Who gives a fig ? !
I do , it seems . I gave a fig Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to a Quaker in recognition of the living she is beginning as a new mother . peradventure I over - sentimentalize about these thing , but the gifted tree diagram was also to supercede a aloof relative of the edible fig this friend had contribute to me : a genus Ficus tree diagram that I watched break down . I hoped to specify matter correct with this talent .
On a cold , blustery November night , we load up my friend ’s ficus tree into my minivan . I concur to take in this indoor plant that was suffering from a exfoliation infestation . It must have weigh about 60 pounds in a big planter , and for me , a big houseplant like this was a bighearted commitment . To find the space in our small planetary house to cater equal light and bear on to nurse it back to health would be a long shot . I lit a candle and ride and meditated near the tree each morn . I cautiously examined it for scale , monitor its water and provided it with ladybugs , hope they ’d eat any remaining shell insects . Within the first week , one of my kat had curl up in the plantation owner at the base of the tree . Optimistically , I thought the tree diagram might be receive the in force vibraharp from drowse pussy .
Alas , by the next month , all the leave were off the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , and the trunk was sear and soft . Ficus tree are very sensitive to changes in brightness level , and will cast off and regrow Modern leaves , changing their light predisposition by adapting new leaf for the young conditions . So I hoped and waited and observe , and last my arborist acquaintance declared it all in . Really beat . I could n’t believe how sad I feel about this loss . Like I say , I get sentimental about plants and their story .
When I take the ficus tree diagram in , I had no theme what its motivation were . To me , a ficus tree was the mundane , omnipresent , campaign - of - the - mill houseplant — the one that office staffers corrupt to fill the corner of waiting rooms . Yawn . Had I become one of those unimaginative people who see plants simply as interior decoration , rather than the food and life support systems I pen about ? Yikes . So I was surprised at myself for getting attached to this plant in its last days , wishing it was just depart into a state of hibernation for the winter and that we ’d see it reverberate back to life when the daylight warmed again .
The ficus , like most houseplants , is not at - plate in our offices . The tropicalFicus benjaminais one of about 850 different ficus coinage and originates in humid , subtropical Asia and Australia , a vastly dissimilar environment from our climate - controlled , ironic , indoor configurations . While they are pop indoors because they remove toxins , like methanal , from the line , they are also a major allergen , especially to citizenry with latex paint allergies . As I snapped the exanimate branches into low - enough part for the railway yard waste bin , I smelled an odd , irritating , powdery dust and cogitate maybe it was a good affair the ficus would soon be turned into compost .
Karen Lanierr
calendar month later , in early spring , I escape into my friend that gave me the tree and she shared her news that she was expecting a baby . On that same twenty-four hour period , I was lucky enough to serve a Master Gardener program about edible fig tree ( Ficus caricaspp . ) , and I think somehow this was meant to be . The Master Gardeners give away newspaper clipping from their Chicago hardy fig Tree , which were thriving outdoors in ourzone 6barea . Ficus schmicus , I opine . Here ’s a genus Ficus house member that is really worth mess up with ! Fresh figure are amazing . Late last summertime , I had picked and taste fresh figs for the first time . They grew on a young tree in a community of interests garden food forest and they were delicious !
The Chicago dauntless figure sounds too good to be true . Also know as the Bensonhurst purple fig , this tropic tree diagram can defy freezing temperatures , especially with propermulching , and has the potential to supply fruit twice a yr . Like all figs , it is ego - pollinating through an interesting process with a Ficus carica white Anglo-Saxon Protestant , so you only need one tree diagram to get fruit . At the introduction I serve , Doris Settles , fig - love overlord nurseryman and author , portion out her tips and happy success with an strange harvesting class . Her four Chicago brave common fig trees are only 3 years sure-enough , yet she collected seven gallons of fruit last twelvemonth . It was an remarkably hot summer , and her trees ripen too soon . She keep them well - watered in well - drained soil , providing about a gallon of water supply via soaker hose each day that it did n’t rain .
Doris bang this year ’s harvest will be much diminished and has rationalise the tree sharply , as many expert rede , which should stimulate abundant regrowth . ( Caution : Pruning common fig tree trees releases the virulent latex sap , which can be very chafe to skin . Wear gloves and long sleeves when trimming branches.)Karen Lanier
Karen Lanierr
While I do n’t have a stead to engraft my own common fig tree cutting yet , I ’ve potted it up and expect to see growth soon . This time , I am yield unaired attention to what this eccentric of ficus species will need for a respectable life . Because it will need an surface area about 35 human foot in diameter and height , preferably near a southern - exposure paries for the additional heat , I am waiting to plant it in the dry land until I have the right situation . From what I ’ve seen in the biotic community garden and from Doris ’s presentment on her successful figs , this fig will for certain fare better than the lamentable little genus Ficus tree didonce I get it in the ground . I hope the same is true for my friend and her figure tree . May it provide abundant yield for her new fellowship .
Karen Lanier
