My indoor tropical setup

[Booga]

Gday Ryan. Thats some dedication for one species.
It sounds a bit chilly over there mate. I recon the set up looks good so I think they should thrive.

[Andrew F]

Thanks I will look into them but I was thinking one of those round globe types

L.E.D? if you were thinking that, it would cost a bit to get it started but will save you a few bob in the long run.

[The Ficus Guy]

Thanks everyone!

Yes, it can get verrrry cold here during winter. Down to -5C at times.

So far this setup has worked wonders on my trees. A lot of my Willow Leaf Ficus that went "dormant" and dropped leaves have bounced back like weeds since placing them in this.

Here's a Ficus salicaria '89 that was pretty much leafless upon going into the setup, back on the 23rd of March:

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And here it is after just a week of being in the setup:

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Incredible growth for such a short amount of time.

[Grant Bowie]

A very interesting thread.

Here in sunny Aus in sunny Canberra we can have temps down to minus 10 or so; so I also grow my figs inside over late autumn, winter and early spring but without lights or heat.

I just placed them close to a sunny double glazed window/double door and draw the curtains at night to keep the chill out.

However I am about to lose some winter sun due to a construction so may need to consider some extras for the figs.

Grant

[Glenda]

Here in Sunny Queensland my figs grow outside all year. I have two willow leaf ficus - one looses its leaves in 'winter', the other just powers on all year.

Glenda

[Bretts]

Thanks I will look into them but I was thinking one of those round globe types

L.E.D? if you were thinking that, it would cost a bit to get it started but will save you a few bob in the long run.

Sorry I have not explained myself well. Maybe I should have said tear drop shape
But something like this is what I was thinking for a single tree.

globe.jpg

If LED came in a spectrum for plant growth then I would not rule that out either though as it would last a long time and I think they are cheaper to run hey
Thanks for the help

[Andrew F]

Thanks I will look into them but I was thinking one of those round globe types

L.E.D? if you were thinking that, it would cost a bit to get it started but will save you a few bob in the long run.

Sorry I have not explained myself well. Maybe I should have said tear drop shape
But something like this is what I was thinking for a single tree.

globe.jpg

If LED came in a spectrum for plant growth then I would not rule that out either though as it would last a long time and I think they are cheaper to run hey
Thanks for the help

You're welcome mate. I'd suggest a hydro shop for advice too.

[The Ficus Guy]

I worked on a new enclosure today. I had an old PVC frame that was being used, but not to the potential it could've been used. So, I bought some mylar and thought I'd rework the frame. It isn't done yet, but I'll be finishing it up here in the next day or so. It still needs a roof and front. Stay tuned.

[The Ficus Guy]

And here's my latest setup. Using mylar and PVC again, I've constructed yet another enclosure. At the bottom I have aluminum trays (the kind that serve food). I then filled those trays with gravel. Then I filled with a little bit of water. What should happen now is those trays should act as humidity trays and allow the water to evaporate into the atmosphere and make it humid. My hygrometer reads that it is in fact 99% humidity inside of the setup. So far, so good. Comments welcome.

[The Ficus Guy]

I just got some new, even more reflective mylar and have just about finished the setup for my larger sized trees. Just needs a roof and a door. But boy is this new stuff reflective....

[Rintar]

Fantastic thread love all the details. I to am blessed with a similar climate to VS (ok we live very close almost identical) but i have still put my lone PJ fig into the green house. download/file.php?id=54037&mode=view/bonsai%20006%20(234x500" ).jpg (its a stick in a pot still) IM trying to encourage a prolonged growth period and lower shoots. Airel roots on this would be a blessing to help give it taper adn help hide its base i would putit as a candidatefor layering in spring but it was a gift adn wantto retain it in a close to orginal condition.


Keep the updates info and pics coming

Cheers Mate

Rintar

aka

J

[The Ficus Guy]

Thanks Rintar! I'm growing some PJ Figs from seed, and so far even the young, green seedlings are pushing aerial roots in my conditions. Very surprising.

I've added a door to the setup I'm working on. It still needs a roof, but it'll get there.

[kcpoole]

Hey TFG.
Gawd you have to go thru a lot to keep Figs No way i would be that dedicated so congratulate you

Ken

[The Ficus Guy]

Thanks Ken.


I'm just about done with this other setup. The light up top is for trial runs to see how hot/humid I can get it in there...

[The Ficus Guy]

I've edited one of the setups and gotten rid of it completely. I only kept the stand that held the light and I have hung sheets of mylar over it.

Before:

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After:

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