Ficus SUR

Ficus SUR - Cape fig, Broom cluster fig, Ficus capensis, Ficus sur.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Ficus is a genus of plants in the mulberry family (Moraceae), within which it forms the monotypic tribe Ficeae. Most species are evergreen, while some are deciduous. The most famous representative of the genus is the common fig tree, also known as the fig or edible fig. Also well-known is Ficus benjamina (weeping fig), grown indoors as an ornamental plant.

The plant is quite widespread, numbering nearly 900 species, including trees, shrubs, and lianas. Its homeland is countries with a predominantly subtropical or tropical climate (Southeast Asia, Borneo, Ceylon, Java), where the height of ficus reaches 30 m (98 ft) and the length of the leaves 1 m (3.3 ft).

Leaves can be alternate, entire, lobed, glossy, or pubescent. Ficus inflorescences have an unusual structure: an enlarged axis of pear-shaped or capitate form is hollow inside, with an apical opening at the top. The flowers are located inside the wall of the inflorescence and are pollinated by insects. After pollination, small fruits begin to develop from the flowers, forming an infructescence. Indoors, ficuses bloom extremely rarely.

Cape fig is a shrub or small tree. The leaves are oblong-oval, tapering toward the apex, rounded or slightly notched at the base, finely serrated along the margin, fairly large, 15-20 cm (6-8 in) long and 5-7 cm (2-2.8 in) wide, soft yet rather firm, smooth or slightly pubescent, and light green. Young plants have light gray bark, while mature specimens have darker bark. The fruits are rounded figs, yellow with a pink flush, edible, up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, located on the trunk, branches, and sometimes on the roots. It inhabits damp, warm gorges. It is of interest for conservatories, greenhouses, and lovers of exotic indoor plants.

Seeds are sown on the surface in a mixture of leaf mold, peat, and sand, moistened from a spray bottle with a growth stimulant, covered with plastic film, and germinated in the light, but not in direct sun at a temperature of 25-30 °C (77-86 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. Waterlogging and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

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Ficuses are conservative and dislike being moved from one place to another. It is best if the room is sunny and has plenty of fresh air. In summer, you can take the ficus out onto a balcony, though it must be protected from direct sunlight. With insufficient lighting, plant growth slows down and leaves drop. Under abrupt changes in light levels, the color of the leaves alters.

In summer, the optimal maintenance temperature is 25-30 °C (77-86 °F), and in winter 16-20 °C (61-68 °F). For ficus in winter, a warm and dry room with supplemental lighting and regular misting is preferable. The ficus requires all the more light the higher the ambient temperature is. The plant reacts sharply to chilling of the root ball: it may shed its leaves, so placing it on a cold floor is unacceptable. Sharp temperature fluctuations are undesirable. The ficus's watering needs depend on external conditions.

In summer, abundant watering is required, but it is important to let the soil dry out between waterings. Warm water is recommended for watering in such quantity until it begins to drain from the drainage hole. After 30 minutes, excess water must be emptied from the tray. In winter, watering should be careful, especially if the ficus is kept in a cool room, as excess moisture is possible.

If the ficus is grown in an inert substrate, fertilizing is necessary year-round. If traditional soil mixes are used, fertilizers (organic or mineral) must be applied every 2 weeks in spring and summer. In winter, fertilizers are not used.

When the pot becomes cramped (the root ball is completely entwined with roots, the soil dries out quickly after watering, roots are visible from the drainage holes), repotting is required. It is best done in spring or summer - at this time of year the plant adapts more easily. Young plants require a specific soil consisting of a mix of leaf mold, sand, and peat. Mature plants need a denser soil, so sod soil or humus is added.