Ficus triangularis variegata is the most common variety of plants found in the household of many people. However, I never gave much attention until my wife bought one to plant it in our home. Frankly, she never gave it that much attention as our other plants and I was sure that it would die eventually but to my dismay, it didn’t.
I then searched about this plant and found a plethora of information about it and was surprised to find how little maintenance is required for them and its benefits. Thus, I am writing this article to enlighten people about this amazing plant and why every household should have one.
Appearance And Features
Ficus triangularis variegata belongs to Moraceae Family and its country of origin is said to be South Africa. It’s also called F.triangularis, that’s because the plant’s leaves are triangular. another one of its names that are commonly used is “Variegated Ficus Triangularis”. Its leaves are of green and yellow color with green in the middle and creamed yellow in the border of the leaves and each and every leave is of different size.
It can be planted in the garden as well as in one’s house but if it is planted in the house then at least a pot of 3 inches or more should be used. It reaches a height of 3 meters and covers a maximum area of 26-foot square.
Ficus Triangularis Variegata Care
Ficus triangularis variegate care is of utmost importance for the plant to survive. It doesn’t need that much maintenance but the amount of water, light, temperature, fertilizer, and humidity that aforementioned is crucial for Ficus triangularis variegate propagation.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant requires a lot of humidity to strive. Especially when the plant is small and at its early ages, it is preferred to put the plant in a humidity dome. The plant has a better chance of survival in this dome. It will take at least 3 to 4 weeks for a cutting of a plant to grow roots if it is placed in the dome.
The plant should to taken out of the dome when it has about 7 to 11 healthy leaves on it, not before that. Even after getting it out of the dome, the plant should be kept in that part of the room where there is abundant humidity. If a humidifier could be arranged the plant would grow new and strong leaves at an exponential rate.
Temperature is also very important for the plant’s survival indoor temperature is fine in the summer season but in winter plants should be placed in that part of the house that has a temperature above 55 Fahrenheit. For this purpose, the help of a thermostat could be used if you lie in really cold places.
They should be kept away from extreme heat and cold draughts.
Light Required
Light is crucial for these plants, bright and continuous light should be provided to them. Otherwise, they lose their leaves at a drastic rate. It shouldn’t be placed indirectly in sunlight unless you are living in an extremely cold country. It should get light for about 8 to 10 hours a day. If your plant is striving in one place don’t move its position as it is found that its growth rate declines when its position is changed.
How to Fertilize Ficus Triangularis Variegata
A diluted houseplant fertilizer is used for ficus triangularis variegata. Although, the requirement of fertilizer for this plant is less than any other plant it is very important to fulfill it. For example, every other plant requires a mixture containing half a teaspoon of the fertilizer and six glasses of water while this plant only requires one-fourth of the said fertilizers.
The timing to fertilize the soil is also very important as it should be fertilized every four to six weeks in the time of summer and every ten-week after that. The best time to fertilize variegated ficus triangularis is when new leaves are growing in it.
Pruning Ficus Triangularis Variegata
Pruning is often a headache for both professional and amateur gardeners but the best thing about this plant is that it doesn’t require a lot of that. It can be done to give your desired shape to the plant but the cut should be made high up on the left node so that new leave could grow easily. This is why ficus triangularis Variegata care is deemed to be so easy.
Watering the Plant
Special attention is required while watering this plant. Before watering it see that the soil of the plant is dry we could do that by putting our index finger inside the soil. It usually takes about a month or 4 weeks to achieve this. There is also a trick that could be used to see if the plant is overwatered or underwatered.
If the plant’s leaves start turning yellow it is an indication that the plant is not receiving enough water and if the green leaves start falling off the plant and the new leaves are black. It means that your plant is receiving more water than its requirement. The plant should be watered slowly and it should be stopped when water starts to flow from the bottom hole of the pot.
Related Posts:
Things That Will Make Planting Easier
There are a few tools that would make planting more easier. This includes a thermostat so that an adequate temperature in which the plant could flourish more easily and abundantly could be achieved. Humidifier so that the plant could get plenty of humidity.
A diluted houseplant fertilizer and measuring spoon so that the plant could get the nutrients that it requires. A pot and soil would drain the excess water quickly as this plant is prone to an excess of water. If ficus triangularis variegata is planted in the garden then there is a strong chance of soil erosion and that may harm the plant and its growth thus for that
Pine bark could be useful it is applied deeply in the soil and protects the plant from erosion. This plant needs a ph. between 6 to 6.5 this could be achieved by Sphagnum peat moss increases the PH of the soil. The above-mentioned tools could be very beneficial for Ficus triangularis variegata propagation. As they cover all the needs of the plant.
Pests
Pest is a nuisance that damages the plant and causes a lot of headaches for the Gardner. Like other plants ficus triangularis variegata is also prone to bugs and pests like mealybug, thrips, scutes, aphids, etc. We can get rid of mealy bugs by examining the plant with our eyes and plucking them with our hands, you could wear gloves due to hygiene issues or mild pressured water could knock them right out of your precious plant.
For other bugs and pests, you could make a homemade pesticide that will stop the pests from eating your plant. Just pour 2 tablespoons of neem oil,1.5 tablespoons of mild dish soap (that doesn’t have bleach), and 1 liter of water mix it well and apply that to the plant you will see the result within 2 to 4 weeks.
Ficus Triangularis Variegata Propagation
It is quite easy to propagate this plant by the stem of the plant rather than planting the seed. To propagate it one should take at least 3 to 4 stems of the plant cut the end of the plant and put it in soil with the required ph and nutrients. Then put it in a place where ample sunlight could be received by the plant.
Ficus Triangularis Variegata Fruit
This plant also grows fruits that are small semi-round and pale red. Although these fruits can be consumed by humans they are not planted for this purpose. this fruit can be used as food for the birds.
Ornamental Uses
This plant is so attractive that many people use it as an ornament in their household from urban households to the monks in Tibet this plant could be seen everywhere adding to the beauty of the place it is put in.
These were some of the features, uses, and benefits of ficus triangularis variegata. It is one of the easiest plants to grow and maintain and doesn’t require that much attention. Although, this plant is worth about $30 to $35 in the U.S.A it is worth it.
