Benjamin Care
Taking care of Benjamin, which is a decorative miniature tree often preferred by those who want to bring a touch of nature into their homes, is crucial. Here are the answers to all the important questions for those who want to cultivate the Benjamin plant at home.
Benjamin's Characteristics:
- Benjamin is known to have 800 different types, some of which are small, while others grow into large trees.
- Smaller Benjamin varieties, which are grown as bonsai, are well-suited for indoor cultivation.
- Benjamin is a plant that doesn't like to be moved frequently and undergoes an adaptation process to its location.
How to Care for Benjamin? Sunlight:
Light is not vital for Benjamin. Its vital activities do not stop when light is insufficient. However, it thrives in well-lit areas. Benjamin likes bright spots but doesn't like direct sunlight. Benjamin, when grown indoors, is resilient to low light conditions and can survive with minimal light. Dark green-leaved Benjamins are more suitable for indoor areas.
Temperature:
The Benjamin plant is tropical and dislikes cold temperatures, especially during the winter months. The temperature should be at least 4 degrees Celsius to prevent damage to the plant in winter. The ideal temperature range for Benjamin is between 17 and 27 degrees Celsius.
Humidity:
Being a tropical plant, Benjamin prefers high humidity. If you are caring for this plant in a low-humidity environment, you may need to intervene to prevent its leaves from falling. To maintain the plant's humidity balance, you can occasionally spray water on its leaves. Additionally, you should avoid letting the soil dry out too much to help maintain the humidity balance.
Watering Benjamin:
When it comes to watering, you should consider your plant's needs and water it accordingly. In winter months, you can use room-temperature water once a week and increase this to 2 or 3 times a week during hot summer months. In the summer, you should provide water not only to the soil but also to the plant's leaves. To wet the leaves, you can wash the plant with a shower on the balcony or in the bathroom. However, you should do this early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the sun burning the plant's leaves.
Soil:
Benjamin is not very demanding when it comes to soil. It doesn't require nutrient-rich soil. All it needs from the soil is good drainage.
Fertilization:
While Benjamin doesn't have strict soil requirements, occasional fertilization can have a positive effect on the plant. Applying liquid fertilizer twice a month during the spring and autumn months will help keep your plant's leaves vibrant and green.
Pot Selection:
Benjamin is a fast-growing plant, which can make it challenging to decide when to change the pot. You can change the soil and pot every two years. The critical point to consider when changing the pot is to transition to a slightly larger pot each time. Moving to overly large pots can negatively affect the plant's development.
Pruning:
Benjamin produces stronger leaves when pruned. Trimming the upper leaves strengthens the lower stem. You can achieve a more decorative appearance by pruning your plant and promoting healthier growth. There is no specific pruning season for Benjamin; you can prune it whenever needed. Occasionally, you can use sterile scissors to trim yellowing or overly dense areas.
How to Propagate the Benjamin Plant:
To propagate the Benjamin plant, you should wait for at least the first year to pass. Then, gently cut a branch from the stem and remove any extra leaves. Leave 3 leaves at the top of the branch and place it in a jar until it roots. Rooting may take a few months. Wait until the roots are at least 5 cm long and change the water every two weeks or every 10 days. When the roots have grown enough, you can plant them in a pot. You need to create a greenhouse effect for the baby Benjamin you've planted in a pot. To do this, you can put the plant in a transparent bag. Place your plant in an area where it can receive light and wait for it to establish its humidity balance. At the end of the week, remove the plant from the bag and place it in its final location.
FAQs:
Why are the leaves falling off my Benjamin plant?
It's normal for Benjamin, a plant with many leaves, to shed some leaves. However, if the shedding is excessive, the cause could be insufficient lighting, cold air, or lack of humidity. To address this, you should correct the missing conditions. If you still have issues with leaf shedding despite having all conditions in place, you can add magnesium and manganese to the soil. Additionally, Benjamin doesn't like frequent changes in its location. If you've recently moved your plant, it may shed some leaves until it adapts to its new spot.
Why are the leaves turning yellow?
If you moved to a pot that is too large when repotting and suffocated the roots with too much soil, this problem can occur. You can aerate the soil, change the pot and soil if the problem persists. Another cause of yellowing leaves is overwatering. If there are white, sticky bubbles on the leaves, it indicates that your plant is struggling due to insects or flies. First, thoroughly wash your plant under the shower in the bathroom. After this wash, make sure all the flies have disappeared.
My plant is not growing or growing slowly. The Benjamin plant grows rapidly. If your plant's growth has stopped or is very slow, inadequate temperature is likely the issue.
