Ficus Natasja is a popular variety of the Ficus, or fig tree. The ficus consists of well over 700 different species. Most of these species are tropical and evergreen. Some however, including the common fig tree, are deciduous. Most ficus trees are quite large when in their natural environment, yet there are a number of smaller species which serve well as indoor plants, as they either do not grow excessively large, or can be easily pruned to a desired size.
The Weeping Fig – One of the more popular species of ficus is Ficus benjamina, the Weeping Fig tree. In warm weather locations, Ficus benjamina makes an extremely attractive outdoor plant, though it can be a hand full to maintain (control might be a better word, as it can become invasive). A smaller version of the weeping Fig, and very suitable as a house plant, is Ficus benjamina Natasja, or simply, Ficus Natasja.
Leaves Will Fall, More Than Once – Ficus Natasja can be grown outdoors where the temperature is not apt to dip below about 45 degrees Fahrenheit, but is really best grown indoors, where it will thrive at normal room temperatures. This plant likes bright light, and should be located near a large window, although it’s best not to have it where it will get direct sun. Like most ficus species, Ficus Natasja is well known for shedding its leaves at seemingly the slightest provocation. Ficus trees shed their leaves if the soil is allowed to become too dry, as the plant interprets the condition as the advent of a dry season, and sheds its leaves as a preventive measure to conserve moisture in the stems and roots. The plant will also shed its leaves if over watered, and will shed them at times if it is moved from one location to another.
One can almost expect some shedding when transporting a young ficus form the nursery to the home or office. It’s good practice therefore to settle on a permanent location for the plant, although one can rotate it occasionally, so that it gets uniform light. This is beneficial to the plant, and one usually doesn’t experience leaf drop in the process. Another thing to bear in mind is when choosing a location for the plant, try to avoid a spot where there may be a draft. Air movement and temperature fluctuations can cause the plant to shed its leaves as well. While basically an easy keeper, Ficus Natasja will let you know if something is not being done right – by shedding its leaves.
Also Popular As Bonsai – Ficus Natasja is both an attractive container plant and is also very popular as a bonsai plant. It features small, dark green leaves, and stems which can be braided to eventually form a trunk. It is normally propagated by stem cuttings or root division, so once you have one ficus plant, is usually no problem to grow additional plants from cuttings or divisions. The plant can be grown from seed as well, but doing so is usually not an easy task, and propagating by cuttings is a far easier approach. The plant grows fairly rapidly, and re potting every other year, and sometimes annually, is needed. The roots can be pruned back to half size however once the plant has reached a desired size, and having to place it in a larger container is no longer desirable.
A Fairly Common House Plant – Although sometimes described as a rare and exotic plant, and it certainly is the latter, Ficus Natasja is usually not difficult to locate, and starter plants are not very expensive. It is really a fairly easy keeper, letting you know by dropping leaves if you aren’t doing things just right. Don’t worry, they grow back quickly.
Taking care of Ficus Natasja at home
Ficus Natasja is a small plant, which is only about 40 cm high. But despite its small size, it needs special care. What does it include?
- Watering: Watering Ficus cannot be planned according to a standard scheme, for example, by moistening the soil once a week. This plant requires an individual approach, because too much fluid only harms it. Understand that it’s time to “refresh” the soil by sticking a wooden stick or toothpick in it – if the top 3 cm are still wet, you can take your time with watering. It is only important not to let the ground finally dry up.It is undesirable to use tap water. Before watering, the liquid should stand for at least 2 days. Starting in spring, the volume of water gradually increases, starting in autumn, it decreases.It is better to water the ficus slowly, alternately introducing the liquid in small portions. Each of them should be well absorbed – everything that appears on the pallet in 30-60 minutes – drain gently. Under no circumstances should cold water be used – it should be at room temperature otherwise it will harm the roots.
- Reproduction: In spring, during the active growth of the flower, it is time to think about its reproduction. To do this, cut off from the top of one of the young but already woody cuttings with several leaves (no more than 4).Reproduction of Ficus Natasja is not very difficult – after working with a pruning shear, the resulting sprout should be put in clean water, which is updated every 2-3 days. The stalk is in water until the roots appear, which takes about 3 weeks.
Important: In place of the cut a white juice is formed – if you do not renew the liquid, it will harden and prevent future roots from germinating.
You can put the stalk not in water, but wet sand and cover with a can or film, creating a greenhouse effect. After a few weeks, the stalk is transplanted into a pre-prepared soil containing mineral and organic fertilizers.
- Transplantation: Pruning and crown formation, transplantation – all these procedures are performed in spring. The root system of young plants very quickly fills all the space, which means it’s time to buy a new pot.It is necessary to cut a small cut in the upper part – it should be at least half woody. Until the roots appear, the sprout is in the water, and in a few weeks it will be transplanted into a suitable soil.
- Pruning: You can cut this variety at your own discretion – it is easy to tolerate the procedure, and it won’t be difficult to change its shape. The main thing is to use a sharp pruning shear, as well as to determine in advance the choice of future style.
- Fertilization: In spring and summer, the care of Ficus Natasja includes the introduction of additional fertilization, otherwise the branches will start to thin out and the leaves may completely crumble. It is better to pick up the fertilizer in a specialized store, diluting the concentrate strictly according to instructions.
Feeding is introduced 1-2 times a month – mineral fertilizers alternate with organic. When transplanting or planting cuttings, it is important to observe the reaction of the plant – it will make it possible to make an optimal schedule of nutrition of the soil. In no case should not violate the proportions of cultivation of the means – excess nutrients are harmful and can provoke the development of various diseases.
Diseases: why do the leaves crumble?
Owners of this variety are often faced with the fact that Ficus Natasja drops its leaves. There may be many reasons for this, but most often the problem is the improper care of a small shrub, for which special conditions must be provided.
Initially, it is necessary:
- Check the temperature in the room (it must be at least 17-18 degrees).
- Provide extra moisturizing by spraying leaves from the sprayer daily
- Develop an optimal irrigation regime by moistening the land when necessary but not allowing it to dry out.
Very often the ficus resets the leaves after transplanting or when moving to a new place. It is not superfluous to examine the inside of the leaf – if pests are found on it, you will need to use chemicals.
You can appreciate the beauty of Ficus Natasja in the photo – such greenery will decorate any apartment. In addition, they have very special properties, and purification of the air in the premises will pay off all the efforts, spent on cultivation.
