree.

3. Water appropriately

Although the leaves of the alpine banyan are broad, there is a layer of leather on the surface, which prevents the water inside from evaporating too quickly. Therefore, the alpine banyan is a relatively drought-resistant plant. We don’t need to water it too frequently. On the contrary, if we water it too frequently, the roots will easily rot. Generally, every time you see the surface of the potting soil become dry and slightly white, just water it thoroughly after two or three days to allow the potting soil to have a dry-wet cycle. This way, the root system of the mountain banyan will be more developed and the branches and leaves will be more luxuriant.

4. Reasonable fertilization

As long as the environment is suitable, the growth rate of alpine banyan can be very fast, which requires sufficient nutrition as a backing, so fertilizing alpine banyan is also an indispensable link. It is recommended to add some sheep manure to the potting soil as base fertilizer every time you repot. In addition, in spring, summer and autumn, it is recommended to sprinkle a few grains of granular slow-release fertilizer with balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium elements on the surface of the potting soil every 20 days to provide balanced nutrition for the alpine banyan to ensure its continued growth. Note that if the temperature is relatively low in winter, do not apply fertilizer. The lower the temperature, the slower its growth will be, and it may even go dormant. Not only will the plant not be able to absorb fertilizer, it may also easily burn the roots.

5. Pruning and propagation

The mountain banyan tree has good shaping properties. If you want it to continue to grow taller, then just keep growing it and ignore the other things. If you think a single stem is too ugly, you can prune it by topping it to force it to send out side buds. After the side buds grow out, you can top them again, and eventually you can create a plump lollipop-like shape. Be careful not to throw away the cut branches casually. Put them in clean water and they will soon take root. After taking root, transplant them into pots to get more new alpine banyan trees.

The above is an introduction to the cultivation methods and precautions of mountain banyan. It is not difficult to maintain mountain banyan. If the above points are achieved, the root system can be well developed and the branches and leaves will be lush.