- In the United States, the Ficus Triangularis Variegata plant is one of the most difficult to find—even the non-variegated version isn’t exactly “common.” This post will provide readers a concise overview of my experience with my Ficus Triangularis Variegata plant. Rather than dying, I want everyone to be successful in growing this plant. Again, this is all based on my own experience; not everyone will agree with my suggestions, but bear in mind that every growth environment is unique. My plant has gone from loosing a lot of leaves every day to producing lovely variegated leaves and even fruit, so I’m doing everything I can to ensure that my cuttings live.
- Humidity
- These guys need as much humidity as they need light, especially while they’re young (for example, if you buy a cutting). If you provide constant humidity to the plant, it will produce more leaves and develop faster. My rooted cuttings produced big roots in three weeks within a humidity dome, and I misted them once a week. To be safe, a young cutting should be maintained inside a dome or cloche until it has at least 6-10 leaves, and once outside, it should be kept near a humidifier to keep the foliage producing. By putting it under a humidity dome, you can assure that it has constant humidity. They are chilly and draft sensitive.
- Watering
- Your little potted cutting would almost probably require more frequent watering than my mother plant, especially since it’s in terra cotta, but it also depends on how much light it receives. Once a month, I water well until my entire index finger can be put into the soil without becoming wet or soggy. If I’m not sure, I usually wait a week after I think it’s time to water. If your plant becomes very thirsty, it may begin to drop leaves.
- Retaining Variegation
- If you provide your plant the right light and humidity, it will produce fresh variegated leaves. The green leafed stems produced additional variegation once I had my humidity routine down with this plant. Even if your cutting is partially green, in favorable conditions it will become yellow.
- Light
- This plant demands a lot of light; if you don’t provide it with enough, it will drop its leaves or develop with little variation. It will begin to drop its more variegated leaves if it does not receive enough light. I also believe it need constant lighting—if it’s working well in one spot, don’t move it. Ficuses are infamous for their aversion to being moved. I wouldn’t put it in direct sunlight unless you live in a tropical region. My plants and rooted cuttings were placed under a grow light for 10 hours each day. This way, they’ll have constant light.
- Fertilizer
- I’ve been giving my gigantic plant a monthly dose of 50 percent diluted organic fertilizer, and he seems to like it. My advice is to water well without fertilizer first, then immediately add the fertilizer mixture. If the fertilizer is put appropriately, this plant will grow lush and happy. I plan to fertilize one more in October before quitting for the winter. The cuttings were grown in an organic potting mix with more perlite added for drainage, which they seemed to like. Drainage is really important!
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