Starting Ficus from Seed

[The Ficus Guy]

Hi all,



I recently ordered 5 different kinds of Ficus seeds off eBay. Most of them are coming from Australia. The seeds are from Ficus virens, Ficus rubiginosa, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, and Ficus obliqua. The only one I somewhat know how to germinate is Ficus benghalensis, in which you lay the seed on top of the soil and keep it well misted. Any tips on how to germinate the others will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Luke308]

Ficus Rubiginosa are very easy to propagate from seed. I have a heap growing atm. The instructions with mine were to sow directly on top of soil, and keep moist. It also said to cover with plastic to keep humidity up, but I guess that depends where you live. Only advice I have is lay some snail bait once they sprout as my first batch got wiped out by one hungry slug!!!
For the others, try typing the botanical name in to google followed by seed propagation/sowing. Hope that helps

[shibui]

Ficus are supposed to need light to germinate so sow seed on top of the seed raising mix. Do not cover the seed with sand, mix, anything! They will usually germinate in just a few days (maybe a week?, possibly longer with dried seed??) Hopefully your seed will germinate. I was told to sow fresh because drying the seed would kill it???? Glass or plastic cover to keep the humidity high would make sense or keep the mix well damp to keep humidity up.
Ditto with slugs Luke but not sure what sort of a problem they are in Virginia? which also means that its winter for you Ficusguy? so they will probably need temps about 20C so I'd choose a warm area to put them.

[The Ficus Guy]

Thank you both!

I tried Googling for the answers, but I couldn't find too much and wanted to gather some information from those who have started from seed.

I live in Virginia and we are currently in winter right now. Since it's winter I and I am starting indoors, I fear no slugs

I plan on germinating them in small greenhouses with a big T5 light above:

[shibui]

Hope the local gendarmes don't find out about your little setup Ficus. Might get a heavy handed knock on the front door!
And, honestly, on the CARPET

[shibui]

Hey Ryan,
Any germination of your seed yet?
I collected a few varieties while we were in Sydney at the end of Feb. All have germinated in the unheated igloo in a just few weeks.

PICT0043.JPG

I really must be mad growing more figs, especially here in the chilly hills of Victoria. Was only going to get F. coronata but ended up bringing back Coronata, rubiginosa, obliqua, destructans? and macrocarpa. Macrocarpa germinated quickest but all have now sprouted.

[Jerry Meislik]

I have seen some absolutely huge Ficus macrocarpa growing in the ground in New Zealand. Absolutely fabulous and immense nebari.
Jerry

[The Ficus Guy]

I've had some success with germination. I've gotten one benghalensis to germinate, and there are a few rubiginosa sprouting now.

[The Ficus Guy]

Here is a shot of the rubiginosa seedlings: