AusBonsai

Hi everyone,



A few months back I planted some rubiginosa seeds and they germinated not too long after. They're about 2 months old now and I am beginning to wonder if they are truly rubiginosa. The leaves remind me more of religiosa. I've been told the leaves now are not mature leaves and that they will change, but I am just a bit worried I guess. I just want a rubiginosa . Does anyone have a picture of a rubiginosa seedling that they can share? Thanks!

Mine are not anywhere near this big yet so probably not worth comparing.

It is worth noting that rubiginosa seems to be very variable over its range here in Aust. I have 2 quite distinct forms -leaves and trunk - that both appear to be rubiginosa.

I also note a slightly lighter colour between the leaf veins on those seedlings. Maybe they could do with a little iron or trace elements along with whatever you are already feeding them.

shibui wrote:Mine are not anywhere near this big yet so probably not worth comparing.

It is worth noting that rubiginosa seems to be very variable over its range here in Aust. I have 2 quite distinct forms -leaves and trunk - that both appear to be rubiginosa.

I also note a slightly lighter colour between the leaf veins on those seedlings. Maybe they could do with a little iron or trace elements along with whatever you are already feeding them.

Hmm interesting, thanks!

Good point about the leaf veins. I haven't actually been feeding them at all since I'm unsure how effective the fert would be in such a peaty (seed starting) soil.

Yep. Definitely looks like rubiginosa to me. And I pull heaps out as weeds everyday. I also agree it is suffering an element deficiency. Iron or nitrogen probably. Peat contains NO nutrients. As it is warming up where you are, I would repot it into a free draining mix and start fertilising. They are very heavy feeders but step it up gradually.

Joel

Thanks Joel!


I was just a little concerned since the leaves reminded me so much of religiosa. Nice to know otherwise!

Well my is it is definitely not a PJ fig - the leaves don't look as dark green as they should nor as smooth and glossy as they should. Can't speak for the religiosa

Sorry, I should have specified these are definitely not the leaves it will continue to produce for the rest of it's life. Just deficient juvenile leaves that may also not be getting enough sunlight. Fix these issues and pot it up into a fast draining mix with a bit of fert and you should start to get the adult foliage that typify this species.

Good luck!
Joel

Maybe the rubiginosa leaves are starting to come out now?

The leaves coming out now do look like rubiginosa. I've got two seedlings, and both are surprisingly pushing aerial roots. One is backbudding like crazy as well.

Nice! Now quickly pot them into a more suitable mix now that it is warming up and let them power on through summer!

Joel

They look fantastic now if only the wife would let me spend my squirreled away dollars and cents on some grow lights I'd be set love watching the passion and lengths you go to for your tropicals. Inspires and humbles keep posting.



Rin

Thank you both, it's certainly something interesting with all the things I do for my trees.

One of the seedlings has really developed quite a few aerial roots now, but I'm just going to leave them and let them swell up the base so it can get nice and fat in a short time.

This little seedling has just been growing like a weed these past few months. It's got tons of aerial roots at the base, which I'm going to leave so that they cause the base to swell and thicken at a quick rate.

That kind of growth in one year, eh? Pretty sure that's already a better specimen than the ficus benjamina I've had for three years now.

I think it's time to order some seeds . . . and some grow lights . . .

lackhand wrote:That kind of growth in one year, eh? Pretty sure that's already a better specimen than the ficus benjamina I've had for three years now.

I think it's time to order some seeds . . . and some grow lights . . .

Not even quite a year, this one's only about 6-7 months old