How to care for and water banyan trees?

The banyan tree has a graceful posture, is vigorous and simple, and is evergreen all the year round. It also symbolizes longevity and good luck. It has always been loved by people and is often made into beautiful bonsai for viewing. So how do you care for and water the banyan tree? Let’s take a look below.

1. Soil selection

The roots of cultivated banyan trees are fleshy roots, so the soil must be loose, breathable and well-drained. Clay cannot be used for cultivation. Generally, sandy soil, garden soil, charcoal slag, and peat soil (leaf mold) are used in a ratio of 1:1:1:1 for cultivation. The pots for growing banyan trees require good air permeability. Purple clay pots, ceramic pots, and clay pots are all good pots.

2. Lighting

Banyan trees prefer mild sunlight and do not like strong light. When the temperature exceeds 20 degrees, the banyan tree must be properly shaded. Too strong sunlight will burn the leaves and affect the appearance. When the temperature is below 20 degrees, it can be given full sun.

3. Watering

Banyan trees have fleshy roots and are afraid of waterlogging. Normal maintenance of banyan trees should follow the principle of watering thoroughly when the soil is dry. If there is heavy rain, be sure to remove the tray under the pot to facilitate rapid drainage of the soil. Banyan tree roots will rot if they are submerged in water for a long time.

4. Fertilization

Banyan trees need to be fertilized regularly. During the peak growing season, compound fertilizer solution should be applied every 20 days or so. The roots can be irrigated or the leaves can be sprayed. Fertilization must be applied thinly and frequently. Do not apply too much at one time to avoid burning the seedlings. You can also bury some organic fertilizer around the potting soil away from the roots as base fertilizer. Banyan trees cannot be fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer for a long time, otherwise the branches will only grow too long and the trunk will not be strong. If the banyan tree is not fertilized for a long time, the branches and leaves will turn yellow and the branches will become weak, affecting its appearance. Note: If the banyan tree is placed indoors, the fertilization time should be extended.

5. Growth environment

Banyan trees like warm and humid environment, gentle light and ventilated environment. Therefore, it is best to keep the banyan tree outdoors unless it is a cold winter. If kept indoors for a long time, the branches and leaves will become sparse and dull due to the lack of photosynthesis, and lose their ornamental value.

6. Pruning

Since banyan trees grow relatively fast, they need to be pruned frequently. You should prune them appropriately according to your preferred shape, and apply fertilizer after each pruning.

7. Reproduction

The main propagation methods of banyan trees are cuttings, grafting, and layering. Grafted banyan trees are made by grafting the healthy branches of the banyan tree onto other sticky woods. Layering propagation can be carried out all year round. Today we will mainly talk about the banyan tree cutting propagation method. Banyan tree cuttings can be mainly carried out from May to September. The best temperature for cuttings is between 25 degrees and 30 degrees, and the humidity is between 70% and 80%. Choose strong branches for cuttings, cut about 10 centimeters, cut the upper end flat and the lower end oblique. Choose fertilizer-free, loose, breathable and well-drained soil. Insert the oblique end of the cut branches into the soil four to five centimeters, water thoroughly, and place in a cool and ventilated place for maintenance. Spray some water in the morning and evening to keep it moist. It will take about 45 days to take root and sprout.

Banyan trees prefer a warm and humid environment. When caring for them in potted plants at home, you should provide them with a good growth environment, with reasonable water, fertilizer, and light, so that the plants can grow luxuriantly.