Ficus rubiginosa seeds..

[bonscythe]

Hi all,
Just wondering how everyone goes about getting their Port Jackson Figs? I only know of one nursery round here that stocks them and on my last visit all the starters had some sort of growth on the leaves and generally looked unhealthy. I resisted buying one of the better looking ones for fear that my precious figs at home might contract the bacterial/fungal/viral growth that they seemed to suffer from. Since then I have been looking for Ficus rubiginosa of any affordable size without any luck. My question is about how everyone else here sources new figs? Do you wait till seeding season and collect seeds, make cuttings, perform layerings or do you scour the face of the earth looking for a place that sells these supposedly common bonsais?
I want figs!!
Thanks for any help - Pat

[Asus101]

Just collect the seed around lateish summer when they are ripe. You should have a few ficus in parks around the city.

[Asus101]

Oh if you dont I can collect so me down here, but you will need to wait a while till they are ripe and I can get some.

[ketutg]

i bought a few port jackson figs from a SA Club member when i first started and since then i have successfully gained new plants from cuttings of these. I do know other members on this forum grown from seed. seedlings fuse together more easily than cuttings

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,
Just wondering how everyone goes about getting their Port Jackson Figs? I only know of one nursery round here that stocks them and on my last visit all the starters had some sort of growth on the leaves and generally looked unhealthy. I resisted buying one of the better looking ones for fear that my precious figs at home might contract the bacterial/fungal/viral growth that they seemed to suffer from. Since then I have been looking for Ficus rubiginosa of any affordable size without any luck. My question is about how everyone else here sources new figs? Do you wait till seeding season and collect seeds, make cuttings, perform layerings or do you scour the face of the earth looking for a place that sells these supposedly common bonsais?
I want figs!!
Thanks for any help - Pat

What sort of growth did these figs have? Leaves curling? Blotches? Buds disfigured? or just what looks like lots of pin pricks all over? If it is the later it is not a disease, just the normal leaf.

To collect seed just get the ripe fruit in mid to late summer and squash them flat, put them on some paper and let them dry. Then break them up into smaller chunks and sow your seed.

[bonscythe]

Thanks guys for the replies,
Don't know if I wanna travel to Sydney for some seeds although I guess the option is there, a trip to the zoo or something might come in handy!
Grant - the leaves appeared blistered similar to this

oak_leaf_blister.jpg

Not exactly the same but more or less the same type of ailment. My doubts were confirmed when I went back there to find all the figs were gone!
I have bought some Indole Butryic Acid for rooting hormone, will this be usefull for Ficus cuttings? It doesn't specify hard, medium or softwood although I have read somewhere to take cuttings around 1.5cm wide? with at least 2 nodes above ground? Is this true people who have successfully cloned a ficus?
Thanks alot everyone...

[Bretts]

bonscythe The concentration of the Indole Butryic Acid will tell you if it is for soft medium or hard wood. 1g is soft 3g is medium hard I can't remember. It never hurts with Fig cuttings to use this hormone but many state that they don't need it. I would be intrested to get a look at the product you have.

[bonscythe]

It's 3g/Kg soltan...I assume that means it is for hard wood?
It's made my rich-gro or something..

[Bretts]

3g/kg is medium wood

[Grant Bowie]

You won't need rooting hormone for figs if you live anywhere where you can easilly grow figs.(ie; not Canberra)

I once sawed off a branch on a fig that was about 6"(150mm") diameter and put it in a pot of sand. Guess what? It struck! That was in September or October in Sydney.

[Grant Bowie]

Thanks guys for the replies,
Don't know if I wanna travel to Sydney for some seeds although I guess the option is there, a trip to the zoo or something might come in handy!
Grant - the leaves appeared blistered similar to this

oak_leaf_blister.jpg

Not exactly the same but more or less the same type of ailment. My doubts were confirmed when I went back there to find all the figs were gone!
I have bought some Indole Butryic Acid for rooting hormone, will this be usefull for Ficus cuttings? It doesn't specify hard, medium or softwood although I have read somewhere to take cuttings around 1.5cm wide? with at least 2 nodes above ground? Is this true people who have successfully cloned a ficus?
Thanks alot everyone...

I think you did the right thing in not buying that fig. I haven't seen that on a fig before and it looks nasty.

[Joel]

Hi guys!

If you want seed, go to the Domain in the city. Walk towards the art gallery. There is a road inside the domain area that runs parallel to Art Gallery Road that is covered with seed, and by the handful in some areas. If you go now, there is still a LOT left. It would be best to go mid week, as the roads are usually blown fridays and mondays. Along that stretch of road, most of the seeds should be Ficus rubiginosa, but there is potentially Ficus virens, Ficus macrophylla and Ficus coronata seeds as well.

Good luck!

JayC

[Asus101]

I wouldnt use seed fallen on the ground.

[Bretts]

I would This is my usual spot to collect elm seeds pre soaked, post storm. My son made a mix of potting mix azalea fertilizer and elm seeds this year so I will hopefully get a heap of seedlings comming up under the standard azaleas in the front yard come spring.

elm seeds bonsai (2).jpg

[Joel]

I wouldnt use seed fallen on the ground.

Ah there is a reason why these are very successful, which i forgot to mention. Thanks for reminding me.

The seeds here are in clumps that look a bit like a musli bar. The flying foxes suck on the fruit of the ripened figs, and then all the bare seeds fall to the ground. This separation results in seeds that germinate quiet easily. Once it rains, these "Musli Bar" pieces are separated into individual seeds, and they may pool up in some areas.

BE AWARE! Flying foxes have the ability to carry some diseases. Make sure the "Musli Bar" pieces you collect are dry. It may also be appropriate to wear gloves.

JayC