Ficus seedling ID mystery

[Josh76]

Hi all. I'm in Mexico City where the predominant Ficus species in the streets are F. elastica, F. benjamina, and F. lyrata. Also F. macrophylla and F. nitida are occasionally seen but not that often. I've never seen any seedlings growing so I assumed that, as none of these are native species, the pollinator wasp wasn't present. However, last December I picked up a red fruit under a large F. elastica to test this theory. To my surprise the seeds sprouted quickly and today I separated the three resulting seedlings. However I'm a bit puzzled as I was expecting a large-leafed F. elastica but the seedlings look more like F. benjamina or possibly F. nitida to me. What do you think? The fruit was red and as far as I know F. benjamina fruit is yellow/orange when ripe. What colour are F. nitida fruits? There are no other Ficus trees in the immediate vicinity apart from the F. elastica that I thought was the mother. Any ideas? Could it be that seed-grown F. elastica take longer to get the full-size leaves? Or has there every been an F. elastica x F. benjamina hybrid as this is kind of what it looks like to me. All insights much appreciated! I've already posted this on the OurFigs forum but haven't had any response.

 

[Tom in Tucson]

I've grown several Ficus sp. from seed, and the juveniles don't resemble the adults until they are 1 to 2 years old. What I am puzzled about is the pollinator. If it is a hybrid then it would be unusual if it was made by a fig wasp since each species of fig typically has it's own wasp species (much like Yucca sp. and their unique moth species). Maybe there are other vectors for figs and yuccas since Yucca hybrids aren't that unusual (such as Yucca queretaroensis and the hybrid seeds sold by RPS several years ago).

Good work growing those Ficus from seed (they can be somewhat difficult).

Hi 85˚, Lo 54˚

Edited May 1, 2019 by Tom in Tucson

[Josh76]

Thanks Tom. I'll continue to post updates so we can see how they develop. Any thoughts, @Walt @Bennz?

[Dr Sha]

It looks like Ficus retusa to me.

[Bennz]

Hi Josh,

 

I've only grown elastica from seed once, so long ago I can't remember the foliage,... but figs can be very variable. I guess all I can ask is where there any other figs in the vicinity? If not, then likely to be elastica. It doesn't look wrong for elastica, as there is a lot of variation. I have seen figs from other species underneath trees from birds, but I've never seen an intact fig of another species, usually if the birds bring them, they bring part fruit. 

 

It looks good!

 

Was it a good aerial rooting form? I might have to ask you to go find me some seeds too if it was... 

[Walt]

On 5/1/2019 at 9:57 AM, Josh76 said:

Thanks Tom. I'll continue to post updates so we can see how they develop. Any thoughts, @Walt @Bennz?

Hi Josh, No thoughts as I've never grown any of those species from seed.

But the Ficus rubinginosa I grew from seed you sent me are jamming! Further, tons of aerial roots. I will try to snap some pics and post them for you. I think I grew a Ficus polita from seed you sent me. So far it hasn't awoke from it's winter slumber. Also, I have a 3/4 meter high Ficus benghalensis that is a descendent of the big F. benghalensis from the Edison Estate.  It, too, hasn't awoke from its winter slumber.  But all my other species of Ficus are growing well, and have been for months now.  Also, the Ficus luschnathiana I grew from seed you gave me are slower growers than F. rubinginosa, but they look good otherwise.

[Bennz]

On 5/3/2019 at 10:05 AM, Walt said:

the Ficus rubinginosa I grew from seed you sent me are jamming! Further, tons of aerial roots. I will try to snap some pics and post them for you. 

 Walt, I'm really  looking forward to these pictures! That might be a very special seedlot you've got there. 

[Walt]

2 hours ago, Bennz said:

 Walt, I'm really  looking forward to these pictures! That might be a very special seedlot you've got there. 

I think I'm growing six Ficus rubinginosa trees. What's odd (to me) is how some of them are much, much larger than others -- yet all came from the same seed batch, and all germinated at the same time. Below are my two largest trees. I planted them a year or two before I planted the smaller ones (not shown). Also, my largest tree has a spreading habit, while my second to largest (and also 3rd largest, but not shown) has a more upright, less spreading habit. But all my trees have lot of developing aerial roots.

The first photo below is my largest F. rubinginosa which has the more spreading habit. The second photo shows my 2nd largest F. rubinginosa which has a more upright, less spreading habit. The tree got major damage (big branch ripped off) during Hurricane Irma. I wasn't happy about it. The aerial roots shown in the next two photos are from my second largest tree. But all trees have a profusion of developing aerial roots. I look forward to these roots anchoring in the ground and then growing into stabilizing subsidiary roots.