Why Choose Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig) for Your Home?

• Air-Purifying: Removes toxins like formaldehyde and benzene, improving indoor air quality.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Its glossy leaves and elegant drooping branches enhance any room's decor.
• Low Maintenance: Requires moderate light and regular watering, making it easy for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
• Space-Saver: Compact and adaptable, ideal for smaller spaces and can be shaped as a tree or bush.
• Adaptable: Thrives in various indoor conditions, as long as it's not exposed to extreme temperatures.
• Positive Feng Shui Energy: Attracts positive energy and harmony to your home.

How to Grow Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig)

Step-by-Step Process (Recommended for Home Gardeners):

• Location: Place it in bright, indirect light, away from direct sunlight. Ideal temperature range: 18°C to 24°C. A spot near a window with filtered light works well.
• Potting & Soil: Use well-draining soil, like a mix of potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
• Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, but avoid overwatering. In winter, reduce watering as it enters a semi-dormant phase. A simple home trick is to use a watermatic stake in the pot for easy, automated watering.
• Fertilization: Feed with balanced liquid fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. Use banana or onion peels to enrich soil.
• Pruning: Trim dead or yellowing leaves and prune to maintain shape. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth.

Common Problems, Pests, & Diseases

Urban Farmer’s Solutions for a Healthy plant:

1. Leaf Drop: Overwatering or sudden changes in temperature. Ensure proper drainage and avoid excessive watering.
2. Aphids and Whiteflies: These pests feed on the sap of Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig), causing leaf yellowing. Spray neem oil 2 ml/20 drops or Mix 1 protec tab in 1 liter of water once a week for effective control.
3. Leaf Spot: Leaf spot can form in humid conditions, showing up as a white-Brown spots on leaves. Improve air circulation by spacing the plants or pruning regularly. Spray fungicides like Tricho Shield 5 gm/half spoon or Mix 1 protec tab in 1 liter of water per liter of water.
4. Root Rot: Caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Ensure proper soil drainage and use a perlite or sand mix for potted plants to promote airflow in the soil. To prevent or cure, mix 5 gm or half spoon of organic fungicide Tricho Shield per liter of water and drench 50 ml of the solution near the plant's stem. Repeat it 7 days after the first drenching for the best results.

Best Practices for Growing Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig)

Urban Farmer’s Expert Tips for Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig):

1. Proper Lighting: Ensure your Ficus Benjamina receives bright, indirect light. Too little light can result in leggy growth, while too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Place the plant in a well-lit room or on a terrace with filtered sunlight.
2. Maintain Consistent Temperature: Ficus Benjamina prefers a warm environment. Avoid sudden drafts, air conditioners, or heaters, which can stress the plant and lead to leaf drop. Keep the temperature within the 18°C to 24°C range.
3. Water Correctly: Allow the top inch of the soil to dry before watering. Ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent waterlogging. During winter, reduce watering, as the plant is in a semi-dormant state.
4. Regular Pruning: Prune the plant regularly to remove dead or yellowing leaves. You can also trim the top stems to encourage fuller growth. Pruning in early spring will allow new growth during the growing season. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to prevent disease transmission.
5. Avoid Stressing the Plant: Ficus Benjamina is sensitive to changes in its environment. Avoid moving it around frequently, and try to maintain a stable environment for the plant to thrive.

Recommended Products for Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig) Care

Urban Farmer’s Trusted Products for Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig) Care:

1. Fertilizers:
   • Balanced Fertilizer: Use a granular, slow-release fertilizer for Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig). Apply Flora TAB (1 tab per liter of water) or NPK 12:61:00 - 10 gm/one spoon per liter water and spray on foliage every 15 days to boost flowering.
   • Bloom Stick Fertilizer: Insert one Bloom stick fully into the soil, 2-3 inches away from the plant stem. Repeat it after 60 days. A single application of one stick provides your plants with a steady supply of nutrients for up to 2 months.
2. Pesticides:
   • Neem Oil: Use neem oil spray to control common pests like caterpillar, aphids and whiteflies. Mix 2 ml/20 drops of neem oil in 1 liter of water and spray every 15-20 days to prevent infestations.
   • Tricho Shield: Mix 5 gm/half spoon of Tricho Shield (Trichoderma viride) in 1 liter of water and spray or drench it every 20 days to prevent and control fungal diseases like root rot and leaf spot. Tricho Shield is an organic fungicide that promotes plant health without harming the environment.
   • Protec Tab: Mix 1 protec tab in 1 liter of water and spray it every 20 days to prevent and control fungal diseases and pest.
3. Growth Promoters:
   • Seaweed Extract: Spray Seaweed extract 2 ml/20 drops per liter of water monthly to promote healthier growth and more vibrant flowers. This organic growth promoter is beneficial for both foliar spray and soil drenching.

By following these detailed guidelines and incorporating the trusted products recommended by Urban Farmer, you can cultivate healthy and vibrant Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig) plants in your home or terrace garden.