Overview of Ficus Audrey
Ficus audrey, also known as the variegated weeping fig or just ficus, is a subtropical evergreen shrub native to India and Southeast Asia. It produces glossy green leaves with white veins that can grow up to 6 inches in length and up to 4 inches wide. The plant has an upright growth habit and can reach a height of 10-15 feet in its natural habitat. Its woody stems are often used for bonsai purposes because they can be easily trained into different shapes. This species is drought tolerant and prefers bright indirect light or partial shade when grown indoors.
Propagation Basics
The best way to propagate ficus audrey is through stem cuttings. To do this, take several 3-4 inch cuttings from the tips of healthy branches using sterilized pruning tools. Make sure each cutting contains at least two leaf nodes (the points on the branch where leaves sprout out). Remove any extra leaves from the cutting leaving one or two intact at the top end of it; these will provide energy for root production while they’re growing in soil mediums such as sand, potting mix, perlite etc., Place your cuttings into containers filled with pre-moistened propagating media under bright indirect light conditions until new roots form within 4 weeks time before transferring them into individual pots with regular houseplant soil mixture later on..
Special Care Tips
Once you’ve successfully propagated your ficus audrey plants it’s important to give them proper care so that they continue developing properly:
• Ensure that your newly potted plants get plenty of sunlight but avoid direct exposure either by placing them near windowsill or taking advantage of sheer curtains/blinds if you live in warmer climates like Florida/California where temperatures tend to rise quickly during summer months;
• Water your plants regularly making sure there isn’t too much moisture build up around their roots otherwise rot may set in leading death; use finger test technique determining whether or not soil needs additional watering – stick index finger knuckle deep inside potting mix if it feels moist then wait until next day before giving water again;
• Feed every 2 weeks using liquid fertilizer according nutrient requirements specific for houseplants if possible– this will help ensure optimal growth conditions throughout year round season;
• Prune actively growing shoots approximately once every three months encouraging more side branching which will result bushy look desired by many gardeners nowadays instead lanky appearance caused due lack trimming techniques employed earlier times;
• Lastly relocate outdoors periodically during springtime allowing natural environment influence health status thus increasing chance success rates long term .
