Ficus religiosa

Forum for discussion of Tropical bonsai – Ficus, Bougainvillea, Fukien Tea, Dwarf Umbrella etc.
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Joel
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Ficus religiosa

Post by Joel »

Hi guys,

Has anybody grown Ficus religiosa in Sydney or further south? Does it do well? Any tips? Looking at you Bodhidharma!

Many thanks,
Joel
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Jamie
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Jamie »

gday Joel :D

mate not actually having been down there this might not be helpful but honestly, if you can keep the frosts away from the tree then you shouldnt have drama's! Im positive Leong grows religiosa without to much issue. dont know if he worries about frost either.

jamie :D
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Joel »

Thanks Jamie. I figured i was fine so long as i avoided frost but i know it's quite different from most Ficus. For instance, it is difficult to prop via cuttings.

Joel
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Jamie »

gday champ :D


mate, I have had problems with a lot more ficus cuttings than people would imagine with some just refusing to strike no matter what was done! as easy as they do propagate things can be finicky sometimes, like one prob I had was the medium staying to wet (it was organic) and rot sets in, although I even had some fig cuttings rot in diatomite!

all ya can do is keep trying, using aids to help like hormone powder and vitamins etc.

being that the F. religiosa is some what more "tender" I guess you could say you might just need to be a little more pampering with it.

let us know how you go any ways champ!
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and growing trees for the future generations! 50+ year plans :D
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by bodhidharma »

I do have one going Joel. You are correct that cuttings are difficult as is seed ( i have tried both) Mine has to be glass house accommodated over winter and also suffers from black spot. I treat it the same as the rest of my Ficus. I have yet to see an impressive one as a Bonsai here in Aussie but there are impressive ones o.s. They do grow strongly though, tripled its size in one growing season . Air layering will be my next effort with this tree.
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Joel »

Thanks Diederik!

I think i may try my tree in the ground come spring, and drape some sort of plastic over it in winter on particularly cold nights. I'm keen to get it growing strong and then make some chops. It is only a tiny struck cutting now. Hope it makes it through winter!

P.s. Diederik the elm is going well. Has lost all it's leaves and needs some cutting back. I have given it a year of thought and am still too scared to make any serious chops. I still can't even figure out what front is best! I think i may have to start a thread on here asking opinions.

Joel
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Kigawa »

I agree with above posts. I used to strike F. religiosa cuttings in India (its native country) without any problems, but in Sydney they kept on dying. When I finally succeeded it was a combination of the right cutting size (has to be a woody cutting), appropriate season (has to be warm, but not too hot) and the use of root hormones. I have a question though. I stuggled to find a tree in Sydney to get F. religiosa cuttings from. Does any one know a tree in Sydney where I could get more cuttings? :lost:
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Edward Scissorhand »

There is a massive one growing in the grounds of Sydney University. I couldnt believe the size of it, until I saw it. I have an old small one in a pot which I can take a couple of cuttings in the spring if people are interested.
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by daiviet_nguyen »

Hi there Joel,

I do not know of a ficus religiosa down in Victoria, but a friend has successfully imported a ficus racemosa into Victoria. Since then he has done several layerings, and seem to be doing well. (Racemosa is not as nice as religiosa, but popular as bonsai subject too.)

Good luck with finding one :)

Best regards.
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by bodhidharma »

Joel wrote:Thanks Diederik!

I think i may try my tree in the ground come spring, and drape some sort of plastic over it in winter on particularly cold nights. I'm keen to get it growing strong and then make some chops. It is only a tiny struck cutting now. Hope it makes it through winter!

P.s. Diederik the elm is going well. Has lost all it's leaves and needs some cutting back. I have given it a year of thought and am still too scared to make any serious chops. I still can't even figure out what front is best! I think i may have to start a thread on here asking opinions.

Joel
G'day Joel, i made a small glass house out of old windows, you can use aluminium, and draped an piece of plastic over it during winter. I just sat it over the tree in the ground. I have wondered about the Elm and i am glad to hear it is still alive :cool: If the only problem is uncertainty then i am happy. I agree, post it and get a thread going on it and all will be resolved. I look forward to seeing it again.
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Jamie
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Jamie »

would love to see it edward!! always love seeing old figs!
SHOHIN YAKUZA!!!
:twisted: taking the top half of trees of since 2005! :twisted:
and growing trees for the future generations! 50+ year plans :D
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Joel »

Apparently there is a F. religiosa in Hyde park and there is one at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney but you can definitely not reach it's foliage (plus cuttings aren't allowed).

I already have a struck cutting. It was given to me Wednesday. I just want to make sure i don't kill it!

Diederik, the tree is definitely healthy. I was surprised how much it growth it put out after being bare rooted. I want to get stuck into it, it's just that i don't want to regret anything i do this tree as it is one of my largest trees.

Joel
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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by markandrew »

The Bo tree in the Sydney Botanic Garden is right over on the eastern side beside the Lion Gate Lodge. At this time of year (late summer, early autumn) it gets covered in small brownish purple figs which seem to grow right out of the stems. Cockatoos seems to love them but prefer to break branches off and sit on the fence eating them. They then discard the broken branches on the path _outside_ the garden fence.

I am trying to strike cuttings from a few of those at the moment, though it is probably not the best time of the year for it.


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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by markandrew »

PS I have got two cuttings to strike from pieces I picked up off the footpath. They are in a small greenhouse I bought from Bunnings. It comes in a box with plastic tubes that you put together to make the frame and metal mesh shelves. Then there is a clear plastic tent that goes over it with a zip up the front.


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Re: Ficus religiosa

Post by Ashley Brown »

Its Ash from BonsaiWorld on Central Coast

I have been growing religiosa here for last three years. One batch in greenhouse and one batch outside (500 in and 500 outside). The ones outside have handled many frosts. Last week for instance saw trees covered in ice 3 days straight. After reading the net for lots of growing information in relation to the cold I was thinking I was wasting my time with the trees outside ....but they are thriving. They are actually doing better than greenhoused trees. They are definately hardier than the internet suggests.

In three years not one has died from adverse weather...hot or cold

Cuttings will work almost any time of year. If taken this time of year, keep the greenhouse warm and humid and if possible a little bit of bottom heat. When timing is less than perfect, the bigger cuttings seem to work better.
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