Saving a Ficus religiosa (Pappelfeige) Cutting from Scale Insect Infestation

During a recent visit to my parents' house, I noticed that their Ficus religiosa, also known as the sacred fig or pappelfeige, was under siege by a severe scale insect infestation. The plant was covered in these uninvited guests, causing it to lose many of its leaves. In an effort to save the plant, I decided to create a cutting and propagate it under ideal conditions.

To start, I selected a healthy cutting from the plant, ensuring it had a freshly growing leaf and showed no signs of scale insect damage. After carefully removing all scale insects from the cutting, I prepared it for propagation in water.

Using aquarium water for rooting the cutting can be beneficial, as it contains essential nutrients and beneficial bacteria that promote root growth. I filled a separate container with some water from my well-maintained aquarium and placed the cutting in it, ensuring that the bottom node was submerged while keeping the remaining leaves above the waterline.

To provide the cutting with the best possible conditions for root development, I placed the container in a brightly lit spot with indirect sunlight. This will help the cutting to grow roots without being exposed to too much direct sunlight, which could cause it to dry out.

As the cutting begins to develop roots in the nutrient-rich aquarium water, it's important to change the water every 3-4 days to prevent bacterial growth and maintain oxygen levels. Once the roots have grown to about 1-2 inches long, the cutting can be transplanted into soil to continue its growth.

By taking these steps to propagate a healthy cutting from the original Ficus religiosa, I hope to give the plant a new lease on life, free from the damaging effects of the scale insect infestation. With proper care and attention, this cutting will eventually grow into a thriving, scale insect-free pappelfeige plant.