Ficus 'Melany'

Ficus Melany is one of the varieties of Ficus Elastica, which has established itself as an exotic ornamental plant, which is not required in care. But in contrast to its congeners, it has smaller leaves and trunk sizes. You see, Ficus Melany Elastica is the result of a mutation of Ficus Decora, which was grown in orangeries in the Netherlands and South Holland. The actual appearance is its miniature copy. Leaves of Melany in length reach 15 cm, while the ancestor’s leaves – up to 25 cm; in width only to 7 cm. The upper leaf plate is dark green in color, smooth and glossy, with a lighter vein, from which the thin “vascular” depart. The lower part of the leaf has a brown olive color, a little rough feel, the middle vein is red-orange. Leaves have an elliptical shape with a sharpening at the top. The trunk grows small, as the size of each node reaches 2 cm. This Ficus Elastica will branch well, unlike other varieties.

Water every time the earth dries up. At the same time, there should be so much water that the ground gets wet half a finger deep.  When the room is dry, increase the humidity by spraying or rubbing the leaves of the plant with a wet sponge.  fertilize from spring to autumn with a universal substrate, approximately once in 2 weeks. In winter, once a month.  Pruning is done at the end of winter or in early spring, so that the ficus is beautifully branched. To do this, you need to trim to 6 internodes from the tops. You should do this with a sharp knife in gloves. Leaking juice will need to be wiped with a damp sponge or a rag, cuts are not treated with anything. (ficusplant.org)