This plant may be available to buy
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Ficus spp click pic to enlarge |
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Zone 10 or common Houseplant Ficus of all varieties are the most over planted tree/hedge plants in South Florida. One plant left to grow alone looks like the tree above which is still VERY young and has been on the "don't plant" list of the State of Florida for years The reasons include their size, and their aggressive roots...
click pic to enlarge and ability to squeeze out almost all types of other trees and shrubs as they grow
Other varieties to show size, one plant The world's largest tree is a ficus growing in India covering an astonishing 550 acres !!! Ground roots are often exceeded by aerial roots There are many varieties of this ficus available:
Almost every benjamina bought and planted ends up in a hedge. They look great to start, usually planted 3-feet on center. They are desired for their fast growth and thick foliage which provides privacy. However, it is their fast growth and roots that causes the problems as well. More roots The main point is that ONE plant in the hedge wants to grow up to be the tree in the photos. You get the idea Care of ficus is not an issue. Plant, water to establish and forget about further attention. Even fertilizer seems to be optional. Indoors, be sure to provide maximum light and consistent warmth and fairly moist soil. A newly acquired ficus houseplant may decline Some exotic ficus trees include:
Other ficus varieties commonly locally sold:
But ficus, including many thousands of miles of Florida ficus hedges, seem to be in serious trouble. All ficus now have a serious enemy, the newly found/introduced Fig Whitefly or Ficus Whitefly Another up-to-date info source is here If you get infected, you need to act fast to try control. If you shake the plant and get a cloud of white (flies), you are infected. The initial appearance is rapid defoliation ...heavy leaf loss |
