Propagating ficus tree's

[Crom]

Hi all

I have a quick question on the propagation of ficus trees. I have two out the front of my yard which are fruiting wildly atm. Many friends and passerby's have asked me if I can take a cutting, or try and germinate a seed or two for them - but I have no idea which will work, nor how to do either successfully.

The species I am unsure of, but many have commented that they are likely F. hillii.

If anyone can help out I would be indebted.

Cheers

[Hardwood Hacker]

I googled propagating peace lillys and got some ok answers. Good luck Green thumb!

[Termite]

If it's a ficus it'll take like a weed from a cutting. As a side hobby I've been raising Bonsai for about 25 years and figs are absolutely the easiest to strike from a cutting.
Just take a cutting cut at an angle and dip it in some "Rooting Powder" (leave it alone mongrels) and put it in some fairly coarse sand, don't feed it anything, just a bit of water.
Very soon it will have roots and then you can pot it in normal potting mix, don't feed too strongly until it is established.

[Crom]

Thats fantastic info cheers. Will get some pots and hormone powder - I'll be able to give out plants next xmas

Are the fruit good for anything?

[Termite]

Not familiar with the fruit you are refering to, but the normal Fruit Figs are to die for in my opinion.

[Crom]

They appear to be little yellow berries. I dont think they grow much bigger than say a marble - or at least they havent done so on my plants...

I like figs too, specially dried figs and bbq'd fig with cheese and apple.

[Termite]

The fruit you describe is non edible, although the birds will love it.

Try very ripe fresh figs with Greek Yoghurt, for breakfast. I grew up in a multicultural neighbourhood, before they invented multicultural.

[oges]

I've been raising Bonsai for about 25 years

Been wanting to try that for a while now, got a book at home somewhere.

[Cliff Rogers]

Yeap, what termite says.... I've got a few bonsai left as well, the figs are the toughest, you can't even ignore them to death unless you take them out of the pot & burn them & then half of them would probably get over it.
The local rainforest propagators have worked out a way to get them to grow from seed but it involves a bit of messing around.
They make up a seed raising mix from composted bark & volcanic gravel & mix a bit of ozmacote with it, spread it in a shallow tray about 50mm deep & carefully break open the ripe fruit & spread the tiny seeds over the mix & cover it with a bit more fine mix & water it with a fine mist twice a day for a couple of weeks.


Have fun.

[bitingmidge]

The local rainforest propagators have worked out a way to get them to grow from seed but it involves a bit of messing around.

Or nature's way is for the budgies to eat the fruit, then poop out the seeds. The seed then stays nice and moist in it's own little bag of fertilizer.

If you are going to try planting them this way, may I suggest you do it under cover of darkness?

P

[fxst]

Been wanting to try that for a while now, got a book at home somewhere.

Funny how many of us have this strange habit (bonsia)
Check ebay Brett.......there is a seller who sells all that is needed in kit form including a tree they usually go cheap so if you stuff up OOps lookout for the mini tree huggers
Pete