The Strangler
fig is a tropical, evergreen tree with shiny, leathery leaves and smooth, light
gray bark. It is native to southern Florida and tropical America. Ficus aurea is
a large spreading tree which can reach 60 or more feet in height, although
typically smaller. It has a dense, broad spreading irregular rounded crown with
horizontal lower branches often with epiphytes, making the tree as wide as it
is tall. The lower limbs have secondary roots developing into slim rigid trunks
when they reach the ground. The tree may form large surface roots. Leaves are
bright green, alternate, oval, simple, with wavy margins and 4 – 6 inches long.
Flowers occur inside the fruits and are oval, round, fleshy, edible, green to
yellow and less than 1/2 inch long. They are pollinated by specialty wasps.
Strangler fig has an unusual natural life cycle. Seeds dispersed by
fruit-eating birds, germinate in the canopy of a host tree. Seedlings live as
epiphytes on the tree until they reach the ground, enlarge, strangle and kill
the host tree and replace it. The tree will grow on a range of soils, dry to
wet and is very hardy once established. As a large foliage tree, strangler fig
needs considerable space for growth, and hence is best suited to large gardens
and parks as an unusual specimen tree. It is appropriate for a native tree
garden. Strangler fig can also be grown in a small pot as a bonsai. Zones 9-12.
Seeds are
stored in a refrigerator to maintain viability.
Growing
Instructions
1. The seeds
like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half
sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the soil in a pot. Water the mixture so that
it is moist but not wet.
2. Sow the
seeds on the surface of the mix. Do not cover; the seeds need light to
germinate.
3. Water the
seeds.
4. Set the
container outdoors in full sunlight or partial shade if temperatures are above
77 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures are too low, keep the container indoors
under artificial lights.
5. Keep the
soil moist; do not allow it to dry out. Germination takes between 15 and 90
days.
6. Transplant
seedlings into individual containers when the second set of leaves, or true
leaves, appear.
Ryan (verified owner) –
The product is firmly packed.
Robert (verified owner) –
Good quality.
Kayden (verified owner) –
Great germination.
Hayden (verified owner) –
The seeds had a great germination rate
Matthew (verified owner) –
The product is firmly packed.