The Sunday Mail
THE fig trees have been a popular versatile species since time immemorial, even Jesus asked Zacchaeus to come down from a sycamore fig tree, which is actually ficus sycomorus. The ficus family comprises of many species that have become popular home and garden relics.
We have exotic specimens such as ficus benjamina (weeping fig), ficus elastica (rubber plant), ficus carica (Common fig), ficus macrophylla (moreton bay fig), ficus retusa (tiger bark ficus) and ficus pumila (creeping fig), just to name a few. Other notable indigenous species include ficus craterostoma (rare forest fig), ficus ingens (red-leaved fig), ficus lyrata (fiddleback fig), thonningii (wild fig) and ficus vogellii (giant leaved fig).
Many of the ficus species can grow to be large trees with powerful roots that can damage pathways and buildings, so it is always advisable to plant them far from your concrete surrounds. You can also plant them in pots both indoors and outdoors. Use the weeping fig, rare forest fig, rubber plant, fiddleback fig and ficus benghalensis (banyan tree) indoors to adorn your living space.
Fig trees make good shade, particulary the evergreen species like the rare forest fig or the rubber plant. Give them plenty of leg room on your lawn expanse. Although their needs differ, this group of trees is a hardy lot that can survive through harsh weather conditions. lt is able to grow in subtropical and temperate climates with alternate dry and wet conditions.
Grow them in a full sun position when you opt for the outdoors but if it is indoors, position it away from direct window sunlight as that can scorch its leaves. Choose a well-drained site, preferably away from swimming pools, septic tanks or pipes. You can use compound D fertiliser but that doesn’t mean that it will not grow well without it.
Add some compost if it is available. These are the best trees to plant in rocky areas. Ficus trees are a true joy to grow, rewarding you with lush dark green leaves. Some produce edible figs like ficus ingens (musamvi in Shona) and ficus carica (common fig). Carica is more palatable whilst ingens are more preferable to birds and animals.
Most ficus species are laden with white latex sap, which can be toxic in some instances. It is best to avoid it. Fig trees can be easily propagated vegetatively, air layering is an easier way of doing so. Make an incision below a bud on a branch as deep as you can at an angle without cutting the stem off. Place a match stick across the cut to keep it open. Allow the wound to dry then take sphagnum moss and surround the area.
Place a cut plastic sleeve on both ends and tie one end then pack with moistened moss. Finally tie the top end as well. Once the roots appear, you can cut away the branch and plant in a sleeve The layering must be done 20-30cm away from the tip. To propagate from seed, cut open well ripened seed and dry. Once dried, using your hands gently grind to a fine mixture. Place fine river sand mixed with vermiculite in pot.
Sit the pots in a tray when watering, ensuring that the pots are in a well-ventilated sunny position. You can also place a transparent glass or clear plastic over the pot to increase humidity. Young seedlings will need fungicidal sprays and fertilising until they can be transplanted. Choose a fig for your house or garden!
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