Fig - Is this a growth Spurt?

[Amanda]

I've been feeding my (questionable? MB ) fig with organic fertiliser and Seasol, I defoliated and cut it back not long ago in hopes of producing a better branching system since I haven't had it all that long. Now on the trunk shows green areas sort of like umm stretch marks what's with that? Actually this appeared after I gave it a good soaking to drown the bugs in the soil. Also some of the surface roots which were once brown/grey are a vibrant lime green, is this caused by a growth spurt or does it sound like something sinister which I'm hoping not because it appears to me like it's coming to life, there's budding all over and lots of lovely little leaves which looks promising.
Any help, tips advice greatly appreciated.

[archie1979]

Hi Anja,
Some photos would be more beneficial as we really need to see the tree to lend assistance.

[Jamie]

definately pics needed, but i dare say it sounds a bit like an algae is forming on the trunk and roots. but without pics is hard. i would go out on a limb and say i doubt it is caused by a growth spurt

[Amanda]

Ok I'll grab some photos tomorrow, would be much more helpful. It's definitely not algae, Jamie. Whatever it is it's puzzling

it looks a bit like this in places, like it's outgrowing its' skin, maybe ficus are meant to look greeny in places.

[Jarrod]

My guess is you've made it healthy and it's now putting on girth and stretching the old bark, new bark is forming which starts out green. I have seen a similar result on some of my figs during the growing season.

[Jamie]

well there ya go, i got burnt! all good though ya learn something new every day i have never seen this before myself though and fig grow at a rapid pace up here ?

[Regan]

Maybe it's just so quick at your place that you miss it mate

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi Anja, could we get a picture of the foliage, the bark looks a lot like Adenium they look similar to figs http://musaceae.files.wordpress.com/200 ... esum-x.jpg

Cheers
Mojo Moyogi

[Jarrod]

Dont think that is actually a photo of the tree, just one found online!

[Amanda]

Mojo Moyogi - Jarrod is correct, that's an image to a web search showing the similarity after the soak, today appears less green on the trunk perhaps bark mature and dry.

I will see if my phone cam picks up the areas and the roots when the sun is a little higher.

[Amanda]

Here are some photos, sorry for quality it's off my phone. Is that normal growth or something else? Yesterday and day previous was lot brighter so I think bark is maturing a little.

Can anybody verify this is a MB going by what can be seen? I'm having some real difficulty as it seems to hold the characteristics of both PJ and MB. It is between 25 and 32 year going by previous owner.

[Jamie]

hopefully jerry meislik will spot this and be able to help. cause i dont have a clue!

[archie1979]

Hmm sure looks like its trying to jump right out of its skin hahah

Sorry I cant offer any assistance either I have had a PJ fig for about 15 or so years but have only just started to get into them.

[sreeve]

HI Anja
Firstly - great job with the fig - it looks really nice.

Without a leaf it is a little hard to identify totally - I am not sure if it is either PJ or MB.
I have a couple of other types of figs which resemble them, one is an overseas variety and the other is an Aussie native (cant remember their names ). These other figs display that bark behaviour. I don’t think you have anything to worry about

One thing I have noticed with the two particular figs which I have is that the internode length is somewhat larger / longer than with other of my figs. Apparently it is a phenomena with the two types of figs I have.

There are so many types of figs that it is hard to definitively identify sometimes without the leaf.

Good luck with it - I look forward to seeing it in leaf.

Regards
Steve

[Amanda]

Steve, the internode length varies, this particular fig was living in shade for most of its' life, had never been defoliated with long flimsy branching. Here's some photos of the cuttings.

There are no hairs under the leaves, few leaf had the red tinge like in the middle photo, internodes light green, bottom photo showing the underside of leaves.