Acclimatization of Ficus benjamina to temperature and irradiance conditions in indoor landscapes

The present study examined the effects of temperature and light regimes as a means to acclimatize Ficus benjamina prior to plants being placed in a standard, interior environment. F. benjamina plants were exposed for six months to temperatures of 15, 20 and 25°C combined with photo flux densities (PFD) of 40. 80 and 180 µmol m-2s-1. After treatments, plants were placed in an interior environment at 18 µmol m-2s-1 PFD and 20°C and growth measured. During acclimatization the combination of 15°C and 180 µmol m-2s-1 is critical because leaf number is reduced and the typical leave gloss is lacking. Growth of F. benjamina in interior environment was affected by acclimatization parameters. After six month indoors, growth characteristics were nearly indentical among acclimatization treatments. However, temperature and irradiance during acclimatization inflenced internode lenght growth and carotenoid content plants were placed in an interior environment.