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| plant details |
Ficus carica
| latin name: |
Ficus carica |
| common name: |
Common Fig Tree, Brown Turkey Fig |
| family: |
Moraceae (z) |
| group: |
Other green plants |
| climate: |
mediterranean |
| minimal winter temperature: |
2-5°C |
| ideal temperature: |
22°-26°C |
| light: |
bright-shade |
| soil: |
humus-peat-loamy |
| Flower colour: |
green, yellow |
| rarity: |
yes |
| month |
1 |
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12 |
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| description: |
There are over 600 species of Ficus, most of them tropical and evergreen, although some, most notably F. carica, the common fig, are deciduous. Ficus produces a unique %22fruit%22 which is actually an inverted flower. Not all Ficus produce edible fruit.
These plants are sold in wide range of sizes, including tissue-cultured cuttings and plugs, air layers, small liners (plugs) from standard cuttings, and container-grown plants up to 200-gallon (900 L) capacity.
Fig Tree originally comes from the eastern Mediterranean region.
Fig leaves are bright green, single, alternate and large. They are more or less deeply lobed with 1-5 sinuses, rough hairy on the upper surface and soft hairy on the underside. In summer their foliage lends a beautiful tropical feeling. The tiny flowers of the fig are out of sight, clustered inside the green %22fruits%22, technically a synconium.
Fig trees usually begin bearing fruit within two years. Mulch heavily with organic materials to conserve moisture, improve soil structure and reduce root knot nematode levels. Once established, figs are drought tolerant and generally free of pests and diseases. When fully dormant, fig trees can tolerate temperatures as low as 10°-15°F (-9 to -12°C). In colder regions, figs are grown as bushes with multiple stems and branches close to the ground that are laid down and buried before winter. Even if frozen to the ground, figs often will resprout from the roots and produce a crop the following summer.
Ficus carica produces edible figs, but has very large leaves, making it suitable for the largest sized bonsai.
Indoor Ficus appreciate being brought outdooors during summer. Does not like draughts.
Watering moderate, increasing in summer and decreasing in winter. Many Ficus are very tolerant of being over or under watered, which makes them ideal for beginners. Ficus likes a daily misting to maintain humidity.
Ficus are suitable for most styles of bonsai, but are especially suitable for styles which make use of their property of extensive rooting, such as air-root and root-over-rock styles. Ficus can be used for all sizes of bonsai, although, obviously, the small-leaved species make the best miniature bonsai. Leaf pruning can be used to reduce leaf size.
Ficus is one of the easiest plant to root from cuttings%3B; although the specifics for maximum success vary with species, it%27s always worth sticking them into soil for the heck of it, unless you%27re already overrun with baby Ficus! Very large diameter cuttings of Ficus can be successfully rooted. Air-layering is also quite easy. Ficus can be grown from seed, but require heat and humidity, and easily succumb to mold.
Repotting them every 2-3 years, although some will grow rapidly enough that yearly repotting may be necessary. Ficus can be repotted any time of year if reasonable after-care is given. Roots can easily be pruned by half.
Some ficus will lose leaves if overwatered or given too little light.
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| author: |
L.Mojca |
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