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ABOUT FICUS BENJAMINA VARIEGATA
8 Plant Hedge Package (Limited Quantity) Ficus Benjamina Variegata – Ficus benjamina is a very popular bonsai houseplant in temperate areas, due to its elegant growth and tolerance neglect. Ficus grow best in bright, sunny conditions but will also tolerate considerable shade. Benjamina requires a moderate amount of watering in summer to keep it from drying out. The tree is sensitive to cold and should be protected from frost. When grown indoors, it can grow too large for its situation, and may need to be pruned or bonsaied. Ficus benjamina has been shown to effectively remove gaseous formaldehyde from indoor air.
These are very healthy tropical trees with well established root systems. This Ficus Benjamina Variegata is ready to be repotted and enjoyed upon delivery.
Please note: Leaves are often trimmed prior to shipping to reduce transpiration and travel stress. The growth rate of Ficus Benjamina Variegata will vary greatly depending on season, soil type, sunlight, temperature and other factors. Always changing!
FICUS BENJAMINA VARIEGATA CARE
Ficus Benjamina Variegata are very easy to grow tropical trees that and seem to grow best when neglected. They add a wonderful accent to any outdoor space, garden or patio. In very cold zones a containerized Ficus Benjamina Variegata can be brought inside for the winter months. Most will survive a very light frost and quickly return to normal in spring. In the northern end of their grow zone Ficus Benjamina Variegata trees should be brought indoors or protected during the winter months.
When you receive your new tree, there is no need to worry about planting right away. Your new tree can be stored for a while by simply placing it in a bucket with about a half inch of water in the bottom and moving it a shady location. You can then add some mulch to the bucket to keep your Ficus Benjamina Variegata standing straight. The mulch will also supply nutrients while in storage. This will give you plenty of time to select the ideal location for your Ficus Benjamina Variegata.
CONTAINER SIZE
Most gardeners don’t realize that Ficus Benjamina Variegata trees grow very well in patio containers. Allow enough room for growth generally a 18″ to a 30″ diameter, 14″ deep container will suffice. Remember the looser the roots, the taller and healthier your tree will be. When the tree becomes root bound its growth will slow. At that point it is time for a larger pot.
SOIL
Ficus Benjamina Variegata enjoy well drained but moist, rich organic mix. Remember try to stay away from wet, mucky soils.
FERTILIZER
To help establish your new Ficus Benjamina Variegata, fertilize sparingly, biannually with a slow time release 15-5-10. Unfertilized they will tend to grow very slowly. WARNING – The heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers may damage the roots thus killing the tree.
GROW ZONE & LIGHT
Best outdoors if grown in zone 10a-11, find your zone here. This tree requires 85-100% sunlight. Depending on your location full sun is best. The patio zone is 4b-11 which means the potted tree will flourish over the summer months in this zone but must be brought inside for the winter months. (avoid frost)
BEFORE YOU PLANT OUTDOORS
Here at Kens Nursery these trees are grown under 20-40% shade cloth. If you plant directly in full sun you may experience leaf burn. It is best to acclimate this tree to its environment by keeping it outside and slowly moving it into a sunny area over a week or two to avoid stress before planting.
WHAT IS THE SHIPPING SIZE
All trees for sale will vary in size. In the spring, trees are often smaller than trees shipped in the fall. Most trees designated with a (-4, or -3) will arrive in a standard 4 inch or 2.75 inch growers pot respectively. Kens new, reusable, recyclable deep cells are 5 to 7 inches deep and 1 to 2.5 inches in diameter. Products growing in these cells are easy to transplant and allow for deeper, faster growth and are designated with a (-5, or -7). The color and style of these pots may vary. If we are out of a particular size item, we may ship a larger size at no additional charge. You can see the various pot sizes and actual trees ready to ship. (click-here)
Note: Before leaving, Ficus Benjamina Variegata are inspected, watered, pruned if necessary and topped to 36″ to facilitate shipping. Your new tree is then bagged to keep the soil moist, to ensure that the soil stays in the pot and not loose in the box. Then your tree is tissue or kraft paper wrapped and secured in place with natural biodegradable peanuts. You will be pleased.
You may want to buy Ficus Benjamina Variegata online now while they are in stock.