Ficus microcarpa is the scientific name for the tree known as Ficus Ginseng. This decorative indoor plant is often small in size and usually does not exceed one meter. It is therefore a species which is particularly suited to bonsai cultivation.
Like all the other Ficus trees, Ficus ginseng is a fairly easy plant to maintain. However, care must always be taken to water it correctly to ensure its proper development. If the Ficus microcarpa is one of the indoor plants, you shouldn't hesitate to place it outside when the temperatures are mild. Thus, the plant will be in perfect health and it will bring a nice touch of greenery in your interior when you return it in winter.
How to properly water a Ficus ginseng? We tell you everything in our article dedicated to watering this small miniature tree!
What are the plant's needs to take into account when watering a Ficus ginseng?
Ficus ginseng is famous for its great need for humidity. Indeed, this plant is native to tropical environments and it therefore needs a humid atmosphere to develop properly. In order to provide a suitable wetland, two options are available to you:
- Mist the foliage of Ficus ginseng : this misting will be particularly necessary during the hottest days of summer. The water used must be non-calcareous. You can therefore use, for example, rainwater at room temperature. Misting the foliage will prevent the leaves from drying out but also promote beautiful foliage. The foliage should never be allowed to dry out.
- Install the pot in the middle of clay balls : the clay balls will allow the water to be properly evacuated, but also to keep the humidity. This will be beneficial for the Ficus microcarpa, which can then come and collect water with its roots. We will therefore come and place the clay balls so that the water can slide between them and be evacuated from the place where the roots are. Thus, we can avoid any stagnant water that would be harmful for the proper development of the plant.
For more efficiency, you can even implement these two techniques. Obviously, they must supplement a frequent watering and adapted to the needs of Ficus ginseng.
How often to water a Ficus ginseng?
Watering the Ficus ginseng must be regular while remaining moderate. The plant appreciates humidity and it will therefore be necessary to water its base very frequently, as well as its foliage. However, you must avoid flooding the plant at all costs. Nothing could be simpler: make sure that the soil is very dry before starting any watering of the plant. When the weather is nice, watering once or twice a week will be recommended. In winter, when it is much colder, two waterings per month will be more than enough. During this winter period, reducing watering will prevent yellowing of the leaves.
In summer, the frequency of watering the Ficus microcarpa will be much higher. This will also be the case if the ambient air in your interior is dry, in particular because of too much heating in winter. In any case, always make sure that the soil is very dry before starting any watering.
What precautions should I take to water a Ficus ginseng?
When watering the Ficus ginseng, it is absolutely necessary to avoid any stagnant water inside the saucer. While Ficus ginseng needs moisture to grow properly, it cannot tolerate excess water. This could cause the roots of the plant to rot and could therefore prevent the plant from growing properly.
The Ficus microcarpa appreciates mild temperatures. In summer, you can therefore place the plant outside, while being careful to find a location in the shade, away from direct sunlight. During this period, you must be careful to always water the plant during the cooler hours of the day. It is indeed absolutely necessary to avoid watering the Ficus ginseng in the middle of the afternoon, when the temperatures are the highest. The cool temperatures of the water could indeed shock the plant and facilitate the appearance of certain diseases. For optimal watering in summer, you can practice this in the early morning or late afternoon. The plant will be able to rehydrate properly during the night, without seeing the water evaporate because of the heat.
Ficus ginseng is a plant which needs regular watering but which should never be flooded. Watering must be adapted to ambient temperatures and to the season. In any case, always wait until the soil is completely dry before watering and never water the plant if water is still present in the cup.
