Lyre ficus - care, reproduction at home

Lyre ficus is one of the most famous species of its kind. He gained wide popularity due to its non-standard appearance. The shape of the foliage of the lyre cactus is similar to the lyre, the size is very large, the color is green. If you want to have this plant in your home, you should familiarize yourself with the basic information about proper cultivation and caring for it. Ficus is an exotic plant from the tropics, unfortunately, the climate of our country and the homeland of lyre ficus are very different. For a healthy and beautiful home plant, simply follow these simple plant care guidelines.

Lyre ficus: home care

Lyre ficus: photo of flowers

Lyrate ficus is very attentive to temperature changes, changes in the level of moisture in the soil and in the air, and other unfavorable conditions. Try to recreate very close conditions to the native edges of the lyre ficus. This will promote healthy and rapid growth.

What factors should be considered:

• Moisture level... This applies to both air and soil. They should not be as dry as possible, the plant grows wild in the tropics, and there is no place for drought. On particularly hot days, use a spray bottle and a damp cloth to wipe down the foliage. Remember that the water must be warm and well kept.
• Quantity and quality of light... Lyre ficus is a light-loving flower, so place it on the sunny side, but come up with it yourself or purchase protection for the plant from direct sunlight in the store. Experienced flower growers recommend placing a container with a plant near the western or eastern windows.
• Temperature level. In warm seasons, it is necessary to keep the temperature around twenty to twenty-five degrees. In cold seasons - fifteen to twenty degrees.
• Priming. The lyre cactus prefers an ordinary substrate with fertile soil. It should include: peat, medium acidic leafy soil and sand (an approximate ratio of one to one and half of one).
• Moistening the soil. In the summer season, lyre ficus must be watered three times a week, and in the winter season, once a week.
• Fertilization... It is necessary to apply top dressing to the soil of lyre ficus: fertilizer in the composition, which contains nitrogen - once in the spring, fertilizer in the composition, which contains superphosphates - twice a month, but only with rapid growth.

Do not let the plant get into cold rooms, as it does not tolerate them. In winter, the lyre ficus should be removed from the window.

Pruning Lyre Ficus

Lyre ficus: flower photo

For the formation of new shoots and the formation of the desired crown shape, when transplanting a lyre ficus at home, unnecessary, damaged and infected parts must be constantly removed. With a plant growing at seventy centimeters - you can begin the process of pruning. Purchase sharp scissors or a knife and remove the tops of the shoots.

The weakest shoots of lyre ficus are cut straight, powerful and strong - obliquely.

However, circumcision, if necessary, does not mean that it will not be boring to acquire larger containers and transplant lyre ficus. Annually, namely in the spring, it is necessary to transplant the lyre ficus. In the fourth year of life, the plant is not transplanted; it should be transplanted once every two years.It is necessary to make holes before moving the lyre ficus into a pot or any other container, this will come in handy later, when the plant sticks its root system into them - it's time to transplant it.

We advise each time to purchase a container three centimeters larger than the previous one.

• bottom layer - drainage, such as crushed brick or sand.
• Second layer - rack sand.

Carefully move the earthen lump with lyre ficus into a new container. Add missing soil.

Lyre ficus: reproduction at home

Flower Lyre ficus: photo

In Lyre ficus, reproduction at home is carried out as follows:

• With the help of seeds.
• With the help of cuttings.
• Using the stems of cuttings.

Seeds and cuttings of the lyre cactus are quite problematic at home. It is necessary to maintain a certain level of temperature at all times and provide a sufficient amount of sunlight and artificial light. At home, we recommend using the cuttings stem method.

The main thing is to follow simple rules:

• Take sharp scissors or a knife and cut off a twelve to fifteen centimeter stalk with two to three leaves from a lyre ficus.
• Cut off the bottommost leaf, wrap the other remaining leaves in rolls. This helps to maintain the moisture level.
• Wipe the lyre cactus with a damp cloth and wait for it to dry.
• Prepare a container with clean and warm water, add charcoal to it.
• Place the cutting in a container and cover with thick plastic wrap on top. This creates the effect of a greenhouse or greenhouse.
• A month later, when the roots begin to grow, lyre ficus should be transplanted.

We recommend using this method between March and April.

Parasites and diseases of the leaves of Lyre ficus

Diseases of the leaves of the Lyre cactus: photo

Most often, lyre ficus is attacked by parasites and various diseases due to violation of the rules for care. And so, how to care for and monitor the ficus at home:

• the appearance of a brown color on the leaves of a lyre ficus indicates oversaturation of moisture or sudden changes in temperature.
• the appearance of yellowness and wilting indicate a lack of moisture.
• the appearance of small foliage and its rapid discharge indicate a lack of feeding.
• loss of color indicates an insufficient amount of sunlight or artificial light.

The most famous parasites are:

• shield. Sucks out all the juices of lyre ficus.
• spider mite.
• worm.

After reading this article, you are convinced of the unpretentiousness of this plant. Under favorable conditions, the Lyre cactus will delight not only you, but also your guests.